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Have you ever wondered how to become a dental hygienist? An associate's degree from an accredited hygiene program and a state license are all that are necessary to begin working in this fulfilling career. Further education, such as a bachelor's or master's degree, is necessary if you wish to teach or take part in research projects. The median hourly wage for dental hygienists is around $30 per hour.
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Have you ever wondered how to become a dental hygienist? An associate's degree from an accredited hygiene program and a state license are all that are necessary to begin working in this fulfilling career. Further education, such as a bachelor's or master's degree, is necessary if you wish to teach or take part in research projects. The median hourly wage for dental hygienists is around $30 per hour.
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Introduction
- A dental hygienist plays a vital role at a successful dental office, completing essential tasks such as dental hygiene instruction, the examination of the mouth, gums and teeth, and the scaling of hard and soft plaque from the teeth. Hygienists also take radiographs and chart abnormalities and decay for the dentist to further examine and treat. Skillful hands that are able to work within the confines of a small mouth are essential to a successful dental hygiene career.
- The Bureau of Labor Statistics considers the dental hygiene profession to be much faster growing than the average profession, and expects to see the field increase 30% by 2016. Many hygienists work 35 hours or less per week.
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Step 1: Graduate From High School
- Biology, health courses, mathematics and chemistry are recommended subjects to take during high school and will provide beneficial background information when you enter college or enroll in a dental hygiene program.
Step 2: Attend a Certified Dental Hygiene Program
- The Commission on Dental Accreditation certifies almost 300 programs across the nation. Initial classes consist of similar subjects to those that are taught in the first two years of medical school, such as anatomy, chemistry, microbiology and pharmacology. These classes are followed by subjects specific to dentistry and include courses in periodontology (study of gum disease), instrumentation, radiology and clinical dental hygiene.
- Graduation from a hygiene program will take two to four years of classwork depending on your choice of a university program or a community college.
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