Educational Requirements:
If you’re detailed, precise, possess good eye-hand coordination and manual dexterity, consider a rewarding career in dental hygiene. Hygienists perform dental assessments in dentist’s offices, hospitals, clinics, educational and research institutions, government agencies, and private industry. Much of your work is performed using X-ray machines, delicate hand tools, and precision power tools. Training for dental hygienists is available at universities and colleges.
A one to three-year college training program, or other dental hygiene program approved by your province’s governing board is required to practice dental hygiene. Before you can work, you must be licensed by your provincial governing body. From time to time you will be required to continue and upgrade your education to keep current.
Job Prospects:
The dental industry ranks amongst the fastest growing fields, thanks to increasing demand for quality dental care. Most dental offices employ two hygienists, and dentists are expected to hire more hygienists in the future to perform preventative dental care.
Earning Power:
The average salary for a Canadian Dental Hygienist is $41,500 per year.
