@dr.scott.leune: Should someone still become a dentist in 2026? 🦷 With rising tuition, increasing debt, and major shifts happening across dentistry, it’s a question more people are starting to ask. In this episode of The Dental CEO Podcast, we break down the real numbers behind dental careers, income trends, and whether the financial return still makes sense today. #DentalCEO #DentalLeadership #DentalBusiness #DentistLife #DentalPodcast

Jalisa| DS 🦷🧚🏽🪥 :

Assistants do everything but don’t make anything

MarietheHygienist :

Our job is NOT easy

Emylou38 :

I wonder why there is such a big gap between assistant and hygiene? Assistants do more in general the hygiene IMO. What about dental office managers, what’s their avg?

Sarah :

As a hygienist where tf is my 94k at 🤨

United DA Coalition :

shaunalynn76 :

nobody is saying the pay between assistants and hygienist should be comparable, what we assistants are saying is that our pay should be better than what it is.

Anna, RDA :

47 grand being an assistant 😅 i barley clear 30 grand.

user112927466191 :

The problem is not hygienist’s salaries, it’s insurance reimbursement!! I’m in Mi! I make $40./hr. with 25 years experience! I have never had benefits! No pension and only 3% employer contribution to my IRA! Considering the wear and tear on my body I’d say that I am underpaid!

Olivia :

I am a dental assistant and someone needs to tell me where I can work and get 40 thousand a year 😳

Bitaful :

Dentist here, I think assistants should make more, they do so much!

moe.fluff :

Dental assistants are the most underpaid

Justice K Snickles :

94k as a hygienist 😂😂😂😂😂😂 laughs with my 57k income

Donovan, RDH 🦷 :

As a Hygienist, that number is a lowball lol I make 77/hr, about 11k a month after taxes

Nichole :

Hygienist in rural Michigan and only made $48,000 last year. I gotta move

🎀 Krista 🎀 :

Laughed as a hygienist from Alabama.

brudos21 :

Doesn’t anyone see a huge problem here?????? 26 years of assisting here🤔

Nikki_Nives :

Mind you assistants run the whole office

Nina Martinez :

I will never understand this. There’s only three people in back office yet the salary difference is outrageous.

Karinaaa :

Yeah I def don’t get paid that much as a hygienist. Would be nice tho

JustOral :

Hygienist weighing in. The problem isn’t hygiene pay it is definitely insurance reimbursement. The cost of our procedures have not kept up with inflation or just daily cost-of-living. They’ve actually decreased reimbursement for hygiene services. Therefore, hygiene pay has stayed the exact same/ plateaued, if there’s a ceiling for you. That’s why we don’t get raises, PTO, 401(k)s and or medical benefits. I have worked in the sector for 26 years and I’ve seen a total of three dollar increase to my pay scale.

SS & AL :

But hygienists are working 20 hours a week 😅😅😅

KP :

Local area only pays RDHs $45 a hour. I drive 3 hours to get $80 a hour— we don’t get raises, PTO nor benefits, License renewal every 2 years is $300. I’m underpaid. IMO

Christina Eyler :

Trust me, any dental professional deserves the pay and more! The schooling, the demands, the law changes we’ve seen and went thru and don’t forget going thru the pandemic. Unless you’ve worked it, you have no idea. Signed; one tired, 30 yr seasoned, 2x carpal tunnel surgery survivor, hygienist, that loves her job but hates the stress it places mentally and physically.

Runnergirl408 :

Work as a CDA for the government. 65,000 plus full benefits

Christy Chica Real :

mind you the dental staff 90% work with no medical benefits. providers run thier practice as a self employed