OT OT In Portland area, full time hygienists with experience make closer to $30/hr with some benefits. Some hygienists work without benefits - they might get $32/hr without benis. Your dental assistant rate is probably fairly accurate with benefits (dental,vacation,sick leave, but usually no medical which is very spendy).
My wife's dentist definitely has a chairside assistant, we both believe she adds much to his practice, and is worth every penny she makes. They are an excellent team, very productive together. More patients in less time, income higher than without her.
My wife has 17 years with the same dentist - her patients rarely see anyone but her, most wait until she returns from vacation instead of seeing the other hygienist.
She is a sweetie, and she puts up with my incessant BLTI questions ( so far anyway) <gg>.
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