Best associates degrees to pursue? (hygienist, paying, guaranteed, education)

[kiwifruit2]

What are the best paying associates degrees, but also guaranteed work after obtaining it? I am torn between getting an associate degree, since it doesn't take so long, or going the distance and trying for dentist. I'm 26 years old with 2 kids. I want a higher education but can't decide what path would be best. Dentist would be guaranteed work, great pay, but takes a long time. I was thinking maybe dental hygienist, but after personally speaking with someone who does it for a living, said it's not a secure job. Was this accurate or do you think she was wrong? I've heard different things about dental hygienist. If I could handle the things they do, I'd go for nursing, but there is just no way. I can handle the human mouth, but I don't want to wipe up human excrement. I commend people who can do that. Not for me though. As you may notice, I'm sorta confused about what I want to pursue. Advice/thoughts?

Thanks

[golfgal]

Not technically an associates degree but ultrasound technologists here start at around $60,000.

[hey teach]

I can't imagine where being a hygenist is considered a not secure job. Here most of them work for themselves out of a dentist office. I have three friends who are dental hygenist and they are booked every hour, wall to wall, four or five days weekly. One of them actually has two offices, she works out of one two days and the other three days. She says she could work all day on every Saturday, if she was willing to. Another friend only works on Friday, Sat, Sun and Mon. This is his choice of days to work.

Now that most insurances pay for two dental cleanings annually, it would seem to me that any preventative treatment would be highly secure.