By: Arthur Hall
Submitted: 2010-10-01 07:40:21 | Word Count: 639
Dental hygienist training programs teach dental hygienists how to safely care for patients' teeth and gums while also providing dental hygienists with the skills they need for state licensing. Proper training is essential, as dental hygienists play a key role in promoting oral health and assisting dentists with complex procedures. While the exact role of dental hygienists can vary by state, most dental hygienists perform the following tasks:
Clean and polish patients' teeth
Teach patients about proper oral hygiene
Examine patients' teeth and gums
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Take oral x-rays
Apply fluorides and sealants
Create plaster molds of patients' mouths
Help dentists perform fillings and other procedures
Dental hygienist training programs give students the knowledge and hands-on training they need to safely perform the above tasks and qualify for state licensing.
Dental Hygienist Training: Degrees and Coursework
Most dental hygienists prepare for their careers by earning an associate's degree in dental hygiene from an accredited dental hygienist training program. There are approximately 300 dental hygiene training programs in the United States accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation. Though a handful of programs offer certificates in dental hygiene, the following degrees are the most common:
Associate's Degree: An associate's degree in dental hygiene is the most popular way for individuals to prepare for entry-level dental hygienist jobs. Associate's degree programs generally take about two years to complete and they are offered by approximately 270 accredited dental hygienist training programs.
Bachelor's Degree: Like an associate's degree, a bachelor’s degree program in dental hygiene prepares you for state licensing and entry-level dental hygiene work, but it can also qualify you for positions in dental hygiene education, research, and public health. A bachelor's degree generally takes about four years to complete.
Master's Degree: A master’s degree in dental hygiene requires an additional one to two years of study after the bachelor's degree and qualifies graduates for jobs in education, research, administration, and public health.
Earning a dental hygiene degree requires a combination of coursework and clinical experience. Exact offerings vary by program, but most dental hygienist training programs require students to take courses in the following subjects:
General science: chemistry, anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, microbiology, pathology, nutrition, pharmacology
Dental science: dental, head, and neck anatomy; oral histology and pathology; radiography; periodontology; dental materials; pain control
Dental hygiene science: health education, community dental health, patient management, medical and dental emergencies
Dental hygiene degree programs also have a large clinical experience component. According to the American Dental Hygienists' Association, students of associate's and bachelor's degree programs gain approximately 650 hours of supervised clinical dental hygiene experience before graduation.
Prerequisites for Dental Hygienist Training
Admission to dental hygienist training programs can be competitive and most programs require applicants to meet the following requirements:
High school diploma or GED
High school courses in chemistry, biology, English, and math
High school average of "C" or better
Standardized test scores (SAT or ACT)
Some programs also require applicants to have completed one year of college coursework that includes prerequisite courses in English, chemistry, sociology, psychology, and speech.
In addition to specific academic prerequisites, applicants to dental hygienist training programs should be caring, personable, good with their hands, and physically able to work on their feet.
Dental Hygienist Career Outlook
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), demand for dental hygienists should continue to grow in the coming years as a result of population growth and increased emphasis on preventative dental care. The BLS expects employment of dental hygienists to increase by 36 percent from 2008 to 2018, much faster than the national average. This growth should result in strong job prospects in most areas.
Not only are dental hygienists in demand, they are also paid well for the work they do. According to the BLS, dental hygienists earned a median annual salary of $67,340 in 2009 and many enjoyed flexible schedules or worked part time.
By promoting oral health, dental hygienists contribute to a healthier community while establishing a rewarding and financially stable career.
