Dental Hygienist Job Outlook

The Dental Hygienist Job Outlook is excellent. Employment of dental hygienists is projected to grow 20% from 2016 to 2026, much faster than the forecasted 7% average growth for all occupations. Ongoing research linking oral health and general health will continue to spur the demand for preventative dental services, boosting the Dental Hygienist Job Outlook as it is dental hygienists who play an integral role in providing these preventative services. New and increasingly accurate technologies to help diagnose oral health problems are also expected to increase demand for dental services. For example, new tests use saliva samples that a hygienist takes to spot early signs of oral cancer

As their practices expand, dentists will hire more hygienists to perform routine dental care, allowing the dentist to see more patients. Also, the aging population in the U.S. will provide a further boost to the Dental Hygienist Job Outlook. As the large baby boomer population ages and people keep more of their original teeth than previous generations, the need to maintain and treat these teeth will continue to drive the need for hygienists’ services

Demand for dental services follows the trends in the economy because the patient or private insurance companies pay for these services. As a result, during slow times in the economy, demand for dental services may decrease. During such times, dental hygienists may have difficulty finding employment or, if they are currently employed, they might work fewer hours.

Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook