Are you interested in becoming a dental hygienist? Maybe you’re about to graduate from high school and have your sights set on a career in dental hygiene, or maybe you’re looking for a career change. Wherever you are in life, becoming a dental hygienist is a great career move.
In order to become a dental hygienist, you require certain soft skills including excellent oral communication skills, attention to detail, compassion, and problem-solving skills. Some hard skills that you will learn in school include conducting initial dental assessments, removing deposits from teeth, applying fluoride treatments, taking x-rays, assisting with restorative procedures, and much more.
If this sounds like something that interests you or that you think you would be good at, it’s always a good idea to know what goes into any career before you get started. If this is a profession you want to pursue, here are six career tips on how to become a dental hygienist:
1. Meet the dental hygienist prerequisites
The prerequisites needed to become a dental hygienist can vary depending on the province and school you’ll be applying to. As an example, let’s use the prerequisites needed to get into the dental hygiene program at Toronto College (taken from their website):
- Ontario Secondary Diploma – OSSD 30 Credits (General level and/or Advanced) or;
- Grade 12 Equivalency – GED Certificate or;
- Canadian Public College Diploma or;
- Canadian University Degree or;
- Be at least 18 years of age and pass a Superintendent approved qualifying test. The Canadian Achievement Survey Test is accepted at Toronto College of Dental Hygiene and Auxiliaries Inc. Valid ID must be provided to show proof of age.
- Grade 12 English – 60% at University Preparation Level or 60% at College Preparation Level (preferred)
- Grade 11 Biology – 60% at University Preparation Level or 60% at College Preparation Level (preferred)
2. Research about the dental hygienist profession
As mentioned above, it’s always recommended to know what you’re committing to before you start a new program and seek out a certain career. Becoming a dental hygienist is no different. Research the profession and see which types of skills are needed and what you will need to do to successfully complete a dental hygiene education program.
Also, look for reviews of the program, and if possible, talk with some people who have gone through the program and are now practicing dental hygienists so you can get a feel for what you’d be doing every day. Ask them questions about how schooling was and how they are liking their work. This will help shed some light on whether this profession is right for you.
3. Apply to a dental hygienist program
Now that you’re sure you want to become a dental hygienist, it’s time to apply to a dental hygiene program at a school that offers accredited dental hygienist programs. It’s a good idea to research the different schools in your area to see which one you would enjoy the most.
Once you’ve chosen which school you would like to study at, visit their website and start the application process.
4. Complete your dental hygienist program
Once you’ve gotten into a dental hygiene program, it’s time to buckle down and study hard. In order to become a dental hygienist, you will have to do a lot of studying and learning. You’ll be learning theory, as well as hands-on skills, so you’ll need to be on top of your game at all times.
The theory portion of the program will set you up for the hands-on portion, so you’ll learn the skills you’ll be using every day as a dental hygienist. Both the theory and hands-on portions of the program are equally important. Once your program is completed and you’ve graduated, you’ll be well on your way to securing a job in the profession.
5. Get certified as a dental hygienist
Now that you’re a new graduate from the dental hygiene program, it’s time to get certified. In Canada, you’ll need to pass the National Dental Hygiene Certification Examination (NDHCE). Something nice about this is that there are tests posted on their website so you can practice before you take the certification exam.
Next up is passing a clinical exam. This exam is done through the College of Dental Hygienists in your province. For example, in Ontario, the exam will be provided by the College of Dental Hygienists of Ontario (CDHO). Here is where you’ll show off your new hands-on skills. Once you’re certified, it’s time to move onto the next and final step.
6. Find a dental hygienist job
The last step is to find a job in your field. This will usually be at a dental office with dentists and other dental hygienists. There are some other places you can work as a dental hygienist including government agencies, hospitals, and educational institutions. Once you get hired, you have become a dental hygienist and can officially start working!
