Resources for dental hygienists
One of the best parts of being a dental hygienist is the versatility it brings. Your clinical skills, patient communication experience, and healthcare knowledge translate into a wide range of opportunities both inside and outside the operatory. More hygienists are exploring side hustles not just for extra income, but for the flexibility, variety, and personal growth they offer. Whether you’re looking to add a few hours to your week, explore a passion project, or build a future career path, your hygiene background gives you a strong foundation to branch out. Here’s a breakdown of side hustles designed with dental hygienists in mind, each one offering a chance to earn more, learn new skills, and take greater control over your schedule.
May 1, 2025
1. Temporary Dental Hygiene Assignments (Temping)
Becoming a temping dental hygienist gives you flexibility and the chance to earn more per hour, especially if you pick up last-minute gigs. It's a smart way to boost your income without chaining yourself to another full-time job. And thanks to Teero's app, it has never been easier to start.
New grads can gain diverse experience fast, while seasoned hygienists enjoy variety without the long-term pressure. As Teero puts it, "Temping allows dental hygienists to experience different office cultures, technologies, and patient populations, enhancing their skills and adaptability." We also offer W-2 employment for hygienists, so your taxes are easier (and cheaper) and you’re covered by insurance and worker’s comp.
The flexibility lets you create a career path that fits your life rather than the other way around. It also helps you build a professional network that could lead to future permanent positions or other opportunities.
Plan ahead:
Budget for income swings
Build an emergency fund
Stay organized with a calendar to track assignments
Platforms like Teero make finding flexible dental hygienist jobs much easier than using outdated staffing agencies.
Also, working in various practices means adapting to different protocols and standards. Staying informed about OSHA requirements for hygienists ensures you maintain compliance across all settings.
2. Dental Hygiene Education and Tutoring
If you love teaching or mentoring, education could be your perfect side hustle. Sharing your knowledge helps others and deepens your own expertise.
You'll need at least a bachelor's degree to teach at most community colleges. Universities often expect a master's. But tutoring and guest lecturing are wide open if you have real-world experience.
Opportunities include:
Clinical instructor gigs
Guest lectures at schools or CE events
Private tutoring for students prepping for the National Board
Online course creation for exam prep, instrumentation, or patient management
Developing resources to educate patients on oral health and nutrition
Education builds leadership skills that can elevate your entire career. Plus, it's deeply rewarding to see students succeed.
Look for opportunities by contacting local dental hygiene programs, joining healthcare tutoring platforms, and networking with professional associations.
Tips for success:
Stay updated on clinical best practices
Make complex topics simple and relatable
Create interactive lessons, not just boring lectures
Offer practical, hands-on examples
3. Freelance Dental Writing and Content Creation
Writing about dental care might sound random, but your experience gives you an edge general writers don't have.
Companies want dental content that is accurate and easy to understand. That’s where you come in. Patients, professionals, and companies alike need clear, trustworthy information.
You could write blog posts on oral health, website content for practices, patient education materials, CE course content, or social media posts that engage.
Professional platforms like Today's RDH publish hygienist-written articles.
Rates vary:
Blog posts: $50–150+
Technical writing: much higher
Direct client gigs pay better than writing agencies
Create a writing portfolio that reflects your unique perspective. Use personal clinical stories (respecting patient privacy) to add authenticity and depth.
4. Dental Product Sales and Affiliate Marketing
You already recommend products to patients every day. Why not get paid for it?
Use your clinical credibility to:
Represent dental companies at events
Promote trusted products through affiliate links
Create product reviews based on your own clinical use
Authenticity matters. Only recommend stuff you'd genuinely use or suggest to your family.
The trick is to blend product recommendations naturally into education-focused content. Help first, sell second.
Quick demo videos, honest reviews, and patient tips can all turn into revenue streams. Some affiliates pay 5–20% commissions, which is not bad for something you’re already doing.
5. Mobile Dental Hygiene Services
Taking hygiene care on the road is changing access to dental services and creating new business opportunities.
Mobile hygiene is ideal for nursing homes, schools, offices, and underserved communities.
Patients save time and money by getting care where they already are. That leads to better oral health outcomes, too.
Challenges include:
Equipment must be compact yet effective
Space, water, and power might be limited
Laws vary widely from state to state
Solve these challenges by investing in portable, high-quality tools and carefully planning each visit.
Starting a mobile hygiene business requires upfront investment, but the ability to provide meaningful care directly to those who need it most makes it a deeply fulfilling path.
6. Online Courses and Webinars
You have specialized knowledge people will pay to access. Online courses let you package your skills into something that earns income over time, and reaches a global audience.
Popular course ideas include children's oral hygiene, board exam study guides, advanced clinical techniques, updates on new dental tech, and managing medically complex patients.
Tips to make your courses stand out:
Focus on solving real problems
Break topics into short, digestible modules
Share real patient stories (protecting privacy)
Mix videos, downloads, and live Q&As
Include quizzes to reinforce learning
Building a course takes effort upfront, but it can generate ongoing income with minimal ongoing work.
7. Social Media Influencing and Brand Partnerships
Believe it or not, your clinical expertise gives you a huge leg up on social media.
Build your following by sharing:
Brushing technique demos
Myth-busting facts
Day-in-the-life snapshots
Honest product reviews
Patient FAQ videos
Use Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, or any other platform where your target audience spends time.
Focus on education first. Trust builds audiences. Audiences attract brand deals.
Brands want dental influencers who can clearly translate clinical concepts, stay credible and accurate, and engage meaningfully with their followers.
Established dental influencers often earn thousands per post and have options for long-term partnerships. Build trust first, and the rest follows naturally.
Put Your Dental Hygienist Skills to Test
Your skills as a dental hygienist stretch far beyond the chair. The side hustles we’ve covered offer real opportunities to boost your income, sharpen your skills, and expand your career.
Start with one hustle that feels right and grow from there. Many hygienists eventually find a blend of clinical work, education, creative projects, and business that makes them happier, and wealthier than traditional practice alone.
If you're seeking flexible temping opportunities as a dental hygienist, Teero offers a platform designed to meet your needs. With Teero, you can choose when and where you work, ensuring a balance between your professional and personal life.