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Home | Career Pathways | Online Education Guide | Health & Medical Majors | Dental Hygiene

Online Education Guide

Guide to College Majors in Dental Hygiene

What is Dental Hygiene?

Dental hygiene is the healthy maintenance of the mouth, teeth, and gums by brushing, flossing, and regularly visiting the dentist. A dental hygienist typically works in a dentist's office and assists patients with maintaining proper dental hygiene.

Dental hygienists examine a patient's teeth and gums and record their findings. They clean, polish, and remove deposits from the teeth. Dental hygienists also are responsible for taking radiographs, or X-rays.

Dental Hygienists work closely with dentists, gathering information from the patient for the dentist's assessment. Dentists use the data to diagnose problems and determine treatments.

Dental hygienists are responsible for educating patients on dental hygiene techniques. They teach patients how to properly brush and floss and how to prevent gum disease. Dental hygienists see patients of all ethnicities and backgrounds and must be able to communicate well with them.

Because small tools are used to clean and examine teeth, dental hygienists must work well with their hands. In addition to the cleaning and examination of the mouth, teeth, and gums, dental hygienists are often responsible for cleaning a patient's mouth after the dentist puts in a filling. Hygienists commonly polish fillings and scrape cement from the tooth that has been filled.

Dental hygienists must complete a minimum of two years of school, usually earning an associate's degree or a certification. To receive a dental hygienist's license, graduation from an accredited dental hygiene program is required. All dental hygienists in the United States must be licensed by the state in which they practice. Dental hygienists in Canada must be licensed by their province or territory.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, dental hygienists enjoy excellent job prospects. Patient rosters are increasing as more Americans get older and invest in dental care. Dentists require more dental hygienists to take care of routine cleanings and examinations, so that they can focus on other aspects of their practices.

Graduates of dental hygiene programs typically become dental hygienists, but they are not limited to that career path. Dental hygienists sometimes transition to careers in sales, using their experience in the dental field to help them sell dental equipment and supplies.

Dental hygienists can also become health educators. They may teach dental hygiene to students in elementary and secondary schools. Many colleges and universities have added dental hygiene workshops to their orientation and first year programs. Health education opportunities also exist in community organizations and government positions.

Though dental hygienists typically work in a dentist's office, a degree in dental hygiene can also create opportunities for careers in a variety of work environments. Regardless of the career path chosen, a degree in dental hygiene offers the rewarding opportunity to assist people in maintaining good health and healthy habits.

Career Education in Dental Hygiene

Undergraduate and Graduate degree and certificate programs

Dental hygienists typically complete a two-year program that awards an associate's degree or certification. These programs usually require both general education courses and courses specific to the field of dental hygiene. General education courses important to dental hygiene degrees include college level algebra, biology, and chemistry. Courses specific to dental hygiene may include dental pharmacology, radiography, and periodontology.

A Bachelor's of Science in Dental Hygiene is typically a four-year program. As with an associate's degree, the bachelor's degree emphasizes general education courses as well as courses specific to dental hygiene. Math and science courses are required as well as liberal arts courses such as Psychology, English composition, and Public Speaking. Oral anatomy, Hygiene Theory, and Cleaning Techniques are courses common to the bachelor's degrees in dental hygiene.

Students entering a bachelor's degree program are required to have a high school diploma or equivalent, but many dental hygienists with an associate's degree or certification enter the bachelor's degree programs to expand their clinical expertise and help advance their careers. With a bachelor's degree in dental hygiene, a dental hygienist may qualify to become a health educator or work in healthcare management.

Undergraduate dental hygiene programs usually require some clinical education in addition to coursework. Students earn hands-on experience with patients while working in a supervised environment. This clinical experience is helpful when taking the licensing examinations required of dental hygienists.

Graduate degrees in the field of dental hygiene are typically two-year programs and are completed after the bachelor's degree. They emphasize research, but also require coursework. Common graduate courses in dental hygiene include Healthcare Management, Lab Instruction, and Clinical Instruction.

A graduate degree in the dental hygiene field creates the potential for careers in healthcare management, teaching, or faculty positions in dental hygiene programs and schools.

What can you do with a College Degree in Dental Hygiene?

Career options for aspiring dental health professionals

Dental Hygienist. Dental hygienists are an important part of the dental profession. They typically work in a dentist's office but are also found in nursing homes, hospitals, and health clinics.

Dental hygienists have many duties. They educate patients on proper dental hygiene techniques and assist in maintaining them. Dental hygienists demonstrate how to properly brush and floss teeth and they help patients select a good toothbrush. They clean and polish patients' teeth and examine the gums and mouth. They record periodontal measurements, take X-rays of the teeth, and prepare reports for the dentist's assessment.

In some states, dental hygienists are allowed to administer anesthesia. They may place fillings, apply dressings, remove stitches, smooth and polish restorations such as crowns and bridges.

Dental hygienists also have administrative duties. They record patient information and prepare it for the dentist's examination. They may set appointments and check patients into and out of the office.

Many dental hygienists enjoy flexible work schedules. Hygienists often set their own appointments, allowing them to easily schedule time off. In 2002, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that half of all dental hygienists worked part time, less than 35 hours a week. Some dentists' require hygienists to work only two or three days per week, allowing them to work in more than one office.

More than ever, dentists are emphasizing the importance of keeping natural teeth. Dental hygienists have proven to be successful in helping prevent the oral diseases that cause tooth decay and loss. This success has led to more clients and increased job security.

Dental hygienists are required to complete an accredited dental hygiene program, which usually takes two or more years to complete. Dental hygienists must be licensed in the state in which they work. Licensure requirements vary from state to state, but most require a two-year degree, a written examination, and a clinical examination.
Health Education. Dental hygienists are educators by nature, teaching their patients the importance of proper dental care. With a degree in dental hygiene and experience as a dental hygienist, some hygienists choose to focus their career on teaching dental hygiene in settings outside of the dentist's office.

Dental hygiene education can occur in a variety of settings. A dental hygienist may teach dental hygiene to students in elementary grades or teach dental hygiene courses at colleges or universities. Community organizations and government agencies may also employ dental health educators.

In elementary and secondary schools, dental hygienists are part of the health department. They are typically responsible for teaching proper dental care and techniques to students. In some schools they may administer fluoride to students.

Experienced dental hygienists often teach dental hygiene courses at colleges and universities. They use their education and experience in the dental hygiene field to teach future hygienists on the techniques and tools of the dental hygiene profession.

Community organizations and government agencies may employ dental hygienists to assist in educating communities on the importance of good dental hygiene. The dental hygienist may be responsible for identifying the needs of the community members and developing programs to meet those needs. These programs are often funded by grants, which the hygienist may be required to write.

No matter the age group or environment in which they teach, dental hygiene educators must be capable of planning and executing educational programs using a variety of methods and materials. Dental hygienists in health education are usually required to maintain their dental hygienist's license. A graduate degree may be required for these positions, but often a degree in dental hygiene and experience as a hygienist are sufficient.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, job prospects for health educators will grow faster than average over the next 8 years. Health educators with master's degrees or greater can expect excellent job possibilities.
Sales. A degree in dental hygiene and experience as a dental hygienist can be the basis for a career as a medical sales representative. For example, a company that manufactures a rinse intended to treat gingivitis would be interested in hiring a sales person who possessed some knowledge of dental hygiene. A dental hygienist can use his or her knowledge and experience to accurately explain products to clients while encouraging them to buy the products.

Sales representatives must communicate well and answer technical questions regarding their products. Sales representatives assess the needs of their clients and determine what products will fill their needs most effectively.

The educational requirements for a position in sales vary, but many require at least a bachelor's degree. Dental hygienists who work in sales may not be required to maintain their license, but they must remain current on trends, new products, and new technologies in their field.

Careers in sales can be stressful because of the direct impact job performance has on job security. Job performance may also affect the income of the sales person if they are paid on commission. For high achieving sales people this can be a rewarding method of payment. Bonuses are also common for sales representatives who meet or exceed the goals set by their company.
Healthcare Management. Healthcare management is the supervision, planning, and coordinating of healthcare in various medical settings. Dental hygienists who advance to a position in healthcare management typically manage dental offices for one or more dentists.

Dental office managers oversee billing and collections. They are responsible for personnel, including hiring and training. Dental office managers are sometimes required to develop and maintain the policies and procedures of the office, but the dentists are often involved in these decisions.

Experience in the healthcare field is sometimes sufficient for gaining employment in healthcare management. A dental hygienist with a degree in dental hygiene and experience working in a dental practice may advance to become the practice's office manager.

Graduate degrees are usually preferred for healthcare managers. A combination of experience in healthcare and graduate level education in business, management or healthcare administration offers the best opportunities for employment in healthcare management.

Positions in the healthcare management field are expected to grow faster than average. As more doctors respond to changing demand by running smaller, solo practices, many of these new offices will required skilled managers.

Salary Expectations for Careers in Dental Hygiene

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median salary for dental hygienists in 2002 was $26.59 per hour. Earnings for dental hygienists vary depending on geographic location and work environment. Dental hygienists in private practices, for example, often earn more than dental hygienists working in a public health setting.

Dental hygienists are usually full time employees and receive medical benefits. Of those surveyed in 2002, nine out of ten received dental benefits as well. Dental hygienists in public health and government positions reported lower salaries, but excellent medical and dental benefits.

Income for an employee in a sales position varies according to the products being sold and the company where he or she is employed. Sales people are often paid commission, a percentage of their sales, instead of a salary. Sales jobs regularly require travel, which may lead to benefits such as a company car or earned frequent flyer miles.

The income of health educators varies depending on the level of education the teacher has, as well as the environment they teach in. The salaries of health educators in a public health or government position may be paid by grants or government funding, and they also vary according to the position and location. Educators in technical schools, colleges and universities reported a median income in 2002 of $49,040.

Income of healthcare managers varies with the size of the facility they manage and their level of responsibility. Healthcare managers in office settings reported a median annual income of $55,600 in 2002.

Certification and Licensure

A Registered Dental Hygienist has fulfilled the requirements of his or her state board and is licensed to practice in that state. All fifty states require dental hygienists to achieve this designation. Requirements for licensure vary from state to state but most licensing bureaus expect applicants to have graduated from an accredited dental hygiene program and successfully completed a written and a clinical examination.

Graduation from an accredited dental hygiene program is the first step towards becoming a Registered Dental Hygienist. The Commission on Dental Accreditation, a division of the American Dental Association, accredits dental hygiene programs. There are more than 200 accredited dental hygiene programs in the United States. Accredited programs are most frequently associate's degrees or greater.

The National Board Dental Hygiene Examination, created and administered by The Joint Commission on National Dental Examinations, is intended to fulfill the written examination requirements. The National Board Examination is a multiple-choice exam with 350 test questions. It is comprised of a discipline-based section and a case-based section.

The discipline-based section of the National Board Examination contains questions from all aspects of a dental hygienist's education. Questions on anatomy and physiology, performing periodontal procedures, and using preventative agents are common. The case-based portion of the examination asks questions based on hypothetical patients.

The clinical examination is typically administered by the state licensing board. State requirements vary, but the clinical examination is usually a hands-on demonstration of the dental hygienist's skills. Candidates for licensure are typically required to conduct a supervised dental examination on a patient, including taking periodontal measurements. In addition to the clinical examination, most states require a short written examination on the legal aspects of the dental hygiene profession.

Registered Dental Hygienists must renew their licenses by earning continuing education credits. State requirements vary, but most states require six to ten continuing education credits per year to maintain licensure. Continuing education credits can usually be obtained by attending relevant courses, local association meetings, and American Dental Hygienist Association sponsored events. In addition, state licensing boards usually require that dental hygienists maintain their CPR certification.

Certification for Canadian residents is similar to United States licensure. Each territory or province has a licensing board, and each has different requirements. Most require graduation from an accredited dental hygiene school, completion of a written examination and completion of a clinical examination.

Other Associations and Certification Bodies