How long does it take to become a dental hygienist right out of high school?!
Question:
How long does it take to become a dental hygienist right out of high school?
Answers:
about 2 years = details below
To enter a university or college program, you should complete three courses in math including algebra I, algebra II and geometry, or a higher level math course for which algebra II is a prerequisite; three science courses including one biological science, one physical science and one lab course; four English units and two social studies units, including one in U.S. History; and two years of foreign language.
To enter a community college program, you must have a high school diploma or equivalent with courses in algebra, biology and chemistry.
Academic Requirements
Dental hygienists are eligible for state licensure after graduation from an
educational program accredited by the American Dental Association Commission on Dental Accreditation and after successfully completing a written National Board Dental Hygiene Examination and the state licensure examination, which includes both written and clinical examinations. Training is available from a community college (two-year program), and from a university three or four-year program. All programs cover anatomy, oral care, X-rays, and related topics.
For More Information
A merican Dental Hygienists’ Association
444 North Michigan, Suite 3400
Chicago, IL 60611
(312) 440-8900
Fax: (312) 440-6780
http://www.adha.org
National Dental Hygienists Association
3517 16th Street, NW
Washington, DC 20010
(202) 588-1697
Fax: (202) 588-1244
Dental Hygenist School Curriculum
Dental hygienist schools offer associate, bachelor, and even master's degrees. Training is provided in several key areas, including advising patients on proper dental hygiene, cleaning teeth, taking X-rays, operating and sterilizing dental equipment, and preparing dental adhesives and anesthesia.
Although coursework will vary depending on the level of study, it generally includes a combination of clinical, laboratory, and classroom instruction. Topics of study include anatomy, clinical dental hygiene, dental materials, nutrition, pathology, periodontology, pharmacology, and radiography.