If you are considering attending one of the many dental hygiene schools available, you may wonder whether you should pursue an associate’s, bachelor’s, or master’s degree. While all three are available, how do four-year degrees or master’s degrees from dental hygiene schools help hygienists? And what type of dental hygienist schools should you consider?

Prerequisites for Dental Hygiene Schools

 Before applying to dental hygienist schools, consider whether or not you meet the prerequisites. Some dental hygiene schools will ask to see your grades from high school or any other schools you might have attended after high school graduation. Your SAT scores in certain areas related to being a dental hygienist may also be audited by dental hygienist schools.          

Video: What You Can Expect From Dental Hygiene Schools

Biology, anatomy, and math will often factor in, as well as English, since you will often be expected to possess good written communication skills as part of your coursework at dental hygienist schools. If you’re pursuing a bachelor’s degree, you may be required to get your prerequisites out of the way in your first year before being accepted into dental hygiene schools.

In general, before beginning your education at one of the many dental hygienist schools, you should make sure it’s the career for you. Dental hygienists need good people skills, as you will be working with a wide variety of patients each day. You will also need an interest in medicine, specifically oral health, as hygienists are expected to advise many patients on the importance of good dental hygiene.

If you’re still trying to decide if a career as a hygienist is for you, the American Dental Higienist Association (ADHA) has a mentor program that allows students at dental hygiene schools to meet with a dentist in their area to ask questions and talk about the field. A dentist can give you advice on education and career options in your area that you might not get from faculty members at dental hygiene schools, who may have been away from practice for a while.

Finding Good Dental Hygienist Schools

The most important thing when considering dental hygienist schools is accreditation. Not all dental hygiene schools’ accreditation programs are equal, though, so check with your state licensing board for a list of approved dental hygienist schools before beginning your search for schools to learn to be a dental hygienist. You’ll want to make sure your hygienist’s degree will be accepted. Otherwise, you may have a degree from dental hygienist schools but be unable to get the license you need to land a job as a hygienist.

Dental hygienist programs are available at many community and technical colleges, as well as specialized dental hygiene schools. If you’re currently working, you may want to only consider dental hygienist schools that will let you take courses at night and on weekends. There are a few online and distance learning dental hygiene schools, but understandably, most dental hygienist schools require on-site learning, since hands-on experience is a large part of learning to work in dentistry.

Our site reviews top dental hygienist schools by state and through the school search engine available on our site you can find the nearest dental hygienist programs, both online or distance learning. You will need to check the accreditation on these dental hygienist schools.

An associate’s degree is generally sufficient, although some hygienists choose to pursue a bachelor’s or even a master’s degree to open up opportunities, since the field can at times be competitive. An associate’s degree as a hygienist can generally completed in two to three years at most dental hygiene schools, with both education and practical experience comprising coursework.

Your education should provide a foundation for the skills you will need to complete your daily work as a hygienist. This not only includes dental hygiene courses, but also radiology, facial anatomy, infection control, and nutrition. Most dental hygienist schools also teach periodontics and pharmacology, both areas that you’ll be expected to know.

Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree Programs

There are several reasons to pursue a more advanced degree in dentistry as a hygienist. A bachelor’s or master’s degree could qualify you to land a position on the faculty of dental hygiene schools or even universities. Some hygienists later choose to move into medical sales, using the knowledge they’ve gained in the field to sell supplies or pharmaceuticals. The pay for medical sales can be extraordinary, as well as providing additional opportunities for advancement.

Some graduates from dental hygiene schools choose to continue into a dental school in pursuit of a dental career. The career of a dentist can be both financially and personally rewarding, taking the hygienist from worker to practice ownership over the course of his or her career. A bachelor’s or master’s degree can provide a great foundation that will help the student get into the dental school of his or her choice.

How to Become a Hygienist

Once you have your dental hygiene schools degree, you will be eligible to take the state board exams necessary to get your license. You will be required to take both the clinical board exams and the national board exams. Once you’ve obtained a license, you will be expected to uphold the standards and qualifications set by the state boards where you live.

In addition to obtaining a degree and passing the board exams, you may be required to provide letters of recommendation, proof of any special certifications like CPR, and transcripts from any dental hygienist schools you attended. Your state licensure board will likely run a criminal background check on you, so be honest about any past misdoings on your license.

Once you have your license, you’ll be able to begin to actively pursue employment. The traditional choice for employment is a dental office, but how do you know when a dentist is hiring? Most dentists resist advertising in local newspapers and, when they do, they keep their identity secret, with your résumé being sent to a post office box.

Online career sites are a great resource for finding jobs, with many employers choosing to advertise online rather than through newspapers and trade publications. Again, the hiring employer will likely remain anonymous, but the application process may be easier and cheaper, since you’ll probably be able to submit your résumé electronically.

As with any career, networking often provides the best job opportunities. Many dental hygiene schools offer job placement, so check there first. Begin to put the word out that you’re looking for a job, speaking to your own dentist and hygienist, as well as the dentists of friends and family members. Let classmates and others at various dental hygienist schools know you’re looking and see if they have any leads.

Another method that works for many job seekers is to simply send your cover letter and resume to every office in your area. Since many job openings are filled before being publicly posted, having your résumé arrive in an office on a day when that office is shorthanded and looking for hygienists can be the stroke of luck and good timing you’re looking for.

Don’t rule out placement services. If you live in a fairly large town, your city may have placement services geared specifically toward dental jobs. Try to stick with placement agencies that charge the fee to your future employer, rather than you the job seeker. A job placement agency can help match you with the dental practice that’s best for your personality and career goals, as well as help you know what salary you can request.

Don’t leave your future as a dental hygienist to chance. Consider only dental hygiene schools that will give you the strong foundation on which to build a future in the business. By choosing the right dental hygienist schools, you will be on track to a long, successful career in a fulfilling, customer-oriented business.