Dental hygiene is a health profession. Hygienists work with clients of all ages, dentists, dental assistants and other health professionals with responsibilities for clinical practice, administration and health promotion.
Dental hygienists work in private dental offices, hospitals, public health clinics, dental schools and dental hygiene education programs.
Completion of Dental Hygiene Degree Programs Leads to High Salaries
Salaries for dental hygienists are competitive, varying by region, level of education and years of experience. The middle 50% of dental hygienists earn between $56,235 (U.S.) and $71,080, according to Salary.com. Dental hygienists at the higher end of the salary spectrum can earn $77,872 or more.
The American Dental Hygienists’ Association lists universities and colleges that offer educational and professional development opportunities in the field. The Association also notes that educational institutions require high school courses in math, chemistry, biology and English and that most dental hygiene program have limited enrollment.
Admissions to university dental hygiene programs are often highly competitive.
Dentistry Education for Dental Hygienists in Canada and the U.S.
The Faculty of Dentistry at the University of British Columbia offers two ways to become a dental hygienist and three options for dental hygienists with a dental hygiene diploma/certificate to earn a Bachelors degree in Dental Hygiene.
Dalhousie University, in Nova Scotia, Canada, offers a Bachelor of Dental Hygiene as a one year program. Enrollment is small, limited to 16 students for each entering year.
At Ohio State University, the Dental Hygiene Program is a four-year course of study leading to the Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene degree. Applicants to this program are expected to spend 20 hours or more of observation in a dental office to learn the role of the dental hygienist before applying.
The Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences offers both a four-year Bachelor of Science degree in dental hygiene as well as a 16-month post-baccalaureate degree for students who hold a bachelor’s degree in another subject area.
Bachelor of Science, Dental Hygiene Typical Degrees in Field
The University of Michigan offers a Bachelor of Science in dental hygiene as well as an online and on-campus completion degree program for students who hold associate level credentials.
The University of Minnesota has the only dental hygiene program in Minnesota that grants a baccalaureate degree and is affiliated with a dental school. Its enrollment is limited to just 24 students for each class and the program emphasizes scientific, scholarly, interpersonal communication and practice management skills.
Graduating with a dental hygiene degree proves achievement of an advanced level of study. Graduates have access to a variety of careers in this expanding dental field.
Shelley Aylesworth-Spink - Shelley Aylesworth-Spink has worked in support of communications, marketing and advertising for nearly 25 years in the private and public ...
