This is why dental hygienists are said to be among the most important professionals in the health sector. It is of utmost importance that you know how long it will take you to become a Hygienist to begin and grow in this rewarding career. Becoming a hygienist in the dental field requires passion and dedication aside from its required prerequisites. And also, the duration is dependent on the degree program you want to pursue. That means the program length of pursuing an associate degree, undergraduate degree, or master’s degree differs. This post specifies the degree program durations including their requirements and other relevant information about dental hygiene as a profession. That is why we will advise you to carefully read this post without skimming. Before you read further, you can take a little time and navigate through the table of contents below to get an overview of all that this post entails.
Who is a Dental Hygienist?
A dental hygienist is someone whose profession or career focuses on examining patients’ teeth and mouth to ensure that there are no dental disorders, and if there are any, administers treatment immediately. This professional works side-by-side with a dentist in administering dental care and education that can help its patients keep a healthy set of teeth. If you want to build a career as a Dental Hygienist, you have different areas you can specialize in if you want. But it’s important you focus on the area you are more skilled and passionate about doing. Below are the dental Hygienist specializations;
Dental hygienist researchers:
A dental hygienist researcher conducts research and interprets results to better understand common dental conditions and diseases. To work as a dental hygienist researcher, you will need to complete a master’s degree.
Dental hygienist teacher
If you prefer teaching, with your degree in Dental hygiene you can become a Dental hygienist teacher. Here, you can educate and train new dental hygienists. With an undergraduate degree, you are qualified to teach at the community college level.
Public health advocate
Are you an altruist? working as a public health advocate once you have dental hygiene background can really make you have a fulfilling career. Here, your main focus will be on advocating and educating the public on proper oral health techniques. You can work in a big community or school.
Pediatric dental hygienist
Finally, you can work as a pediatric dental hygienist. If you love children and you are fond of being around them, you will have fun working as a pediatric dental hygienist. Here, you will work with children and teens by educating them on good oral healthcare. So, having seen all these specializations, what is your take?
What are Dental Hygienist Work Descriptions?
Dental Hygienists are vital and important in the healthcare sector. Aside from treating teeth disorders which is there main function, they have other tons of roles they play that distinguished them from other health professionals. Some of these roles counts the following; So, you can see that if you become a dental hygienist today, there are lots you can do that can help put smiles on people’s faces. See Also: 25 Dental Schools For International Students
What is the cost of Studying Dental Hygiene?
The cost of getting a dental hygiene degree is dependent on the degree program you want to get. So, it is very expedient that before you decide on the degree program to go for, you should look at the total cost first. For instance, the average estimated total cost of an associate degree is $22,692, for a bachelor’s degree is $36,382 while the master’s degree program costs $30,421. Note, these estimations were made by the American Dental Hygienists’ Association.
How much Does a Dental Hygienist Earns?
The salary of a Dental Hygienist 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. As a new hygienist in dental offices, you might earn lesser than those in research, teaching, or corporate positions. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $53,130, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $103,340. In summary, the median annual wage for dental hygienists is $76,220. Note, the median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less.
Do I need a License before I can Work as a Dental Hygienist?
Working as a dental hygienist is not a career that you just start immediately you acquire a degree. You need a license before you can be called a professional Dental Hygienist. According to the American Dental Association, in most states, once you have completed a degree from an accredited college or university, you are to take a written exam called the National Board Dental Hygiene Exam. The exam will focus on oral health, teeth cleaning, and other things that dental hygienists do. Then after that, you will be expected to take a clinical exam which is administered by state or regional testing agencies. Note, this exam aims at testing your knowledge of basic hygiene procedures, anesthesia, and restorative techniques. Don’t worry, the exams are not too difficult but even if you fail, you still have a chance to retake them.
Will I have to renew my Dental Hygiene License?
Yes of course. Once you have gotten your Dental hygienist’s license, it is expected you renew it every 1–3 years. However, you’ll need to pay a certain amount of fees as determined by your state. This is proof that you’ve completed the required number of continuing education hours. Note, 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. The topics you’ll need to cover will vary by state, though most require classes in CPR and infection control.
What are the Dental Hygienist Education Levels?
You can get dental hygienist education at three different levels. With any of the levels, you can start up a career just that you won’t be working as a professional dental Hygienist unless you have a master’s degree. However, each of the education levels has specific tasks and job titles. So, for them to have specific tasks that means their coursework and curriculum are not the same. Let’s take a look at the three education levels and their course works;
Associate degree
This is the first degree. This associate degree in dental hygiene gets you ready for the job duties of a general dental hygienist. With an associate degree and licensure, you are eligible to work in most private dental offices.
Bachelor’s degree
A bachelor’s degree in dental hygiene prepares you to work with dental specializations like in a community health clinic or in a school setting. Earning a bachelor’s degree can also make you a more competitive applicant when applying for open dental hygienist positions. Although most people feel relaxed once they have acquired this degree, some who want to get advanced knowledge and skills take it up to the higher level which is a Master’s degree.
Master’s degree
With a master’s degree in Dental hygiene, you can teach and train other students to work in the dental industry. You can also work in careers as a prevention specialist or developing local community health outreach programs. In short, this is the higher degree that once you get, you are sure of wider scopes of job opportunities but in dental and other areas of health.
What are the Requirements for Studying Dental Hygiene
The requirements for pursuing dental Hygiene program differs by schools and degree levels. For instance, the requirements you must meet before applying for an associate degree is different from undergraduate degree and likewise masters degree. For an Associate Degree in Dental Hygiene, you will need to get 8 and 12 hours of hands-on practice per week. Then the completion of prerequisites with a GPA of 2.5 or higher in the following courses; Anatomy, Biology, Chemistry, and Sociology. Then for an Undergraduate degree, You’ll need to meet prerequisites and have a GPA of 2.5 or higher. On the other hand, applying for a Master’s degree which is the highest degree requires you to have A GPA or 3.0 or higher, proof of a current dental hygienist license, acceptable scores on the GRE, letters of recommendation and current resume.
How Long does it take to become a Dental Hygienist?
Just like the requirements, the duration or length of the program depends on the type of degree you want to go for. To start with, an associate degree takes a maximum of 2 years to complete. Whereas, a bachelor’s degree take typically 4 years to complete, though you can earn one in less time by entering with an associate’s in dental hygiene. Well, getting a bachelor’s degree in less time will require you to go for degree-completion programs. These programs are specifically for students who have gotten a dental hygiene license and now want to learn leadership skills or develop knowledge of theory and research. Going for any of these programs will take you between 15 and 18 months to complete should be your perfect option to go for if time is not really by your side. On the other side, going for a master’s degree in Hygiene will take 1–2 years and require the completion of a capstone project.
How long does it take to become a Dental Hygienist in Illinois?
Dental hygienist programs in Illinois require a minimum of two years of study but most programs in Illinois are five semesters or 2.5 years.
How long does it take to become a Dental Hygienist in California?
Dental hygienists in California may be responsible for applying preventive materials, providing oral health education and treatment counseling to patients, identifying oral pathologies and injuries, and managing dental hygiene practices. To work as a dental hygienist in California, you must be licensed through the Dental Hygiene Committee of California (DHCC), which requires completing the following steps:
Graduate from an Accredited Dental Hygiene ProgramPass the National Board Written ExaminationScale through the California Clinical Dental Hygienist ExaminationPass the Dental Hygiene Committee of California Law and Ethics Written ExaminationApply for Licensure as a Registered Dental Hygienist in CaliforniaMaintain Your Dental Hygienist License in CaliforniaBecome a Registered Dental Hygienist in Alternative Practice (RDHAP)
Where can I get an Online degree program in Dental Hygiene?
Below is a list list of top colleges and universities that offers online degree program in Dental Hygiene:
What are the Dental Hygiene Online Degrees Programs I can go for this 2020?
There are so many online degree programs available for Dental Hygienist. So if you want to pursue a degree in dental hygiene and you think your work schedule is not helping you out to create a time for it, you can apply to any of the schools we have listed below. These schools offer you the platform that will enable you to enjoy the flexibility of taking basic courses online. Note, going for an online program doesn’t mean that you don’t need to complete in-person clinical experience. Below are the Dental Hygiene Online Degrees Programs that you can go for; Lets take a look at some of the online programs that are quite affordable.
#1. Dental Hygiene, BS
School: Utah Valley University – Orem This online dental hygiene program is provided by Utah Valley University. This program is among the best and affordable online program degree that you can go for. Some of the subjects this program will cover includes Microbiology, Oral Public Health, Periodontology, and Teaching the Dental Hygiene Patient. To apply for this program, you must complete 20 hours of clinical/dental office observation and an average GPA of 2.5
#2. Dental Hygiene-Education Specialist
University: College of Southern Nevada – North Los Angeles This dental hygiene online program is offered at the College of Southern Nevada. Basically, the program aims at sharping the dental hygiene skills and knowledge of its students. Also, it offers didactic, clinical, and field experiences to prepare graduates to take their place as dental hygiene professionals. The courses covered here include Research Methodology, Future Directions in Dental Hygiene, and Advanced Education Concepts. Note, the BS degrees are accredited by the Northwest Commission of Colleges and Universities, while the AS degree is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association.
#3. Online Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene Completion Program
Univerity: Farmingdale Sate College Online Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene Completion Program at Farmingdale is one of the nationally recognized BS in Dental Hygiene online program. Basically, this program is for dental hygienists who are passionate about building an exceptional career. This program can be completed either on a full-time or part-time bases. Note, the courses covered in this online program include teaching, research, and public health that are foundational to emerging roles in dental hygiene.
#4. B.A.S. Dental Hygiene
University: St. Petersburg College – St. Petersburg, FL The Bachelor’s of Applied Science in Dental Hygiene at SPC is the only online program of its kind in Florida. Courses covered include Advanced Periodontics, Advanced Ethics in Dental Hygiene, and Leadership in Dental Hygiene. Electives such as Health Information Systems, Issues in Mental Health, or Health Care Risk Management. To apply for this program, you must submit official transcripts showing completion of a dental hygiene degree from an accredited institution and must have a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.0. Then to graduate, you will have to complete a capstone course that lasts 14 weeks and applies career interests through either teaching, observing, or internships.
#1. University: Bachelor’s in Dental Hygiene
University: Ferris State University This dental hygiene program offered at Ferris State University is an online program that aims at equipping students with the knowledge and skills they need to handle dental hygiene work. Generally, this online degree program curriculum combines assessing new research to enhance critical thinking skills with technology-based modalities. Interestingly, getting this degree opens you to a wider scope of opportunities outside of the traditional dental hygienist. Note, the courses covered include Health Promotion and Wellness Dental Hygiene Informatics Community Program Assessment/Planning Comprehensive Patient Assessment Pain Control for Dental Hygiene Practice. To enroll, you must have completed an associate’s degree School Official Website A dental hygienist is someone whose profession or career focuses on examining patients’ teeth and mouth to ensure that there are no dental disorders, and if there are any, administers treatment immediately. Some of these roles count the following;They clean teeth, examine gums, collect medical history, and educate their patients on oral care techniques.Dental Hygienist patients polish teeth with a powered tool that works like an automatic toothbrush….. Below is a list list of top colleges and universities that offer an online degree program in Dental Hygiene:Utah Valley UniversityCollege of Southern NevadaIndiana University at South BendFarmingdale State CollegeSt. Petersburg CollegeUniversity of South DakotaFerris State UniversityUniversity of Missouri-Kansas CityNorthern Arizona UniversityOregon Institute of TechnologyWichita State UniversityUniversity of Texas Health Science Center at San AntonioOhio State University – ColumbusEastern Washington UniversityUniversity of New Mexico – Albuquerque,Penn Foster CollegeAshworth CollegeIdaho State UniversityMinnesota State University…. An associate degree takes the maximum of 2 years to complete.
