The chances of getting a job as a dental hygienist are very good. The number of dental hygienists has slowly increased over the last 10 years. According to the New Zealand Dental Council, there are now 387 practising dental hygienists.

The demand for hygienists is growing as more people become aware of the importance of preventive dental care. There is a particular shortage of hygienists in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch, where there are more dentists available to employ them.

Most dental hygienists work for a general dentist, or a dental specialist such as a periodontist or an orthodontist. Some also set up their own private practices. This allows them to work independently, though they are still required to have a working relationship with a dentist.

Most jobs for dental hygienists are based in the large cities.

Changes to the way dental hygienists are trained will offer them more career options. Both the University of Otago and Auckland University of Technology now offer a dual-qualification oral health degree. Graduates will be qualified as both dental therapists and dental hygienists. 

The first group of these new trainees will graduate from Auckland University of Technology at the end of 2008, and from the University of Otago at the end of 2009. These graduates will be able to work exclusively as dental therapists or dental hygienists, or do a combination of both jobs. They will also be able to:

• work in the public sector
• work for one or more private dental practices
• set up their own private practices.