Universities that have a school of dentistry will usually offer bachelor's and master's of science degrees in dental hygiene. A bachelor's degree program usually takes two to four years. Education requirements for the degree are a high school diploma or GED. Some people who have an associate's degree in dental hygiene go on to pursue a bachelor's degree to develop clinical techniques and be able to practice in public health programs. A master's degree can be completed after a bachelor's degree and directly builds on the knowledge from undergraduate studies. It's suitable for those wanting to develop a research or teaching dental career.
A dental hygienist associate's degree is available from community colleges. It is a two-year course that can be taken by those who have graduated high school or taken the GED; most associate degrees require a student to have achieved a grade C or above in math, chemistry, biology and English. Those taking the course will study oral pathology, nutrition, psychology and the fundamentals of dental hygiene. The degree is approved by the ADA and is enough to start practicing in a private dental office upon graduation.
Vocational colleges, or trade schools, offer the dental hygienist Associate's degree as part of a two- year course. Students on the program are given practical experience in an on-campus dental clinic at these colleges, under the supervision of their tutors. Students taking a degree accredited by the ADA can go straight into work after graduating.
Dental hygienist degrees are available from online schools and online universities. They are suitable for hygienists with an associate's degree who want to study a bachelor's degree for career advancement. Studying takes place via a management system online, where material and video tutorials can be downloaded. These degrees are accredited by the ADA and are ideal for people who don't have time to attend a college or university.