Active Listening
75/100Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Health care / federal career guide
SOC 29-1292
Dental Hygienists career data
Wages, employment, skills, and education-program connections for community-college planning.
- Median annual wage
- $98,100
- National OEWS, May 2025
- National employment
- 222,740
- Estimated jobs, not projected openings
- 10th–90th percentile
- $74,880–$126,050
- National annual wage range
- Mapped program classes
- 1
- Official CIP–SOC crosswalk records
Occupation definition
What this occupation covers
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.
Decision prompt
Which capacity constraints could prevent the college from translating demand into a sustainable cohort?
Curriculum evidence
High-importance O*NET® skills
Importance scores are normalized to a 0–100 planning scale from the active O*NET® database importance records.
Critical Thinking
70/100Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
Speaking
70/100Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Writing
62/100Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
Monitoring
62/100Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Knowledge
Knowledge areas to review
Technology
Tools named in O*NET® data
Program connections
Education programs mapped to this occupation
The NCES crosswalk connects SOC 29-1292 with 1 CIP classification. These mappings support exploration; they do not promise employment or licensure.
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