Should I Become a Registered Dental Hygienist?
Registered dental hygienists (RDHs) are licensed oral health care professionals who provide preventative dental care services and oral health care assessments. They work closely with dental assistants and dentists, but they are primarily responsible for cleaning teeth and performing dental examinations. They also might take and develop x-rays. An RDH educates patients and instructs them on how to properly perform essential oral health techniques, such as brushing and flossing. Protective garb is required to prevent the spread of infectious disease and for safety from x-rays. Many hours might be spent standing and leaning over patients. PayScale.com reported a median hourly wage of $32.00 for registered dental hygienists in January 2016.
|Degree Level||Associate degree required|
|Degree Field||Dental hygiene|
|Experience||None is required; some employers may prefer candidates with 1-2 years of job experience|
|Licensure and Certifications||Licensing required in all states; CPR certification typically required|
|Key Skills||Interpersonal skills, physical stamina, dexterity, compassion, ability to operate cleaning instruments and x-ray machines, detail-oriented|
Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Online Job Postings (July to August 2015), PayScale.com (July 2015)
Steps to become a Registered Dental Hygienist
Let's go over the steps you'll need to take to become a registered dental hygienist.
Step 1: Meet Requirements for Program Entry
Dental hygiene degree programs often have minimum ACT score and GPA requirements. They also typically require applicants to take specific college courses before being granted admission. Common prerequisite courses include anatomy and physiology, chemistry, mathematics, microbiology, sociology, and psychology.
Use high school classes to prepare for program applications. Dental hygiene degree programs are highly competitive. To stand out, high school students interested in earning associate degrees in dental hygiene should perform well in their classes, particularly in mathematics, chemistry, and biology.
Have a competitive GPA in prerequisite college courses. According to the American Dental Hygienists' Association, dental hygiene programs strongly consider college science GPA when admitting students.
Step 2: Complete a Dental Hygiene Degree Program
An associate degree in dental hygiene is the most common educational path. Coursework in an associate degree program typically includes head and neck anatomy, dental radiology, dental anatomy, oral pathology, periodontology, pharmacology, and dental materials. These programs also require hands-on clinical and laboratory courses. Students learn to use dental equipment and practice techniques on dentistry manikins and then on patients, under the supervision of instructors. Some of the subjects covered include examining patients, removing plaque deposits, treating periodontal disease, administering nitrous oxide, and exposing radiographs.
Develop people and communication skills. These skills are necessary to interact effectively with patients and staff members and to be successful as an RDH. While in school, students can take advantage of courses in speech and psychology.
Step 3: Become Licensed
All dental hygienists must meet state licensing requirements. After graduating from an accredited dental hygiene program, dental hygienists must pass the written National Board Dental Hygiene Examination and complete a clinical board examination at either the regional or the state level. Continuing education courses must be taken throughout a dental hygienist's career to maintain licensure. Since state licensing requirements can vary, an individual may have to complete additional steps before becoming licensed. Some states may require CPR certification and a jurisprudence exam, while others may request college transcripts and letters of recommendation from dentists.
Step 4: Consider a Bachelor's or Master's Degree for Career Advancement
A dental hygienist may find advanced career opportunities as a clinical instructor, researcher, or clinical practitioner for school health programs. To pursue these career options, RDHs usually must have a bachelor's or master's degree. Hygienists can find dental hygiene bachelor's and master's programs both on campus and online.
To become a registered dental hygienist, you'll need to complete a dental hygienist program and become licensed.