The ADHA has a great list of other career paths for hygienists besides clinical work: http://www.adha.org/professional-roles
My perio office is looking for a RDH for treatment co-ordinating, marketing, and pt preop/post-op care. Anesthesia cert is a must, but no routine hygiene. You could look for something like this in your area.
I went back th get my bachelors degree and now the colleges near me say I need a masters to teach. Currently have a bachelors, owe 20,000 in student loans and cannot find work. The field is saturated with clinicians. Going back to get masters to stave off of paying my loans for two more years in hopes of getting employment. Dental hygiene provides a very narrow path and it is flooded. If I had to do it over again I’d be a nurse. They have a plethora of opportunities. Dental hygiene, not so much. My goal is to get my PhD in hpes that will open doors. At this point I am frustrated with my career choice. Good luck.
If you have a bachelor’s degree you can teach. You could also go into research, sales, be an office manager/practice administrator, treatment coordinator, or look into government/public health positions.
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