Resource Center

Refine Programs

One of the fastest growing occupations, dental hygiene is projected to increase by 3 percent over the next decade. Dental hygiene is a flexible career that allows most dental hygienists to work part-time and choose from day, evening and weekend hours. Full-time dental hygienists can earn as much as forty-dollars an hour. Also, many dental hygienists find satisfaction in providing a valuable health care service.

Dental hygienists are required to complete an accredited dental hygiene program and to be licensed by the state. In 26, 286 dental hygiene programs were accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association. These programs prepare students with the skills necessary to earn licensing and perform quality work. Courses on oral health, anatomy of the mouth, nutrition, periodontal disease, dental care laws, and more are required to earn a certificate, associates degree, or a Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene. Dental hygienists are also trained to interact with patients and with health care professionals.

Dental hygiene programs are generally two year programs resulting in an associate’s degree or a certificate. However, some programs offer a bachelor’s degree in dental hygiene. A four-year program is not required but continued education is often preferred by employers. Dental hygienists who hope to be competitive in the job market may want to enhance a degree in dental hygiene by taking classes in chemistry, pharmacology, radiology or physiology.

Also, dental hygienists not only clean teeth and process x-rays, they educate patients about oral health and often interact with patients more then dentists. Communication skills are vital to a dental hygienist, so classes in English, foreign languages, and communication are useful as well.

In order to enter a dental hygiene program, a high school diploma and college entrance test scores are often required. In addition to the many traditional programs there are also online dental hygiene programs that allow students to take classes from home. Penn Foster Career School, Northern Arizona University, and St. Petersburg College are regionally accredited online colleges that offer dental hygiene programs. Some online colleges offer full online degree programs but still require residencies or internships with local dental offices.