How do I become a dental hygenist?

Davina David: Do NOT become a dental hygienist in the USA. It takes 2 to 4 years of college (you can get an AS or BS degree in dental hygiene, doesn't matter which you get because it doesn't matter which degree unless you want to get a masters in something else later and teach). It takes a long time to get INTO a program and have to complete courses before even applying. It isn't cheap to go to a dental hygiene program, even at a community college. AND after all that you have to take a regional exam (regional means you can't work in every US state as a hygienist. Your license does NOT transfer to all states) and get a state license in the state you plan to work in.Then after all that and paying all that money you will either NOT find any work as a hygienist or only find jobs offering 1 or 2 days a week only! Most dentists do NOT offer any benefits for hygienists, not even health insurance. Do NOT become a hygienist right now. Colleges will tell you they are in demand but ! in reality we are in a recession and many people are not going to dental offices for teeth cleanings which results in less dental hygiene job openings.If I could go back to 2006 I never would have enrolled in dental hygiene and would have picked nursing instead!...Show more

Ermelinda Stalnaker: Dental hygienists in the United States must be graduates from a dental hygiene program, with either an associate degree (most common), a certificate, a bachelor's degree or a master's degree from a dental hygienist school that is accredited by the American Dental Association. All dental hygienists in the United States must be licensed by the state in which they practice, after completing a minimum of two years of school and passing a written board as well as a clinical board exam. Dental hygienists school programs usually require both general education courses and courses specific to the field of dental hygiene. General education courses important to dental hygiene degrees incl! ude college level algebra, biology, and chemistry. Courses spe! cific to dental hygiene may include anatomy, oral anatomy, materials science, pharmacology, radiography, periodontology, nutrition, and clinical skills....Show more