Dental hygienist training is becoming a greater need as more and more individuals decide to enter the field of dentistry. Trends indicate that as oral care and health continues on the incline, the need for dental hygienists will rise in suit. This career choice is gaining in popularity due to the large salary , clean work environment, and overall low level of stress.
In order to become a dental hygienist, there are a variety of paths that one may take. They must attend an ADA (American Dental Association) accredited school and graduate its dental hygiene program with a certificate, an associate’s degree (most common method), a bachelor’s degree, or a master’s degree.
It is important to seek programs that are ADA accredited. In the United States, there are nearly 200 schools or universities that offer dental hygienist training. Individuals must graduate high school with a diploma or GED to be eligible for acceptance into one of the dental programs.
To complete the certificate or associate’s dental program, the usual term of length for these two programs are two years. To obtain a BS (Bachelor’s of Science) in dental hygiene, the program length is usually four years. It is common for many individuals that have an associate’s degree or certification and enter the bachelor’s program to further their education and careers. Any student that is interested in a degree past the bachelor’s degree will enter into graduate school which normally takes around two years to complete.
A few of the courses of general study that accompany dental hygienist training are chemistry, biology and computer science. The major courses related to a dental hygiene program an individual may encounter are:
1st Semester:
Dental Biology
Oral Radiology
Head and Neck Anatomy
Oral Health Education
Introduction to Clinic
2nd Semester:
Nitrous Oxide and Local Anesthesia
General and Dental Pathology
Patient Management and Geriatrics
Clinical Practice I
Nutrition and Dentistry
Third Semester:
Periodontics I
Pharmacology
Dental Materials
Advanced Clinicals
Clinical Practice II
Fourth Semester:
Periodontics 2
Financial Management and Practice
Clinical Practice III
Community Dental Healthcare
Jurisprudence and Ethics
After attending the ADA accredited school for dental hygienist training, the individual must then complete a written board exam and a clinical board exam in the state they wish to practice in and pass both exams to become licensed to practice for that state. The board examinations come in five different versions, all varying on the region or state that the test is administered. The total cost of taking the clinical and written examinations is around $1000-$1200.
While taking the clinical exam, the student will complete a subject treatment (consisting of checking teeth and identifying problems), x-raying a subject, and, if qualified, giving anesthesia to a subject.
The written examination is not always necessary, but if it is, then the way it is administered will change from state to state also. Most states will require a multiple choice computerized test varying in length. There are a few states and regions that add essay-style questionnaires and have the student create an actual plan of care. The written portion of the examination is not required to be taken in a few states.
For those individuals that do complete the dental assistant training, the skills learned will allow them to excel in their future positions. This article should give those seeking new employment into the dental hygiene program a decent outlook of what to expect. I hope this helps.
Want to find out more about dental hygienist training then visit Courtney Teeter’s site for more information on related dental assistant training programs.
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