“Emphasizing effective, non-judgmental communication is crucial for gaining patient trust. You take on several roles as a dental hygienist, including clinician, psychologist, dental liaison, and educator. Mastering the ability to juggle all these roles seamlessly ensures a rewarding career that encourages people to take their oral health more seriously.”
Heather Paul, CRDH, CBDH
Dental hygienists are a crucial part of the dental healthcare workforce. They examine patients for oral disease, provide preventative dental care, and educate their patients about oral health. As the general population lives longer (and keeps more of their teeth), more dental hygienists will be needed to provide basic dental services that keep patients smiling. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS 2024), job openings for dental hygienists are set to grow 7 percent between 2022 and 2032, with approximately 16,300 new job openings each year, on average.
The role of the dental hygienist has changed significantly in recent years, and organizations such as the American Dental Hygienists’ Association (ADHA) are pushing for expanded educational opportunities and wider scopes of practice for dental hygienists. Those efforts could help expand access to high-quality, cost-effective dental care for millions of Americans.
Currently, 49 states allow dental hygienists to administer local anesthesia. More states may soon follow suit.
To learn more about how to become a dental hygienist, read on.
Meet the Expert: Heather Paul, CRDH, CBDH
Heather Paul has been a certified registered and biological dental hygienist for over 29 years. She grew up on farms in Minnesota and Wisconsin but moved to Florida in the 1980s. Her parents were hippies who loved all things natural, inspiring her wellness journey. This path became even more significant when one of her twin daughters developed serious health problems, including food allergies. However, it wasn’t until 2010 that Paul began investigating the chemicals in commercial beauty and oral care products.
On a mission to provide patients with the cleanest, most effective oral care products on the market, Paul created Simply Silver mouthwash, toothpaste, and breath spray. She is the author of The Great Tooth Deception, Dentistry for Dummies, and children’s book Dorothy and the Tale of the Lost Tooth. She is also a public speaker, practicing clinician, personal dental consultant, wife, and mom to beautiful twin daughters. She resides in Tampa, FL and loves spending time with her family and the beach.
HealthcareDegree.com: What is something most people don’t know about being a dental hygienist?
Paul: Let’s face it: most people do not enjoy going to the dentist. One of the key components of being a successful dental provider is learning how to help people cope with not just dental anxiety but anxiety in general.
Listening to patients and making them feel safe in an environment where many feel “unsafe” can greatly enhance their dental experience. Emphasizing effective, non-judgmental communication is crucial for gaining patient trust. You take on several roles as a dental hygienist, including clinician, psychologist, dental liaison, and educator. Mastering the ability to juggle all these roles seamlessly ensures a rewarding career that encourages people to take their oral health more seriously.
HealthcareDegree.com: What is one piece of advice you would give to an aspiring dental hygienist?
Paul: When I graduated from dental hygiene school, wearing dental loupes was not commonplace. Call me “old school,” but I was taught proper ergonomics in dental hygiene school. However, in the real world, this did not exactly work out. Years of craning my neck to see into the dark caverns of the oral cavity led to chronic neck pain. Invest in a pair of loupes that allow you to keep a neutral neck position to avoid permanent damage.
Additionally, making time for monthly massages and/or chiropractic visits is important. Taking care of your body as you care for others is essential for having a long and productive career. Spend the money—you’re worth it!
Dental Hygienist Specializations and Degree Types
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Dental hygienists will need at least an associate degree in order to practice. However, many go on to complete bachelor’s degrees, which allows for future training at the graduate level.
Depending on a state’s scope of practice laws, advanced dental hygienists may choose to specialize as dental therapists and enjoy a higher level of practice authority.
Admissions Requirements for Dental Hygienist Programs
For associate-level degree programs, aspiring dental hygienists will need a high school diploma or GED, as well as some prerequisite courses in anatomy and biology.
For bachelor’s-level degree completion programs, aspiring dental hygienists will need an associate degree in dental hygiene and a current dental hygienist license.
For master’s-level degree programs, dental hygienists will need a competitive undergraduate GPA (3.0 or greater), a current dental hygienist license, letters of recommendation, and a personal statement.
Dental Hygienist Program Accreditation
Entry-level education programs for dental hygienists may be accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA). Established in 1975, it is the only agency authorized to accredit dental and dental-related education programs conducted at the post-secondary level.
On-Campus Dental Hygienist Programs
New York University (Associate Degree)
NYU offers a fast-track associate’s degree program in dental hygiene that can be completed in as little as 17 months. The first of its kind in New York State, it’s designed to provide the same high-quality education as a two- to three-year program in a more concentrated period.
Courses include subjects such as oral anatomy; principles of dental hygiene; periodontics; pharmacology; and oral health education. The program consists of 78 credits.
- Location: Manhattan, NY
- Duration: 17 months
- Accreditation: Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA)
Foothill College (Bachelor’s Degree)
Foothill College offers an on-campus bachelor of science degree in dental hygiene. The curriculum follows a ‘2+2’ format, which consists of two years of prerequisite courses followed by two years of dental hygiene courses.
The program is highly academic, emphasizing evidence-based practice and clinical skills. Graduates will be prepared to take national and state licensure exams.
- Location: Los Altos Hills, CA
- Duration: Four years
- Accreditation: Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA)
University of Washington (Master’s Degree)
The master of science in dental hygiene program at the University of Washington is designed to train dental hygienists to be educators and teachers.
The required coursework covers areas such as microbiology; immunology; anatomy and physiology; oral pathology; and biostatistics. Electives are available on a wide range of subjects, including clinical literature reviews; local anesthesia; clinical stomatology; and craniofacial anatomy. The program consists of at least 70 credits and includes a capstone research project.
- Location: Seattle, WA
- Duration: Two years
- Accreditation: Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU)
Online or Hybrid Dental Hygienist Programs
Oregon Institute of Technology (Bachelor’s Degree Completion)
This online degree completion program at Oregon Tech allows graduates to complete a bachelor of science in dental hygiene. In order to be eligible, applicants must already hold a dental hygienist license.
The professional courses in this program cover areas such as dental practice management, evidence-based decision-making in healthcare, and small group and team communication. The program consists of 194 credits, 45 of which must be taken at Oregon Tech.
- Location: Klamath Falls, OR
- Duration: Two years
- Accreditation: Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU)
Ohio State University (Bachelor’s Degree Completion)
Ohio State University’s online bachelor’s degree completion program in dental hygiene offers a flexible curriculum for licensed dental hygienists who want to advance their education. The program includes sections on general education, advanced dental hygiene, and areas of specialization.
Advanced dental hygiene courses cover topics such as periodontal therapy; research methods and interpretation; practice management; and oral health behavior management. The program consists of 120 credits.
- Location: Columbus, OH
- Duration: Two years
- Accreditation: North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCA)
UT Health San Antonio (Master’s Degree)
The online master of science in dental hygiene program at UT Health San Antonio is designed to prepare graduates for leadership roles in various settings.
The curriculum includes courses such as biostatistics, public health policy, health promotion, professional communications, and research principles and applications. Students will also complete a preclinical training practicum, clinical training practicum, research apprenticeship, and thesis. The program consists of 36 credits.
- Location: San Antonio, TX
- Duration: Two to three years
- Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACSCOC)
How Long Does It Take to Become a Dental Hygienist?
Generally speaking, it can take as few as two to three postsecondary school years to become a dental hygienist. But faster is not always better. Some of the best dental hygienists choose to earn bachelor’s and master’s degrees, taking longer to enter into the profession, but arriving in leadership roles.
How to Become a Dental Hygienist – Step-by-Step Guide
Step 1: Earn an Associate’s Degree (Two to Three Years)
After graduating from high school (or completing a GED), aspiring dental hygienists will need to earn an associate’s degree that is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA).
These are generally in-person programs, as students will receive didactic as well as clinical training. As part of their postsecondary education, aspiring dental hygienists should expect to complete between 550 and 700 hours of clinical work.
Step 2: Obtain Licensure (Timeline Varies)
After completing their undergraduate degree, aspiring dental hygienists will need to obtain licensure. Specific requirements will vary from state to state. Generally speaking, dental hygienists will need to pass the written National Board Dental Hygiene Examination, as well as a state’s clinical-based exam.
Specific requirements are dictated by each state’s Board of Dental Examiners; you can find a contact list of all state dental boards on the American Dental Association website.
Step 3: Complete a Bachelor’s Degree (Two Years, Optional)
After obtaining licensure, a dental hygienist may choose to complete a bachelor’s degree. While it’s not a requirement in order to practice, licensed dental hygienists will find a number of online degree-completion options that allow them to complete a bachelor’s degree while maintaining a work schedule.
Dental hygienists with bachelor’s degrees are well prepared to pursue continuing education, take on leadership roles, and advance within the dental hygienist profession.
Step 4: Earn a Master’s Degree (One to Two, Years, Optional)
While it’s not a requirement to practice, some dental hygienists may choose to pursue a master’s degree in dental hygiene.
After developing core competencies for such programs in 2011, the American Dental Hygienists’ Association (ADHA) has recently revised its standards for graduate programs in dental hygiene. Dental hygienists with master’s degrees are prepared to assume leadership roles within multidisciplinary dental teams and help determine the course of the dental hygiene profession.
What Do Dental Hygienists Do?
Dental hygienists examine patients, provide preventative care, and educate patients about oral health. Their precise scope of practice, and their level of autonomy, will vary by state and by individual setting.
Some common tasks of dental hygienists include:
- Assessing patients’ oral health
- Applying sealants and fluorides to help protect teeth
- Conducting preliminary patient exams
- Documenting patient care and treatment plans
- Performing dental x-rays
- Polishing patients’ teeth
- Removing tartar, plaque, and stains from patients’ teeth
Dental Hygienist Certifications & Licensure
All states require dental hygienists to be licensed in order to practice, but specific requirements vary from state to state.
For most states, dental hygienists will need to obtain a degree from an accredited dental hygiene program, pass the written National Board Dental Hygiene Examination, and pass any state or regional clinical board exams.
Each state’s Board of Dental Examiners dictates specific requirements; the American Dental Association website provides a contact list of all state dental boards.
How Much Do Dental Hygienists Make?
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS May 2023), the average annual wage for the 211,630 dental hygienists across the country was $89,890 with the following percentiles:
- 10th percentile: $65,110
- 25th percentile: $78,010
- 50th percentile (median): $87,530
- 75th percentile: $100,630
- 90th percentile: $118,400
Dental Hygienist Career Alternatives
Become a Dental Assistant
Dental assistants perform administrative tasks and some clinical tasks in dental offices. The precise scope of practice for dental assistants will vary from state to state; licensure and certification requirements will, too.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS 2024), the need for dental assistants is set to grow 7 percent between 2022 and 2032.
- Typical Education: Associate degree
- Licensing or Certifying Organization: Dental Assisting National Board (DANB)
Become a Dentist
Dentists diagnose and treat problems with patients’ teeth, gums, and related parts of the mouth. They may own their own practice, co-own a practice with partners, or work as part of the dental team at a healthcare facility. Dentists may also go on to specialize in areas such as oral surgery or orthodontics.
- Typical Education: Doctor of dental surgery (DDS) or doctor of dental medicine (DMD)
- Licensing or Certifying Organization: National Board Dental Examinations (NBDE)
Become a Medical Assistant
Medical assistants perform administrative and clinical tasks in a variety of different healthcare settings. While most medical assistants will have post-secondary education and obtain professional certification, neither is a strict requirement in order to practice.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS 2024), the need for medical assistants is set to grow 14 percent by 2032.
- Typical Education: Associate degree
- Licensing or Certifying Organization: American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA)
Matt Zbrog
WriterMatt Zbrog is a writer and researcher from Southern California. Since 2018, he’s written extensively about trends within the healthcare workforce, with a particular focus on the power of interdisciplinary teams. He’s also covered the crises faced by healthcare professionals working at assisted living and long-term care facilities, both in light of the Covid-19 pandemic and the demographic shift brought on by the aging of the Baby Boomers. His work has included detailed interviews and consultations with leaders and subject matter experts from the American Nurses Association (ASCA), the American College of Health Care Administrators (ACHCA), and the American Speech-Language Hearing Association (ASHA).
Rachel Drummond, MEd
WriterRachel Drummond has written about integrating contemplative movement practices such as yoga into healthcare professions since 2019, promoting the idea that mental and physical well-being are critical components of effective patient care and self-care in the high-stress world of healthcare.
Rachel is a writer, educator, and coach from Oregon. She has a master’s degree in education (MEd) and has over 15 years of experience teaching English, public speaking, and mindfulness to international audiences in the United States, Japan, and Spain. She writes about the mind-body benefits of contemplative movement practices like yoga on her blog, inviting people to prioritize their unique version of well-being and empowering everyone to live healthier and more balanced lives.