- Dental hygienists clean teeth, check for gum diseases, and educate patients about mouth health.
- Becoming a dental hygienist usually takes 2-4 years.
- In some countries, dental hygiene isn’t a separate profession, and the dental hygienist tasks are performed by dental assistants or dentists.
Not all healthcare degrees take long years of study. Dental Hygiene is a great example: an Associate or a Bachelor’s degree in the field takes 2-4 years. Then, you can either work alongside dentists or start your own dental hygiene clinic.
Before you decide on studying Dental Hygiene, check that the profession is recognised in the country where you want to work. In some places, the rules are different, and you might not be allowed to work independently.
What does a dental hygienist do?
Dental hygienists help patients keep their teeth and gums healthy. They often work together with dentists, taking on prevention-focused roles like:
- Cleaning teeth
- Checking for early signs of diseases
- Removing plaque and tartar
- Teaching people how to keep their teeth healthy
- Taking X-rays
- Referring patients to specialist dentists when needed
Check out Dental Hygiene programmes on Bachelorsportal to get a better idea of the subjects you’ll study and the clinical placements involved.
Is becoming a dental hygienist the right path for you?
Dental Hygiene combines technical skills (cleaning teeth, taking X-rays) with people skills (explaining mouth care, making patients feel comfortable). It may be a good fit if you:
- Enjoy working with people and helping them stay healthy
- Have good attention to detail
- Work well with your hands
- Have excellent communication skills
- Like biology and health sciences
- Are an empathetic person with customer service skills
Dentist vs dental hygienist
Becoming a dentist takes way longer than becoming a dental hygienist.
The job tasks are also different — a dental hygienist can’t perform complex treatments like fillings or extractions. In countries where dental hygiene is recognised, dentists usually leave routine cleanings and oral care education to hygienists.
Dentist | Dental Hygienist | |
Tasks |
|
|
Education | Degree in Dentistry (BDS, BDent, DDS, DMD, depending on the country) | Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in Dental Hygiene |
Time to qualify | 5-8 years, depending on the country | 2-4 years, depending on the country |
Registration | Must pass national dental exams and register with the country’s dental board or licensing authority | Must pass hygiene licensing exams and register with a dental hygiene or dental regulatory body |
Recognition | Everywhere | Not everywhere (In some countries, like Germany or France, dentists or their assistants take care of cleaning and prevention tasks) |
What degree do you need to become a dental hygienist?
To become a dental hygienist, you need a degree in Dental Hygiene or an equivalent qualification. Some examples are:
- Associate degree in Dental Hygiene (2 years, common in the US)
- Bachelor’s degree in Dental Hygiene or Oral Health Science (3-4 years)
- Diploma in Dental Hygiene (2 years, common in the UK, Canada, and Australia)
Training and experience during studies
Clinical placements are part of Dental Hygiene courses.
In these placements, you’ll learn directly from dentists and hygienists and get to treat real patients. A typical programme combines:
- Classroom learning: Covering topics like anatomy, physiology, dental sciences, public health, and hygiene techniques
- Hands-on work: Clinical placements, lab work, rotations
Exams and registration to become a dental hygienist
Once you graduate from your Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree, you need to register with a regulatory board to show you’re qualified to take on patients.
In some countries, there are also extra exams to pass before registration.
Country | Exam(s) | Regulatory Board / Registration |
United States | National Board Dental Hygiene Examination (NBDHE) + state or regional clinical exams | Each state dental board (licensure required in the state of practice) |
Canada | National Dental Hygiene Certification Examination (NDHCE) | Canadian regulatory authorities (provincial/territorial level) |
United Kingdom | No separate licensing exam for UK graduates | General Dental Council (GDC) registration |
Australia | No separate licensing exam for Australia graduates | Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) Dental Board of Australia |
Final tips to succeed in your dental hygienist journey
From communicating with patients to hands-on clinical techniques, you’ll need to build a mix of different skills as a dental hygienist. Research Dental Hygiene programmes very well to make sure they equip you with all the necessary skills. If possible, shadow dental hygienists and look for internship opportunities during your studies.
FAQs
1. How long does it take to become a dental hygienist?
It takes 2 to 4 years to become a dental hygienist. Based on the Dental Hygiene degrees on our portals, Associate and Diploma programmes take 2 years, and Bachelor’s programmes take 3-4 years.
2. How difficult is it to become a dental hygienist?
The coursework can be challenging since it combines science topics and hands-on training, but you graduate relatively quickly compared to other healthcare degrees.
3. Is becoming a dental hygienist a good career choice?
If you want a hands-on career working closely with patients, without years of study, dental hygiene could be a good career choice.
