Dental Hygiene Training
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) predicts that the demand for dental hygienists will increase by 36 percent from 2008 through 2018. This growth should result in the creation of 62,900 jobs for individuals with the necessary dental hygiene training.
Other People Are Reading
-
Types of Programs
-
The most common educational program for dental hygienists is an associate degree, typically awarded by a community or junior college, reports BLS. A limited number of certificate programs from vocational and technical schools and bachelor's or master's degrees from traditional colleges and universities are also found in the United States.
Entry Requirements
-
Dental hygiene training programs usually require applicants to have a high school diploma or the equivalent, and to submit scores from a college entrance examination, like the SAT or ACT. Colleges look for students with a history of biology, chemistry and mathematics coursework, explains BLS.
-
Time Frame
-
Associate-degree dental hygiene training programs usually require two years of full-time study to complete, while bachelor's programs last for four years. Certificate programs may vary in length, but usually last at least one year.
Features
-
Dental hygiene training programs usually feature coursework in anatomy, microbiology, nutrition, radiography, safety, health regulations and behavioral and life sciences, according to BLS. Students usually receive hands-on training during the course of the program working in laboratory settings or with actual patients.
Accreditation
-
The Commission on Dental Accreditation accredits dental hygiene training programs, and most states require hygienists to have graduated from an accredited program in order to qualify for state licensing.
-
