Dental Hygienist Associate's Degree: Admission and Tuition

Overview

Dental hygienists have never had as many educational and employment options as they have now. There are more possibilities than ever for establishing your career, with training available both in person and online, as well as employment settings that go beyond the traditional clinic. Read on to find out how to become a qualified dental hygienist if you’re interested in joining this fast increasing sector.

Dental hygienists’ specific work tasks include:

• Use Scrapers and polishers to remove tartar, plaque, and stains.
• Use fluoride and sealants as preventative treatments
• Carry out and develop X-rays of the mouth
• Keep track of what happens during cleanings and report back to the dentist
• Assist the dentist with activities such as giving anesthetic and removing stitches during operations.

Dental hygienists must be licensed in every state, though the standards differ. In any state, however, an associate’s degree is the minimal need for obtaining a license. You may choose to pursue a bachelor’s or master’s degree depending on your job ambitions.

To become a licensed hygienist, you must complete a program that has been approved by the Commission on Dental Accreditation, regardless of the degree you pursue (CODA). Accredited dental hygiene programs have proved that they satisfy the highest educational standards, ensuring patient safety in the future.

A dental hygienist must have at least an associate’s degree, while bachelor’s and master’s degrees are also available for individuals who desire to advance in the field. The time it takes to finish your education is determined by the degree you choose. Two to four years is a normal time frame.

Associate’s Degree in Dental Hygiene Associate’s degrees offer you with the requisite level of study to be licensed as a dental hygienist. These degrees usually take two years to complete and are obtained in community colleges or technical schools.

Over the course of your degree, you’ll conduct supervised clinical practice in addition to classroom education that covers the areas listed by CODA. You should get between 8 and 12 hours of hands‑on practice every week in your first year when you start offering clinical services. In your second year, this should increase to between 12 and 16 hours of dental hygiene practice.

Bachelor’s degree programs are designed for dental hygienists interested in more specialized treatment, such as practicing or designing programs in public health or school settings, albeit they are less prevalent. You’ll study dental hygiene in the classroom and in supervised clinical practice, as well as obtain a liberal arts education.

Bachelor’s degrees normally take four years to complete, while an associate’s degree in dental hygiene can be earned in less time. Degree‑completion programs are for students who already have their dental hygiene license and wish to improve their leadership abilities or expand their understanding of theory and research. Clinical experience may not be required because you will have obtained hands‑on experience during your associate’s program.

Indeed, you might be able to finish your degree totally online. A degree completion program should take between 15 and 18 months to complete.

You’ll almost certainly need to complete prerequisites and have a GPA of at least 2.5. High school graduates should have taken the same courses as those required for entry into an associate’s program, and those with an associate’s degree should be familiar with anatomy, radiography, and dental lab supplies.

Dental hygienists are required to be licensed by the state in which they practice. You must take and pass the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination after graduating from an authorized institution. The test is made up of 350 multiple‑choice questions divided into two sections: discipline‑based and case‑based. The test is graded on a range of 49–99, with a minimum passing score of 75.

Each state also has its own clinical exam that assesses your understanding of basic hygiene, anesthetic, and restorative treatments. Additionally, it’s typical…