Today's Dental Hygienist

Dental hygiene is one of the fastest growing sectors of the workforce, and projected estimates state that this trend will continue in force for the better part of the decade. As a result of the popularity of this exciting and challenging field, there are many colleges and universities that offer either Associate’s or Bachelor’s degrees in dental hygiene in addition to advanced graduate programs as well.

The big difference between the Associate’s and Bachelor’s degree programs are that the two year degrees are geared for preparing students to begin a career as a hygienist. This is by far the most popular and accessible route students choose to take, however there are some distinct advantages to earning a Bachelor’s as well.

The main reason students choose the four year degree track is to prepare them to pursue niche areas or do enter into graduate studies to prepare them for a host of professional opportunities outside of the dental office. This can include teaching, researching and administering oral care programs in public health settings.

For graduates just entering the field, both degrees are entry points for careers in the dental industry. Salaries for either degree are about the same, and much of the compensation will be based on experience and capabilities more than the degree itself.

Most programs will have basic courses in chemistry, anatomy and biology in addition to other general education requirements such as composition and social sciences. For degree specific information, it is important to contact each school individually as their programs may differ from one another.

However, many common courses will include introductions into oral hygiene and the basic fundamental concepts and practices. Additional courses will include topics such as community dental health, aerodonetics, ethics and reviewing dental literature. These are just some of the basic courses, and they do not include the clinical hours that most states require in addition to class-work. Each state differs in their requirements and procedures, so check with your local regulatory agency or school for more specific information.

Becoming a dental hygienist is the beginning of a rewarding and exciting career in the oral care field, and the job market looks stable and secure, and compensation and benefits are comparably better than many other degrees today. Many schools offer various scheduling options and course layouts, but most of the content is the same. Choosing the right one will have a lot to do with your schedule, lifestyle and learning preferences, but there are many opportunities out there to explore in this exciting and rewarding field.