Dental Hygienist Education Requirements
Dental hygienists are crucial to the operation of a dental office. They clean and examine teeth, teach patients about good oral health, and assist dentists. Since they have so many responsibilities, dental hygienists must be well trained. The following will give you an overview of the basic educational requirements for hygienists. Keep in mind that the specifics will vary by state.
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Prerequisites
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Individuals who wish to enroll in dental hygienist school must be at least 18 years old and possess a high school diploma or GED. In addition, most schools will require a satisfactory score on college entrance exams.
Length of Education
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Depending upon the state you live in and your educational goals, you can expect to be in school for two to four years or even longer if you wish to obtain an advanced degree. In most cases, a two-year program of study is required.
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Degree Earned
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Dental hygienist students can pursue a certification, associate's degree, bachelor's degree or even a master's degree. Most states require a certification or associate's degree.
General Education Requirements
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While most of your education will be related to the field of dentistry, most programs will require a number of general education courses including English, science and math.
Dental Course Requirements
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The majority of your education will be made up of dental courses including dental anatomy, oral pathology, periodontology and patient management.
Clinical Practice
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Before you graduate from your program of study, you will be required to complete a number of hours of supervised work in a dental office. Known as "clinicals," these hours will give you vital hands-on training.
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