How many years does it take to be a hygienist?

Question

Right now i'm working at a dental office training to be a dental assistant but I heard the hygienist's make more money? I also heard from one of the girls that work there that it takes 2 years to become a hygienist..is this true? I also heard that it takes 4 years? If it takes 4 years is there ANY WAY possible to be done in 2 years? Even if I was well networked & hooked up?

Answer 1

My sister is one. She got her AA in 2 years. But there are schools where you can get your BS in 4 years. You don't need the Bachelor's, but if you get it you can teach dental hygiene.

Answer 2

The dental hygienist program at the college where I live is 2 years plus about a year of general ed courses before you can enroll. The good thing is that all the credits that you get in the dental assistant program transfer over to the dental hygiene program, so if you are already a dental assistant it is only 1 more year plus general ed which are English, microbiology, chemistry, anatomy and physiology, algebra, psychology and sociology (I think that's it). Check with your local community college.

Answer 3

The main program is at least two years but you have a year or two worth of other classes to take prior to getting into the program.

you'll have two Anatomy classes, Chemistry, biochemistry, microbiology, pathophysiology, of course, your basics of English, Math, computers, speech and anything else the college makes you take, and then when you are in the program, you'll have a head and neck anatomy class, radiography classes, periodontics classes, community dentistry, etc. It's pretty intense stuff. Be prepared to have basically no social life while in school, especially if you have kids already.

For my school after I did the pre-req classes and did my 16 hours of observation in a dental office, I was on a 2 1/2 year waiting list to get into the program.

If you do become a hygienist, it's a wonderful field. There are NO jobs in Michigan, trust me. There are plenty of jobs in most of the country in Dental hygiene, especially NC, AZ, NY, PA to name a few.

Answer 4

It depends on where you live. I live in Ontario and it is a 2 year program. You only require your high school diploma. There were higher requirements when I applied, I had to have a dental assistant certificate and at least one year of work experience.

It is going to be difficult to pick a best answer, they are all true and very helpful.

Wow, Jennifer L, I feel bad for you. I didn't know things were tough in Michigan. I left the profession because I was tired of only working part-time. Part-time work doesn't pay the bills.

I am thankful for my education, I don't regret that, but I wasted too many years looking for a full time job, which doesn't exist in my area.

My new career is MUCH better!!!