To gain acceptance into a dental hygiene program, you should have a high school diploma or general education diploma. Submit an application to and be accepted by, your school of choice as a student. Depending on the program and degree level, you may have to complete several pre-requisite college courses as well, such as biology, mathematics, English, chemistry and psychology, with a minimum grade point average determined by the program in which you engage.
Some colleges, such as Lansing Community College, require that you have a dental assistant degree or two years of relevant dental care experience, while other schools, such as Truckee Meadows Community College, require that you shadow in a dental office for at least eight hours. Just to make sure that this field is for you, it would be beneficial to following alongside a dental hygienist even if it is not required by the school.
To be accepted into a dental hygiene program, you will likely have to pass a health and criminal background exam and have all of the required immunizations, such as hepatitis shots and TB skin tests. The program of your choice may also require that you are certified in basic life support.
Potential dental hygienists enjoy working with people, have good communication skills and show dedication to the dentistry field.
The school you choose might require you to be a resident of the state in which the school is located to qualify, although this is not a requirement of all programs. A program information seminar, as well as meeting with the program director for a personal interview prior to acceptance, can be required before entering a school program. Financial aid, scholarships and grants are available to the students who qualify. Check with your school of choice to find out what financial aid programs are available for this coursework.