Dental hygienist training is an essential part of joining this rapidly growing career area. But you should choose your educational and training provider with care.
Dental hygienist training is the first step on your path to a rewarding, fulfilling career. You will find that there are numerous schools and training centers promising to provide you with the career training you need for success. However, not all of these dental hygienist schools and courses are worth your time. What should you know about this training? In order to ensure that you are able to obtain the education required, you should know the basic subjects that you will study.
Comparing dental hygienist training options
You will need to determine whether a particular school or training course is the right option for your needs. First, you’ll need to understand that certified, licensed dental hygienists must have at least an Associate’s degree. This cuts out any of those quick two- or three-week programs that claim they can have you on the road to success in no time. Avoid these, as they are nothing but a waste of money.
A quality dental hygienist training program from an accredited education provider should offer you anatomy, clinical dental hygiene, social science, pathology, periodontology, radiography, pharmacology, microbiology, chemistry, physiology and more. Each of these subjects should be taught within a qualified dental training course. If they are not, you should find another provider.
Prerequisites for dental hygienist training
All schools have some form of prerequisite learning or achievement, and dental hygienist schools are no different. You will have to have a high school diploma or a GED, and you will have to pass an entrance exam.
You will also have to have taken biology, chemistry and several different courses in mathematics during your high school career. At the end of your course of study, your school should provide you with the means to take the state licensing examination (most schools offer this test on campus). Once you have passed the licensing test and graduated with your Associate’s degree, you can go on to work in the field, or you can continue your studies and earn a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree to enjoy a higher dental hygienist salary.
Additional resources
The Bureau of Labor Statistics offers information about dental hygienist training.
AllAlliedHealthSchools.com provides information about dental hygienist training and schools.
PreMedGuide.com offers dental hygienist training information and other resources.
Premed Guide