Dental Hygienist Schools Enrich Oral Health Care
Individuals who want to have a career as an oral hygienists are encouraged to attend dental hygienist schools where they can earn an associate degree, bachelor’s degree, or master’s degree. Preventive oral health care education is provided to those who choose to pursue any of the above-mentioned degrees. The only criterion that anybody who is intending to join these courses should keep in mind is that the school should be an accredited one.
About 301 dental hygiene programs have been approved by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA). The programs are being taught in numerous dental hygienist schools across the country. Often, there are certain prerequisites that need to be met before one can join the programs in dental hygienist schools. For instance, applicants must have a high school diploma and must have at least the minimum score in a college entrance test. There are advanced programs where applicants must have a definite period of study in college or substantial university experience.
The kind of degree you have chosen to study decides the kind of career you are going to have in the oral health care field. For the accredited dental hygienist schools where you live, go through the list by the American Dental Hygienist Association. If you have a specific dental hygienist school in mind, get in touch with CODA for more information regarding the school’s accreditation. Some universities and training colleges even offer dental hygiene programs as online courses which can be pursued through remote learning mode.
Depending on the program you have opted for, you are likely to receive your degree and qualification. Obtaining a formal degree is just the first step in carving a career in the field of oral health care. Once you have your degree, the next step is to obtain your license so you can practice your profession in your state.
You also need to take the American Dental Association’s written exam and pass it. To obtain the RDH (Registered Dental Hygienist) license, the individual has to sit for a state clinical exam. In other states, the test on the legal aspects associated with dentistry must be passed by those who aspire to become oral hygienists. They must pass these exams; otherwise, they can’t practice as oral hygienists.
To become an oral hygienist, the minimum requirement is a two-year associated degree that comprise of classroom education and laboratory work. Securing a job in a periodontist office is recommended for those who want to train further while they work.
The older generation of dentists, who were not so forthcoming about hiring oral hygienists to assist them, is on the verge of retirement. When they retire, the younger dentists may likely hire more oral hygienists. This, in turn, will open up job opportunities for these professionals. Besides, the ever-growing human population is likely to create the need for more oral health professionals which will be fulfilled by the multitude of dental hygienist schools dotting the academic space.
The role the dental hygienist schools play in contributing to the proper functioning and improvement of oral health care is commendable. There are many places where oral hygienists can find employment: public health, community health care, institutions for the disabled, armed services, and other state-sponsored programs. These places offer steady income and plenty of career opportunities.
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