So You Want to Become a Dental Hygienist? Here’s What You Need to Know

If you are considering a career in dental hygiene, you are making a smart move. A dental hygienist helps patients maintain optimal oral health by cleaning teeth, giving fluoride treatments, taking x-rays, teaching brushing techniques and assisting the dentist with a variety of other duties. Dental hygienists are in demand in offices, hospitals, and other health care facilities throughout the United States.

Steps to Becoming a Dental Hygienist

Becoming a dental hygienist requires at least an associate degree. Here are the steps you should take to start your journey:

Step 1: Get an Education

You will need to earn an associate degree in dental hygiene. The two years of the program will focus on the science behind teeth and gums, such as nutrition, anatomy, physiology, and pathophysiology. The last half of the program will be on dental health topics like radiology, patient education, preventive care, sealants and fluoride treatments. Along with classroom time, you will also learn hands-on skills in a lab setting.

Step 2: Get Licensed

Once you finish your degree, you must pass a licensure exam. Licensure is required in almost all states, and can be done through the American Dental Association’s Commission on Dental Accreditation.

Step 3: Get Experience

After passing the licensure exam, you can start earning experience in the field. Depending on the state youre in, you may need to complete on-the-job training or enroll in a dental hygiene program.

Step 4: Get Certified

Getting certified will help you stand out in the job market and may open up more career opportunities. Becoming certified involves passing a comprehensive exam and undergoing background checks.

Whats Next for Dental Hygienists?

The future of the dental hygiene profession looks to be promising. With an expected job growth of 11% by 2029, dental hygienists should be in high demand in the years to come. Additionally, artificial intelligence (AI) is beginning to play an increasingly larger role in the field. With new developments in automated procedures, robotic dental hygienists could soon be a common sight in offices across the United States.

Advice for Aspiring Dental Hygienists

If you’re interested in becoming a dental hygienist, you must be willing to dedicate to a few more years of school and training before you can break into the profession. Once you start your journey, you should have no trouble finding a great job in a rewarding field of work.

Conclusion

Being a dental hygienist is a great career choice for anyone interested in helping people maintain their oral health. With the right training, certification and experience, you can be on your way to a career that offers plenty of rewards.