Once you have made the decision to become a dental hygienist, the next step is to get into a dental hygienist program.
Specific admission requirements may vary from one dental hygienist school to another with some requiring applicants to have completed a minimum of one college year but generally, a high school diploma, high school courses in math, biology, chemistry and college entrance test scores are the usual admission requirements. Subjects taught include anatomy, periodontology, microbiology, physiology, nutrition and social sciences through classroom, laboratory and clinical instruction.
Community and technical colleges offer two year programs leading to an associate degree while universities typically offer four year programs leading to bachelor’s degree. Some universities will also offer associate degrees and certificate courses.
To practice in a private dental office an associate degree is all that is required, but for a career in clinical practice, research, administration or education a bachelor’s or a master’s degree is needed. The level of your education is one of the factors that will determine your dental hygienist salary with higher education inevitably leading to higher salary. Dental hygienists are paid on commission, hourly, daily, weekly or salary basis. Other factors that determine the amount of salary you are paid include years of experience, work setting and geographic location.
Dental hygienists must be licensed in the state in which they work. This is in addition to passing both written and clinical exams with even some states requiring passing exams on the legal aspects of the dental profession. Licensing requirements for becoming a registered dental hygienist differ from state to state.
Dental Hygienist School Summary
At a minimum, for you to qualify to be licensed, the dental hygienist school you graduate from with either a certificate, an associate degree, a bachelor’s degree or a master’s degree, must accredited. In the recent years the number of accredited schools both on-site and online, has been growing giving you greater access. Online schools have gained popularity as they offer flexibility and a more relaxed learning experience. However great caution should be exercised when choosing an online program as some may not be up to par.
Ensure that your chosen program is recognized and accredited by the accreditation body in your state. Continuous education is required in most states for license renewal.
This information is just a brief summary to get you on your way. Knowing about dental hygienist school early will put you that much far ahead any others looking for the same career.
