Whether you're starting a career or looking for a change, the dental hygiene profession can provide many satisfying opportunities. These include: having the status of a licensed health care professional, an attractive income potential, the rewards of keeping people healthy, a flexible work schedule, the ability to work in a variety of professional settings, the option of working nationwide or abroad in pleasant surroundings and career stability.

Dental hygienists provide educational, clinical and therapeutic services to the public in accordance with individual state dental hygiene practice acts. Prevention and treatment of oral disease are recognized as important factors in a patient's overall health and well being and dental hygienists are important members of the dental health care team providing these services.