Iowa
Who responded: 19 full-time hygienists out of 26 total
Paid holidays: 32% are off with pay for six holidays; 21% enjoy five paid holidays off; and additional 21% have eight paid holidays.
Paid vacation: 58% have three or more weeks off each year; 21% have two weeks of paid vacation each year; and 11% 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 (24%); up to 10 days (29%); up to 15 days (12%); more than 15 days (6%). 29% said they do not receive paid sick days. Of the 71% receiving paid sick days, 47% said they are paid a cash equivalent for unused days.
Continuing education: 33% are reimbursed for all CE costs. Tuition is reimbursed for 33%, but not other expenses. 33% of dental hygienists pay all of own CE expenses. 37% are paid their salary for CE on regularly scheduled workdays.
Uniforms: Employers provide uniforms or scrubs for 72% of respondents.
Other benefits received (individual comments about specific benefits “important” to respondent):
- Cash bonuses on Christmas and Thanksgiving
- Periodic appreciation gifts, goal bonus, bereavement, paid annual review, association dues, birthday gift.
- Some snacks and coffee
- When our production meets a certain goal for the day, we get to draw for a cash prize of $5 to $500.
- Our office has a cafeteria plan, which allows employees to pick and choose which benefits are most important to them
Kansas
Who responded: 18 full-time hygienists out of 27 total
Paid holidays: 56% are off with pay for six holidays; 17% enjoy seven paid holidays off; and additional 11% have eight paid holidays.
Paid vacation: 44% have two weeks off each year; 33% have three or more weeks of paid vacation each year; and 17% 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 (28%); up to 10 days (0%); up to 15 days (0%); more than 15 days (6%). 61% said they do not receive paid sick days. Of the 39% receiving paid sick days, 44% said they are paid a cash equivalent for unused days.
Continuing education: 29% are reimbursed for all CE costs. Tuition is reimbursed for 36%, but not other expenses. 36% of dental hygienists pay all of own CE expenses. 18% are paid their salary for CE on regularly scheduled workdays.
Uniforms: Employers provide uniforms or scrubs for 67% of respondents.
Other benefits received (individual comments about specific benefits “important” to respondent):
- Office cruises
- Able to schedule vacation when I want it or I can "choose" to wait and take it when doctor takes it. I will still only receive two weeks paid but may take it when I choose.
- Free dentistry, reduced fees for grown children
- CPR training
- Flexibility in scheduling
Minnesota
Who responded: 34 full-time hygienists out of 57 total
Paid holidays: 44% are off with pay for six holidays; 18% said they are paid for seven holidays; and 3% enjoy five paid holidays each year.
Paid vacation: 44% have three or more weeks off each year; 18% have two weeks of paid vacation each year; and 15% enjoy one week. 41% said vacation leave is a standard policy that does not increase with years of service.
Paid sick leave: Up to five days (29%); up to 10 days (9%); up to 15 days (6%); more than 15 days (3%). 50% said they do not receive paid sick days. Of the 50% receiving paid sick days, 30% said they are paid a cash equivalent for unused days.
Continuing education: 19% are reimbursed for all CE costs. Tuition is reimbursed for 45%, but not other expenses. 36% of dental hygienists pay all of own CE expenses. 35% are paid their salary for CE on regularly scheduled workdays.
Uniforms: Employers provide uniforms or scrubs for 68% of respondents.
Other benefits received (individual comments about specific benefits “important” to respondent):
- Daily production goals and benefits, as well as quarterly team building activities and functions.
- Year-end bonus
- Availability to take time off when needed. Can take more days off than allotted for paid vacation time without jeopardizing my job (Within reason).
- Funeral leave, no loss of benefits if hours fall below full time on occasion, professional membership,
- Quarterly bonus paid to the staff dependent on production
Nebraska
Who responded: Eight full-time hygienists out of 13 total
Other benefits received (individual comments about specific benefits “important” to respondent):
- Pretty flexible when wanting vacation and days off.
- They let me do my RDH association volunteer work when I'm not seeing patients.
North Dakota
Who responded: Five full-time hygienists out of six total
Other benefits received (individual comments about specific benefits “important” to respondent):
- Flexible hours and days off; monthly parking fee
South Dakota
Who responded: Our apologies, but only one part-time hygienist participated in the survey.
