Where is a dental hygienist school

Dental hygienists are required to renew their license, typically every 1—3 years. These are often somewhere between 10 and 20 hours for every 1-year cycle, 30—50 hours for 2-cycles, and around 60 for 3-year cycles. You can search through a database of both live and online courses that cover a variety of topics. Along with continuing education, the ADA also offers resources to help you find a job. Through the online ADA CareerCenter, you can search by job title, location, salary, company , and more to find opportunities that meet your unique needs.

Jobs are posted directly to the CareerCenter and are also pulled in from outside job listing websites to make it easy to find openings all in 1 place. The most common workplace for dental hygienists is a private office, though you could find roles in settings such as hospitals, nursing homes public health clinics, dental schools, research facilities, advanced practices, and dental corporations.

According to the U. Bureau of Labor Statistics BLS , dental hygienist salary is dependent on a number of factors including the exact position, your level of education, amount of experience, and the setting in which you work.

Entry-level hygienists in dental offices may earn less, while those in research, teaching, or corporate positions will likely earn more. Source: U. Actual salaries vary depending on location, level of education, years of experience, work environment, and other factors. Salaries may differ even more for those who are self-employed or work part time. Along with competitive salaries, dental hygienists enjoy other benefits, including plenty of opportunities to find jobs.

In fact, roughly half of all dental hygienists work part time while still earning above average salaries. After completion of a dental hygiene program, dental hygienists can choose to pursue additional training in such areas as education, business administration, marketing, and public health. Gaining this additional knowledge can help you find more specialized, high-level roles while increasing your earning potential.

Most schools require you to complete prerequisites in biology, chemistry, physics, and English and take the Dental Admission Test before you can apply. With a DMD or DDS in hand, you can sit for your state-required written and clinical exams in order to earn your license and be able to practice as an independent dentist.

First Term. Second Term. Third Term. Fourth Term. Fifth Term. Transfer Information The following transfer guides executed in partnership with post-secondary institutions are based on articulation agreements and are a guide to provide an easy way to understand how credits transfer.

Before you apply, you should know. Fill out our application. Apply Now. Then, submit one of the following. High school transcript indicating a cumulative GPA of 2. Contact the high school you attended if you do not have a copy of your transcript.

ACT composite score of 18 or above. Accuplacer scores. Score requirements vary by program and version of the Accuplacer test that was taken. For more details, please contact Admissions. If you did not take the Accuplacer at NTC, contact the college at which you took it to obtain a copy of your scores. College transcript indicating a cumulative GPA of 2.

Business Management. Human Services. Information Technology. Project Management. Business Administration. Computer Science. Criminal Justice. Food Safety and Quality. Hospitality Management. Created by the state legislature, the state board of dentistry is responsible for dentistry practice within each state. The state legislature places limitations on the board's authority which often include:. While dental hygienists must complete their education to work in this profession, they also need to secure a job in their field.

Dental hygienists should have a strong set of qualifications that sets them apart from other job candidates. Some important skills to include on a dental hygienist resume include dentistry expertise, patience, communication skills, interpersonal skills, attention to detail, and dexterity. Individuals should also have relevant work experience, including on-the-job training, supervised clinical experience, and entry-level job experience.

To increase employ-ability, candidates should consider furthering their education. An advanced degree such as a bachelor's or master's degree in dental hygiene can help qualify them for advanced positions or jobs outside of the dental office and in teaching, research, or in an administrative position. This profession is experiencing rapid job growth according to the U. Bureau of Labor Statistics 1 and its job outlook analysis.

Job prospects will vary by a dental hygienist's location. Becoming a dental hygienist can be a fulfilling career option for those with a passion for the job or those who want to enter the dental field with minimal education.

To obtain a job in this profession, meet the necessary educational and licensure requirements so that you can begin helping patients of all ages. Footnotes 1. Accomplished leader to build diverse partnerships and drive organizational growth. Request Info Call Concorde Staff April Posted updated April 24 The information contained in this blog is current and accurate as of this date. Image via Flickr by maheen49 The dental hygienist profession is not only on the rise, but it offers a career path for individuals who want to enter the dental career field.

What Does a Dental Hygienist Do? A dental hygienist has several main responsibilities: Clean and remove plaque, tartar, and stains from a patient's teeth Perform and develop dental X-rays Conduct a preliminary patient exam and assist a dentist as needed Administer local anesthetics to patients prior to their procedures Apply fluorides and sealants to a patient's teeth Document patient treatment plans and overall care Assess a patient's oral health Educate patients on good oral hygiene Communicate with dentists regarding dental findings on their patients Use a variety of hand, power, and ultrasonic tools to perform their job duties Choosing a Dental Hygiene Program An appropriate dental hygiene program can prepare prospective dental hygienist candidates for their daily duties.

When choosing a dental hygienist program, consider the following qualities: Location Community colleges, dental schools, technical institutions, universities, and internet-based learning programs offer associate degree programs for dental hygienists. Accreditation Dental hygienists need to enroll in and complete an accredited dental hygienist program. Types Individuals can consider the following three types of CODA-accredited programs for dental hygienists: Entry Level: This program track is for students who have no previous experience in the field.

The program levels include associate degree programs, baccalaureate degree programs, and post-baccalaureate degree programs. Degree Completion: This program track is for licensed dental hygienists who want to advance their education beyond the entry-level program. Individuals who have obtained a certificate or associate degree in the field can also qualify for this program that grants a bachelor's degree in dental hygiene or a similar field.

Graduate: The graduate program track is appropriate for professionals seeking a master's degree upon obtaining their baccalaureate degree in dental hygiene or a similar field. Length The length of a dental hygienist program depends on the type of institution and the degree itself. Discover some common prerequisites for gaining admittance into a DH program: High School Courses: Although not required, high school courses in health, biology, mathematics, chemistry, and psychology can help candidates gain the knowledge they need to earn admittance into a DH program.

Skills: Prospective dental hygienists should have problem solving skills, manual dexterity, close attention to detail, communication and interpersonal skills, compassion, and technical abilities. Study the following tips to help you as you prepare for admittance into a DH program: Research the Prerequisites: Research the prerequisites to ensure you meet the necessary qualifications.

Draft a Strong Personal Statement: Prospective dental hygienists should write a strong personal statement that details their intentions and career goals while setting them apart from other candidates.

Maintain Professionalism During the Interview: For programs that require an interview, dress appropriately, turn off cell phones, and actively engage with the interviewer. What to Expect in a Dental Hygiene Program Many program types cover four content areas: general education, biomedical science, dental science, and dental hygiene science.

Associate Degree Programs Along with general coursework in oral health, programs that offer an associate degree require supervised clinical experience. Bachelor's Degree Programs The length of a bachelor's degree program depends on the type of institution. Master's Degree Programs Master's degree programs are for dental hygienists who want to conduct research, teach, and work in an administrative capacity. Licensure Exam Requirements The Joint Commission on National Dental Examinations administers two tests that prospective dental hygienists must take to obtain licensure.