Resources for dental hygienists
After years of working with patients and building your skills, you’ve earned your retirement. But if you’re not ready to fully step away, there are plenty of great jobs for retired dental hygienists that let you stay active in the field, just in a more flexible, low-stress way. Whether you want to teach, consult, work from home, or help your community, your experience is still valuable. Many of these roles offer part-time hours, less physical work, and the chance to keep doing what you love on your terms. In this guide, we’ll review 6 rewarding jobs for retired dental hygienists that offer flexibility, purpose, and a fresh way to stay involved in dentistry.
Jun 2, 2025
1. Part-Time Hygienist Work
Part-time hygienist roles provide retired dental hygienists with a flexible way to stay connected to the profession without committing to a full-time schedule. Whether you want to work a few days a week or pick up occasional shifts, part-time positions let you control your workload and maintain a healthy work-life balance. This option helps you keep your clinical skills sharp and stay familiar with the latest dental technologies and practices, all while enjoying more personal time.
Teero makes finding part-time shifts straightforward by offering access to a wide range of local dental offices looking for hygienists just like you. You can browse available shifts by location, hours, and pay rate, and choose assignments that fit your schedule. This freedom to select when and where you work makes part-time hygienist work a popular choice for retired professionals who want to stay active without the demands of a full-time job.
2. Educate the Next Generation
Your decades of dental hygiene experience are a treasure trove for students entering the field. Teaching offers a rewarding way to pass on what you've learned without the physical demands of clinical practice.
Educational opportunities typically fall into two categories:
Classroom instruction: Teaching theory, public health principles, and dental pathology
Clinical supervision: Overseeing hands-on training and skill development
Most full faculty positions require at least a bachelor's or master's degree. Many educational institutions also offer part-time or adjunct teaching positions, which is perfect if you want flexibility in retirement. You'll stay connected to your profession while helping shape the hygienists of tomorrow.
Beyond traditional teaching, you might develop continuing education workshops or online courses for licensed hygienists. These professionals need to keep their credentials current, and they value learning from someone who's been in the trenches.
3. Dive into Dental Sales and Product Consulting
Your clinical know-how gives you a serious edge in dental sales and product consulting. You've used the equipment, materials, and products you'd be representing and understand workflow challenges in dental offices because you've lived them.
As a manufacturer representative, product demonstrator, or technical advisor, you help practices make informed choices about new technologies and materials. You're using your expertise to improve patient care in a different way.
One of the best parts is the flexibility. Unlike the structured environment of clinical practice, sales and consulting roles often let you set your own schedule. Some positions even allow remote work, which is perfect if you're looking to reduce physical strain while staying in the industry.
Other benefits may include:
Less physical strain than clinical work
Continued industry connections
Competitive pay
Your people skills, refined through thousands of patient interactions, translate to client relationships in sales. You already speak the language of dental professionals and understand their daily challenges.
To get started in dental sales or product consulting:
Research companies that make or distribute dental products you've used
Attend dental conferences and trade shows to network
Take courses in sales techniques to complement your clinical knowledge
Reach out to dental supply companies about shadowing opportunities
Your clinical background gives you unique insights that dental companies need. You'll continue improving dental care in sales or consulting while tackling new challenges with a more flexible schedule.
4. Embrace Public Health Initiatives
Public health departments, non-profits, and community programs need dental professionals. You might coordinate programs, conduct outreach, or develop educational initiatives. These positions usually come with regular hours and involve less physical strain, making them a great choice if you're looking to lighten the physical demands of your work.
Public health opportunities for retired hygienists include:
Coordinating school-based dental sealant programs
Educating communities about oral health
Organizing dental screenings for underserved populations
Advising on oral health policy initiatives
Writing grants for dental health programs
Many of these positions offer part-time or flexible arrangements, letting you balance professional contribution with retirement freedom. Some roles might require additional public health education, but your dental hygiene knowledge remains your most valuable asset.
Contact your local health department or oral health non-profits to explore available opportunities. Your expertise can improve community dental health and countless lives.
5. Transition to Administrative Roles
Your years of clinical experience give you unique insights that make you an ideal candidate for administrative positions in dentistry. These roles keep you connected to the field without the physical demands of patient care.
Administrative roles well-suited for retired hygienists include:
Office Manager
Treatment Coordinator
Insurance Specialist
Compliance Officer
These positions tap into your clinical knowledge while adding new dimensions to your career.
Moving to administration offers several perks, like regular business hours, reduced physical demands, a chance to improve practice operations, and continued dental field connection.
Many practices offer flexible or part-time administrative arrangements, making work-life balance in retirement easier.
To successfully move into administration:
Identify your strengths and interests
Consider training in practice management software
Network with colleagues at dental industry events
Find mentors among experienced dental administrators
Your clinical expertise connects treatment staff and business operations, which practices value.
By transitioning to administration, you'll continue contributing to dentistry while enjoying new challenges and a more flexible schedule. This path keeps you engaged with your profession while adapting to retirement lifestyle changes.
6. Explore Remote and Flexible Opportunities
Your dental hygiene experience opens doors to remote work options that let you enjoy retirement freedom while staying professionally engaged.
Whether you're looking for part-time or high-paying temporary jobs, the dental industry offers flexible arrangements for retirees. Here's where your expertise fits:
Remote Dental Billing and Insurance Verification
Remote dental billing has become a hotspot for retired dental professionals. Your familiarity with insurance verification, CDT codes, and claims processing makes you an ideal candidate. Companies like eAssist Dental Solutions seek experienced professionals to work from home with flexible schedules.
Teledentistry and Remote Clinical Consulting
With AI-powered teledentistry platforms on the rise, retired hygienists are in demand for remote consultations. You can review patient data, images, and x-rays, guiding practitioners or patients directly. It's clinical expertise without the physical strain.
Dental Education and Content Development
Your experience makes you invaluable in educating future dental professionals. You might develop educational materials, create online courses, tutor students, or provide continuing education. These opportunities typically allow you to work from anywhere.
Consulting for Practice Management and Compliance
Dental practices seek remote consultants for compliance advice, billing optimization, and workflow improvements. Your operational and regulatory knowledge translates to these project-based or part-time roles.
Customer Support and Technical Advisory
Dental software and product companies need retired professionals for remote customer support and training. Your ability to connect clinical knowledge with technical solutions is valuable.
How to Prepare for Remote Dental Roles
To succeed in remote positions, brush up on:
Dental insurance verification and CDT codes
Practice management software (Dentrix, Open Dental, Eaglesoft, Oryx)
HIPAA compliance and data security
Communication and computer skills
Some roles benefit from certifications from the American Dental Coders Association (ADCA) or AAPC Dental Billing System.
These remote opportunities let you use your dental expertise while enjoying retirement freedom. Whether in billing, consulting, education, or teledentistry, there's likely a good remote role for your skills and lifestyle.
7. Venture into Writing and Content Creation
Your years as a dental hygienist have given you insights that make you a perfect dental content creator. You know how to translate complex dental information into language that professionals and patients understand.
Educational Materials and Online Courses
Creating educational content is especially rewarding for retired hygienists. You can develop online courses, contribute to textbooks, or design continuing education modules. Students and practitioners value your real-world perspective, something academic-only writers can't provide.
Dental Publications and Blogs
Dental journals, magazines, and professional blogs need contributors with clinical expertise. You can write about new hygiene techniques, patient communication strategies, or clinical challenges. Publications like RDH Magazine and Today's RDH feature content from experienced hygienists.
Patient Resources and Public Education
Your patient education skills transfer perfectly to creating public-facing content. This might include patient information brochures, oral health education websites, or social media content for dental practices and health organizations. By creating content on topics like how to build dentist-patient relationships, you can help practices improve patient engagement and trust.
How to Get Started
To begin your dental writing journey:
Start a blog or contribute guest posts to build your portfolio
Network with dental publishers at industry conferences
Take a health writing course to sharpen your skills
Contact dental practices that might need patient education materials
Your unique voice and perspective are useful in dental content. Whether explaining procedures to patients or sharing clinical insights with colleagues, your expertise makes a difference in dental education and communication.
Find Your Next Chapter in Dentistry
Your experience opens doors to opportunities aligned with your interests, abilities, lifestyle goals, and financial needs. Start by identifying which aspects of dental hygiene you've found most rewarding. Successful transitions typically involve networking with professionals in roles that interest you, taking relevant continuing education, and exploring new fields through part-time work or volunteering.
Platforms like Teero connect retired hygienists with part-time roles for flexible opportunities that match their preferences.
Approach this new chapter confidently, finding fresh ways to apply your passion while creating a lasting impact in oral healthcare.