If you want to learn how to become a dental hygienist, or if you are just considering the possibility of making a career change, there are some things you should be aware of before you enroll in a program or quit your current job.
One of the first things you must understand is that you need to have an affinity for working closely with people throughout each day. One of the primary duties of a dental hygienist is promoting preventive dental health care. This is accomplished by advising patients on how best to care for their teeth and gums and providing them with the tools necessary to accomplish those goals.
If you are interested in finding out how to become a dental hygienist, you are probably already researching the different dental hygiene schools in California that offer programs of study. To enter this field, you need to have either a two- or four-year degree.
While it is possible to find dental hygienist programs at four-year universities, most people who choose to enter this profession do so by attending a two-year program at a local community college. Graduation from a community college program will provide you with an associate’s degree, which is good enough to permit you to take the state board exam. It is important to note that all states within America have this requirement for dental hygienists. If you would prefer to have greater educational credentials under your belt as you apply for and interview for jobs, then you might strongly consider pursuing a four-year degree at a college or university. If you attend a four-year institution, you will earn a bachelor’s degree. This will provide you with a more well-rounded education overall, which is likely to translate into greater job opportunities as well as greater salaries and benefit packages. To be accepted into a dental hygienist program of study, candidates are required to:
In some instances, community college programs that are particularly competitive may require applicants to already have at least one year of college courses successfully completed before they are allowed to even apply to the dental hygienist program. Four-year colleges and universities may require qualified applicants to have successfully finished at least two years of undergraduate studies before they are permitted to apply to this specialized program.
If you go into your chosen program of study with a full understanding of the time commitments, as well as a true understanding on how to become a dental hygienist, you will be much more likely to be successful throughout your entire program of study. Even if you enroll in a two-year program through a community or technical college, you should still be prepared to complete a regimen of clinical studies in addition to your classroom and laboratory commitments. It is also important that you take the time to choose an accredited school. Choosing a school that boasts accreditation status lends credibility and respectability to the degree you will eventually earn. Should you choose a school that is not accredited, you should be prepared to encounter some resistance from potential employers who may be reluctant to accept your degree as valid.
Regardless of the state in which you live (or plan to work), you will be required to pass an exam before you can be licensed to work. This exam consists of a written and clinical portion, and is offered by the American Dental Association’s Joint Commission on National Dental Examinations. While the written portion of the exam is standardized, the clinical portion is typically administered either by a local or regional governing body.
As with most health care professions, as you research how to become a dental hygienist, you will find that in order to practice as a dental hygienist, you must first obtain a license. Licensure is the strongest form of certification for dental hygienist professionals, and it is also the last step in the rigorous education process required for entry into this field.
Before you decide if you want to embark on this process and complete the dental hygiene licensure exam in your state, perhaps you should consider what this career entails. A dental hygienist examines the teeth and gums of dental patients, and educates them on proper oral care. This profession can be very rewarding and the benefits are numerous. Dental hygienist careers offer a lot of flexibility when it comes to scheduling. Many dental hygienists work part time for a hefty hourly rate or salary, leaving them more time to spend on career advancement pursuits, of which there are many opportunities. This field also offers a high degree of job security, compared to other professions.
The most difficult part of how to become a dental hygienist is the arduous career path. Getting into the practice takes a lot of hard work and effort. Before a license can be granted, almost every state requires that you complete three steps:
First, you must graduate from an accredited dental hygiene program. Most programs are only two years long, offering associates degrees in dental hygiene, but getting into one can be very competitive, and the coursework is far from easy. Most programs require completion of courses in the social and physical sciences along with more specific coursework in dental hygiene. In order to be admitted into a program you must be at least 18 years of age, have a high school diploma with a C-average and a relatively high amount of coursework in math, science and English. Alternatively, you could obtain an online certificate of dental hygiene. This is also a two-year program and is sufficient for anyone who wishes to obtain licensure, thereafter.
Second, you must successfully complete the written National Board Dental Hygiene Examination. Once you have finished your two-year coursework in dental hygiene, passing this exam should be no problem. There are many books available to help students study for this exam.
Third, you must successfully complete a regional or state clinical board examination. Licensure is granted by each individual state, and in order to practice dental hygiene, you must obtain a license from the state in which you plan to practice. Since licensing requirements vary from state to state, you must then contact the licensing authority in your area for specific procedures once you’ve passed your exam. Some states may have additional requirements, such as: CPR Certification, letters of recommendation from dentists in your state, official high school and college transcripts, and letters from the boards of dentistry where licensure is held.
Clearly, the road to success in the field of dental hygiene is long and hard. However, as previously mentioned, it can be very rewarding in the long run. Once you pass your dental hygiene licensure exam, you’re almost there.