Clean and scale teeth, take dental radiographs, apply preventive treatments and teach patients how to care for their mouths, working alongside a dentist in private practice, a public dental clinic or a school programme.
Salary Breakdown
Newly registered hygienist in a private practice or public dental clinic. Indicative range - the Ministry of Health & Wellness does not publish a standing dental-auxiliary scale, so confirm against current advertisements.
Estimated Take-Home Pay
Based on the midpoint of the Entry salary range ($2,000,000 JMD), after NIS, NHT, Education Tax, and PAYE.
Show deduction breakdown
- Gross (annual)
- $2,000,000 JMD
- NIS (3%)
- −$60,000 JMD
- NHT (2%)
- −$40,000 JMD
- Education Tax
- −$43,650 JMD
- PAYE Income Tax
- −$9,410 JMD
- Net (annual)
- $1,846,940 JMD
Estimate only — illustrative rates and thresholds, not tax advice. Confirm current figures with Tax Administration Jamaica (TAJ) and the National Insurance Scheme (NIS).
Career Path Roadmap
- 1
CSEC Subjects
Pass five CSEC subjects including English Language, Mathematics, Biology and Chemistry.
5 years (Forms 1-5) - 2
Dental Hygiene Programme
Complete the BSc in Dental Hygiene at the UTech College of Oral Health Sciences (the former Dental Auxiliary School), or a two-year Associate of Applied Science in Dental Hygiene at a private paramedical college.
2 - 4 years - 3
Clinical Internship
Complete the supervised clinical placement attached to the programme, treating patients in a teaching clinic under the supervision of a dentist.
5 - 6 months - 4
Register with the Dental Council of Jamaica
Dental auxiliaries must be registered with the Dental Council of Jamaica before practising. If your programme is not yet accredited, confirm with the Council that its graduates are eligible before you enrol.
1 - 3 months - 5
Practise and Build a Patient List
Work chairside in private practice or a public dental clinic: scaling and polishing, radiographs, fluoride and sealants, and oral health education.
1 - 5 years - 6
Specialise, Teach or Manage
Move into public-health oral programmes, clinic coordination or clinical instruction, or study further toward dental therapy or dentistry.
5+ years
Required Education
- 5 CSEC subjects including English Language, Mathematics, Biology and Chemistry
- BSc in Dental Hygiene (UTech) or an associate degree in Dental Hygiene
- Supervised clinical internship
- Registration with the Dental Council of Jamaica
Common Local Certifications
- Registration with the Dental Council of Jamaica (required to practise)
- Radiography safety training for dental radiographs
- Infection control and sterilisation training
- Optional international certification (AMT)
Where to Train
Local Institutions Offering Programs
- University of Technology, Jamaica (UTech) - College of Oral Health Sciences, BSc in Dental Hygiene (accredited)
- SPACS College (School of Paramedical Studies), Ocho Rios - its programmes are listed by the UCJ as under review (in the accreditation process), not yet accredited, as at the December 2024 register - AAS in Dental Hygiene
- Check the Dental Council of Jamaica for the current list of approved training programmes