pen wide. Hmmmmmm. Are you flossing everyday?"

You hear those familiar words twice a year when you pay a visit to a dental hygienist for a cleaning. But cleaning teeth is just part of the job.

Dental hygienists take x-rays, make models of teeth, apply sealants, bleach teeth and teach patients how to care for their teeth. They even take vital signs and blood pressure.

"Lots of people go to the dentist regularly but don't go to the doctor," said Heather Mapp, program director for the department of dental hygiene at Lanier Tech. "By measuring vital signs, a dental hygienist can identify if a patient has high blood pressure."

Most dental hygienists work in a dental office either in general dentistry or in specialties like pediatric dentistry or periodontology. Some go into sales.

With additional education, others wind up in teaching and public health. Institutions like Veterans' Administration hospitals, mental hospitals and prisons also employ dental hygienists.

Successful students' enter the program with strong science backgrounds. The program is so competitive that Mapp recommends that applicants have one year of dental experience before applying.

The program takes two years to complete and includes a clinical portion. After passing a licensing test, graduates are permitted to work under the supervision of a dentist. Starting salary for two-year and four-year degrees is the same.

"The advantage is tuition is lower at technical institutes than for degree programs," Mapp said. "Technology has been unbelievable. That is another advantage of offering this program through a technical institute. The technical institutes put a high premium on technology. So even with a tight budget, they try to keep up with current advances."

Graduates start at $150 per day, 3 to 4 days per week, or $20 to $25 per hour, depending on the practice, Mapp said. In a specialty practice in Atlanta, salaries top at $55,000 to $60,000 after five years. In general practice in other areas of the state, $35,000 to $40,000 is the more common salary after five years experience.

And best of all, "Every student has a job waiting for them when they get out," Mapp said.

EMPLOYMENT AND OUTLOOK: 34 percent increase in number of jobs in Georgia by 2005.

SALARY: Start at $150 per day for 3 to 4 days per week or $20 to $25 per hour. In a specialty practice in Atlanta, salaries top at $55,000 to $60,000 after five years. In general, practice in other areas of the state, $35,000 to $40,000 is the more common salary after five years experience.

EMPLOYERS: Most graduates go into a clinical setting in a dental office; some will continue their education and go into teaching and public health; the sales arena and dental office is 99 percent of employment; research positions usually require a bachelor's degree; other employers are V.A. hospitals, the Georgia State Mental Hospital and prisons.

TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES IN GEORGIA: Athens Tech, Lanier Tech, Valdosta Tech