Dental hygiene school applicants are required to be at least 18 years old.
Dental hygiene school candidates are required to have a high school diploma or GED equivalent before their applications for admission will be considered. It is recommended that high school students interested in a dental hygiene career take courses in math, English, chemistry, and biology. Maintain good grades while in school; dental hygiene schools require applicants' GPA be a "C" (2.5 on a 4.0 scale) average or higher.
Students who wish to become entry-level dental hygienists can enroll in an associate degree program accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CDA), offered at community and technical colleges. Programs take two years to complete; applicants are required to present high school transcripts, proof of one year of college, and college entrance exam scores. Associate degree programs have specific course prerequisites for students aspiring to enter the program. For example, the University of Texas Dental Branch at Houston requires students entering the dental hygienist certificate (associate degree) program to have taken English composition I, fundamentals of speech, general psychology, sociology, human anatomy, and physiology I and II (including lab work), chemistry, microbiology, nutrition, and computer science.
Students who aspire to teaching, research, or clinical practice positions within the field of dental hygiene should attend a dental hygienist program that offers a bachelor's degree upon completion. Programs must be accredited by the CDA, and usually last four years. Applicants are required to present high school transcripts, college entrance exam scores, and proof of two years of undergraduate work. Dental hygienist bachelor's degree programs also have specific prerequisite coursework requirements; the University of Texas Dental Branch at Houston requires students to have completed courses in communications, mathematics, natural sciences (including lab work), humanities, visual and performing arts, social and behavioral science, and history. Foreign language, research design, and statistics classes are recommended.