Dental hygienists are licensed oral health care professionals whose preventive services limit the extent of cavities and periodontal disease. In 1913, Alfred C. Fones, DDS, organized the first formal class for dental hygienists in Bridgeport, CT, thereby establishing dental hygiene as a preventive dental care specialty. Since then, demand for dental hygiene services has grown.
Today, there are more than 120,000 licensed dental hygienists nationwide. And, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of dental hygienists is expected to grow much faster than average for all occupations through 2014, ranking among the fastest growing occupations.
To take advantage of these excellent job prospects, aspiring dental hygienists must be educated in college-level programs accredited by the American Dental Association Commission of Dental Accreditation. More than 250 colleges and universities offer entry-level dental hygiene education programs, and more than 70 offer baccalaureate and master's degree-completion programs. Each program lasts about two to three years.
To be eligible for licensure as a Registered Dental Hygienist, students must graduate from a nationally accredited education program, successfully complete written and clinical exams, and meet any additional state requirements.
With flexible hours and a continual opportunity to earn more, dental hygienists have plenty to smile about. |
