To become a dental hygienist, an associate degree should be acquired that includes courses in a clinical, laboratory, and classroom instruction in subjects like physiology, anatomy, microbiology, chemistry, radiography, pharmacology, periodontology, nutrition, behavioral and social sciences, and clinical dental hygiene. In addition, it is mandatory in every state that all dental hygienists be licensed.ĭental hygienists clean patient’s teeth and teach good oral hygiene while providing a wide range of dental preventive services. While the requirements vary state by state and institution by institution, they generally call for completing an accredited educational program as well as passing the practical and written competency examinations. If you complete an AAS degree, it is less likely all your credits will transfer, as the applied science degree is meant to get you into the field, not prepare you for further education.Īll three of these degrees can take 2 to 3 years to complete. Those who complete an AS or AA degree can also pursue a bachelor's and master's degrees to increase their potential earnings and have more job opportunities available to them. These programs feature a mix of clinical lab and classroom education experiences. What Dental Hygiene Associates Degrees are Available?Ī dental hygiene or dental health degree program is usually offered as an Associate of Science (AS), Associate of Applied Science (AAS), or Associate of Arts (AA) in Dental Hygiene. Those who complete the two or three-year program may pursue a bachelor's and/or a master's degree to increase their job opportunities and earnings potential. If you’re planning on advancing your education later in your career, the credits you earn during your associate program could count toward earning a bachelor’s or master’s degree in oral health, public health policy, healthcare leadership, or another focus after you've become a dental hygienist. Associate degree programs are most often offered by community and career colleges. These feature a blend of clinical lab experiences mixed with classroom dental hygiene education. These dental hygiene programs usually last two years and are typically offered as an Associate of Science degree from a liberal arts college or a trade program, both of which may offer financial aid. Dental hygiene programs will provide current students with classes in dental hygiene education content and general education curriculum. Overview of an Associate Degree in Dental HygieneĪn associate degree in dental hygiene teaches students how to provide preventive dental hygiene care for teeth and gums to a patient as well as administer various dental treatments to reverse diseases and oral pathology and maintain oral health.
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