The good, the bad, & the ugly

Got an opinion about dental hygiene? The 1,200-something readers responding to the RDH Salary & Benefits survey did. The money keeps rolling in; health insurance is conspicuously absent; and everyone, for the most part, is pretty happy ... except for a few ugly things happening out there.

At the bottom of the form readers used to answer the questions that serve as the basis for this article were four simple black lines almost 3½ inches in length. Readers were invited to comment about "trends in dental hygiene salaries and benefits." There's probably not such as thing as a shy dental hygienist. RDH readers filled up those four lines, scrawled at the bottom of the page, wrote along the side margins, and sometimes forced their sentences to take left turns across the top of the questionnaire. If they ran out of room, they would attach stationery with more comments.

It's not a mystery, of course, about why hygienists would take the time to write down their thoughts about the career they chose. The demographics of dental hygiene remain hard to characterize. Many are married with children, relying on a spouse's job benefits, and just liking the income of part-time dental hygiene. Many are single mothers who would breathe a huge sigh of relief if their children were covered by health insurance. Many are as financially ambitious as a Fortune 500 CEO. Many remain devoted just to fighting disease, regardless of their personal circumstances.

So, when RDH editors started reading the comments on many of the 1,280 questionnaires returned to the magazine, three thoughts came to mind.

They were good (news).

They were bad (news).

And they were ugly (to read).

We've selected the following comments to share with all of RDH's readers. We picked 12 quotes for each category.

1. Pennsylvania: "Dental hygiene is a very lucrative field with flexible hours, and you have the option to work in a variety of settings."

2. Washington: "I believe the doctor whom I work with understands the value the hygienist brings to the practice and likes to see the hygienist financially successful.

3. Tennessee: "Great job, great salary, great boss and staff make for a great life!"

4. Texas: "My satisfaction comes from working with people I enjoy. Our staff has so much fun."

5. Maryland: "I have been practicing for 43 years, and I still feel I make a difference. What a wonderful time to be a hygienist."

6. Missouri: "Diagnosis-driven hygiene practice with a focus on patient education and feedback is most fulfilling."

7. California: "Dental hygiene has been a great career. I can work part-time, make good money, and spend time with my kids. I love being able to help people get and stay healthy."

8. New Jersey: "Best career I could have with a two-year degree! I am considered full time at 24 hours a week. I have a good salary and benefits."

9. Florida: "I have been practicing for 26 years. I started out making $40 a day (now earning $230 a day). I love my profession!"

10. New Jersey: "I have an hour per patient. That is worth more to me than a higher salary and more benefits. I hope to stay at this job for a very long time."

11. Florida: "Although I may make the lowest salary ($26,000) as a hygienist, I am compensated by knowing I am helping clients who could not afford private fees and getting hundreds of hugs from the children I see. The variety of cases I see prevents burnout. Although my cases may be difficult, I am rewarded by something that isn't monetary. If I worked for wages only, I wouldn't last long. I really enjoy hygiene and people — not the money!"

12. Michigan: "I've finally found a job that makes me feel like I'm part of the team — valued and competent."

1. Illinois: "Temps will come in and make $40 a hour, $8 more than what I make. Also, I've been with my current employer for 12 years and receive no benefits because I'm part-time."

2. Massachusetts: "For what we do — our duties, our hours, our loyalty — we do not climb the 'corporate ladder' and do not achieve that same level of satisfaction."

3. Nebraska: "I feel I have no control. We have a hygiene school in town that keeps the wages lower due to less demand."

4. California: "Doctors pay us based on patients, not on the hours put in at the office. They never include the one hour and 45 minutes before the first patient and the 30 to 45 minutes after the last patient. Doctors don't realize how much it takes for the office to run efficiently. They get a lot of 'free' hours from us."

5. Tennessee: "As years go on, it doesn't matter about your experience. You're not compensated for it. New hygienists get paid as much as veterans do."

6. California: "There is a high demand for hygienists in my area, but doctors won't pay more than the rate set by the temp agencies to hire a permanent hygienist. If they're desperate for hygienists, they should offer something more as an incentive."

7. Virginia: "I'm sorry to see the trend over the years to move dental hygiene out of the dental schools and into junior colleges. I feel I was exposed to tremendous learning opportunities in the dental school setting that are not available elsewhere."

8. Illinois: "I made the mistake of working for a doctor for 20 years. He took me for granted as I built his practice. He only now is rewarding me because I threatened to quit."

9. Florida: "I think hygienists are seen as production producers. Dentistry is a business first, a profession last. When I first started practicing, the emphasis was on providing a service to patients. Now it's all about money!"

10. Illinois: "Doctor still complains about paying salaries. Doctors don't appreciate the increased production hygiene brings to the office, but they expect our enthusiasm to stay high."

11. Texas: "I am sorry to see trained-on-the-job hygienists. I worked as a dental assistant with expanded duties and thought I knew a lot until I went to hygiene school."

12. North Carolina: "We always deserve more! I love what I do, but why do I seem 'confined' to making just a third of my production?"

1. West Virginia: "Salaries are low in my area. There is a move toward training assistants to do 'hygiene,' since hygienists are hard to hire. Most of them have given up on hygiene and either don't work or married dentists."

2. Florida: "Doctors are letting assistants illegally perform procedures."

3. New York: "I wish I had retirement benefits and I wish those benefits had started back in 1963 when I graduated. I'm now 58 years old and working harder than ever to earn money until I retire. I will try to work until age 70 if my health holds out because I have no pension."

4. Michigan: "After 15 years part-time in the same practice, I was told my wages were being 'ceiling-ed' No more cost-of-living increases. I am 52 years young and feel I'm receiving age and wage discrimination."

5. Pennsylvania: "After two years of practicing, I find I am in a field I hate, but the money is good, and I still have a school loan to pay off."

6. Florida: Only once did I have benefits. Then a business consultant was hired. I was fired and two sweet young things took my place."

7. California: "Many of the graduates of the past 10 years have been manipulative, greedy, and chose dental hygiene for the money. I've received raises because the young ones demand so much. It's given hygiene a bad image, because the new grads have no idea about teamwork or protecting equipment."

8. Florida: (in big letters across the top of the questionnaire) "I hate hygiene and think dentists are greedy!"

9. Ohio: "Proving fault and assigning blame are the major goals of management where I practice. Reprimands are swift, public, and usually discussed at a staff meeting. The only reason I stay is financial! This is not an effective management technique."

10. New York: "Although our dentist- employers informed us — four part-time hygienists — that we brought over $400,000 into the office last year, they claimed a few months later that they could not afford to give us a $50 bonus. Like many hygienists, we won't speak up and say we deserve a few more incentives, including a bonus."

11. New York: "I have not found a dentist who pays health insurance since 1978. If they do, they lower the salary. Staff situations are awful. Dentists don't want to pay for good help, although it ends up costing them so much more in the long run if they don't. Dentists have no respect for hygienists anymore. Therefore, neither does the staff."

12. New Jersey: "I've been a hygienist for 36 years. Many of my friends in other professions are retiring with pensions and retirement monies. I have very few benefits. After 36 years, if I am out sick, I don't get paid!"

Editor's Note
Some states yielded a small number of responses. If so, they were grouped with other states for a regional analysis. If your state is not listed in the following alphabetical listing of states, check the regional breakdowns.

Who responded: 26 readers, including one male. 14 readers have been licensed for fewer than 10 years; 11 have been licensed for more than 20 years.

Median 2001 income: $51,000

Highest reported income: $85,000

Income patterns: 14 readers (54 percent) reported incomes between $46,000 and $60,000 in 2001.

% of readers earning commissions: 19 percent

Median hourly rate: $32; 71 percent earn between $30 and $35 an hour.

Benefits: 81 percent receive paid vacations; 81 percent receive paid holidays; 42 percent receive employer-provided health insurance; and 42 percent receive the option of a pension/401(k) program.

Who responded: 107 readers, including three males. 40 readers have been licensed for more than 25 years; 37 have been licensed for fewer than 10 years.

Median 2001 income: $52,500

Highest reported income: $110,000

Income patterns: 23 readers (22 percent) reported incomes between $45,000 and $52,000; 18 readers (17 percent) said they earned between $54,000 and $60,000; and 17 readers (16 percent) earned between $65,000 and $70,000 in 2001. Incidentally, two readers reported incomes of $90,000 — a tie for the second highest in the state.

% of readers earning commissions: 30 percent. Of the 34 readers who said they earn commissions, 13 indicated their entire income is based on commissions. Eleven other readers said up to 30 percent of their income is based on commissions.

Median hourly rate: $37; 63 percent earn between $35 and $40 an hour.

Median daily rate: $320

Benefits: 51 percent receive paid vacations; 32 percent receive paid holidays; 25 percent receive employer-provided health insurance; and 35 percent receive the option of a pension/401(k) program.

Who responded: 37 readers, all female. 18 readers have been licensed for fewer than 10 years; 14 have been licensed for more than 25 years.

Median 2001 income: $47,000

Highest reported income: $63,700

Income patterns: Nine readers (24 percent) reported incomes between $27,000 and $40,000; 16 readers (43 percent) said they earned between $47,000 and $53,000 in 2001.

% of readers earning commissions: 15 percent

Median hourly rate: $32; 39 percent earn between $32 and $34 an hour.

Benefits: 89 percent receive paid vacations; 84 percent receive paid holidays; 54 percent receive employer-provided health insurance; and 76 percent receive the option of a pension/401(k) program.

Who responded: 27 readers, all female. 14 readers have been licensed for 10 to 20 years.

Median 2001 income: $37,000

Highest reported income: $59,500

Income patterns: Eight readers (30 percent) reported incomes between $54,000 and $60,000; four readers (15 percent) said they earned $40,000 in 2001.

% of readers earning commissions: 11 percent

Median hourly rate: $30; 68 percent earn between $28 and $35 an hour.

Benefits: 74 percent receive paid vacations; 70 percent receive paid holidays; 19 percent receive employer-provided health insurance; and 33 percent receive the option of a pension/401(k) program.

Who responded: 72 readers, including one male. 30 readers have been licensed for six to 15 years; 18 have been licensed for more than 25 years.

Median 2001 income: $40,013

Highest reported income: $90,000

Income patterns: 12 readers (17 percent) reported incomes between $26,000 and $32,000; 31 readers (43 percent) said they earned between $35,000 and $45,000; 12 readers (17 percent) said they earned between $50,000 and $60,000 in 2001.

% of readers earning commissions: 28 percent. Eleven of the 20 readers who answered this question said commissions comprised up to 30 percent of their income.

Median hourly rate: $25; 41 percent earn between $23 and $26 an hour.

Median daily rate: $198.

Benefits: 75 percent receive paid vacations; 72 percent receive paid holidays; 47 percent receive employer-provided health insurance; and 50 percent receive the option of a pension/401(k) program.

Who responded: 26 readers, all female. 15 readers have been licensed for fewer than 10 years; 10 have been licensed for more than 25 years.

Median 2001 income: $46,500

Highest reported income: $65,000

Income patterns: 11 readers (42 percent) reported incomes between $40,000 and $55,000.

% of readers earning commissions: 30 percent

Median hourly rate: $26

Benefits: 77 percent receive paid vacations; 73 percent receive paid holidays; 42 percent receive employer-provided health insurance; and 46 percent receive the option of a pension/401(k) program.

Median 2001 income: $44,085

Highest reported income: $170,000

Income patterns: 20 readers (32 percent) reported incomes between $29,000 and $40,000; 14 readers (22 percent) said they earned between $44,000 and $50,000 in 2001. Incidentally, the next two highest incomes in Illinois after the one above were $100,000 and $90,480.

% of readers earning commissions: 18 percent. Six readers said their entire income was based on commissions.

Median hourly rate: $28; 58 percent earn between $26 and $30 an hour.

Benefits: 89 percent receive paid vacations; 81 percent receive paid holidays; 41 percent receive employer-provided health insurance; and 62 percent receive the option of a pension/401(k) program.

Median 2001 income: $37,000

Highest reported income: $60,000

Income patterns: 13 readers (42 percent) reported incomes between $30,000 and $40,000; seven (23 percent) said they earned between $45,000 and $50,000 in 2001.

% of readers earning commissions: 19 percent

Median hourly rate: $28; 60 percent earn between $26 and $30 an hour.

Benefits: 77 percent receive paid vacations; 74 percent receive paid holidays; 23 percent receive employer-provided health insurance; and 55 percent receive the option of a pension/401(k) program.

Median 2001 income: $41,750

Highest reported income: $95,000

Income patterns: Seven readers (23 percent) earned below $35,000, and 10 (33 percent) earned $50,000 or more.

% of readers earning commissions: 16 percent

Median hourly rate: $29; 50 percent earn between $26 and $30 an hour.

Benefits: 93 percent receive paid vacations; 87 percent receive paid holidays; 50 percent receive employer-provided health insurance; and 60 percent receive the option of a pension/401(k) program.

Median 2001 income: $37,892

Highest reported income: $65,000

Income patterns: 19 readers (33 percent) reported incomes between $32,000 and $38,500; 12 readers (21 percent) said they earned between $45,000 and $50,000 in 2001.

% of readers earning commissions: 5 percent

Median hourly rate: $24; 71 percent earn between $22 and $27 an hour.

Benefits: 88 percent receive paid vacations; 86 percent receive paid holidays; 28 percent receive employer-provided health insurance; and 66 percent receive the option of a pension/401(k) program.

Median 2001 income: $46,000

Highest reported income: $60,000

Income patterns: 15 readers (56 percent) reported incomes between $44,000 and $55,000.

% of readers earning commissions: 7 percent

Median hourly rate: $28; 67 percent earn between $26 and $30 an hour.

Benefits: 100 percent receive paid vacations; 100 percent receive paid holidays; 56 percent receive employer-provided health insurance; and 85 percent receive the option of a pension/401(k) program.

Median 2001 income: $38,000

Highest reported income: $58,500

Income patterns: 12 readers (57 percent) reported incomes between $34,000 and $50,000 in 2001.

% of readers earning commissions: 23 percent

Median hourly rate: $25

Benefits: 71 percent receive paid vacations; 71 percent receive paid holidays; 48 percent receive employer-provided health insurance; and 43 percent receive the option of a pension/401(k) program.

Median 2001 income: $45,000

Highest reported income: $97,000

Income patterns: Five readers (12 percent) reported incomes between $28,000 and $30,000; eight readers (20 percent) said they earned between $40,000 and $45,000; and 11 (27 percent) reported incomes between $50,000 and $56,000.

% of readers earning commissions: 12 percent

Median hourly rate: $30; 61 percent earn between $28 and $32 an hour.

Benefits: 85 percent receive paid vacations; 78 percent receive paid holidays; 39 percent receive employer-provided health insurance; and 46 percent receive the option of a pension/401(k) program.

Median 2001 income: $34,910

Highest reported income: $78,000

Income patterns: 12 readers (17 percent) reported incomes between $27,000 and $30,000; nine readers (13 percent) said they earned between $33,000 and $35,000; seven readers (10 percent) said they earned between $50,000 and $55,000 in 2001.

% of readers earning commissions: 14 percent

Median hourly rate: $23; 72 percent earn between $20 and $30 an hour.

Benefits: 78 percent receive paid vacations; 74 percent receive paid holidays; 26 percent receive employer-provided health insurance; and 58 percent receive the option of a pension/401(k) program.

Median 2001 income: $42,000

Highest reported income: $60,000

Income patterns: 15 readers (40 percent) reported incomes between $37,000 and $43,000; eight readers (21 percent) said they earned between $45,000 and $48,000 in 2001.

% of readers earning commissions: 10 percent

Median hourly rate: $28; 52 percent earn between $28 and $30 an hour.

Median daily rate: $200

Benefits: 95 percent receive paid vacations; 87 percent receive paid holidays; 53 percent receive employer-provided health insurance; and 66 percent receive the option of a pension/401(k) program.

Median 2001 income: $34,000

Highest reported income: $110,000

Income patterns: 27 readers (42 percent) reported incomes between $28,000 and $39,000; 10 readers (15 percent) said they earned between $44,000 and $50,000 in 2001.

% of readers earning commissions: 11 percent

Median hourly rate: $25; 62 percent earn between $23 and $28 an hour.

Median daily rate: $180

Benefits: 79 percent receive paid vacations; 63 percent receive paid holidays; 31 percent receive employer-provided health insurance; and 51 percent receive the option of a pension/401(k) program.

Median 2001 income: $38,480

Highest reported income: $65,000

Income patterns: 13 readers (27 percent) reported incomes between $15,000 and $30,000; and 15 readers (31 percent) said they earned between $38,000 and $42,000; eight (16 percent) said they earned more than $50,000 in 2001.

% of readers earning commissions: 10 percent

Median hourly rate: $24; 50 percent earn between $21 and $25 an hour.

Benefits: 80 percent receive paid vacations; 86 percent receive paid holidays; 49 percent receive employer-provided health insurance; and 43 percent receive the option of a pension/401(k) program.

Median 2001 income: $39,000

Highest reported income: $50,000

Income patterns: 15 readers (54 percent) reported incomes between $35,000 and $43,000 in 2001.

% of readers earning commissions: 15 percent

Median hourly rate: $25

Median daily rate: $199

Benefits: 82 percent receive paid vacations; 75 percent receive paid holidays; 29 percent receive employer-provided health insurance; and 79 percent receive the option of a pension/401(k) program.

Median 2001 income: $40,050

Highest reported income: $125,000

Income patterns: 11 readers (18 percent) reported incomes between $28,000 and $35,000; 13 readers (22 percent) said they earned between $40,000 and $45,000; and 17 readers (28 percent) indicated they earned between $50,000 and $60,000 in 2001. Incidentally, the second highest income reported was $104,000.

% of readers earning commissions: 15 percent

Median hourly rate: $30; 35 percent earn $30 to $31 an hour.

Median daily rate: $205

Benefits: 67 percent receive paid vacations; 63 percent receive paid holidays; 33 percent receive employer-provided health insurance; and 47 percent receive the option of a pension/401(k) program.

Median 2001 income: $47,750

Highest reported income: $70,000

Income patterns: 11 readers (24 percent) reported incomes between $25,000 and $40,000; 12 readers (26 percent) said they earned between $45,000 and $50,000; and eight (17 percent) earned between $52,000 and $55,000 in 2001.

% of readers earning commissions: 13 percent

Median hourly rate: $28; 59 percent earn between $24 and $28 an hour.

Median daily rate: $250

Benefits: 87 percent receive paid vacations; 80 percent receive paid holidays; 39 percent receive employer-provided health insurance; and 50 percent receive the option of a pension/401(k).

Median 2001 income: $52,500

Highest reported income: $80,000

Income patterns: Only six readers (30 percent) reported incomes less than $40,000 in 2001.

% of readers earning commissions: 15 percent

Median hourly rate: $38

Benefits: 75 percent receive paid vacations; 70 percent receive paid holidays; 50 percent receive employer-provided health insurance; and 50 percent receive the option of a pension/401(k) program.

Median 2001 income: $40,800

Highest reported income: $75,000

Income patterns: 12 readers (27 percent) reported incomes between $30,000 and $37,000; 12 readers (27 percent) said they earned between $41,000 and $47,000 in 2001.

% of readers earning commissions: 16 percent

Median hourly rate: $24; 71 percent earn between $22 and $26 an hour.

Benefits: 93 percent receive paid vacations; 98 percent receive paid holidays; 33 percent receive employer-provided health insurance; and 76 percent receive the option of a pension/401(k) program.

Who responded: 26 readers, all female. 14 readers have been licensed for more than 20 years; 12 have been licensed for fewer than 15 years.

Median 2001 income: $40,063

Highest reported income: $61,000

Income patterns: 11 readers (42 percent) reported incomes between $38,000 and $45,000.

% of readers earning commissions: 11 percent

Median hourly rate: $25; 48 percent earn between $22 and $25 an hour.

Benefits: 100 percent receive paid vacations; 96 percent receive paid holidays; 46 percent receive employer-provided health insurance; and 69 percent receive the option of a pension/401(k) program.

(Delaware, District of Columbia, Maryland, and West Virginia)

Who responded: 30 readers, all female. 16 readers have been licensed for more than 20 years; 12 have been licensed for fewer than 15 years.

Median 2001 income: $41,500

Highest reported income: $70,000

Income patterns: Seven readers (23 percent) reported incomes between $30,000 and $34,000; nine readers (30 percent) said they earned between $43,000 and $50,000 in 2001.

% of readers earning commissions: 17 percent

Median hourly rate: $26; 60 percent earn between $23 and $28 an hour.

Benefits: 77 percent receive paid vacations; 73 percent receive paid holidays; 33 percent receive employer-provided health insurance; and 57 percent receive the option of a pension/401(k) program.

(South Carolina, Alabama, Mississippi, and Kentucky)

Who responded: 54 readers, including one male. 27 readers have been licensed for fewer than 10 years.

Median 2001 income: $34,440

Highest reported income: $63,000

Income patterns: 22 readers (41 percent) reported incomes between $30,000 and $38,000; 14 readers (26 percent) said they earned between $40,000 and $48,000 in 2001.

% of readers earning commissions: 11 percent

Median hourly rate: $22; 71 percent earn between $18 and $26 an hour.

Median daily rate: $173

Benefits: 76 percent receive paid vacations; 74 percent receive paid holidays; 35 percent receive employer-provided health insurance; and 57 percent receive the option of a pension/401(k) program.

(Louisiana, Arkansas, and Oklahoma)

Who responded: 28 readers, all female. 17 readers have been licensed for fewer than 10 years.

Median 2001 income: $40,000

Highest reported income: $92,000

Income patterns: 13 readers (46 percent) reported incomes between $40,000 and $60,000 in 2001.

% of readers earning commissions: 28 percent

Median hourly rate: $25

Median daily rate: $217

Benefits: 64 percent receive paid vacations; 50 percent receive paid holidays; 36 percent receive employer-provided health insurance; and 54 percent receive the option of a pension/401(k) program.

(Iowa, South Dakota, North Dakota, Montana, Kansas, and Nebraska)

Who responded: 51 readers, including three males. 29 readers have been licensed for fewer than 15 years; 12 have been licensed for more than 25 years.

Median 2001 income: $39,967

Highest reported income: $62,000

Income patterns: 11 readers (22 percent) reported incomes between $39,000 and $44,000; 10 readers (20 percent) said they earned between $48,000 and $50,000 in 2001.

% of readers earning commissions: 25 percent. Eight readers indicated that up to 30 percent of income is based on commissions.

Median hourly rate: $25; 67 percent earn between $23 and $27 an hour.

Benefits: 80 percent receive paid vacations; 67 percent receive paid holidays; 37 percent receive employer-provided health insurance; and 73 percent receive the option of a pension/401(k) program.

(Wyoming, Idaho, Utah, New Mexico, and Nevada)

Who responded: 41 readers, all female. 24 readers have been licensed for more than 15 years; 10 have been licensed for fewer than five years.

Median 2001 income: $45,000

Highest reported income: $70,000

Income patterns: 16 readers (39 percent) reported incomes between $37,000 and $50,000 in 2001.

% of readers earning commissions: 14 percent

Median hourly rate: $30

Median daily rate: $273

Benefits: 80 percent receive paid vacations; 76 percent receive paid holidays; 54 percent receive employer-provided health insurance; 18 percent receive the option of a pension/401(k) program; and 49 percent receive a profit-sharing program other than commissions.

(Oregon, Hawaii, and Alaska)

Who responded: 17 readers, including one male. Eight readers have been licensed for more than 20 years; six have been licensed for 11 to 15 years.

Median 2001 income: $36,000

Highest reported income: $60,000

Income patterns: 11 readers (65 percent) reported incomes between $35,000 and $60,000 in 2001.

% of readers earning commissions: 16 percent

Median hourly rate: $30

Benefits: 82 percent receive paid vacations; 41 percent receive paid holidays; 65 percent receive employer-provided health insurance; and 65 percent receive a profit-sharing program other than commissions.

The incentive game
Seventeen percent of the hygienists responding to the questionnaire indicated they are on some sort of commission or bonus program. The questionnaire was designed to determine only if readers earned any commissions, and 17 percent indicated that they do. However, many readers who earn commissions provided details about the programs their incomes are based upon.

Here are some examples of their comments:

• A Connecticut reader earned $35 an hour plus 33 percent commission on certain services.
• A South Dakota reader projected earnings of $36,000 in 2001 with the employer paying either a $20 hourly rate or 33 percent of production, depending upon which figure meant more income.
• A Texas/Mexico border resident said she asked for 50 percent commission on all production to offset local economic conditions. "It is a depressed area. Very sad. It (commission) is better for me."
• A northern Georgia reader indicated that a $47,000 annual income was based on a daily rate of $160, plus 5 percent commission.
• An eastern Oregon resident explained her salary, "My daily rate is $225. If I produce three times my daily rate, $675, then I get 33 percent commission of my total production."
• A North Carolina reader commented on an office-wide policy. "I work with a hygiene assistant, thus increasing my potential capacity and earnings. Office staff gets hourly rate (she earned $26 an hour) plus percentage of collection! This is fun and gives us a reason to achieve a goal and still provide good dental services."
• A Los Angeles resident noted, "Just recently, I went to commission-based pay. I now get a percentage of all prophies, doctor exams, X-rays, bleaching, scaling/root planings, etc. I now make between $350 to $400 a day."
• A Florida resident reported, "I earn 40 percent of my production, plus 10 percent from the products I dispense. My biggest pet peeves are broken appointments and last-minute cancellations. The doctor is not consistent about charging the patient for those."
• A Philadelphia-area reader said, "I receive 30 percent of everything I produce, including bleaching. I get an hourly rate ($28.50) and, at the end of the month, the difference to make up 30 percent."

Here are some criticisms of commission-based salary programs:

• A Virginia reader, who now earns approximately $50,000 a year on a straight $35 hourly rate, said, "I used to work for commission and no benefits. They tried to kill me — 30 minutes per patient with an assistant out of two rooms ... burnout and lack of quality care."
• A Boston-area resident said, "My boss is afraid to give a straight hourly salary instead of hourly-plus commission, because of the inconsistency of the hygiene schedule. But my opinion is: That's not my problem. I'm here, aren't I?"

Lifestyles of the rich RDH
The compiled statistics for the RDH Salary & Benefits Survey indicated that six readers reported that their 2001 income would be more than $100,000. So RDH editors examined the actual questionnaires completed by these hygienists, and here's what we know about them:

• A female Chicago resident who has been licensed for 11 to 15 years earned $100,000 in 2001 on a 36- to 40-hour work schedule. Her entire income is based on commissions. She receives employer-provided health insurance, but indicated that she was "very unsatisfied" with the benefits program. She wrote, "Commissioned employees, especially someone with loyalty to an employer, should receive paid vacation and paid holidays."
• A second Chicago resident, a female with six to 10 years of experience, reported an income of $170,000 on a four-day work schedule of 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Her income, too, is commission-based. Her benefits included paid vacation and holidays, health insurance, and a retirement plan. She wrote, "It (the high income) can be done, and the patients get excellent care. I work out of two rooms and have an assistant. Great patients, great practice, and fun people to work with — I am very lucky!"
• A Columbus, Ohio, reader reported an income of $110,000 in 2001 based on a straight daily rate of $400. She has been licensed for 11 to 15 years and works 36 to 40 hours a week, receiving paid vacation and holidays, health insurance, and a retirement plan. She wrote, "I love my job and office. Where else could I earn $100,000-plus with a two-year college degree, plus outstanding benefits?"
• A Houston resident earned $125,000. She did not answer any of the questions pertaining to pay rates, but did indicate earning between 29 and 50 percent of the income in commissions. She is a six- to 10-year veteran and works more than 40 hours a week. In addition, she receives paid vacation and holidays, health insurance, and a retirement plan.
• A North Texas reader reported an income of $104,000 based on a daily rate of $400. She is a 21- to 25-year veteran who works 36 to 40 hours a week. She receives paid vacation and holidays, health insurance, and a retirement plan.
• Several California readers reported incomes in the $90,000 range, but a San Francisco resident topped them with an income of $110,000. He has been licensed for six to 10 years and works 36 to 40 hours a week. His income is a mixture of commissions and a daily rate of $400.

For the record
A state or regional breakdown follows on the ensuing pages. But the statistics, when viewed from a national standpoint, reveal the following:

• 14 males (1 percent) participated in the Salary & Benefits Survey.
• One-fourth of the responses were completed by hygienists who have been practicing for more than 25 years.
• 35 percent work 31 to 35 hours a week; 25 percent work 21 to 30 hours a week.
• The median income for a dental hygienist nationally is $40,050.
• The median hourly rate nationally is $27.
• The median daily rate nationally is $234.
• 77 percent receive paid vacations, and 71 percent receive paid holidays.
• 38 percent receive employer-provided health insurance.
• 54 percent participate in employer-provided pension plans or 401(k) programs.