Dental hygienist education will allow those who wish to enter this field a choice of a career that is in demand and is expected to be more so over the next several years. This is not to be confused with other programs because there are dental hygienists, dental assistants and dental nurse’s positions.
Each one will be achieved by attending specific programs and attaining the education as well as the degree required for each career. The duties of each will vary according to the type of career chosen. In addition, the career choices that are made will determine advancement possibilities in this field.
An education in dental hygiene will consist of basic training that will include many of the following courses as well as others that are required by the school or program chosen.
- Anatomy
- Chemistry
- Physiology
- Nutrition
- Pharmacology
- Periodontology (study of gum diseases)
- Microbiology
- Radiography
- Histology (study of tissue structure)
- Pathology
- Clinical dental hygiene
- Social and behavioral sciences
- Dental materials
The classes will be in a classroom, clinical or laboratory setting. The courses should be accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation. Once the programs are successfully completed, the student will earn a certificate, an associate’s, a master’s or a bachelor’s degree. To practice in a dental office as well as many other positions requires a minimum of a certificate in dental hygiene or an associate’s degree.
Training as a Dental Assistant Prior to the Dental Hygienist Education
The courses required for dental assistant training are the basics that are needed to start a career that will eventually lead to becoming a dental hygienist. Often students choose this route and work with a dentist while pursuing further education. Today many people are changing careers and it is necessary to work while obtaining the education needed for a more lucrative position.
To obtain a certification after completing the training program, the student will be required to pass a Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) exam. An assistant is not licensed to perform the same procedures that a dental hygienist can perform.
To become a dental assistant in the shortest time possible, a vocational school is usually chosen. A one-year training program requires a high school diploma or a GED and is focused more on hands-on training. After this, the associate’s, bachelors or master’s degree provide the programs necessary for dental hygienist education.
An associate’s degree program can be completed by attending a community college or a university. This is one of the choices available for those who want to work as an assistant while furthering their career since it is not a requirement for an assistant’s job. A high school diploma or a GED is required to enter the associate’s degree program.
This program provides more intensive training than the one-year dental training. Classes in OSHA health and safety, impression making, and dental procedures are required. They are designed to prepare students for final exams that are essential if they are going to earn an associate’s degree.
Although many choose to attend community and technical colleges which offer two year programs for obtaining an associate’s degree, universities will generally provide four year programs allowing students to obtain a bachelor’s degree. If students want to advance further in the field of dental hygiene, an advanced degree such as a master’s degree will provide more job opportunities and better salaries.
Those who choose this degree program can work in a variety of venues. They can include marketing, research, sales or management and others go on to dental school and become dentists.
Although requirements to apply for a master’s degree vary from school to school, the general admissions include:
- A formal graduate application
- National Board Dental Hygiene examination scores
- Recommendation forms from dental hygiene programs and previous clinical supervisors
- A written statement of the student’s personal goals
- If the student is from another country, they must provide evidence of their English competency
In addition to the above requirements, the student will be expected to possess a bachelor’s degree in dental hygiene or another field related to dentistry. If the field is something other than dental hygiene, an associate degree in dental hygiene or an accredited certificate is necessary. A grade point average as an undergraduate of 2.8 and an average of 3.0 in a dental hygiene major is typically required.
Dental hygienist education is not only more specialized, therefore providing advantages for students to advance their careers, but many do so because they feel they are making a worthwhile contribution to healthcare.