Dental hygienist training can prepare those who are interested for one of the fastest growing careers in the U.S. The Department of Labor Statistics, which projects long range job growth for many fields, forecasted a 36% growth in this field from 2008 to 2018. When it comes to job stability and a higher than average income, a dental hygienist can be one of the best career choices today.
Dental Hygienist Training and Requirements
Training in dental hygiene may be obtained from a variety of places. There are vocational schools, community colleges, universities and online educational venues. A number of degrees are available as well. The basic requirements to begin in the dental field are a high school diploma or a GED and the completion of a college entrance exam.
The specific requirements may vary from one school to another. After enrolling in college, there may be a waiting period before entering into the dental hygiene program. This may be one of the requirements of the school or it can be the result of the large numbers of students wanting to enter this field.
Although online training is one choice, additional training will be required as dental procedures that must be performed on clinical exams cannot be taught in this manner. The best dental training programs combine book work with hands-on learning.
The programs can range in length from approximately two years to six years. Some students decide to pursue an advanced career which is achieved by completing the six year program. Classes included in dental programs are:
- Dental hygiene
- Microbiology
- Nutrition
- Radiography
- Physiology
- Chemistry
- Dental Materials
There are more than 300 approved courses in dental training available in the U.S. To be approved they must be accredited by the American Dental Association. These are entry-level and courses in addition to the studies mentioned above, others related to dental hygiene training will include periodontology, which is the study of gum disease and clinical dental hygiene.
After completing the education for a dental hygienist, it will be necessary to take state licensing exams. They must be successfully passed in order to receive a license. These exams – both written and a clinical exam – are required by the state and the American Dental Association oversees the testing. In addition, there are states that a law exam is required for testing knowledge about ethics when working in a dental office.
In order to sit for the exams, requirements will generally include:
- An application fee
- CPR certification
- High school diploma
- Birth certificate
- College diploma
- Background check
Dental Hygienist Training Responsibilities
The training that dental hygienists undergo is to assist them in providing the proper hygiene for patient’s teeth and gums. The procedures they will perform are directly related to this training and education about the hygiene of teeth and gums as well as preventative care are going to be part of the procedures that are performed by a dental hygienist. This will include cleaning stains, plaque, tartar and other buildup on teeth. The tools required will be ultrasonic and rotary tools.
They will also be responsible for diagnosing dental problems. To determine these problems often radiological equipment is used and if it is necessary, the patient is referred to the dentist for further treatment. The use of sealants and fluorides will be utilized to prevent cavities. The dental hygienist will also help to educate people about dental health. All of these skills and more will be obtained when choosing the right program.
Part of the training in dental hygiene will prepare students for helping the dental professional. The duties that they will provide will be:
- Organizing tests for the dentist in the office
- Updating the charts of patients by assessing their dental health and documenting it
- Care of teeth such as ridding them of plaque, tartar and stains
- Cleaning and polishing teeth
- Obtaining and reading dental X-rays
- Application of local anesthetics
- Applying fluoride, varnishes and sealants that will help to prevent tooth decay
If this career is something that interests students in high school, the best dental hygienist training can begin in high school. Taking classes in math and science will help to prepare students for programs that will be quite beneficial when choosing a training program for further education in this career. Salaries for those who have completed a training program for a dental hygienist can make $60,000 or more per year and this amount is expected to rise.