Passive Income Ideas For Dental Hygienists [2024]
Interested in earning passive income as a dental hygienist in 2024?
We put together a few of the best passive income ideas you can start as a dental hygienist today. These will help you increase your quality of life by bringing in more income for yourself or your business.
For each income idea, we’ll show you real-world examples, revenue expectations for each idea, plus some things you might need to know before you start your passive income journey as a dental hygienist.
Here's the full list:
1. Make passive income with an online course sales business ($85K/month)
As a dental hygienist, you could leverage your expertise to create valuable online courses that help others in the dental field or those interested in oral health. Imagine creating classes on topics like proper oral hygiene techniques, tips for maintaining dental health, or even courses that help aspiring dental hygienists pass their exams. You already have the knowledge and skills, so turning them into an online course is a logical next step.
Selling these courses online could provide you with a steady stream of passive income over time. Select a target audience, develop your course content, and use an online platform to market it. Given that the e-learning market is expected to surpass $645 billion in the coming years, there's a great opportunity to tap into this growing sector.
How much you can make: $100 — $300,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $2,000 (?)
How long does it take to build: 180 days (?)
A multipreneur shares how she built a successful print on demand side hustle, generating $120,000 per year through multiple brands spread over various platforms.
2. Make passive income with a drinking water business
As a dental hygienist, you understand firsthand the importance of health and hygiene, making a drinking water business a natural extension of your commitment to well-being. You could start by delivering high-quality, purified water to homes and businesses, responding to the critical need for clean water in your community. This venture aligns well with your professional values and allows you to promote a healthier lifestyle beyond the dental office.
Starting small with bottled water deliveries and gradually expanding to include vending machines or refill stations offers a scalable opportunity. The initial investment in purification systems, packaging, and logistics could be manageable and incrementally increased as your business grows. Health-conscious consumers and those advocating for sustainable living will likely appreciate your focus on quality and eco-friendly packaging options, providing you a profitable niche while contributing positively to community health.
3. Make passive income with a stock photography business ($14.6K/month)
As a dental hygienist, you could start a stock photography business to supplement your income by capturing and licensing photos. Dental offices and related websites often need high-quality images for marketing and advertising, making your insider perspective valuable. You could photograph dental tools, office setups, patient interactions (with permission), and even smiling patients.
To get started, you would need some good photography gear and take the time to learn the basics of taking stock photos. By uploading these high-quality images to stock photography websites, you could build a portfolio that earns you passive income. With an appealing online presence, your stock photos could sell quickly, offering a rewarding side hustle that aligns with your current profession.
How much you can make: $1,200 — $45,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $3,500 (?)
How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)
Pro Photo Studio founder Tsour Lee Adato shares how she turned a $5k investment into a business that services over 500 clients annually and makes approximately $350k per year with plans to expand and become a 7-figure business while offering advice to fellow entrepreneurs to always be innovating, learning and growing, and not to undervalue themselves.
4. Make passive income with a mobile app ($70.3K/month)
As a dental hygienist, you probably encounter unique challenges and repetitive tasks in your daily work. You could create a mobile app that addresses these specific needs, such as an app that provides oral hygiene tips, schedule management, or even a virtual dental assistant to help patients with their dental care between visits.
Developing an app might sound complicated, but with basic coding knowledge or by hiring a skilled developer, you could turn your idea into reality. Your app could generate income through in-app purchases, ads, or subscription services, letting you earn money even when you're not working in the clinic.
Given how integral mobile apps have become in our lives, there's a good chance your innovative idea could reach a wide audience and offer a steady stream of extra income. With a solid plan and effective marketing, you could create something that not only supplements your income but also contributes to better dental health for many.
How much you can make: $1 — $500,000/month
How long does it take to build: 180 days (?)
BACH, an app that plans and books bachelorette parties, has grown from $0 to >$1M net revenue run rate in less than 6 months, gained over 100,000 users in their first 60 days, and has over 40,000 parties using the app this month.
5. Make passive income with a rescue product ($160K/month)
As a dental hygienist, you could supplement your income by starting a rescue product business. This involves repurposing discarded or overproduced materials to create valuable consumer goods. You could turn unused fabrics into fashion accessories or convert reclaimed wood into home décor items, tapping into the growing market of eco-conscious consumers.
This business idea aligns particularly well with dental hygienists who value sustainability and have a creative edge. With your attention to detail and precision, you could create high-quality rescue products that stand out. Moreover, sourcing quality materials from local waste facilities or manufacturers with excess inventory can be cost-effective. Not only does this venture have the potential to be profitable, but it also allows you to contribute positively to the environment.
How much you can make: $20,000 — $300,000/month
Jakt, a digital product and innovation studio based in NYC, works with both startups and large enterprises, operating on a revenue of $4 million in 2018 with a 20% profit margin, with focus on referrals and channel partnerships to attract and retain clients.
6. Make passive income with an ecommerce reselling business ($83.3K/month)
As a dental hygienist, starting an eCommerce reselling business could be a flexible and practical way to supplement your income and earn extra money. Since your main focus would be on purchasing services or goods to resell, you wouldn't need to worry about production costs, which can save you a lot of upfront investment and time.
You could begin your venture by leveraging social media platforms to reach potential customers without needing to create a website right away. This allows you to test the waters and grow your business gradually while still maintaining your regular job responsibilities. As your business expands, you could then consider investing in a dedicated website to handle more traffic and sales.
How much you can make: $4,000 — $150,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $2,999 (?)
How long does it take to build: 75 days (?)
Empyre Off-Road, an e-commerce business founded by Greg Shuey which sells aftermarket parts for Toyota Tacomas, Tundras, and 4Runners, generated approximately $100,000 a month in revenue and was able to expand its product offering, focusing on content marketing, email marketing campaigns, and organic social media to attract and retain customers.
7. Make passive income with a health and wellness app ($108K/month)
As a dental hygienist, you already understand the importance of health and wellness, which can provide a unique insight when creating a health and wellness app. You could start an app that offers personalized fitness routines, nutrition plans, mental well-being exercises, and progress tracking, tailored to individual needs. For example, the app could remind users to drink water, guide them through yoga practices, and provide meal plans, acting as a virtual coach in your pocket.
Starting this app would involve collaboration with other health experts, ensuring that the advice and plans are top-notch and relevant. Although it requires some initial effort, such as market research, app development, and marketing, the potential to positively impact people's lives while earning passive income makes it a tempting opportunity. Plus, with your background in health, you can offer valuable expertise that can set your app apart in a growing market.
How much you can make: $600 — $300,000/month
How long does it take to build: 200 days (?)
Founder and CEO of SelfDecode, Joe Cohen, explains how his company helps people discover personalized diet, supplement, and lifestyle recommendations based on DNA and lab tests; generating about $2.7 million in revenue over the past year and raising $8 million in a crowdfunding campaign, SelfDecode provides personalized health recommendations prioritized on unique genetic variants, marking the future of healthcare.
8. Make passive income with a niche blog ($31.5K/month)
As a dental hygienist, you could start a niche blog to share your expertise and reach a passionate community. You might focus on topics like dental care tips for different age groups, best oral hygiene products, or even personal stories from your career. By sharing unique and informative content, you could attract readers who are interested in maintaining their dental health.
To monetize your blog, you could include affiliate links to products you recommend, collaborate with dental care brands, or even grow a YouTube channel where you demonstrate proper brushing and flossing techniques. Over time, engaging regularly with your followers and providing valuable insights could establish you as an authority in dental care, creating multiple streams of passive income alongside your current career.
How much you can make: $100 — $650,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $650 (?)
How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)
Starter Story grew to 1.4 million monthly visitors and millions in annual revenue by sharing the stories of entrepreneurs. Pat breaks down the early days and how he grew the business into something that changed his life.
9. Make passive income with an affiliate marketing business ($77.5K/month)
As a dental hygienist, you could supplement your income by starting an affiliate marketing business. This involves promoting dental care products, tools, or even health supplements that are related to your field. When someone buys a product through your recommendation, you earn a small commission from the sale.
To get started, you could look for reputable dental product brands or health-related eCommerce stores to partner with. By sharing your professional insights and personal experiences with these products online, you can attract more interest and trust from your audience. This side hustle leverages your existing knowledge and skills, making it easier to generate passive income while continuing your main job.
How much you can make: $500 — $773,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $700 (?)
How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)
This case study explores how Spencer Mecham founded Buildapreneur, an affiliate marketing business, and has made over half a million dollars in profit with no employees, relying solely on content marketing through platforms like Facebook, YouTube, and TikTok.
10. Make passive income with a niche website ($107K/month)
As a dental hygienist, you could create a niche website focused on dental hygiene tips, products, and educational resources. By sharing your expertise and insights, you could help a dedicated audience who are interested in maintaining oral health. This would allow you to leverage your professional knowledge while exploring a creative, entrepreneurial outlet.
To get started, you'll need to choose a specific angle within the dental hygiene field, such as children's dental care, eco-friendly dental products, or dental health for seniors. By creating engaging content and utilizing strategies like SEO to attract visitors, you could build a loyal audience. Over time, you could monetize your website through affiliate marketing, ads, or selling your own e-books and guides. This creates an opportunity not only to supplement your income but also to turn your passion for dental health into a fruitful side hustle.
How much you can make: $400 — $250,000/month
How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)
DPW (Digital Procurement World) is a fast-growing conference and community in procurement that has more than tripled in revenue since launching in 2019, capping out the year at €1.8 million, with 95% of their growth coming from inbound traffic leveraging LinkedIn and applying social selling techniques.
11. Print on demand business ($411K/month)
As a dental hygienist, you could supplement your income and explore your creative side by starting a print-on-demand business. This type of business allows you to sell custom products like apparel, home goods, and phone cases without needing to invest in inventory upfront. You could design fun, dental-themed merchandise or other trendy items that appeal to a broad audience.
Since print-on-demand services handle production and shipping, you could run this business from home and manage it in your spare time. By using online marketplaces like Amazon, eBay, and Etsy as your storefronts, you could reach customers worldwide. This business model empowers you to monetize your creativity, making it a flexible and scalable way to earn extra money alongside your dental hygiene career.
How much you can make: $200 — $3,000,000/month
How long does it take to build: 30 days (?)
Time commitment per week: Min. 5 hours/week
Founder Roy Kirchner shares how he started an eCommerce business specializing in 3D printing with an initial investment of $65,000, which now averages monthly gross sales of $330,000 and has partnered with international manufacturers and local businesses while offering technical support and education.
12. Make passive income with a dropshipping business ($414K/month)
Starting a dropshipping business could be a great way for you as a dental hygienist to supplement your income. Dropshipping allows you to sell products to customers without needing to buy inventory upfront. This means you can run your business with minimal financial risk and low initial costs.
You could choose a niche that resonates with you or your professional expertise, such as oral care products or ergonomic aids for people working in healthcare. Setting up an online store using platforms like Shopify or WooCommerce is straightforward, and from there, you can list products from reliable suppliers. As orders come in, the supplier handles the shipping, allowing you to focus on marketing and customer service during your downtime.
Through careful management of expenses and monitoring profit margins, you could build a profitable sideline that operates alongside your work as a dental hygienist. This entrepreneurial venture may not only provide extra income but also develop valuable skills in business and marketing.
How much you can make: $6,000 — $3,000,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $8,500 (?)
How long does it take to build: 90 days (?)
Time commitment per week: Min. 10 hours/week
Entrepreneur Kamil Sattar has developed multiple six-figure drop shipping businesses, and his company, e-commerce mentoring, specializes in helping others create their own successful companies, with favorite platforms including using Shopify and apps such as Loox reviews and SMSBump.
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Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
