What Does a Career in Dental Hygiene Entail?
Dental hygiene involves providing dental care to patients in a dental office or clinic setting. A dental hygienist performs dental examinations, cleanings, x-rays, and other preventive oral health services. The position requires attention to detail, multitasking, accurate record-keeping, knowledge of head and neck anatomy and dental radiology, and insight. The skills of these professionals are crucial to providing adequate service and care to patients and are taught in a dental hygiene program. A registered dental hygienist is the first to examine a patient and to detect signs of disease or abnormalities and provide oral prophylaxis, including treatment planning and use of preventative agents. Dental education prepares graduates with dental hygiene education, whether they completed a certificate or associate degree, to gain employment and success working in clinical settings, examining patients and performing their assigned duties. Experience adds to the ability to solve problems that arise and provide important insights into the patient’s situation and needs. Dental hygienists must maintain their knowledge level and adapt to new practices, innovations, and trends by continuing their education, using critical thinking, and working in clinical practice.
There are various occupations and options that those who complete a dental hygiene program can pursue. Educational options include specializations for those who have a certificate or associate degree programs, or even a Bachelor of Science degree in one or more fields of dental hygiene, and the pursuit of a master’s degree to open leadership and educator roles outside of dental hygiene practice. Career options include government positions, public administration of oral health programs, public health education, working in clinical practice, and teaching.
What is the difference between a Dental Hygienist and a Dentist?
Licensed dental hygienists and dentists work together to provide complete, efficient, and cost-effective care for patients including patient education, dental health promotion, and therapeutic services. Hygienists and dentists have different areas of concern that overlap in actual practice. A registered dental hygienist often works as part of a dental team, performing the initial examination and other work that prepares for the dentist’s examination and any required treatment or treatment planning. A dental hygienist's responsibilities typically include exams, reporting abnormalities and possible conditions, and cleanings and other disease prevention activities. Dentists usually use information provided by a dental hygienist to examine the patient, determine the care required, provide local anesthesia, and more. Dentists perform care such as extractions, fillings, crowns, and other procedures.
A licensed dental hygienist can enter their field with a certificate or associate dental hygiene program, or they can earn a Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene. A dentist must attend a two- or four-year college level program and then complete four years of dental training and education that includes clinical practice under the supervision of a licensed doctor of dentistry. Dentists provide expert diagnosis, skilled treatment, and frequently have specializations beyond general dentistry. Dentists require a national or state license to practice dentistry and board certification for specializations.
Typical Dental Hygiene Degree Requirements
An online associate dental hygiene program requires a High School Diploma or GED for admission. Students that take science, chemistry, biology, and math coursework may have an advantage over those that do not. Each school sets standards and may add courses based on the applicant’s background and strength of record. The degree requires about 60 hours of semester credits divided equally between the general education and the dental hygiene educational core of major, minor, and elective courses.
A bachelor’s is a four-year degree that most students complete between four to six years of study. The requirements for admission to a bachelor’s program include a high school diploma or GED and any additional coursework the specific school may require. The degree requires about 120 credit hours, including about 60 hours of general education. A dental hygiene program major, related minor, and electives take about 60 semester hours. The average cost range is about $36,400 per year across public and private schools. Public schools charge lower rates and offer the lowest rates for in-state students.
An online master’s dental hygiene program requires a bachelor’s in any field, and additional coursework. Applicants with bachelor’s degrees in fields unrelated to dental hygiene may have additional coursework. Most students complete the degree in two to three years. The average annual tuition is about $8,670 at public universities and in the range of $29,960 at private universities.
Dental hygiene courses will cover pertinent subjects and may require prerequisite courses. These might vary from school to school, though most courses, including general education courses, will cover the same subjects. all available programs should give you the knowledge you need for dental hygiene licensure in the state where you attend school. Subjects might include the dental hygiene process, community oral health programs, dental materials, therapeutic services, disease prevention and disease control, head and neck anatomy, dental radiology, oral anatomy, training on infectious diseases, etc.
Typical Dental Hygiene Certifications Needed
Dental hygienists require a state administered written exam and a clinical assessment. Most states license dental hygienists or require some formal registration.
Academic Standards for Online Dental Hygiene Degree
The course of study for a dental hygiene program must be comprehensive and require a minimum of two years of study. The course of study should have classes and experiences to develop competent oral health care providers. Dental hygienist graduates must deliver optimal patient care in a wide variety of practice settings, and they should be prepared to meet the changing needs of the healthcare environment.
The standards for a dental hygiene program require competence in diagnosis to identify problems that the dental hygienist was trained to treat. Clinical competence is the goal of all basic clinical practice education for any student who will have to perform patient care. Laboratory instruction equips students to perform dental functions using models and simulations. A dental hygienist must also receive training that supports treatment for persons with disabilities or limited abilities.
Exam/Experience Needed for Dental Hygiene Degree
Each state sets their own requirements for registration and licensing dental hygienists. The typical requirements include at minimum the completion of an associate dental hygiene program from an accredited school and a passing score on standard written and clinical exams. Once licensed and registered, dental hygienists must meet any continuing education requirements. Because the application of drugs and other risks, many states require dental hygienists to have and maintain CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) certifications.
Degree and Tuition Cost Ranges
| Degree | tuition cost average | Full-time completion |
|---|---|---|
| Associate degree | $22,700 | two to three years |
| Bachelor’s degree | $36, 400 | four to six years |
| Master’s degree | $30, 500 | one to two years |
Earning Potential for Dental Hygiene Degree Fields and Occupations
Experience and Median Compensation
Entry level to mid-level compensation ranges describe the impact of experience on salary. These ranges also reflect the growth in the value of the occupation in the economy. Dental hygiene demand shows a national growth trend. Some Bureau of Labor and Statistics (BLS) information suggests that the greatest demand is in rural areas or areas with low availability of dental services.
The entry-level median is about $51,073, and the experienced level median salary is about $58,000 according to the BLS. The industry pattern suggests that in many metropolitan areas, dental hygienists work part-time, use flexible hours to fit their schedules, and can often work for more than one dental office or clinic.
Important Questions to Ask (FAQ)
How long does it take to earn a Dental Hygiene bachelor's degree online?
An online Bachelor’s Dental Hygiene program is a four-year degree. Online students can complete the degree in four years or eight semesters and graduate on time. Online students can pursue their degree on a part-time basis and use some on-campus classwork if they choose. Most schools set an upper limit for completing the degree. The typical upper limits are between six to eight years. However, if there are summer class options, or if you can carry a heavier credit load (over 15 credits per semester) you may be able to graduate early.
How much does an Online Dental Hygiene bachelor’s degree cost?
The costs of a degree will depend on the school, the tuition rates, the cost of living on or off campus, and expenses. The average costs across public, private, in-state, and out-of-state tuition costs is about $36,500 per year. In-state public school tuition averages about $9,970, public out of state tuition averages about $25,600, and the private college average tuition is about $34,800. Using the average cost figure of $36,500 per year, then the average cost of a four-year degree would be approximately $146,000.
Does the school have the major(s) you’re considering?
Dental hygienist students should try to align their job and career goals with the choice of school and/or dental hygiene program. If there are courses or subjects that seem important to job or career goals, then they should guide the selection of school or program.
How many students graduate “on time,” in four years?
Most students graduate either on time or within 150% of the four-year term (six years). The school’s graduation rate is an important piece of information when considering a selection. The experience of the entire student body will likely be the kind of experience that the applicant will have. Schools with low on-time graduation rates cost more as each additional year raises the cost of education by 25%. The Department of Education’s College Scorecard.ed.gov website provides details about costs and graduation rates.
What Kind of Accreditation Does the Online Program Hold? How is it Regarded in the Field?
Accreditation is vital to dental schools and dental hygiene programs. Many states require attendance at an accredited institution for registration or licensure. Employers and other educational institutions rely upon accreditation when considering an applicant’s school records. The Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) accredits dental schools and dental hygiene programs. CODA is the sole accreditation agency recognized by the Department of Education.
Professional Dental Hygiene Organizations
NDHA
National Dental Hygienists’ Association
NDHA is an excellent professional organization for the beginning or experienced dental hygienists. The association offers information and networking opportunities. It has continuing education programs to help members maintain good standing as licensed dental hygienists. The NDHA has an outreach and support activity to encourage greater minority participation in the profession.
ADHA
American Dental Hygienists’ Association
The ADHA association offers resources for new, experienced, and student dental hygienists. The SADHA has scholarship resources for undergraduate and graduate levels. It offers high-quality continuing dental hygiene education programs, and the ADHA has state-level organizations for professional members and students. It is an excellent networking resource for dental hygiene students and current practicing professionals of all levels of experience and fields of interest.
DALE
The DALE Foundation
The DALE Foundation is the ideal organization for students and dental hygienist professionals that wish to explore the career and occupation choices for dental hygiene students and graduates. This group features a wide range of continuing dental hygiene education that can reinforce or expand a graduate's skill set and knowledge base after they earn dental hygiene licensure. It offers study materials and informative insights into alternative hygiene related careers, innovative approaches to career development, and extensive career planning resources.
ADA
American Dental Association
The ADA is the leading professional and advocacy organization for the dental care professions. It provides up-to-date information for practitioners and the public. The ADA is a leader in promoting healthcare reforms for oral health and the association assists all levels of the profession with continuing dental hygiene education courses and resources.