Alabama
Who responded: 17 total, including 13 full-time hygienists
Paid holidays: 31% enjoy five paid holidays off; 23% are off with pay for six holidays, and an additional 23% have seven paid holidays.
Paid vacation: 69% have three weeks of paid vacation each year; 23% enjoy two weeks. 54% said vacation leave is a standard policy that does not increase with years of service.
Paid sick leave: Up to five days (15%); up to 10 days (31%); up to 15 days (23%); more than 15 days (8%). 23% said they do not receive paid sick days. Of the 77% receiving paid sick days, 77% said they are paid a cash equivalent for unused days.
Continuing education: 55% are reimbursed for all CE costs. Tuition is reimbursed for 18%, but not other expenses. 27% of dental hygienists pay all of own CE expenses. 39% are paid salary for CE on regularly scheduled workdays.
Uniforms: Employers provide uniforms or scrubs for 85% of respondents.
Other benefits received (individual comments about specific benefits “important” to respondent):
- Having a safe and personable office atmosphere. The entire team is like family. His hiring policies are open to all employees to have a say as to who is hired and who is not. The team we have now are long-standing, and the last time we hired any new person was nearly eight years ago.
- Monthly bonus program
- Quarterly bonuses. Can take more vacation days than we’re allowed, just won't get paid.
Arkansas
Who responded: 10 total, including six full-time hygienists
Other benefits received (individual comments about specific benefits “important” to respondent):
- 1/2 of employee's insurance premium for employee only is paid by employer.
Kentucky
Who responded: 10 full-time hygienists out of 20 total
Other benefits received (individual comments about specific benefits “important” to respondent):
- The time from Christmas to New Years is paid time off.
Louisiana
Who responded: 14 full-time hygienists out of 19 total
Paid holidays: 23% are off with pay for 10 or more holidays; 15% enjoy six paid holidays off.
Paid vacation: 38% have two weeks off each year; 23% have three or more weeks of paid vacation each year; and 8% enjoy one week. 50% said vacation leave is a standard policy that does not increase with years of service.
Paid sick leave: Up to five days (21%); up to 10 days (21%); up to 15 days (0%); more than 15 days (0%). 57% said they do not receive paid sick days. Of the 43% receiving paid sick days, 16% said they are paid a cash equivalent for unused days.
Continuing education: 9% are reimbursed for all CE costs. Tuition is reimbursed for 46%, but not other expenses. 46% of dental hygienists pay all of own CE expenses. 21% are paid their salary for CE on regularly scheduled workdays.
Uniforms: Employers provide uniforms or scrubs for 64% of respondents.
Other benefits received (individual comments about specific benefits “important” to respondent):
- Free dental work.
- Pilates, since I do not need health insurance that I have from my husband.
- Pays some CE courses; buys lunch every Thursday.
- Matching contribution for retirement up to 3%.
Mississippi
Who responded: Two full-time hygienists out of six total
Missouri
Who responded: 21 full-time hygienists out of 30 total
Paid holidays: 35% are off with pay for five holidays; 25% said they are paid for six holidays; and 10% enjoy seven paid holidays each year.
Paid vacation: 43% have three or more weeks off each year; 33% have two weeks of paid vacation each year; and 19% enjoy one week. 48% said vacation leave is a standard policy that does not increase with years of service.
Paid sick leave: Up to five days (48%); up to 10 days (10%); up to 15 days (0%); more than 15 days (0%). 43% said they do not receive paid sick days. Of the 57% receiving paid sick days, 28% said they are paid a cash equivalent for unused days.
Continuing education: 11% are reimbursed for all CE costs. Tuition is reimbursed for 39%, but not other expenses. 50% of dental hygienists pay all of own CE expenses. 14% are paid their salary for CE on regularly scheduled workdays.
Uniforms: Employers provide uniforms or scrubs for 44% of respondents.
Other benefits received (individual comments about specific benefits “important” to respondent):
- We as hygienists make our own schedule. If we want an afternoon off, we reschedule our own patients. I consider this a huge benefit.
- Direct deposit; parking space.
- We are provided lunch every day.
- Pays for my supplies. Pays my ADHA dues. We get one paid snow day if the office closes.
Tennessee
Who responded: 14 full-time hygienists out of 21 total
Paid holidays: 29% are off with pay for six holidays; 21% said they are paid for five holidays; and 14% enjoy four paid holidays each year.
Paid vacation: 71% have two weeks off each year; and 7% have three or more weeks of paid vacation each year. 50% said vacation leave is a standard policy that does not increase with years of service.
Paid sick leave: Up to five days (36%); up to 10 days (14%); up to 15 days (0%); more than 15 days (0%). 50% said they do not receive paid sick days. Of the 50% receiving paid sick days, 25% said they are paid a cash equivalent for unused days.
Continuing education: 17% are reimbursed for all CE costs. Tuition is reimbursed for 25%, but not other expenses. 58% of dental hygienists pay all of own CE expenses. 7% are paid their salary for CE on regularly scheduled workdays.
Uniforms: Employers provide uniforms or scrubs for 36% of respondents.
Other benefits received (individual comments about specific benefits “important” to respondent):
- 401k, child tuition savings account, child care savings.
- Lunch is provided at required staff meetings.
