Dental hygienists receive their education through academic programs at community colleges, technical colleges, dental hygienist schools or universities. A minimum of two years of college education that combines classroom and clinical coursework is necessary to become a dental hygienist. A formal education prepares dental hygienists to provide care to patients in such dental clinic settings as private dental offices, clinics and educational or health care institutions. A dental hygiene program provides students with laboratory, clinical, and classroom instruction in subjects such as anatomy, physiology, chemistry, microbiology, pharmacology, nutrition, radiography, histology (the study of tissue structure), periodontology (the study of gum diseases), pathology, dental materials, clinical dental hygiene, and social and behavioral sciences. They also provide clinical education in the form of supervised patient care experiences.

Studying in an accredited dental hygiene school program also provides education that is based on the latest procedures and techniques. Upon program completion, graduates receive an associate degree or certificate, although some university based accredited dental hygiene schools also offer bachelor and master degrees. Receipt of an associate degree or certificate in dental hygiene allows a hygienist to take national, state or regional licensure examinations to become licensed and able to work in a dental office. A bachelor or master degree associated with a dental hygienist career is required for research, teaching, or clinical practice in public or school health programs and generally require at least two additional years of study.

Dental hygienists are licensed by each state to provide dental hygiene care and patient education. To qualify for a license, almost all states require that candidates be graduates of accredited dental hygiene schools and pass both a written and clinical examination. The written examination, entitled the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination is administered by the ADA’s Joint Commission on National Dental Examinations. The written examination is accepted by all States and the District of Columbia. The states license examination is clinical in nature and consists of testing the candidate’s dental hygiene skills, as well as their knowledge of dental hygiene and related subjects. State clinical examinations are administered by either the State or regional testing agencies. In addition to both the written and clinical examinations, most States require an examination on the legal aspects of dental hygiene practice. Alabama allows candidates to take its examinations if they have been trained through a state regulated, on-the-job program in a dentist’s office. Upon receiving their license, dental hygienists may use "R.D.H." after their names, signifying recognition by the state that they are a Registered Dental Hygienist.

There are approximately 271 ADA accredited dental hygiene schools in the U.S. The American Association of Dental Schools Application Service (AADSAS), sponsored by the American Dental Education Association (ADEA), is a centralized application service for individuals applying to dental assistant school. AADSAS simplifies the application process for both applicants and schools by allowing applicants to complete one application form. Information is then sent in a standardized format to each school that is requested by the applicant. AADSAS serves as an information clearinghouse only. It does not influence any school’s evaluation or selection of applicants, nor does ADEA recommend applicants to dental assisting programs.

The AADSAS online application and instructions are located here. ADEA customer service representatives are also available to assist applicants.

Financing a Dental Hygienist Education

ADA Scholarship Programs

The ADA Foundation has a scholarship program for students pursuing a dental hygienist career and the number of scholarships awarded is dependent upon available funds. Scholarships help to defray dental hygienist program expenses, which include tuition, fees, books, supplies and living expenses. Scholarship disbursements are made twice yearly in equal payments and sent directly to the student's financial aid office. The second disbursement is made contingent upon the student's maintenance of the required grade point average. General scholarship eligibility guidelines are as follows:

• All applicants must be U.S. Citizens (permanent resident status does not qualify);
  
  
• Criteria for eligibility for an award is determined by the applicant’s demonstrated financial need, academic achievement, biographical sketch questionnaire and two completed reference forms;
  
  
• All applicants must be enrolled as a full-time student with a minimum of 12 credit hours;
  
  
• All applicants must demonstrate a financial need;
  
  
• All applicants must have a minimum accumulative grade point average of 3.0 based on a 4.0 scale;
  
  
  
  

The ADA Foundation scholarship program for dental hygienists is called the Dental Hygiene Scholarship. This award has a maximum annual award of $1,000. The application criteria for the scholarship includes the following:

• All applicants must be U.S. Citizens (permanent resident status does not qualify);
  
  
• All applicants must be an entering final year student at the time of application and enrolled in a dental hygiene program accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association;
  
  
• All applicants must be enrolled as a full-time student with a minimum of 12 credit hours;
  
  
• All applicants must demonstrate a minimum financial need of $1,000;
  
  
• All applicants must have a minimum accumulative grade point average of 3.0 based on a 4.0 scale;
  
  
• All applicants must submit two (2) reference forms from two dental hygiene program representatives, supporting the applicant. References are submitted as part of the application form.

ADA Scholarship Application Process

Only dental hygienist programs accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association are eligible to participate in the ADA Foundation’s Scholarship Program. Students must contact the program director or financial aid officer at the school to request a scholarship application form, as the forms are disbursed by dentist school officials. Dental hygienist program officials are also responsible for selecting and submitting to the ADA Foundation, its top two students for scholarship consideration. School officials may contact the ADA Foundation by phone at 312-440-2763 or by e-mail: famularor@ada.org to request the scholarship application form.

Prospective applicants must submit the following for consideration:

• a completed application form, including the Academic Achievement Record Form* and Financial Needs Assessment Form*, signed by school official;
  
  
• A copy of the school or program’s letter of acceptance, if entering as a first-year student;
  
  
• Two completed reference forms, sealed and signed on the back flap of the envelopes by the referrers;
  
  
• A typed, biographical sketch questionnaire;
  
  
• A self-addressed, stamped postcard, which can be mailed upon receipt of the application of you wish to have receipt verification. Foundation staff may not be able to verify receipt of the application over the phone or by e-mail.

* These are required forms that are part of the scholarship application form that must be used.

Each eligible school will submit to the ADA Foundation, the top two completed applications received by all students. The deadline date for submission and consideration is October 16th. Any applications received after this date will not be considered. Notification of funding decisions are made after December 31st.

In addition to ADA scholarships, be certain to review other resources below to help you to fund your education.

• Scholarship Services
  
• Student Grants
  
• Student Loan Resources
  
• Student Credit Cards

List of Accredited Dental Hygiene Schools in the US and Canada

The best way to obtain a dental hygienist career is to receive formal education in an accredited dental hygiene school program. A career as a dental hygienist requires knowledge of the latest dental procedures and techniques. The dental hygienist programs contained in this list of dental hygienist schools are responsible for ensuring all standards which apply to a dental hygienist career are taught to prospective students and that they emerge as competent dental hygienist, able to fully function in dental hygienist career positions.