Aspen Dental logo
Aspen Dental
Ames, Iowa

Dental Hygienist (RDH) - Fridays

Dental HygienistNo callPart-Time

Listed compensation

$45-$48/hr

The week · per this posting

Ask the employer about the work setting, weekend coverage, nights and shift pattern and time off.

Posted 1 day ago · Verified live

Job Description

At Aspen Dental, dental hygienists are empowered clinicians and trusted oral health providers. You’ll be a valued clinical partner to the doctor, with the autonomy to assess oral health, recommend care based on clinical indicators, and educate patients – without being rushed.

Whether you’re a new graduate or an experienced hygienist, you’ll work in a modern clinical environment supported by advanced technology, structured onboarding, and hands-on training. Our independently owned practices foster strong local cultures while benefiting from the stability, resources, and innovation of a national network, so you can focus on delivering high-quality, patient-centered care.

Compensation & Benefits

  • Competitive pay: $45–$48/hr, plus an uncapped incentive plan rewarding patient-centered care
  • Benefits for full-time and part-time hygienists, including medical, dental, and vision insurance; 401(k) with company match*, paid time off and 6 paid holidays (may vary for part-time employees), free continuing educating (CE) through TAG University, disability coverage, Employee Assistance Program, and pet insurance

What to Expect

  • Fridays (8:00-1:00) with additional days available.
  • Manageable schedules that allow time for thorough assessments, patient education, and meaningful care
  • Structured two-week onboarding and training to support a confident transition into patient care
  • Digital tools and workflows that streamline charting and support clinical decision-making
  • Partnership with the Hygiene Support Team for mentorship and clinical support
  • Hands-on experience with advanced technology, including voice-activated perio charting, TRIOS® 3D scanning, and Videa AI
  • Ongoing learning and career growth through TAG University, offering in-person and virtual programs and continuing education (CE) to advance your career beyond the chair

What You’ll Do

  • Partner with the doctor to develop and deliver personalized patient care plans
  • Utilize digital technology to support clinical assessments, case acceptance, and patient communication
  • Collaborate with the dental team to deliver exceptional patient experiences
  • Manage your schedule and supplies with the autonomy needed to provide comprehensive care

Qualifications

  • Associate degree or higher in dental hygiene from an accredited institution
  • Active dental hygiene license in the state of practice
  • Strong communication skills and a passion for patient education

*Benefits and incentives may vary by independently owned and operated Aspen Dental location; terms and conditions apply.

Aspen Dental-branded practices are independently owned and operated by licensed dentists. Practices receive non-clinical business support from Aspen Dental Management, Inc., a dental support organization. ADMI Corp., doing business as TAG, The Aspen Group, its affiliates, related companies, and independently owned supported clinical practices are proud to be Equal Opportunity Employers. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, or protected veteran status, and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability.

Key Responsibilities

You will partner with the doctor to develop personalized patient care plans and perform clinical assessments using advanced digital technology. Additionally, you will be responsible for educating patients on oral health and managing your schedule to ensure high-quality, patient-centered care.

Key Skills

Oral health assessmentClinical documentationTreatment planning

Dental Hygiene Career Context

The cost-of-living index for Iowa is 87.8 (US average = 100; BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)), so the posted ~$97k midpoint carries the purchasing power of roughly $110k in an average-cost state. 59.8% of Iowa clinicians report burnout symptoms in WeekdayDoc's Burnout Index (2026-01 data).

Aspen Dental ranks #4 of 13 employers hiring Dental Hygienist on WeekdayDoc by average advertised pay.

What does the Dental Hygienist market look like in Iowa?
MeasureThis jobMarket
Work-life score6.4 / 10 · above average in dental hygienistranked against 2,151 Dental Hygienist listingslisting-based score, 0–10
Listed pay$94k–$100kDental Hygienist median $109k (middle half $98k–$125k)585 comparable listings, Oct 2026
Cost-of-living adjusted pay~$110k in purchasing powerIowa index 87.8 (US = 100)BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)
Dental Hygienist listings in Iowa51 active5,821 nationallylive on WeekdayDoc, Oct 2026
Work settingon-sitepeers: 43% no call · 64% no weekends47 benchmarked listings
Sign-on & loan repaymentnot statedUS healthcare professional listings: 26% state a sign-on bonus (median $10k) · 5% offer loan repayment1,000 active listings, Oct 2026
Aspen Dental#4 of 13 for payTop Employers work-life index
Sources: WeekdayDoc live listing index (2,151 Dental Hygienist listings), Top Employers work-life index, BEA Regional Price Parities (2024); as of Oct 2026. Same values as the Weekday Verdict and Market Insights on this page.

Work-Life Balance Analysis

WeekdayDoc's proprietary algorithm rates Dental Hygienist (RDH) - Fridays at Aspen Dental a 6.4 out of 10 for work-life balance — classified as good. This places the position in the Above average in Dental Hygienist — ranked against 2,151 active Dental Hygienist listings on WeekdayDoc. Contributing factors include no on-call duties.

Top Dental Hygienist Jobs

46 matches · ranked by pay

Salary Distribution

33 jobs · 32 employers
7
<$100k
13
$100k-115k
4
$115k-130k
5
$130k-145k
4
$145k+

Annual compensation range

Benefits & Perks

39 jobs · 32 employers
401k / retirement match
87% this job
CME allowance
54% this job
Sign-on bonus
36%
Loan repayment
5%
PSLF eligible
3%

Share of similar jobs offering each benefit

#1

Licensed Dental Hygienist - Roseville

Park Dental · Roseville, Minnesota

$60-$88/hr
#2

Part-Time Registered Dental Hygienist (RDH)

Platinum Dental Services · Colorado Springs, Colorado

$68-$72/hr
#3

Dental Hygienist - Tufts Special Care Dental Clinics

$49.3-$68.1/hr
#4

Dental Hygienist - Tufts Special Care Dental Clinics

$49.3-$68.1/hr
+ 44 more · ranked by pay

Work-life snapshot

median 3.9this job 6.4
Better work-life than 70% of Dental Hygienist listings

Listing-based score, 0–10, across 2,151 comparable listings. Shaded area = the share scoring below this one.

  • No call
Aspen Dental logo

About Aspen Dental

Hospitals and Health Care
Chicago, IL
1,001-5,000 employees

Benefits & Perks

Medical insurance
Dental insurance
Vision insurance
401(k) with company match
Paid time off
6 paid holidays
Free continuing education (CE) through TAG University
Disability coverage

Living in Ames

Typical 3-bedroom home value
$293k
Typical market rent
$1,240/mo
Residents’ average commute
16 min
Metro price indexU.S. average = 100
88.8
State income tax
Up to 6%
Sources & methodology

Sources: Zillow home values (Sep 2026), Zillow market rents (Sep 2026), U.S. Census ACS 2024 five-year.

BEA 2024 · Ames, IA metro prices. Housing figures are city-level.

City-level figures. Not a cost-of-living guarantee.