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HealthcareTop JobColorado Talent Pipeline Report-aligned occupation with strong annual openings, growth, and wage signals.

Dental Hygienist

Administer oral hygiene care to patients. Assess patient oral hygiene problems or needs and maintain health records. Advise patients on oral health maintenance and disease prevention. May provide advanced care such as providing fluoride treatment or administering topical anesthesia.

Annual openings

410

Median wage

$109,580

Typical education

Associate's degree

Growth 2026–2032

+10%

Median wage source: Colorado BLS OEWS (2025).

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Career requirements

What does this career require?

Explore education, required qualifications, voluntary credentials and employer preferences for this role. Check the details to see which apply.

Typical education

Associate's degree

Credential requirement

Credential requirements not reported

Work experience

Entry-level

Experience detail

This is an entry-level role so no experience in a Healthcare environment is required. However, full or part-time work experience of any kind developing the listed knowledge and abilities is preferred, with previous Healthcare and Customer Service experience being valued.

This job has been identified as a good entry-level job to gain experience for future advancement in a Healthcare or Public Health career.

Is this work a fit?

What the work actually feels like

How people in this career tend to spend their time, the interests it draws on, and a look at a typical day.

Work style

The type of work can vary by job and employer.

  • With childrenMay vary
  • On a computerNo
  • OutdoorsNo
  • With your handsYes

Interests it draws on

  • Healthcare
  • Dentristry

Automation exposure

Moderate exposure

Some routine tasks may shift as tools improve, but the role is likely to adapt.

A typical day

  1. Record and review patient medical histories.
  2. Feel and visually examine gums for sores and signs of disease.
  3. Expose and develop x-ray film.
  4. Apply fluorides or other cavity preventing agents to arrest dental decay.
  5. Feel lymph nodes under patient's chin to detect swelling or tenderness that could indicate presence of oral cancer.
  6. Administer local anesthetic agents.
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