How Quickly Can I Become a Dental Hygienist?

What does a dental hygienist do? 

Dental hygienists are licensed professionals who specialize in the prevention and treatment of oral diseases. They are often the first members of the dental team to treat patients. Dental hygienists provide preventative dental care such as tartar removal and cleaning to allow the dentist to focus on complex and specialized dental procedures. Specific duties of dental hygienists may include: evaluating oral health, interpreting dental x-rays, removing plaque, tartar and stains from patient teeth, providing oral health education and advice, creating tooth impressions, applying preventative materials, administering local anesthetic, and other duties as assigned by the dentist.

What type of training is required to become a dental hygienist?

If you want to become a dental hygienist, there are few different paths you can take. Your specific path will depend on how quickly you want to enter the field, whether or not you have any related dental experience, and where you are located as the requirements to become a dental hygienist vary by state.  In general, you will find four basic requirements for dental hygienists: 

• Earn an associate degree or bachelor’s degree in dental hygiene from an accredited Dental Hygiene program
• Complete practical training and gain experience in the field
• Successfully pass the national board examinations
• Pass state-level examinations to earn licensure

How to choose a dental hygiene program

Accreditation

In order to become a dental hygienist. You will need to complete a dental hygiene degree program that is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA). This is the only accrediting body that the United States Department of Education has approved to accredit dental hygiene programs. 

Types

There are two main types of dental hygiene degree programs: associate or bachelor’s degrees. Those new to the field will need to start at the entry-level and complete an associate or bachelor’s degree in dental hygiene in its entirety, including the completion of any prerequisite and general education courses. 

Length

In general, you can expect to spend around 2 years of full time study completing an associate degree in dental hygiene. A bachelor’s degree will take 4 years of full time study on average. The total time it takes to earn your degree will depend on the amount of time you dedicate to coursework. These degrees will take longer to complete if you choose to study part time and work while going to school. However, there are ways to fast track your education using the credit by exam method to test out of required prerequisite and general education courses in less time with Achieve. 

Achieve’s online dental hygiene program offers you the ability to complete flexible, online lessons with experienced, live instructors who will teach you exactly what you need to to know to test out of the course and earn transferable college credit. Once you’ve taken and passed the equivalent of an end of course exam, you will then transfer the credits earned to the dental hygiene school of your choice and complete your core courses. This process considerably shortens the time you spend in class and the overall time it takes to earn your dental hygiene degree. 

Admission requirements for dental hygiene programs

The admission requirements will vary depending on the accredited dental hygiene program you choose to pursue. Some common prerequisites for admission include: 

• A high school diploma or equivalent. This is not always required, but in most cases you will need to show proof of education. Courses in health, biology, math, and chemistry may help boost your chances for early admittance into a program by providing you have the foundational knowledge to succeed in a dental hygiene program. 
• GPA requirements. Some accredited programs require applicants to have a certain GPA and this will vary depending on the institution. You should check with your desired school to review all application requirements. 
• Skills needed for success in the profession. Prospective dental hygiene students may want to showcase skills in their application such as problem-solving, attention to detail, interpersonal skills, communication, compassion, and any technical skills they have gained that may be useful in your desired role. 

What to expect in your dental hygiene program

The accredited dental hygiene school you choose will provide the education and clinical experience required to successfully prepare you for work in the field. Your dental hygienist program will combine classroom instruction with hands-on clinical training, ensuring that you are fully prepared to provide high-quality oral care immediately upon graduation.

How to pass get licensed

In order to practice as a dental hygienist, you will first need to earn your associate or bachelor’s degree in dental hygiene, and then you will need to take and pass the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination (NBDHE) administered by the Joint Commission on National Dental Examinations (JCNDE), an agency of the the American Dental Association (ADA). 

The NBDHE exam contains 350 multiple-choice questions and has a total time limit of 7.5 hours. The exam is split into two sessions. The first session contains 200 discipline-based questions, while the second session contains 150 questions related to patient cases. To pass the NBDHE, you will need to score a minimum of 75.

Finding a job as a dental hygienist 

Upon completing your education and becoming licensed, you will be ready to begin searching for a job as a dental hygienist. One of the most appealing aspects of this type of healthcare career is its flexibility. As a dental hygienist, you will likely be able to choose between working full-time or part-time with predictable working hours from week to week. These work options make it an ideal choice for individuals seeking work-life balance or those with families. 

Earning a dental hygiene degree will provide you with a versatile career. Dental hygienists can choose to work in a variety of different types of dental practices including: private dental practices, community health clinics, educational institutions, corporate and administrative roles within dental product companies, and research and public health organizations. 

What is the career outlook for dental hygienists? 

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects the dental hygiene field to grow much faster than average. Employment for dental hygienists is expected to increase by 9% from 2023 to 2033. This growth equates to an additional 19,600 newly created dental hygienist jobs, and is anticipated due to: 

• Oral Health Awareness
• Aging Population
• Expansion of Dental Practices
• Technological Advancements

According to the BLS, the median annual salary for dental hygienists is currently $87,530. Dental hygienist salary can vary based on factors such as location, work setting, and level of experience. Hygienist salaries can also vary based on the dental practice type.

Beginning your dental hygiene education

No matter where you are on the path to becoming a dental hygienist, Achieve Test Prep can make the pathway to your career goals clear. Our Dental Hygiene program is designed to fit your busy life so you can make progress in your career with confidence. 

Whether it’s helping you earn credit for general education and prerequisite courses, preparing for the Admissions Test for Dental Hygiene exam, providing tutoring for core dental hygiene courses, or preparing you to successfully pass the NBDHE — Achieve will be with you every step of the process to becoming a dental hygienist and beginning your new career.