How long does it take to become a Dental Hygienist?

How long does it take to become a dental hygienist?

• How many years of college does it take right out of highschool? The training?

• Answer:

  Hi there! It's a 2 year program in a community college, and you graduate with an Associate's Degree in dental hygiene. A lot of people do it in 3 years, though - there are electives and pre-reqs, like psych, sociology, nutrition, A&P, micro, chem, statistics, English....even a speech class. The 3 year students enter the "pre-hygiene" program, and get all these "extras" out of the way, so that they can devote themselves fully to just the DH classes in the following 2 years. In HS, you need to make sure that you have the necessary classes: bio w/lab, chem w/lab, and a good foundation in algebra (which you'll need for statistics). The best way to see which one (2 or 3 year), is right for you, is to see a DH advisor at the college you plan to attend, sit down with them, and carefully map out your courses. Coming right out of HS, you can afford to do it in 3 years, which is much easier. I did it in 2, and had no social life for those 2 years, while I studied almost all the time I wasn't at school. It's a very interesting career - you'll never be bored - and the money is very good. Go for it!