:: Dental Hygienist Program
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 Herzing College
Program: Click the "Go" button for information directly from the sponsor.
:: Concentration: Dental Hygiene |
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:: Location: Minneapolis, MN
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Industry Description
The work of a dental hygienist is highly skilled and requires the appropriate training. Unlike a dental assistant, dental hygienists undertake minor dental procedures and are not usually required to undertake administrative duties. It is essential that you complete a dental hygienist program if you want to gain employment in this area.
It is preferable, but not necessary, to complete a program that is endorsed by the Commission on Dental Accreditation. For practice in a private dental office, a minimum of an associate degree or certificate in dental hygiene is required. A bachelor’s or master’s degree is usually required for research, teaching, or clinical practice in public or school health programs.
Areas of study on a dental hygienist program include anatomy, physiology, chemistry, microbiology, pharmacology, nutrition, radiography, histology (the study of tissue structure), periodontology (the study of gum diseases), pathology, dental materials, clinical dental hygiene, and social and behavioral sciences. An understanding of biology, chemistry, and mathematics are extremely useful as a base for this learning.
Job prospects for dental hygienists are excellent. In response to increasing demand for dental care and the greater utilization of hygienists to perform services previously performed by dentists, the dental hygienist’s role is expected to be one of the fastest growing occupations through the year 2012.
The services of a dental hygienist are offered in private dental practices and clinics, public health agencies, school systems, hospitals, nursing homes and corporate health facilities. Dental hygienists also teach in dental and dental hygiene programs and participate in health research so there is no shortage of career opportunities.
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