Selected Geography: Florida

Standard Occupational(SOC) Code: 292021
Standard Occupational(SOC) Title: Dental Hygienists

Clean teeth and examine oral areas, head, and neck for signs of oral disease. May educate patients on oral hygiene, take and develop X-rays, or apply fluoride or sealants.

Wages for Year 2010
Entry Average Experienced
$44,738.30$59,910.95$67,497.78

Occupational Projections
2017 Projected
Employment
Annual
Growth Rate
Annual
Total Openings
12,0233.49%495

Skills Description
Active ListeningGiving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
SpeakingTalking to others to convey information effectively.
Reading ComprehensionUnderstanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Active LearningUnderstanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
Time ManagementManaging one's own time and the time of others.

Knowledge Description
Medicine and DentistryKnowledge of the information and techniques needed to diagnose and treat human injuries, diseases, and deformities. This includes symptoms, treatment alternatives, drug properties and interactions, and preventive health-care measures.
Customer and Personal ServiceKnowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
BiologyKnowledge of plant and animal organisms, their tissues, cells, functions, interdependencies, and interactions with each other and the environment.
Education and TrainingKnowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
English LanguageKnowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.


Experience Definition
Overall ExperiencePrevious work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.
Job TrainingEmployees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers.
EducationMost occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree. Some may require a bachelor's degree.

Related Occupations
Dental Assistants
Dentists, General
Orthodontists
Prosthodontists
Radiologic Technicians
Respiratory Therapists
Surgical Technologists


Source: Agency for Workforce Innovation - Labor Market Statistics
Occupational Informational Network(O*Net v7.0)