Career Satisfaction: Dental hygienists are satisfied, yet still daydream

17% of dental hygienists think about a career change once a month

Overall, dental hygienists are “satisfied” with their career decision. According to a January 2015 RDH eVillage survey, 84% indicated they made the right choice about entering the profession. A slight dip in this high percentage occurs with more recent graduates:

Graduated in the 1970s, 88%
Graduated in the 1980s, 86%
Graduated in the 1990s, 88%
Graduated in the 2000s, 76%
Graduated after 2010, 79%

More than 800 dental hygienists participated in the survey, and 90% said they are currently employed in the clinical dental hygiene setting.

You can still participate in the survey by clicking here.

Many workers contemplate leaving their jobs. A late 2013 CareerBuilder.com survey revealed 21% of American workers planned to change jobs in 2014, and only 59% were satisfied with their current jobs.

RDH eVillage asked dental hygienists how often they “think” about leaving their careers. The largest percentage, 22%, said “never.”

An Oklahoma hygienist commented, “I thoroughly enjoy my career and have realized it was what I was meant to do with my life. I do wish I had known that some dentists not only pay well, but offer some important benefits. By that, I mean paid vacation, good bosses, retirement package, etc. The dental hygiene field should be more open about what is going on pay-wise and with benefits so we can band together to ensure we all are getting equal rights from our employers. Again, I would choose dental hygiene, even if I could go back to the beginning. I’d just be less naive.”

Other hygienists, though, flirt with random musings about a career in another field, and do so within these time frames:

17% think about a career change on a monthly basis
16% on a yearly basis
13% on a weekly basis
13% on a daily basis
9% once a decade
2% on an hourly basis

A New York hygienist said, “I really thought that this profession was great because of salary and hours. Now that I need to support myself, and the way the economy is, I’m a working poor person. I work my butt off with low salary, no benefits, and no appreciation. I wish I could do something else and not come home exhausted every night.”

If the right opportunity presented itself to dental hygienists within the next 12 months, would they change jobs?

36% said it was “very likely” that they would
34% said it was “very unlikely” that they would make the change
30% were uncertain

A Florida hygienist said, “After 36 years as an RDH, I still love hygiene. But we work harder now with fewer benefits, and I just need a change.”

Who do dental hygienists talk to when they contemplate a change in their “career paths?” Unsurprisingly, 61% turn to a family member. But other attentive ears could be found with:

A colleague (20%)
A best friend (12%)
Professional coach/mentor (3%)
A pet (2%)
Employer (1%)
A stranger (1%)

The survey’s questionnaire also asked dental hygienists which career paths outside clinical hygiene that they have or would consider. The responses below filtered only the responses from the 90% who currently work in clinical hygiene. The question encouraged participants to include all choices that they have considered.