The Requirements Of Becoming A Dental Hygienist - Find Out About Dental Hygiene Schools And Programs
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Choosing to become a dental hygienist means preparing for your education as early as high school to ensure you have everything you need to be eligible for dental hygienist schools.
Dental Hygiene Program Prerequisites
If you plan on training in this field, you need to complete your high school degree or get a GED. You should also take courses in high school that will prepare you for the curriculum ahead, like math, English and science courses like biology and chemistry.
Also be sure to study hard because you will need to maintain a minimum of a C average to be considered, and of course you will need to take college entrance exams and submit those scores.
Additionally, you need to look into the specific requirements of the dental hygiene programs you are applying for, because besides the aforementioned requirements and being 18, some of them will also demand that you complete at least 1 year of college, and in certain cases, 2. If you go into a dental hygiene bachelor's program, you will also be obligated to take classes like chemistry, psychology, sociology and speech in college before you can apply.
Degree Options and Training
Upon meeting all the necessary requirements, your dental hygienist training will lead you to either a 2 year associate's degree in a community or vocational college or a 4 year bachelor's degree in a university.
The bachelor's degree will offer you advanced studies as well as a wider range of studies that will include more humanities courses, and it is necessary if you are considering going into research, teaching or administration, but if you simply want to work in a private clinic, an associate's degree is sufficient.
You will train for your job duties that will include making molds and teeth casts, polishing metal mouth gear, taking xrays and overall oral health care. Once you graduate from an accredited program, you will need to become a Registered Dental Hygienist by becoming licensed.
You will need to pass the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination and most likely an additional state exam to earn this certification.
Projected Salary
A dental hygienist's salary depends on a variety of factors; most importantly how much education they have, so taking formal education and getting an advanced degree is an asset. It is also based on how many years of work experience they have and the type of facility they work in; whether it be a small rural clinic or a large dental center in a busy metropolis.
When a hygienist first starts out, they can expect to make between $21,500 and $30,300 for about 4 years. After that, once they have attained more experience, the range is slightly higher, from about $23,800 to $37,000.
A dental hygienist is an interesting career choice that is ideal for those who like working with people and who want to help educate patients on oral health. It can be very rewarding and steady; an overall solid choice.
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