A dental hygiene degree requires completion of at least a two-year college program. An associate’s degree from a community or technical college allows you to work in a private dental practice, but a four-year degree gives you more options in the field of dental health care. A university bachelor’s or master’s degree qualifies a graduate to teach or practice in public health settings. One way to get a dental hygiene degree is to attend an accredited dental hygiene school, but most of them require at least one year of college before accepting students.
University admissions requirements vary, but most schools require a high school diploma and that the student be at least 18 years old. Students who took math, chemistry, and biology in high school have a better chance of being accepted into dental hygiene school. Some colleges require a college entrance exam and have a minimum grade point average.
Dental hygienists assist licensed dentists in cleaning patients’ teeth and promoting good oral hygiene habits. In order to promote healthy teeth and gums, part of the job entails educating the patient on good dental practices. The hygienist cleans the teeth, takes dental x-rays, and sometimes places sealants on the teeth to prevent decay. In some dental offices, a hygienist creates molds of a patient’s teeth to assist the dentist in determining the best course of action.
After earning a dental hygiene degree, a dental hygienist must obtain a dental hygienist license or registration, which varies by region. Passing written and clinical exams may be required, and some areas may require legal knowledge of the dental hygiene field. Depending on the level of the dental hygiene degree held, the license allows you to work in a private dental office, a school, or a public health facility.
Some people start out as dental hygienists and then return to school to pursue an advanced degree in dental hygiene so that they can work as an educator or researcher. Marketing and sales of dental care products are two other job options. A consumer advocate keeps up with current trends that link dental and overall health. He or she could work to raise public awareness about the importance of dental health by using the media to spread information about good dental hygiene.
The demand for dental hygienists is expected to rise as the population grows and people live longer. People are becoming more aware of the importance of preventative dental health care as research has revealed a link between good oral health and overall health. Dentists enlist the help of hygienists to clean their patients’ teeth while they concentrate on more complex procedures in their offices.