Bachelor's programs take four years to finish but can help you qualify for better jobs as well as those that pay more. And while bachelor's programs take longer to finish, these programs often include some clinical or practical work that helps you get familiar working with patients.
Becoming a dental assistant or a hygienist requires that you get your license. According to the American Dental Association, most states require that hygienists have a degree from an accredited college or university and that they take an exam called the National Board Dental Hygiene Exam. If you do not receive a passing score on this exam, you will have the chance to take it again. You may need to take a test administered by the state board as well. This test will ask general questions about oral health, teeth cleaning and other things that dental hygienists do.
As a dental hygienist, you must also spend some time working in the field to develop the skills necessary to help your patients.
They complete all dental hygiene duties while also informing and educating parents and teens on good oral healthcare. It will typically take between two and four years to become a dental hygienist, depending on the level of education in the industry you pursue. To work as a dental hygienist, you will need to be licensed with your state and with the American Dental Association.
Students who pursue an associate degree will typically complete all requirements within two years. Individuals who want to obtain a bachelor's or master's degree will typically take up to an additional four to six years. It is important to note that a dental hygienist who wants to pursue higher education can work while they do so, as long as they have completed a minimum of an associate degree and completed the board exam. Aspiring dental hygienists will need to complete certain educational and training requirements, including:.
A high school diploma is needed to apply to an associate or bachelor's degree program. Coursework in biology, anatomy, physiology and other science specializations can help prepare you for a dental program. While there are many dental hygienist programs to choose from, you want to choose one that is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation.
The completion of all educational requirements in a dental hygienist program will typically take between two and four years. Students can expect to take coursework in anatomy, physiology, immunology and pathology. Toward the end of the program, students will be expected to complete on-the-job training under the direct supervision of a licensed hygienist.
Some dental hygienists may choose to pursue employment after completing an associate degree. Others may choose to pursue a bachelor's degree. Some aspiring dental hygienists may even go on to achieve a master's degree to work in a research or educational manner. Licensure with your state and the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination is required to work as a dental hygienist. The test is made up of two parts with a total of multiple-choice questions.
You need a score of at least 75 to pass. State tests vary depending on the state in which you work. The successful completion of both exams will earn you a Registered Dental Hygienist license.
While you can work in some dental hygienist careers with an associate degree, some students will complete a bachelor's or master's degree. Each type of education level dictates the specific tasks and job titles that you qualify for, which include:.
An Associate Degree in Dental Hygiene prepares you for the job duties of a general dental hygienist. The test consists of multiple-choice questions broken into 2 parts: discipline-based and case-based components. The test is scored on a scale of 49—99, with 75 being the minimum score for passing. Each state also has its own clinical-based exam, which tests your knowledge of basic hygiene procedures, anesthesia, and restorative techniques.
Passing all necessary exams allows you to earn your license as registered dental hygienist RDH. Dental hygienists are required to renew their license, typically every 1—3 years. These are often somewhere between 10 and 20 hours for every 1-year cycle, 30—50 hours for 2-cycles, and around 60 for 3-year cycles. You can search through a database of both live and online courses that cover a variety of topics.
Along with continuing education, the ADA also offers resources to help you find a job. Through the online ADA CareerCenter, you can search by job title, location, salary, company , and more to find opportunities that meet your unique needs.
Jobs are posted directly to the CareerCenter and are also pulled in from outside job listing websites to make it easy to find openings all in 1 place. The most common workplace for dental hygienists is a private office, though you could find roles in settings such as hospitals, nursing homes public health clinics, dental schools, research facilities, advanced practices, and dental corporations.
According to the U. Bureau of Labor Statistics BLS , dental hygienist salary is dependent on a number of factors including the exact position, your level of education, amount of experience, and the setting in which you work. Entry-level hygienists in dental offices may earn less, while those in research, teaching, or corporate positions will likely earn more.
Source: U. Actual salaries vary depending on location, level of education, years of experience, work environment, and other factors. Salaries may differ even more for those who are self-employed or work part time. Along with competitive salaries, dental hygienists enjoy other benefits, including plenty of opportunities to find jobs. In fact, roughly half of all dental hygienists work part time while still earning above average salaries.
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