Delaware
Who responded: Five total, including four full-time hygienists
Other benefits received (individual comments about specific benefits “important” to respondent):
- Most dentists in Delaware do not offer medical benefits. They offer dental benefits to employees and some type of 401k plan. Vacations and holidays are usually included also.
- Vacations at this office are two weeks after one year, three weeks after five years — no more after that! All in all, I consider myself lucky for the benefits I have. But, worked over 20 years before even having the 401k towards retirement. Small offices are not known for many benefits. Also policy is not to pay for any CE sponsored or presented by ADHA or affiliated constituents or components. Since those are the CEs I prefer, I pay for all those out of pocket and have many more credits than needed for renewal as I am a CE junkie!
Maryland
Who responded: 26 full-time hygienists out of 37 total
Paid holidays: 23% are off with pay for four holidays; 15% said they are paid for 10 or more holidays; and 15% enjoy six paid holidays off.
Paid vacation: 46% have two weeks off each year; 39% have three or more weeks of paid vacation each year; and 4% enjoy one week. 39% said vacation leave is a standard policy that does not increase with years of service.
Paid sick leave: Up to five days (32%); up to 10 days (16%); up to 15 days (8%); more than 15 days (8%). 36% said they do not receive paid sick days. Of the 64% receiving paid sick days, 38% said they are paid a cash equivalent for unused days.
Continuing education: 26% are reimbursed for all CE costs. Tuition is reimbursed for 22%, but not other expenses. 52% of dental hygienists pay all of own CE expenses. 23% are paid their salary for CE on regularly scheduled workdays.
Uniforms: Employers provide uniforms or scrubs for 39% of respondents.
Other benefits received (individual comments about specific benefits “important” to respondent):
- A monthly transportation allowance
- Holiday party, office bonuses
- Can work on family on days off at no charge
- I participate in a flexible health-care spending account. This is my own money, but pre-tax dollars, used for co-pays, massage therapy, glasses, etc. It is a "use it or lose it" amount that I choose each year.
- One of my employers is a mom, and she is wonderful! If our kids are sick, she is family first. What a joy! I am very lucky to work for such a great mom.
- Very fair. If I have to take off for a funeral or something that comes up, he pays me. I would like more paid vacation. He does however give me a bonus for Christmas.
- Private office with window, computer, direct deposit, representation in a union.
New Jersey
Who responded: 54 full-time hygienists out of 72 total
Paid holidays: 22% are off with pay for five holidays; 19% said they are paid for six holidays; and 13% enjoy four paid holidays each year.
Paid vacation: 48% have three or more weeks off each year; 13% have two weeks of paid vacation each year; and 9% enjoy one week. 35% said vacation leave is a standard policy that does not increase with years of service.
Paid sick leave: Up to five days (39%); up to 10 days (9%); up to 15 days (2%); more than 15 days (0%). 46% said they do not receive paid sick days. Of the 54% receiving paid sick days, 37% said they are paid a cash equivalent for unused days.
Continuing education: 20% are reimbursed for all CE costs. Tuition is reimbursed for 13%, but not other expenses. 67% of dental hygienists pay all of own CE expenses. 15% are paid their salary for CE on regularly scheduled workdays.
Uniforms: Employers provide uniforms or scrubs for 34% of respondents.
Other benefits received (individual comments about specific benefits “important” to respondent):
- Paid lunch hour.
- He pays all of my husband’s medical coverage.
- Yearly bonus dinners with office staff gifts for Valentine’s Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas, etc. Our employer tries very hard to make his staff happy. Everyone in the office has 11-plus years.
- I am lucky to work in an office that provides great benefits and a great team to work with daily.
- Christmas bonus, 1/2 pay when closed due to doctor out.
- CE credit paid for once per month.
- Profit sharing, and 401k commission-based pay very good.
- I can take a personal or vacation day, and they will get a temp with no hesitation. In my other office, my husband and children get their teeth cleaned for free and 40% off of all other dental work.
- I get paid well and I enjoy working very close to home.
- Able to do prophy on family, free of charge.
New York
Who responded: 68 full-time hygienists out of 96 total
Paid holidays: 19% are off with pay for six holidays; 15% said they are paid for seven holidays; and 12% enjoy eight paid holidays each year.
Paid vacation: 47% have three or more weeks off each year; 29% have two weeks of paid vacation each year; and 12% enjoy one week. 43% said vacation leave is a standard policy that does not increase with years of service.
Paid sick leave: Up to five days (46%); up to 10 days (13%); up to 15 days (6%); more than 15 days (2%). 31% said they do not receive paid sick days. Of the 69% receiving paid sick days, 26% said they are paid a cash equivalent for unused days.
Continuing education: 19% are reimbursed for all CE costs. Tuition is reimbursed for 39%, but not other expenses. 42% of dental hygienists pay all of own CE expenses. 30% are paid their salary for CE on regularly scheduled workdays.
Uniforms: Employers provide uniforms or scrubs for 40% of respondents.
Other benefits received (individual comments about specific benefits “important” to respondent):
- We have one mental health day where as an office we usually take it at the same time and tack it on a day such as December 26th, for example.
- We have staff day twice a year, get paid for the day and work together to provide dental care for each other for the day. We have our monthly staff meeting that day and the doctors buy us lunch.
- Dental care discount for immediate family members.
- Profit sharing. Gas stipend on days I fill in for other employees.
- Bonus
- Get paid for half of a one-hour lunch break.
- When I need time off for my family, there are no problems. Whether it’s a few hours to see my child's play or several days to take care of my aging parents. He's never asked me to make a decision between being an RDH or a mom, daughter, etc. This is main reason I've been with him for 27 years.
- Mileage.
- I can select all my supplies. Holiday bonus.
- Flowers on our birthday.
- I am able to take unpaid time off for children’s doctor visits or school activities if it will work in my schedule. I have a lot of control over my schedule
Pennsylvania
Who responded: 70 full-time hygienists out of 114 total
Paid holidays: 34% are off with pay for six holidays; 16% said they are paid for five holidays; and 9% enjoy seven paid holidays each year.
Paid vacation: 40% have three or more weeks off each year; 30% have two weeks of paid vacation each year; and 14% 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 (40%); up to 10 days (7%); up to 15 days (1%); more than 15 days (1%). 47% said they do not receive paid sick days. Of the 53% receiving paid sick days, 32% said they are paid a cash equivalent for unused days.
Continuing education: 23% are reimbursed for all CE costs. Tuition is reimbursed for 33%, but not other expenses. 44% of dental hygienists pay all of own CE expenses. 25% are paid their salary for CE on regularly scheduled workdays.
Uniforms: Employers provide uniforms or scrubs for 40% of respondents.
Other benefits received (individual comments about specific benefits “important” to respondent):
- Free dental work for family.
- Birthday and Christmas gifts.
- One paid snow day.
- I can take personal days as long as I find someone to cover for me.
- If I want off, I can take off anytime. He doesn't count my vacation days, because I never take advantage of him.
- If I treat over eight patients per day I receive $5 for each patient over the quota of eight per day.
- Scrubs are laundered in office and never leave the office
- Production bonuses, fitness center membership, reimbursement for my state license fee, cell phone service paid for because I use my phone for work-related calls.
- I can practice with the fullest of my professional ability.
- Allows flexibility in scheduling. Buys new instruments often. Paid lunch break.
