While requirements for continuing education for dental hygienists vary from state to state, virtually every state and the District of Columbia requires that hygienists take continuing education courses. The number of continuing education hours also varies from state to state, and some states allow more self-study than do others, while some states have specific formulas for the percentage of classroom/seminar credits that must be earned and the number of self-study credits allowed. Hygienists should always be aware of their state's requirements or any changes to those requirements.
The American Dental Hygienist's Association (ADHA) offers a variety of online continuing education courses for dental hygienists, some for free and others for only $15 for ADHA members and $30 for non-members. The courses are self-paced modules equal to one or two hours of continuing education credit and followed by a test. Dental Didactics' nationally approved courses can be downloaded for $7 per unit and cover a wide variety of topics. There are scores of other Websites offering dental hygiene continuing ed courses, however, before committing to any, make certain they are accredited.
Many colleges and universities offer intensive, short-term educational retreats for dental hygienists to maintain their licenses. For example, Virginia's Old Dominion University offers a three-day winter weekend of continuing education courses at a Virginia Beach hotel. While topics vary year to year, the university offers 15 continuing education hours during the weekend. Additionally, some state dental hygienist organizations offer continuing education as part of their annual meetings, which may be held in such destinations as Las Vegas, Atlantic City or Branson. While these opportunities are fun and provide a chance for hygienists to meet and greet, they are also expensive.
Community and technical colleges often offer dental hygienists continuing education opportunities almost year-round. For example, New Hampshire Technical Institute offers evening and weekend classes for hygienists and Sacramento City College provides from eight to 16 continuing education units at a cost of about $250.
Almost every state and the District of Columbia have a dental hygienist organization and virtually all of these organizations offer continuing education courses. Arkansas has online courses including one that helps hygienists with rudimentary Spanish to better communicate with some patients. New Mexico offers three opportunities annually at its organization's meetings and other classes offered eight months of the year while Oregon provides a spring seminar and a fall symposium as well as classes at the organization's annual meeting. In reality, continuing education opportunities for hygienists are plentiful and need not be expensive.