How to Become a Dental Hygienist:
The Definitive Guide

What is a Dental Hygienist?

A Dental Hygienist provides preventative care to dental patients.

Don’t let the masks fool you, most Dental Hygienists are very nice and welcoming and you could be one too!

Unlike a Dental Assistant, you’ll have much more one on one interaction with patients.

If you find pleasure in taking care of your teeth and other peoples, love to teach patients how to prevent cavities, and perform cleanings and x-rays, then you may want to see what it takes to become a Dental Hygienist!

Duties

Salary

On average, a Dental Hygienist can make around $74,000 a year in the United States.

The top salary tier is around $85,000, and this can be earned with experience, education, and knowledge in the field.

Don’t expect to make this much right out of the gate, though.

Typically, people who are just starting out in this career will make around $64,000 a year.

That’s still quite a pretty penny!

Some of the things to think about when searching for that higher pay is where the office is located, the certifications that may get you closer to your goal, and any other specialties that might set you above the rest.

• Annually
• Monthly
• Hourly

How to Become a Dental Hygienist

Step 1Earn a Degree

The first thing that you are going to want to do when you decide to become a Dental Hygienist is to figure out which type of degree you want to earn.

It’s possible to work as a Dental Hygienist with an Associates’ degree, but it’s also possible to earn a Bachelors’s degree in Dental Hygiene.

Many community colleges, universities, dental schools, and technical schools provide Dental Hygiene programs, you’ll have to look around to see what works best for you.

In order to be accepted into a program, you’ll need to have a high school diploma or GED and have knowledge of these subjects:

• Health
• Biology
• Psychology
• Chemistry
• Math
• Speech

While in school, it is also required that you work with patients which can help with real-life work experience.

Since most dentists require only an Associates’ degree in order to be hired as a Dental Hygienist, that is what we will talk about today.

Some of the classes that you can expect to take to earn an Associates degree include:

• Physiology
• Nutrition
• Radiography
• Pathology
• Medical Ethics
• Patient Management
• Periodontics

A typical Dental Hygienist program can take anywhere from two years to three years to complete.

You’ll want to make sure that the school you attend is accredited with the Commission on Dental Accreditation.

Step 2Become Licensed

Every state in the United States requires that a Dental Hygienist be licensed in order to work.

In order to be a candidate for licensure, you’ll need a passing grade on the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination.

You’ll also need to take the state-authorized licensure exam, which can vary depending on where you live.

With both exams, you’ll be required to showcase your skills in clinical dental hygiene both physically and in written form.

When it comes to the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination, there are some specific areas to keep in mind when studying:

• Scientific Basis for Dental Hygiene Practice
• Provision of Clinical Dental Hygiene Services
• Community Health/Research Principles

There are two parts to this test, and each part costs $100 to take.

You will have thirty days from the day that you pay for the test to take it.

It is possible to take the test up to three times in one year.

Another thing to keep in mind is that licensure doesn’t last forever, you’ll need to renew your license after two years of working as a Dental Hygienist.

Step 3Find a Job

After you become licensed, it’s time to get in some work experience.

You may already have some work experience through clinicals, internships, and other opportunities while going through a Dental Hygienist program, which can look great on your resume.

Due to the fact that there is a lot of competition when it comes to finding that perfect career for you, many people with a degree in Dental Hygiene end up working in areas such as:

• Dental Radiography
• Public Health Administration
• Dental Hygiene Educator
• Pediatric Dental Hygienist

If you’re looking for something more long term or something with more upward mobility, it may be necessary to seek higher education.

Continue Your Education

Some people want to earn a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Dental Hygiene.

This can open many more doors than an Associates’s degree, however, it can take several more years to complete your education.

With a Bachelors degree, you’ll typically take courses like:

• Oral Biochemistry
• Dental Specialties
• Preventative Dental Care
• Principles of Pharmacology
• Periodontal Disease

There are currently 15 states that have a Master’s degree level of Dental Hygiene programs.

It is possible to complete a Master’s degree in this program in one year.

In addition to coursework, you’ll need to take a comprehensive exam to earn your degree.

Common courses at the Master’s degree level include:

• Systematic Research Writing
• Dental Hygiene Theory and Science
• Geriatric Dental Issues
• Systematic Dental Conditions

Education

Many universities, community colleges, dental schools, and technical schools provide Dental Hygienist programs.

Most Associates degrees and Bachelor’s degrees in Dental Hygiene end in an externship.

Typically, in a Dental Hygienist program, you will take courses such as:

• Human Anatomy and Physiology
• Microbiology
• Dental Hygiene
• Dental Radiology
• Oral Pathology
• Dental Pharmacology

When working toward a Bachelors’s degree, you can expect more coursework.

You will likely take general education classes, to begin with, in which you can find courses like:

• English
• Psychology
• Sociology
• Speech
• Math

But, you’ll also be required to take more specific classes like:

• Dental Anatomy
• Radiology
• Head and Neck Anatomy
• Periodontology

A Bachelors’s degree takes around four years to complete, while an Associates’ degree can take around two years.

In order to be admitted into a Dental Hygienist program, you will need to make sure that you have all of the following requirements:

• Minimum ACT/SAT scores
• Completion of high school chemistry and biology classes
• Minimum of 2.5 high school GPA
• Personal interview
• Written interview
• Professional and Academic references
• Application essay
• CPR Certification

There are currently 55 accredited programs that will allow you to earn a Bachelors degree as a dental hygienist in the United States, these degrees include:

• Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences
• Bachelor of Science in Allied Health
• Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene

There are also some people who choose to earn a Master’s degree, which can open many more doors.

If you are planning to keep your career as a Dental Hygienist, it is not necessary to earn a Master’s degree.

If you are looking to advance your career, then earning a Master’s may be in your favor.

Some of the Master’s degrees you can earn include:

• Practice Administration
• Human Resources
• Diagnosis and Treatment Planning

Being a Dental Hygienist can be a very lucrative career and something that should be given extra thought to when deciding how much education you would like to have.

Video About The Career

Licensing

In order to be a Dental Hygienist, you will need to take the National Board Dental Hygiene Exam, which will allow you to be licensed.

The National Board Dental Hygiene exam is done in two parts.

Component A consists of 200 questions in three areas:

• The scientific basis of dental hygiene
• Community health and research
• Provision of clinical dental services

Component B consists of 150 case-based questions that showcase the ability of the person taking the exam.

After you pass the exam, you will be a licensed Dental Hygienist.

It is also likely that you will need to pass a state board examination as well.

This exam can be different depending on where you live, but some of the regional testing agencies you can expect to see in the United States include:

• Western Regional Exam Board
• Southern Regional Testing Agency
• Council of Interstate Testing Agencies
• Central Regional Dental Testing Services

California and Delaware have their own state-specific examinations, they are:

• California Clinical Dental Hygienist Examination
• Delaware Practical Board Examination in Dental Hygiene

The majority of states allow you to take the exam and begin working as a Dental Hygienist, however, there are some states that require a bit more for licensure:

Alabama requires two letters of recommendation from a licensed dentist or Dental Hygienist.

Arizona requires proof of the completion of 1,000 hours of training.

You must also complete further education and training in every state.

Depending on the state that you live, it may be required to renew your license every few years.

For example, in Michigan, you must renew your license every three years and complete 36 hours of continued education within that time.

Some states also require that you have an active CPR certification as well.

In addition to this, some states also require:

• Child abuse clearance
• Criminal background check
• Proof of immunizations
• Basic Life Support certification
• Training in infection control

Certification Example:

Average Training Program Duration: 2-4 Years

The average training duration to become a Dental Hygienist is only a couple of years.

Most Dental Hygienists earn an Associates degree, which takes around two years.

Plus, you will need experience.

Depending on whether you do an externship or begin working right out of school, having more experience can lead to a better career.

It’s possible for employers to include training in the job, which can take from two weeks to a month.

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Job Outlook

The job outlook for a Dental Hygienist in the next decade is projected to grow eleven percent.

This is higher than many careers in the same field.

It’s possible that the demand for Dental Hygienists will increase as the population gets older.

Another factor in the rise of Dental Hygienist jobs is the ongoing link between oral health and overall health.

Also, many states are requiring Dental Hygienists to earn a higher degree, which means more job openings for those at the top of their careers.

Employment Growth Projection: 11%

That's a higher than average projected growth of 23,100 jobs.

Dental Hygienist: Interest Over Time

Should You Become a Dental Hygienist?

Overall Satisfaction: High

Many Dental Hygienists love their jobs and would say that they are happy with their choice of career.

The hours can be in your favor, depending on where you work.

Some Dental Hygienists work in more than one dental office in order to work 40 hour weeks.

There is a reward factor to the work of a Dental Hygienist, and that is one of the reasons that many people enjoy this job.

One thing to keep in mind is that it is a very laborious job on the hands and wrists, which can cause discomfort over time.

Average Salary: High

The average salary in the United States for a Dental Hygienist is around $74,000 a year.

When just starting out in the career, it is expected that you’ll make around $64,000 a year.

After some years of experience, you can make up to $85,000 as a Dental Hygienist.

With certifications, more education, and specializations it is possible to make even more than that.

Other factors to keep in mind are the population of the area in which you work, and the type of office that you are employed in.

Job Growth Outlook: High

The job of a Dental Hygienist is expected to grow around 11 percent within the next ten years.

This means that there will be more jobs for Dental Hygienists than ever before.

Dental hygiene and oral health are important factors in the world today, and the rise in the aging population will account for the rise in Dental Hygienist jobs.

Depending on what type of facility you work, whether it’s a dentist’s office, clinic, hospital, or another facility, the career growth may change.

Those that work in larger populations will likely have more job openings available than people who work in smaller communities.

Education Duration: 2-4 Years

Depending on how much education you want to receive, it may take you around two years to six years to become a Dental Hygienist.

Most Dental Hygienists earn an Associates’ degree, but others decide to work toward a Bachelors’s degree which can take four years.

Those that want to be at the top of their careers can earn a Master’s degree in Dental Hygiene.

This can take another two years to complete.

So, it’s up to you!

Do you want to work as a Dental Hygienist right away?

Or do you want to spend six years in school to be one of the top Dental Hygienists?

Personal Skills Needed

As a Dental Hygienist, you will work very closely with patients.

Some of the personal skills that you should have include:

• Empathy – many patients are scared and anxious about being at the dentist
• Optimism
• Confidence
• Interpersonal skills
• Attention to detail
• Problem-solving skills
• Communication skills
• Flexibility-sometimes your schedule might change on a dime
• Dexterity
• Sense of Humor
• Respect

Dental Hygienist Information by State

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