How To Become A Dental Hygienist

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How Long Does It Take, What Degree Do You Need, and More

Dental Hygienists

Dental Hygienists clean teeth and examine oral areas, head, and neck for signs of oral disease. May educate patients on oral hygiene, take and develop x rays, or apply fluoride or sealants.

Salary
$78050
Becoming One
Medium
Education
Associate's degree
Job Satisfaction
Job Growth

Personality



Table of contents
  1. Summary
  2. Steps to become one
  3. Popular degree levels
  4. How long does it take

Summary

Degree Associate's degree
Degree field Dental Hygiene
License or certification Required in all states
Duration to become one 2 to 4 years
Difficulty to become one Medium

Dental Hygienists need at least an Associate’s degree but some employers may prefer candidates with Bachelor’s degrees. Dental Hygienists should look for Dental Hygiene programs at community colleges, vocational schools, and universities.

Every state requires Dental Hygienists to obtain licenses, which typically involves earning a Dental Hygiene degree and passing an exam through your state’s Board of Dental Examiners.


Dental Hygienists Requirements

Step 1: Take High School Courses in Science and Math

Aspiring Dental Hygienists should take biology, chemistry, and math in high school. Some Dental Hygiene programs may also require the completion of college-level courses in science or math. Some of the most common prerequisite courses for Dental Hygiene programs include anatomy, biology, chemistry, and sociology.

The minimum GPA for most Dental Hygiene programs is 2.5. You may also need to obtain CPR certification before enrolling in a Dental Hygiene program.

Step 2: Earn an Associate’s Degree in Dental Hygiene

After finishing high school, you may enroll in a Dental Hygiene program. While some Dental Hygienists earn Bachelor’s degrees, most obtain Associate’s degrees. An Associate’s degree in Dental Hygiene typically takes two years to complete. However, some schools may offer three-year programs. The programs involve a combination of classroom instruction and experience in the lab and dental clinics.

Dental Hygiene programs, including Bachelor’s degree programs, need to be accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA). There are several hundred accredited Dental Hygiene programs in the United States.

Students learn how to use dental tools, machinery, and software to treat patients. You may also take courses in radiology, oral pathology, pain management, pharmacology, and periodontics. First-year students typically spend 8 to 12 hours per week in a clinical setting providing services to the public. During your second year, you will likely spend 12 to 16 hours per week providing clinical services.

Step 3: Earn a Bachelor’s Degree in Dental Hygiene

An alternative to earning an Associate’s degree is to earn a Bachelor’s degree in Dental Hygiene. While the program may take four years instead of two, a Bachelor’s degree may increase your employability. A Bachelor’s degree is also necessary for clinical practice in schools or public health programs.

As with the Associate’s programs, Bachelor’s programs include a combination of classroom, clinical, and laboratory instruction. Bachelor’s programs also tend to focus on specialized care. If you already have an Associate’s degree, you may qualify for an accelerated program, which is also sometimes called a “degree completion” program. These programs allow those with an Associate’s degree to earn a Bachelor’s degree in about 15 to 18 months.

Step 4: Pass the National Dental Hygiene Exam

After earning an Associate’s degree or Bachelor’s degree in Dental Hygiene, prepare for the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination. Most states require Dental Hygienists to pass the NBDH exam to obtain a state license. Before taking the exam, students receive access to a variety of exam preparation materials. Students should review the material and consider taking practice exams to ensure that they are prepared.

Step 5: Apply for a State License in Dental Hygiene

Every state requires Dental Hygienists to obtain some form of license. While the requirements vary, most states require you to earn an Associate’s degree or Bachelor’s degree from an accredited Dental Hygiene program. You also typically need to pass the national exam for Dental Hygienists.

Some states may require work experience, which can be obtained through paid internships or clinical experience during college. Many states also require Dental Hygienists to obtain CPR certification. CPR certification courses are available throughout the country at schools, colleges, universities, and Red Cross organizations.

Along with the NBDH exam, some states require Dental Hygienists to pass an exam administered through the regional or state clinical board. After you obtain a license, you can include the “R.D.H.” designation at the end of your name to signify that you are a Registered Dental Hygienist. You should now be able to find employment as a Dental Hygienist.

Step 6: Join a Professional Association for Dental Hygienists

Many Dental Hygienists join professional associations. Joining an association shows employers that you take your job seriously while also providing access to networking opportunities and job resources.

The largest organization for Dental Hygienists in the US is the American Dental Hygienists Association (ADHA). The National Dental Hygienists Association (NDHA) is also a major organization in the US.

Step 7: Earn a Master’s Degree in Dental Hygiene

A Master’s degree is not needed for a career in Dental Hygiene. However, it can prepare you for higher-level roles such as Community Program Director, Oral Disease Prevention Specialist, or the leader of a dental health education program for a school or government agency. Master’s degrees typically take one to two years to complete. You may also need to complete an original project or dissertation.

What degree do most Dental Hygienists have

Associate’s degree

We did a survey to ask other Dental Hygienists what degree they had when they first became one. Here are the results.

Associate’s degree
78.53%

Bachelor’s degree
20.7%

Post Baccalaureate certificate
0.76%

How long does it take

2 to 4 years

It may take two to four years to become a Dental Hygienist. Associate’s programs in Dental Hygiene typically take two years to complete while Bachelor’s programs often take four years to complete.


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