A dental hygienist is a licensed healthcare professional who works alongside dentists to provide preventative and therapeutic oral care to patients. In order to become a dental hygienist, there are certain qualifications and requirements that must be met.
First and foremost, a dental hygienist must have a degree or certification in dental hygiene. This can be obtained through a college or technical school program, which typically takes around two to three years to complete. These programs typically include a combination of classroom instruction and clinical experience, during which students learn about topics such as anatomy, microbiology, and dental materials.
Many states also require dental hygienists to be licensed. This process typically involves passing a written and clinical exam, which is administered by the state board of dentistry. The written exam covers topics such as infection control, dental materials, and dental anatomy, while the clinical exam assesses the candidate’s ability to perform basic dental hygiene procedures.
In addition to education and licensure, dental hygienists may also need to have CPR certification. This is because they may need to respond to emergency situations, such as a patient experiencing a cardiac event while in the dental office.
Another important qualification for dental hygienists is being up-to-date on vaccinations. This includes vaccinations such as the flu shot and the hepatitis B vaccine, which help protect both the hygienist and the patient from infectious diseases.
Some states may have additional requirements for dental hygienists. For example, some states may require hygienists to complete continuing education courses on a regular basis in order to maintain their license.
Hygienists also need to have good communication and interpersonal skills, because they will be interacting with patients of all ages and backgrounds. They need to be able to explain procedures and oral health education clearly, answer patient’s questions and be able to make the patient comfortable in the dental chair.
Finally, dental hygienists should be detail-oriented and have good manual dexterity. They will be performing procedures such as cleaning teeth, taking X-rays, and applying sealants, all of which require a steady hand and good attention to detail.
In summary, a dental hygienist typically needs a degree or certification in dental hygiene, a license, CPR certification, up-to-date vaccinations, good communication and interpersonal skills, and a good attention to detail and manual dexterity. Some states may have additional requirements.
Did You Know : Top 15 Free Online Learning Platforms
-
Free Online Education Degrees : Coursera:
Coursera partners with universities and organizations worldwide to offer a wide range of courses. While many courses are free, a fee is often required for certification.
-
Free Online Education Degrees: edX:
Founded by MIT and Harvard, edX offers high-quality courses from top universities and institutions around the world. Certificates are available for a fee.
-
Free Online Education Degrees : Khan Academy:
Khan Academy provides free educational content in various subjects, especially mathematics and science, using instructional videos and practice exercises.
-
Free Online Education Degrees : Udacity:
Udacity focuses on tech-related courses and nanodegree programs, offering free content as well as more in-depth paid programs.
-
Free Online Education Degrees : MIT OpenCourseWare (OCW):
MIT OCW provides a vast array of MIT's course content for free, covering a wide range of disciplines.
-
Free Online Education Degrees : Harvard Extension School:
Harvard Extension School offers a selection of free online courses. While some courses are free, others may require payment for a certificate.
-
Free Online Education Degrees: Stanford Online:
Stanford Online offers a variety of free courses in different disciplines, including computer science, engineering, and business.
-
Best Free Online Courses : Carnegie Mellon Open Learning Initiative (OLI):
OLI offers free online courses and resources designed to improve learning outcomes through research-based methodologies.
-
Best Free Online Courses : FutureLearn:
FutureLearn partners with universities and institutions to offer a diverse range of free online courses. Certificates are available for a fee.
-
Best Free Online Courses: Alison:
Alison offers a wide range of free online courses, including diploma and certificate programs, covering various subjects.
-
Best Free Online Courses: Open Yale Courses:
Yale University provides free access to a selection of introductory courses through Open Yale Courses.
-
Best Free Online Courses : UC Berkeley Online:
UC Berkeley offers free online courses on a variety of subjects, ranging from computer science to humanities.
-
Best Free Online Courses : Google Digital Garage:
Google Digital Garage provides free courses on digital skills, including online marketing, data analysis, and more.
-
Best Free Online Courses : Codecademy:
Codecademy offers free coding courses, interactive exercises, and coding projects to help individuals learn programming languages.
-
Best Free Online Courses : LinkedIn Learning (formerly Lynda.com):
LinkedIn Learning provides a variety of video courses on professional development, technology, and creative skills. It offers a free trial period.