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96 Centrepointe Dr., Ottawa, Ontario K2G 6B1 2006-2007 National Dental Hygiene Labour Survey
96 Centrepointe Dr., Ottawa, Ontario K2G 6B1
2006-2007
National Dental Hygiene Labour Survey
Executive Summary
In 2006, the Canadian Dental Hygienists Association conducted its third national
survey. The data collected by these surveys has provided valuable information
for salary and benefits negotiations. Through these surveys the CDHA monitors
trends in provincial and regional indicators, providing advice to the board and
members, as well as assisting in encouraging membership. Results are
distributed for public information and promotion of the dental hygiene profession.
The British Columbia and Saskatchewan members received their questionnaires
mailed directly from their provincial association. The other members of the
Dental Hygiene Association received their questionnaires in their January 2007
journal, mailed out in December 2006. Respondents were asked to complete
one survey per workplace.
An impressive total of 2533 responses were received from a membership of
10294 who received questionnaires. The 24.6% response rate is more than
twice the rate of response received in the past study response rate of 11.3%.
Highlights
Compared to the 2004 survey that collected postal code information based on the dental hygienist’s workplace, members were asked to indicate the postal code of their home. British Columbia yielded the majority of responses (52%) whereas Ontario represented less than half that number of respondents (20%). In the previous study Ontario had the highest percentage (38%) followed by British Columbia (27%) respondents. In deciding on employment opportunities, there were three leading issues in the
most important category: hours and schedule (24%), work conditions (20%) and
employer relationship (20%). Wages is the fourth highest importance (14%).
The average hourly wage reported across all positions held as employees was $39.00 per hour. Compensation includes benefits for only 50% of respondents. The average wages reported by contractors were $44.11, more than 13% higher
than wages for respondents in employee status.
A group representing 18%, work in temporary jobs. During the previous two years almost 33% have searched for jobs in a dental practice.
Table of Contents
Highlights ........................................................................................................................2
Background.....................................................................................................................4
Hours of work ................................................................................................................14
Wages...........................................................................................................................17
Type of work .................................................................................................................21
Background 1. In which of the following age brackets do you belong?
The national study of dental hygiene respondents indicated the largest age group
(46%) were less than 40, whereas in 2004 more than 55% were less than 40.
2. What are the first three digits of your home postal code?
Compared to the 2004 survey that collected postal code information based on the dental hygienist’s workplace, members were asked to indicate the postal code of their home. British Columbia yielded the majority of responses (52%) whereas Ontario represented less than half that number of respondents (20%). In the previous study Ontario had the highest percentage (38%) followed by British Columbia (27%) respondents.
3. How many years have you been practicing dental hygiene?
Similarly, dental hygienists that have been practicing for at least 20 years are still high at 73% as in 2004 when it was 76%. Those with more than 25 years of experience are slightly higher at 18%. There has been a decline in the number hygienists practicing for less than 10 years, being 38% compared with 47% in 2004.
4. For how many years do you intend to practice dental hygiene?
Almost 40% of dental hygienists responded that they intended to practice for 10 years or less and 20% indicated the intention to practice for more than 20 years.
5. a) My formal education includes
Almost all respondents (97%) have completed a diploma in dental hygiene and 21% are university graduates including 5% that obtained a baccalaureate degree in dental hygiene.
5. b) Are you currently enrolled in a formal education program?
The pie chart clearly demonstrates that the vast majority (94%) of respondents are not currently pursuing any formal type of education.
If YES, in which type of program are you enrolled?
However, of the approximately 7% of dental hygienists that are enrolled in a formal education program almost half are studying part-time and another 26% are registered in programs offered on-line.
6. I practice in the following practice setting(s)
The 2007 study again reflects that the vast majority of dental hygienists (95%) practice their profession in a dental office. This is 10% higher than in 2004. Dental hygienists that are educators have also increases from 3% in 2004 to 5% in 2007.
7. Please indicate your employment status
While more than 91% have employee status, some 13% are either in temporary or contract positions. There are at least 4% that work in employee and non employee status.
8. When deciding on employment or Practice opportunities, the following issues are ranked in order of importance to me
Most important
2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Least important
Wages 14.1% 16.9% 18.5% 18.1% 13.5% 7.7% 5.2% 3.4% 1.1% 1.1%
Benefits 1.4% 2.9% 5.5% 7.9% 11.4% 11.8% 12.1% 12.8% 14.7% 17.9%
Hours & schedule 23.8% 20.1% 16.6% 13.9% 10.1% 6.1% 3.9% 2.7% 1.4% 0.8%
Work conditions/quality of office supplies & equipment
19.8% 18.2% 15.4% 13.2% 11.8% 9.3% 6.1% 3.5% 1.4% 0.5%
Employer relationship
19.7% 15.2% 14.2% 12.9% 12.5% 10.1% 6.1% 4.6% 2.2% 1.6%
Opportunity to practice full scope of practice
8.8% 7.0% 5.7% 6.6% 7.9% 10.3% 10.9% 12.7% 13.8% 14.6%
Type of practice 5.2% 4.0% 5.2% 5.0% 6.1% 8.6% 12.2% 15.8% 19.8% 16.2%
Office personnel 1.6% 4.9% 6.6% 7.0% 9.7% 13.7% 15.9% 16.0% 14.1% 8.7%
Job security 2.5% 2.7% 3.6% 5.0% 7.2% 9.3% 13.0% 15.3% 18.6% 20.7%
Location 7.6% 9.0% 8.3% 9.0% 8.7% 10.4% 11.9% 10.6% 8.7% 14.6%
In deciding on employment opportunities, there were three leading issues in the most important category: hours and schedule (24%), work conditions (20%) and employer relationship (20%). Wages is the fourth highest importance (14%). Showing a more general impression is the group of responses ranked greater than 5 that brings the wages issue closer (67%) to work conditions (67%) though the leading issue remains hours and schedule (74%).
Hours of work 9. Typically, how many hours per week do you work?
Of the dental hygienists that responded to this question 36% indicated they typically work between 29 and 35 hours per week. There has been a 19% increase from 2004 in the number dental hygienists that reported working more than 30 hours per week.
10. Are you currently looking to work...
A preponderance of dental hygienists (86%) reported to be satisfied with the number of hours they work. These results are consistent with those of the 2004 membership survey.
11. Do you consider your total number of hours worked per week as:
Wages 12. a) My average hourly wage as an employee in a clinical dental hygiene practice setting is…
Average Hourly Rate
Position 1 Position 2 Position 3 Position 4 Total
Alberta $45.38 $47.92 $44.56 $42.00 $44.96
British Columbia $41.24 $41.61 $40.97 $40.93 $41.19
Manitoba $34.43 $33.30 $35.00 $34.24
New Brunswick $29.19 $27.14 $22.00 $26.11
Newfoundland and Labrador
$40.67 $50.00 $45.33
Northwest Territories & Nunavut
$50.00 $50.00
Nova Scotia $29.16 $27.68 $30.52 $30.00 $29.34
Ontario $36.97 $37.15 $36.63 $36.72 $36.87
Prince Edward Island $30.95 $30.95
Québec $31.75 $31.75
Saskatchewan $33.05 $33.01 $29.70 $28.50 $31.06
Unknown $40.64 $41.00 $39.00 $40.00 $40.16
Yukon
Total $39.13 $39.95 $38.62 $38.16 $38.96
Number of positions held
Position 1 Position 2 Position 3 Position 4
Alberta 162 32 4 1
British Columbia 1,224 286 62 16
Manitoba 44 5 2
New Brunswick 40 7 1
Newfoundland and Labrador 7 1
Northwest Territories & Nunavut
1
Nova Scotia 78 16 4 1
Ontario 438 109 32 9
Prince Edward Island 6
Québec 3
Saskatchewan 227 20 5 3
Unknown 105 30 3 1
Yukon
Total 2,335 506 113 31
The average hourly wage reported across all positions held as employees was $39.00.
12. b) Do you receive benefits in addition to your salary?
Compensation includes benefits for only 50% of respondents.
13. If you work as an independent contractor, as defined by Canada Revenue Agency and you contract your services to a dental office.
Method of Remuneration
Paid per hour Percent of billable
services
N Average rate N Average percent
Alberta 10 $53.60 9 40.11%
British Columbia 51 $46.40 28 48.35%
Manitoba
New Brunswick 1 1 40.00%
Newfoundland and Labrador 3 43.33%
Northwest Territories & Nunavut
Nova Scotia 1 30.00%
Ontario 41 $40.36 11 30.36%
Prince Edward Island
Québec
Saskatchewan 9 $37.44 7 33.57%
Unknown 12 $43.83 2 41.00%
Yukon
Total 124 $44.11 62 41.27%
The average wages reported by contractors were $44.11, more than 13% higher
than wages for respondents in employee status. Contractors reporting as being
paid as a percent of billable services represent 33% of the total.
Type of work 14. Do you work for more than one office/employer?
Almost 40% of the respondents work for more than one employer. This was the same proportion responding to the 2004 survey.
15. Do you combine two or more regular part time positions in order to work the hours you want or need to work?
Just more than 25% reported that they work in two or more regular part time positions, in the effort to work enough hours.
16. Do you work as a "temp" who is placed for temporary work, possibly in unfamiliar offices, either through an agency, or as a result of "word of mouth", or through your own advertising?
A group representing 17.5% work in temporary jobs.
16. a) If YES to Question 16, please indicate how frequently you work as a "temp"
Half of the respondents who worked in temporary positions (50%) indicated the number of times per month they were in these positions is once or less. A third of those in the temporary positions were between 1 and 5 times per month.
17. Have you searched for new employment in a dental practice in the past two years?
During the previous two years almost 33% have searched for jobs in a dental practice.
17. a) If YES to Question 17, during my FULL TIME job search, I found it…
For those seeking full-time work in a dental practice, 40% reported that it was possible to find satisfactory full time work.
17. b) If YES to Question 17, during my PART TIME job search, I found it…
For those seeking part-time jobs, it was considerably more difficult as only 9.1% reported that it was possible to find satisfactory part time work.
17. c) If you answered conditions, hours or pay were inadequate
For 18.1% seeking part time work and 21.3% seeking full-time work but had found that conditions, hours or pay were not satisfactory, the challenges were widely dispersed. Tied for the most cited challenges were pay that was less than what they already held (39.4%) and hours that were outside regular business time when they could not work (39.4%).
18. Are you actively seeking employment within the dental hygiene profession outside the traditional dental office setting?
A small group representing more than 7% of the respondents are actively seeking employment outside the traditional dental office. This is slightly higher than the 2004 respondents who indicated that less than 5% were actively seeking employment outside the traditional office setting.
18. a) If YES, please indicate the area(s) of dental hygiene practice in which you are currently seeking employment
Those seeking employment outside the dental office setting reported the primary
objectives included education (58.9%) and community (39.2%).
Appendix
On-line Survey
Except from the Canadian Journal of Dental Hygiene, Jan-Feb 2007, Vol. 41, No. 1
