Becoming a dental hygienist typically requires an associate degree, which can take around two years to complete if attending full-time. This period includes both classroom instruction and hands-on clinical experience. For those interested in specialized procedures such as root canals in Cary, additional training may be required beyond the standard curriculum for dental hygienists.
In Nevada, dental hygiene programs are offered at the associate and bachelor's degree levels. There are a couple of public schools that offer these programs. Associate degree programs last two years and bachelor's degree programs last four years. According to the BLS, completing a dental hygienist program can take up to 3 years, 14. This provides enough time to learn the necessary skills, become familiar with the anatomy of teeth and gums, learn medical ethics, study periodontics, gain practical experience, and prepare for licensing exams.
There are several factors that can affect how long it takes to become a dental hygienist. These may include the program of study you decide to enroll in, your state's licensing requirements, and the time needed to find employment. In general, it can take four to five years to become a licensed dental hygienist after graduating from high school. At SJVC, to apply for the dental hygiene program, you must complete a mandatory list of core classes at an accredited institution, which includes courses in chemistry, microbiology, physiology, psychology, sociology and mathematics.
This exam evaluates your knowledge of dental cleaning, oral health, and other relevant components of a dental hygienist's job. To perform these tasks, dental hygienists use several types of equipment, including hand, electrical and ultrasonic tools, according to the BLS. For example, a master's degree in dental hygiene can provide you with high-level critical thinking, writing, and research skills, along with more specialized knowledge on topics related to health care management. The next time you go to the dentist's office, you can determine if there are dental hygienists on staff and learn more about what they do.
If you have a degree in dental hygiene, you may be eligible for additional opportunities, including positions in the business world. However, you cannot complete a CODA-approved dental hygiene program online due to laboratory and clinical practice requirements. A dental hygienist is someone who works together with other dental professionals, usually in a private dental office, and performs dental cleanings and preliminary oral exams on patients. For someone starting high school, the entire process of becoming a dental hygienist can take as little as 2.5 years or as long as five years or more.
It all depends on the educational path that the dental hygienist follows and the type of dental hygienist work they want to do. Most of them may be in states such as California, Texas and Florida, which currently employ the largest number of dental hygienists. Dental hygienists are generally responsible for cleaning patients' teeth and for detecting any potential problems with their oral health and reporting them to the dentist. When choosing a dental hygienist school or school, it's important to find a program that is properly accredited, that employs quality instructors, and that offers a practical curriculum and informative classes.
