4 answers
Eileen
Student
Anaheim, California
1
Question
Updated
1356 views
What do I need to do to become a dental hygienist?
It’s my last year of high school. I’ve really been wanting to become one #dental #dental-hygienist
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4 answers
Sheila Jordan
Lead Network Proj/Prog Manager
711
Answers
Atlanta, Georgia
Updated
Sheila’s Answer
Hi Eileen:
Dental Hygienists examine patients for signs of oral diseases, such as gingivitis, and provide preventive care, including oral hygiene. They also educate patients about oral health. According to my research here's a snapshot of the process to become a Dental Hygienist.
■ EDUCATION ■
Dental Hygienists typically need an associate’s degree in dental hygiene. Programs usually take 3 years to complete. All states require dental hygienists to be licensed; requirements vary by state.
Dental Hygienists typically need an associate’s degree in dental hygiene; they may also get a bachelor’s degree. Master’s degree programs in dental hygiene are available but are relatively uncommon. A bachelor’s or master’s degree usually is required for research, teaching, or clinical practice in public or school health programs.
Dental hygiene programs are often found in community colleges, technical schools, and universities. The Commission on Dental Accreditation, part of the American Dental Association, accredits more than 300 dental hygiene programs.
Programs typically take 3 years to complete and offer laboratory, clinical, and classroom instruction. Areas of study include anatomy, medical ethics, and periodontics, which is the study of gum disease.
High School students interested in becoming dental hygienists should take courses in biology, chemistry, and math. Most dental hygiene programs also require applicants to complete prerequisites, which often include college-level courses. Specific requirements vary by school.
■ LICENSES, CERTIFICATIONS ■
Every state requires dental hygienists to be licensed; requirements vary by state. In most states, a degree from an accredited dental hygiene program and passing written and clinical examinations are required for licensure. To maintain licensure, hygienists must complete continuing education requirements. For specific requirements, contact your state’s Board of Dental Examiners.
Many jobs also require cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) certification.
■ JOB OUTLOOK ■
Employment of dental hygienists is projected to grow 11 percent from 2020 to 2030, faster than the average for all occupations.
Some of the projected employment growth in this occupation is due to recovery from the COVID-19 recession that began in 2020 .
Best of luck to you on your journey!
How to Become a Dental Hygienist • https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/dental-hygienists.htm#tab-4
Commission on Dental Accreditation • http://www.ada.org/coda
Dental Hygienists examine patients for signs of oral diseases, such as gingivitis, and provide preventive care, including oral hygiene. They also educate patients about oral health. According to my research here's a snapshot of the process to become a Dental Hygienist.
■ EDUCATION ■
Dental Hygienists typically need an associate’s degree in dental hygiene. Programs usually take 3 years to complete. All states require dental hygienists to be licensed; requirements vary by state.
Dental Hygienists typically need an associate’s degree in dental hygiene; they may also get a bachelor’s degree. Master’s degree programs in dental hygiene are available but are relatively uncommon. A bachelor’s or master’s degree usually is required for research, teaching, or clinical practice in public or school health programs.
Dental hygiene programs are often found in community colleges, technical schools, and universities. The Commission on Dental Accreditation, part of the American Dental Association, accredits more than 300 dental hygiene programs.
Programs typically take 3 years to complete and offer laboratory, clinical, and classroom instruction. Areas of study include anatomy, medical ethics, and periodontics, which is the study of gum disease.
High School students interested in becoming dental hygienists should take courses in biology, chemistry, and math. Most dental hygiene programs also require applicants to complete prerequisites, which often include college-level courses. Specific requirements vary by school.
■ LICENSES, CERTIFICATIONS ■
Every state requires dental hygienists to be licensed; requirements vary by state. In most states, a degree from an accredited dental hygiene program and passing written and clinical examinations are required for licensure. To maintain licensure, hygienists must complete continuing education requirements. For specific requirements, contact your state’s Board of Dental Examiners.
Many jobs also require cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) certification.
■ JOB OUTLOOK ■
Employment of dental hygienists is projected to grow 11 percent from 2020 to 2030, faster than the average for all occupations.
Some of the projected employment growth in this occupation is due to recovery from the COVID-19 recession that began in 2020 .
Best of luck to you on your journey!
Sheila recommends the following next steps:
Fanya Artemis Kambey
Dental Assistant
1
Answer
Bothell, Washington
Updated
Fanya’s Answer
A dental hygienist main priority is to educate patients in the importance of oral health.
There are programs that allow you to apply straight from highschool because the prerequisites are integrated into the program; PIMA medical institutes.
Whereas, other programs have you take your prerequisites at either a community college or University before applying to the 2-year dental hygienist program. Prerequisites can either take someone 1-2 years to finish depending on how well a student does in their classes.
The difference between obtaining a Associates in DH and Bachelors in DH, is both are still able to work clinically BUT Bachelor degrees allow you to teach and work in a laboratory relating to the field.
There are programs that allow you to apply straight from highschool because the prerequisites are integrated into the program; PIMA medical institutes.
Whereas, other programs have you take your prerequisites at either a community college or University before applying to the 2-year dental hygienist program. Prerequisites can either take someone 1-2 years to finish depending on how well a student does in their classes.
The difference between obtaining a Associates in DH and Bachelors in DH, is both are still able to work clinically BUT Bachelor degrees allow you to teach and work in a laboratory relating to the field.
Krystal Q.
Dental Hygienist
11
Answers
Updated
Krystal’s Answer
To be a dental hygienist in the United States you can either have an associates or bachelors in dental hygiene. There are also various board examinations to pass such as clinical boards, local anesthesia, and NBDHE.
Krystal recommends the following next steps:
Check out: https://teethtalkgirl.com/rdh/how-to-become-a-dental-hygienist
Krystal recommends the following next steps:
Krystal recommends the following next steps:
Dianne Flynn
Project Manager
14
Answers
Fort Collins, Colorado
Updated
Dianne’s Answer
I would look into colleges that offer dental hygienist diploma programs. You could get a bachelor's degree first but may not need to.