Many colleges and universities offer a dental hygiene major. Dental hygiene majors can pursue an associate of applied science degree, which takes about two years to compete. The associate degree track introduces the student to the dental hygiene field. Most general education coursework is completed in the first year of the associate program. In the second year, students receive hands-on clinical training in a dentist office or other health care setting. The coursework topics include human anatomy, dental hygiene, radiology, microbiology, periodontology and local anesthesia.
Student may also pursue a bachelor of science in dental hygiene, which takes about four years to complete. Many colleges and universities with a dental department offer this program. Students pursuing a bachelor's degree receive two years of hands-on, clinical experience. Many students who choose this track already hold an associate degree in the field. The bachelor's degree track focuses heavily on clinical training, but advanced topics are covered in the coursework including compromised patient care, anesthesia, dental pharmacology, ethics in dental science and clinical dental hygiene.
If you know you want to work in a dental office, but have not yet committed to dental hygiene, you may want to explore a major in dental or medical assisting. To be a dental or medical assistant, you must obtain an associate degree, which can be completed in about two years at a community or vocational college.
Dental assisting programs teach students how to schedule appointments, perform x-rays, set up dental trays, sterilize instruments and work beside dentists. Students studying medical assisting learn to schedule appointments and communicate effectively with patients. Medical assistants work with patients when they arrive for their appointment: they may check a patient in, ask questions about any dental issues and communicate with the dentist.