4 Steps To Becoming A Professional Dental Hygienist

A dental hygienist is an oral health professional who works alongside a licensed dentist. In addition to teaching patients about appropriate oral hygiene, a hygienist may also perform oral inspections, assessments and teeth cleaning. As a hygienist you can be working in a specialty or general dental clinic, but you can also find jobs in nursing homes, hospitals and in other healthcare settings.

In order to become a professional dental hygienist you will have to follow the following 4 steps:

1.Preparation

If you aspire to become a dental hygienist, you would have to start preparing as early as in your high school years. Studying chemistry, biology, math, psychology and health can help in improving your chances of getting admitted into dental hygiene programs after your secondary school. You may also be required to appear in college entrance exams, along with your high school diploma. There are some programs that allow students to enroll right after high school, but then there are others who require you to complete a minimum of 1-year coursework before granting enrollment.

2.Undergraduate Degree

Generally, an associated degree is an essential for becoming a dental hygienist. You can complete these 2-year programs at dental schools, community colleges or vocational institutes. An associate's program helps prepare you for a career as a clinical dental hygienist by conducting classroom coursework as well as clinical instructions. The course can include various subjects including dental materials, oral pathology, infection control, radiology, pain management, community dental health, periodontics and pharmacology.

3.Licensing

A dental hygienist is essentially required to be licensed in all the U.S. states. The eligibility for licensing varies from one state to another, but most of the states require you to have a degree after your secondary schooling from accredited schools. Once you qualify, you can appear at the National Board Dental Hygiene Exam, conducted by the American Dental Association. There are some states that even conduct their own exams. In some states, you may also be required to clear a state-conducted practical examination and an exam in dental laws and regulations.

4.Advanced Degree

For most of the dental hygienist positions, an associate's degree may be sufficient, but in order to purse higher career, you can also undergo advanced degree programs. For those seeking career in research and teaching in the same field, a bachelor's or masters degree in dental hygiene can be helpful. In addition, advanced degrees may also be required for positions in school clinics and public health clinics.