- From the US Dept of Labor website: A high school diploma and college entrance test scores are usually required for admission to a dental hygiene program. High school students interested in becoming a dental hygienist should take courses in Biology, chemistry, and mathematics. Also, some dental hygiene programs require applicants to have completed at least 1 year of college. Specific entrance requirements vary from one school to another.
- Most dental hygiene programs grant an associate degree, although some also offer a certificate, a bachelor's degree, or a master's degree. A minimum of an associate degree or certificate in dental hygiene is generally required for practice in a private dental office. A bachelor's or master's degree usually is required for research, teaching, or clinical practice in public or school health programs.
- Licensure. Dental hygienists must be licensed by the State in which they practice.
- It doesn't generally take that long to become a dental assistant. In many states you can be trained on the job and just have to pass some exams. If you go to a dental assisting program at a technical school then it is usually 6 months plus a 3 month clinical internship...so usually 9 months.
- Don't be confused with dental hygiene school, which is 2 years at an accredited program...AFTER you've completed 1-2 years of pre-requisites and been accepted it is 2 more years of college, then you're eligible to take several national, regional and state exams and apply for licensure. Of course all this extra work pays off as the starting salary is usually double that of a dental assistant.
- Perhaps someone is confusing dental assistant with dental hygienist. In SOME states you can receive dental asssitant training on the job, but a registered dental hygienist (RDH) ALWAYS has to attend 3+ years of college. It is a similar education path to nursing...then national and state board exams must be passed and licensure must be maintained every 1-2 years with continuing education and sometimes malpractice insurance is required. This is very different from dental assisting and that is why the salary is about double or more.
- To become a dental hygienist in the United States, you must graduate from an accredited dental hygiene school with either an associates degree or a bachelors degree. In addition, you will be required to pass a National Board as well as a state or regional practical exam in order to be licensed in a particular state.
- Each state has its own specific requirements. For more information, go to www.adha.org. That is the website of the American Dental Hygienists Association.
- The previous poster offers good information. In order to graduate from an accredited hygiene school, you must first be accepted. This is often the hard part. It tends to be VERY competitive to get accepted to dental hygiene school since it is a good paying job. Especially on the west coast. I think it is a little easier to get accepted in certain parts of the south, and the Midwest. Basically any state that has a lot of dental hygiene programs (like more than 10) it will probably be easier to get accepted.
- You generally need to complete between 1 and 2 years of pre-requisites before you can apply. Generally your grades in these courses is the main criteria they use for selecting students....so get good grades. On the west coast you will need almost all As in these classes. Common pre-reqs are chemistry, anatomy and physiology, microbiology, nutrition, public speaking, writing, algebra or pre-calculus, and several humanities and Social Sciences.
- Once accepted the program lasts at least 2 years, some are 3 years. In school you will take a full load of academic classes while simultaneously maintaining a clinic schedule 2-3 days a week. You will treat live, paying patients on designated clinic days (with supervision, of course). You usually begin working on each other the first term and then the second term you start working on the public. It is a very busy and challenging 2 years, but well worth it. You'll have to be organized, dedicated and good at science to make it through school. Working a part-time job is possible (I did it) but most students focus 100% on school because it is intense.
- You will need to pass the national dental hygiene board examination prior to graduation. If you pass that, you will be eligible to sit for your regional or state's clinical board examination where you are graded on a live patient. If local anesthesia (injections) are permitted in your state you will probably need to pass a separate test for that.
- To become licensed in your state you will also need to pass a state exam regarding the laws and scope of practice and ethics for that state. Then you pay a fee of about $100 to $200 a year to maintain your license. Most states require that you do a certain minimum hours of continuing education each licensure cycle.
You will probably need to pass a background check and possibly a drug screen.
Once you've jumped through all the hoops, it is a very rewarding and well paid career. But I warn you it is harder than you think and you do a lot more than just "clean teeth" and it's a lot bloodier and grosser than you could ever imagine. The repetitive physical work it is especially hard on your back, neck and wrists, so if you already have issues in those areas of your body, then dental hygiene wouldn't be a good fit for you. If you are outgoing, compassionate and a general "nurturer" or "helper" this may be a great career for you, but warning: MONOTONY is a common complaint!
With all that said, I'm glad I went this route. I currently make $36 an hour with great benefits and great hours. I work in a fun office and I love my patients and co-workers. My body hurts most days after work though.
Other qualifications. Dental hygienists should work well with others because they work closely with dentists and dental assistants as well as dealing directly with patients. Hygienists also need good manual dexterity, because they use dental instruments within a patient's mouth, with little room for error.
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To be a dental hygienist you need at least 3 years of special dental classes called DHAA. This includes special training from a certified dental expert. ADVISE: Search for a schooling plan nearby your home for an easier way of learning.
Dental hygienists must be licensed by the State in which they practice. To qualify for licensure in nearly all States, a candidate must graduate from an accredited dental hygiene school and pass both a written and clinical examination. The American Dental Association's Joint Commission on National Dental Examinations administers the written examination, which is accepted by all States and the District of Columbia. State or regional testing agencies administer the clinical examination. In addition, most States require an examination on the legal aspects of dental hygiene practice. Alabama allows candidates to take its examinations if they have been trained through a State-regulated on-the-job program in a dentist's office.
In 2004, the Commission on Dental Accreditation accredited 266 programs in dental hygiene. Most dental hygiene programs grant an associate degree, although some also offer a certificate, a bachelor's degree, or a master's degree. A minimum of an associate degree or certificate in dental hygiene is generally required for practice in a private dental office. A bachelor's or master's degree usually is required for research, teaching, or clinical practice in public or school health programs.
A high school diploma and college entrance test scores are usually required for admission to a dental hygiene program. Also, some dental hygiene programs prefer applicants who have completed at least 1 year of college. Requirements vary from one school to another. Schools offer laboratory, clinical, and classroom instruction in subjects such as anatomy, physiology, chemistry, microbiology, pharmacology, nutrition, radiography, histology (the study of tissue structure), periodontology (the study of gum diseases), pathology, dental materials, clinical dental hygiene, and social and behavioral sciences.
Dental hygienists should work well with others and must have good manual dexterity, because they use dental instruments within a patient's mouth, with little room for error. High school students interested in becoming a dental hygienist should take courses in biology, chemistry, and mathematics.
Generally, a hygienist is a 2 year Associate's Degree. It's well worth the time you put into it! How many dentists work on weekends/holidays/evenings!! Great pay and bonuses!
