Complete a high school diploma or GED program as well as 40 hours of college coursework including English, chemistry, sociology and psychology from an accredited college or university. Coursework in science is considered above other studies, so having a high GPA in the area of science helps your chances of being accepted into a dental hygiene program.
Contact the dental hygiene school you want to attend to learn more about admissions testing. An admissions interview and dexterity test are common admissions tools used to screen applicants. You may also need to write an essay explaining why you want to be a dental hygienist.
Prepare for admissions interviews by creating a list of potential interview questions. Interview questions may include the reasons why you want to become a dental hygienist, how well you work with others, your strengths and weaknesses and how well you handle stress. Have a friend conduct a mock interview. Answer the questions and ask for feedback. Holding a mock interview helps reduce stress and allows you to organize your thoughts in advance before the actual interview.
Prepare for dexterity testing by performing hand, wrist and finger exercises. Exercises include massaging your hands to improve circulation, moving wrists up and down, side to side and in a circle and stretching fingers by gently pushing forward and backward.