How to hire a dental hygienist?

Dental Hygienists are allied healthcare professionals who work alongside dentists to provide preventive oral health therapies. They also raise oral health awareness among people to familiarize them with the best oral care practices. The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) reveals a decline in the availability of dental professionals, including hygienists, in rural and non-metropolitan areas. It projected there would be a 7% increase in demand for full-time Dental Hygienists by 2030. This creates a necessity to hire a Dental Hygienist to stay on par with the increasing demand for professionals.

Why is there a demand to hire Dental hygienists?

With the rising awareness of oral health and the importance of disease prevention among people, the healthcare sector is increasingly focusing on preventive care strategies. This has led to a substantial uprise in demand for Dental Hygienists. However, despite this demand, many regions of the USA still confront shortages of skilled Dental Hygienists, due to which quality oral healthcare facilities remain a dream for residents in those areas. According to the National Institute of Health, approximately 20 percent of the people in the USA live in rural areas, whereas only 14 percent of dentists practice in such settings. This creates an inaccessibility of dental health care services to a significant population in the USA.

How to hire a dental hygienist for your healthcare facility

While planning to hire a dental hygienist, you must explicitly state the required qualifications and experiences you expect in your job description, along with what specific skills and certifications, in addition to state licenses, are required. Utilize reliable online resources, such as MedSquirrels; this AI-based platform allows you to hire better candidates with both technical skills and interpersonal skills as well because patient care is paramount. Interviews may be taken to see their practice for skills to come alive. In addition, vetting or background checking and contacting references are important steps in the process of how to hire a dental hygienist. Craft a competitive offer that illuminates the benefits and scope for growth within your clinic. You can hire a contract or full-time dental hygienist based on your requirements. Significant reports from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics concerning the job outlook for dental hygienists indicate that it will expand much faster than average for all occupations – well, indeed, an auspicious career. 

Dental hygienists – Temporary staffing vs full-time staffing?

Dental Hygienists can work in various settings, such as dental offices, primary health centers, nursing homes, etc. Facilities also have the option to hire a Dental Hygienist temporarily based on their specific duration requirements. With the flexible staffing option, Dental Hygienist temporary staffing is a perfect solution while adhering to seasonal patient demand. It is also very cost-effective compared to hiring a full-time Dental Hygienist. 

Dental Hygienist temporary staffing also comes with its demerits that include the discontinued facility-patient relationships, and the unavailability of skilled professionals at the time of requirement. The decision to hire a full-time or temporary Dental Hygienist is all up to the facility’s way of functioning and depends on various factors such as financial considerations, flexibility, and patient care continuity. 

Difference between Dental hygienists, dentists, and dental assistants

While dentists are doctors who perform the prognosis and diagnosis for various oral healthcare needs, dental hygienists and dental assistants associate with doctors to deliver these services effectively. Dental Hygienists mainly concentrate on preventive oral care therapies and educating patients. Dental assistants are diploma holders who assist both Dentists and Dental Hygienists in various clinical and administrative tasks, such as setting up clinical instruments, tracking patient logs and appointments, and providing support to patients.

Skills & qualifications to look for in dental hygienists

To hire a Dental Hygienist, the following are the educational qualifications and skill sets to be considered.

• A three-year Associate or Bachelor’s degree in Dental Hygiene from an accredited university.
• Dental Hygienists have to be licensed to practice in every state in the USA. However, the license requirements vary by state. The National Board Dental Hygiene Examination administered by the Joint Commission on National Dental Examinations (JCNDE) is mandatory for all U.S. licensing jurisdictions.
• Some states also mandate Dental Hygienists to complete a regional or state clinical board examination for licensure.
• A cardiopulmonary resuscitation certification
• Should be detail-oriented with good communication skills and fine hand-motor coordination to use clinical instruments.
• Even though not compulsory, relevant practical exposure in the field is desirable.

License and practice guidelines

The licensure of a Dental Hygienist is managed by individual state dental boards or dental hygiene boards of the state/jurisdiction in which a Dental Hygienist works and must be renewed regularly every 1 to 2 years. Getting a license will include submitting an application and providing proof of education and examination scores. For most states, continuing education is a condition for license renewal. Before you hire a Dental Hygienist, ensure that the job description orients with the scope of work established by your state. Even after hiring, the facility must frequently verify that the license of the Dental Hygienist hired is up-to-date to avoid any compliance issues.

Dental hygienist job outlook and payscale

The Dental Healthcare field is advancing in terms of both manpower requirements as well as technologies for better patient care. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a strong employment outlook for Dental Hygienists and says it will grow by 7 percent from 2022 to 2032. Over the decade, around 16,400 openings for Dental Hygienists are projected each year. 

As per the report from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics 2023, the median annual salary of Dental Hygienists is $87,530. Job location, experience, education, and the facility setting will influence the salary of Dental Hygienists. Entry-level positions start at $77,052 per year, while most experienced workers make up to $110,175 per year, with the most getting paid in metropolitan regions like Alaska, New Jersey, California, etc. The highest-paying industries for Dental Hygienists include offices of dentists, outpatient care centers, and employment services.

Checklist to hire a dental hygienist

Here is a quick checklist to refer to when hiring a Dental Hygienist for your facility.

• Verify that the candidate’s Dental Hygiene degree is from an accredited institution.
• Adhere to state license requirements and any additional regulations.
• If licensed in another state, check for reciprocity and endorsement as applicable.
• Check whether the candidate has passed the CPR certification, if applicable, in your state.
• The candidate’s practical knowledge in the field needs to be evaluated.
• Assess familiarity with various dental instruments and software.
• Look for good communication skills.
• Ensure the candidate has no history of malpractice.

Challenges associated with hiring a dental hygienist in the USA

• Compliance with the varying state licensing requirements
• Adhering to the scope of practice detailed for the particular state
• Regulatory issues if license renewal is missed
• Burnout due to the physically demanding nature of the job
• Shortage of qualified Dental Hygienists, particularly in non-metropolitan areas

How MedSquirrels  is a great solution to hire a dental hygienist?

Accessing the talent pool of skilled Dental Hygiene professionals is a hurdle for most facilities, especially for Dental Hygienist staffing. Moreover, since top talent is limited, your facility will have to compete with other facilities and pay a higher compensation to hire Dental Hygienists. However, this can be easily tackled by associating your facility with experienced Dental Hygienist staffing agencies. Along with hiring the right professional for your facility as per your budget, they also provide complete credentialing and compliance checks in line with the regulations of your state. This not only saves time but also helps facilities to deliver better patient care. At MedSquirrels, we have an end-to-end HR platform that performs everything from sourcing candidates, interviewing, credentialing, compliance checks, and payroll. MedSquirrels platform is a cost-efficient healthcare staffing solution where you pay just a flat license fee to use our platform. Schedule a demo today to learn about our platform’s features and plans!