Aspiring dental hygienists in Massachusetts can complete two-year associate degree programs at schools such as Bristol Community College in Fall River and Middlesex Community College in Lowell. Individuals who are interested in earning a bachelor's degree in dental hygiene, which prepares students for positions in leadership, education and research, can attend colleges such as the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences in Boston.
The Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences offers an accelerated bachelor's degree program in dental hygiene that lasts 33 months. The school also offers a 16-month bachelor's degree program for students who already have other bachelor's degrees, and even a master's degree program in community oral health for dental hygienists who hold bachelor's degrees.
When searching for dental hygiene programs in Massachusetts, students should look for those that are accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association (ADA).
Before enrolling in a Massachusetts dental hygiene program, students must have a high school diploma or GED. They typically also should have completed college courses in subjects such as chemistry, algebra, biology and English with no lower than a "B." With the admissions process being very competitive, programs usually look for applicants who have a grade point average of at least 2.0, and they require students to submit official college transcripts. In addition, students should prepare for a physical examination and criminal background check as well as college placement tests in reading, English and math. Schools, additionally, might require studentss to observe a dental hygienist at work and submit a personal essay as part of their application.
Massachusetts dental hygiene classes cover topics such as anatomy/physiology, general psychology, medical terminology, head and neck anatomy, dental materials and oral pathology. Students also learn about pain management, oral radiography, pharmacology for dental hygienists and oral health in the community. In addition, they gain knowledge of local anesthesia and periodontology, and have the opportunity to directly care for patients in a supervised clinic setting.
After completing dental hygiene training in Massachusetts, associate-degree students can look for jobs in private dental offices, while those who have earned bachelor's degrees or higher can teach in dental hygiene training programs. Dental hygienists in Massachusetts tend to migrate toward New Bedford, Leominster and Barnstable, where positions are more common relative to the population, according to CityTownInfo.com. Still, dental hygienists also can find many openings in Boston, Worcester and Springfield. Dental hygienists in Massachusetts must pass a written exam administered by the ADA's Joint Commission on National Dental Examinations, as well as a state or regional clinical exam, to be licensed.
Employment of dental hygienists is projected to increase 36 percent through 2018, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The outlook for these professionals remains positive in Massachusetts, where health care is a top industry in cities such as Boston, reports City-Data.com. The average annual salary of a dental hygienist in Massachusetts in 2010 was $57,000, according to SimplyHired.com.