How to Become a Dental Hygienist?
Are you thinking of becoming a Dental Hygienist or already started your career and planning the next step? Learn how to become a Dental Hygienist, what skills you need to succeed, how to advance your career and get promoted, and what levels of pay to expect at each step on your career path. Explore new Dental Hygienist job openings and options for career transitions into related roles.
Steps to Become a Dental Hygienist
If you're considering starting your Dental Hygienist career path, it's important to note the skills, qualifications, and time it takes to become a professional Dental Hygienist and how to advance your career path. Below are the steps generally required to begin and advance your Dental Hygienist career.Contents
1
Earn a Degree
To begin your Dental Hygienist career path, a Associate's Degree in Other or a related field is usually necessary in order to remain a competitive option for employers. Focus on industry-specific skill development during your education in order to be properly equipped when applying for entry-level positions and entering the job force. A Dental Hygienist internship may be required to earn your Associate's Degree and acquire necessary on-the-job skills before entering the workforce.What type of degree should you pursue to become a Dental Hygienist?
100% of people working as a Dental Hygienist earned a Associate's Degree
What skills do you need to be a Dental Hygienist?
- Sealants
- Dentrix
- Excellent Communication
- CPR Certified
- HIPAA
- Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation
- Written Communication
- Protocols
2
Choose a Specialty in Your Field
As an Dental Hygienist, you may be required to choose a specialty within your field. Determine which part of the Dental Hygienist field you feel strongest in, and continue taking active steps toward growing in your chosen Dental Hygienist specialty.3
Get an Entry-Level Position as a Dental Hygienist
Once you've acquired a Associate's Degree in Other or a related field, you'll typically begin your career as an entry-level Dental Hygienist. In general, you can become a Dental Hygienist after completing your 3 year Associate's Degree in a related discipline. Depending on the type of Dental Hygienist role you’re pursuing, you may want to explore certification in certified dental hygienist.4
Advance in Your Dental Hygienist Career
Following entry-level, there are several Dental Hygienist career path levels to advance into. It can take 2 years as an entry-level Dental Hygienist to progress to the next seniority level position. Each advanced Dental Hygienist position requires approximately 8 years of experience at each level to advance in your Dental Hygienist career path. It may be necessary to receive additional education, an advanced degree such as a Master's Degree in a related field, or special certifications in order to advance your Dental Hygienist career path.5
Continued Education for Your Dental Hygienist Career Path
Not all industries and companies require continued education to advance your Dental Hygienist career path. However, earning this degree may help you advance to higher-earning positions more quickly. Earning a in Other can take 4 years to complete. People that have earned their typically make $105,599 compared to $59,431 for those without that type of degree.Dental Hygienist Career Path
Dental Hygienist
8+Years of Experience
$84K - $121K /yrMost Likely Range
Dental Hygienist IV
No Years of Experience Reports
$85K - $124K /yrMost Likely Range
Dental Hygienist V
No Years of Experience Reports
$80K - $115K /yrMost Likely Range
Total Pay Trajectory
Dental Hygienist Career Path
New Grad Dental Hygienist
Dental Hygienist
Dental Hygienist IV
Dental Hygienist V
$70K
$84K
$98K
$112K
$140K
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Related Careers in the Healthcare Industry
Interested in other Healthcare careers? Below are occupations that have high affinity with Dental Hygienist skills. Discover some of the most common Dental Hygienist career transitions, along with skills overlap.