Individuals who are interested in becoming dental hygienists in Chicago should complete a dental hygiene program in Illinois. For example, they can enroll in the College of DuPage Dental Hygiene Program in Glen Ellyn, which leads to an associate degree in dental hygiene. They also can complete a dental hygiene bachelor's degree program at Southern Illinois University in Carbondale or an associate degree program at Prairie State College in Chicago Heights. Dental hygiene programs should be accredited by the American Dental Association and prepare students to be licensed by the state of Illinois so that they can easily seek work in Chicago. Programs include classroom instruction along with lab and clinical experiences.
Before officially entering a program in dental hygiene, students must complete pre-requisite courses in areas such as the social/behavioral sciences and physical sciences. Students also might have to take college placement and health occupation tests and submit proof that they have observed a dental hygienist at work. High school/college transcripts and standardized test scores also typically are required.
Classes that prepare students to become dental hygienists in Chicago cover topics such as oral pathology, periodontics and dental radiology. Students also study community dental health, dental materials and dental hygiene theory. They learn dental tooth anatomy, head and neck anatomy, microbiology, dental pharmacology and medical emergencies. Bachelor's degree dental hygiene students additionally learn about research methodology and dental office procedure, which prepares them for health care educator or management roles.
In required program clinical experiences, students practice performing dental exams, oral cleanings, X-ray procedures, pit and fissure sealant procedures, fluoride treatments and other dental hygiene services on real patients. Dental hygiene students in a clinical setting are supervised by professors and dentists. They usually must perform clinical experiences at a college's on-site dental hygiene clinic in addition to completing rotations at off-site areas such as long-term care facilities, migrant camps, Head Start programs or community dental centers.
Completing a degree program that is nationally accredited by the American Dental Association makes students eligible for licensure, which is required to work as a dental hygienist in Chicago. Graduates must complete a written national board dental hygiene examination as well as a state or a U.S. regional clinical examination. For example, Southern Illinois University in Carbondale is a testing site for the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination. The university also is a testing site for the North East Regional Board clinical examination, which aspiring Chicago dental hygienists would take. Each state board whose members participate in the regional board accepts the results of these regional clinical examinations in place of its own individually administered clinical exam.