College Degrees Online

Earning a Dental Hygiene Education

Courtesy of The American Dental Hygienists' Association

(http://www.adha.org/careerinfo/rdhedu.htm)

A dental hygienist is a licensed preventive oral health professional who provides educational, clinical, and therapeutic services to the public. In order to become prepared to perform these services, the dental hygienist requires an extensive educational background.

Admission requirements and prerequisites vary from institution to institution, but generally include many of the following:
  • high school diploma or GED
  • 18 year age minimum
  • high school courses in mathematics, chemistry, biology, English
  • minimum “C” average in high school
  • college entrance test scores
  • depending on the institution, prerequisite courses in chemistry, English, speech, psychology and sociology
Dental hygiene education is a minimum of 2 years, but can be as long as 4 years.
  • 2 year programs offer a diploma, certificate, or associate degree
  • 4 year programs offer a baccalaureate degree
  • Master’s level programs are offered for those interested in education, research, or administration
An accredited dental hygiene program requires an average of 1,948 clock hours of curriculum. This includes 585 clock hours of supervised clinical dental hygiene instruction.
  • general education courses including English, speech, psychology and sociology
  • basic science courses including general chemistry, anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, microbiology, pathology, nutrition, and pharmacology
  • dental science courses including dental anatomy, head and neck anatomy, oral embryology and histology, oral pathology, radiography, periodontology, pain control and dental materials
  • dental hygiene science courses including oral health education and preventive counseling, patient management, clinical dental hygiene, community dental health, medical and dental emergencies including basic life support, and legal and ethical aspects of dental hygiene practice
  • supervised instruction in pre-clinical and clinical practice

Featured Dental Assistant Schools

Vatterott College - Healthcare Program
IA, IL, KS, MO, NE, OK, TN
Vatterott College's innovative, hands-on training helps you build the life you want. Everything we teach has practical, real-world value. Earn your certificate, diploma, or bachelor's degree in Trade, Technology, Healthcare, Design, or Administrative fields and start your future. Our expert instructors and flexible schedules enable you to get the skills employers demand-fast. When can you start?
Penn Foster Schools - Health Services
Looking for an edge in your career? Penn Foster offers affordable, career-focused distance education programs designed to give you the skills you need to launch a new career in one of today’s hottest, most in-demand fields. Study online, in print, or in combination, and take advantage of our expert faculty and friendly support staff. Program options include business, health services, technology, engineering, criminal justice, paralegal studies and many more.
Herzing College
USA: AL, FL, GA, LA, WI // Canada: MB, ON, QC
Take control of your career. Since 1965, Herzing College has prepared over 35,000 graduates for computer and business-oriented careers. Herzing's state-of-the-art campuses offers day and evening classes in Design/CAD, Electronics/Telecommunications and Information Technology. Earn the certificates employers demand like Microsoft, CIW, and IWA. Herzing graduates have found employment at highly respected companies.
Westwood College
CA, CO, IL, TX
Your future in technology starts right here. Westwood College of Technology is committed to student success. Our staff will get to know you personally, and they'll give you the support you need to establish and achieve your goals. Programs in Computer Programming and Software Technology, CAD / Architectural Drafting, Computer Network Engineering and Graphic Design & Multimedia can be completed in as little as 17 months. An IT Professional Certificate Program is also offered. Extensive job placement assistance is available.
Western Career College
Multiple Locations in California
Western Career College offers the programs that can help you begin a new career. Choose from Healthcare, Massage Therapy, Pharmacy Technology, Veterinary Services, Criminal Justice, Design & Visual Arts, or Business & Information Systems.
Apollo College
Albuquerque, Boise, Mesa, Phoenix, Portland, Spokane, Tucson
A rewarding career in healthcare begins with a degree from Apollo College. Choose from highly respected programs in Healthcare, Dental Assisting, Massage Therapy, and Veterinary Services. Our faculty of real-world professionals will provide you with the knowledge you need to succeed. Each of our seven conveniently located campuses feature state-of-the-art laboratories. Apollo has helped over 45,000 graduates realize their dream of a career in healthcare. Now it’s your turn.
Missouri College
St. Louis, MO
Why work for years before entering the career field you want? At Missouri College, located in St. Louis, students can receive diplomas in as little as eight months, readying them to start their careers in health care, computers or business. With 13 disciplines to choose from, there’s sure to be an option for you at Missouri College.
Vet Tech Institute
Pittsburgh, PA
Let the Vet Tech Institute in Pittsburgh train you for a rewarding career helping animals in need. Through a combination of real-world experience and hands-on learning, you’ll gain the skills you need to make your mark as a veterinary technician.