In healthcare, dental hygienists are specialists in the field of medicine, and have in-depth knowledge specializing in preventive, educational, and therapeutic services to promote oral health. Registered dental hygienists like Mrs. Margaret Hinkle, gain an associate’s degree at the accredited Community College of Baltimore County (CCBC).
To apply to this competitive and selective program, one has to have completed the prerequisites (Microbiology, Anatomy & Physiology, English, Chemistry, and mathematics).
The dental hygiene program also requires the submission of three letters of recommendation, sixteen hours of dental hygienist observation in a clinical setting, a 70% or better on the Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) attendance of the mandatory dental hygienist information sessions, the technical standards form, and then, students can apply for admission. The program is two years, five days a week, and is full time, with students eventually graduating with an Associate of Applied Science degree.
dental hygiene graduates are eligible to take the national, regional, and state board examination for licensure through the Joint Commission on National Dental Examinations (JCNDE), and the American Dental Association (ADA).
The Essay on Dental Hygienists
... from an educational program accredited by the American Dental Association Commission on Dental Accreditation. I am interested in become a dental hygienist for many reasons. ... in conclusion, the education requirements to become a dental hygienist are available as two-year programs at community colleges and universities and some ...
Registered dental hygienists (RDH) are required to have at least thirty or more hours of continuing education to maintain licensure. After graduation, hygienists can find employment usually in dental offices, making about $35-$40 an hour- a significant amount. However, graduate hygienists are encouraged to go further in their educational fields; a bachelor’s or master’s degree.
Mrs. Hinkle, an independent thinker, teaches at CCBC, has a Master of Science degree- in addition to being a registered dental hygienist- and is an administrator/manager, educator/health promoter, and a consumer advocate. Although there are little or no employer benefits, and it is physically demanding, an RDH can work no more than four days weekly for multiple offices, is rapidly growing profession, has great pay, and is emotionally rewarding. Since the job outlook is very good because there will always be people with oral issues, dental hygiene is the career of the future.
