Health & care

Dental hygienist

Dental hygienists provide preventive oral care, support patient education, and work closely with dentists. Many roles are in dental offices, though settings can differ.

What the work can involve

On a typical day

  • Provide preventive dental care
  • Review health history and explain oral-care practices
  • Record findings and coordinate with the dental team

Possible settings

  • — Dental offices
  • — Public health settings
  • — Schools and community clinics

Skills to explore

Precision and careful technique · Patient communication · Comfort with clinical procedures

Preparation

There may be more than one route

Entry requirements commonly include an accredited dental hygiene program and state licensure. Check the program's accreditation and the licensing board where you plan to work.

Community collegeFour-year collegeCertifications

Things to consider

  • Licensure requirements vary by state.
  • Clinical work requires close attention to infection control and patient comfort.

Explore related education paths

These are options to investigate, not required matches or recommendations.

Community college

Community colleges may offer career certificates, associate degrees, transfer preparation, and flexible schedules. Programs differ by campus.

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Four-year college

A bachelor's degree combines in-depth study in a subject with general education. It can be required for some roles and useful for others, but it is one option among many.

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Certificates and certifications

A certificate is usually awarded after completing education or training. A certification typically verifies skills against an industry or professional standard. Definitions and value vary.

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Find official training directories

These national search tools can help you find programs by location. They are directories, not school recommendations.

Nationwide directory

Search accredited dental hygiene programs

Commission on Dental Accreditation

Search CODA-accredited dental and dental-related education programs, including dental hygiene, by program type and location.

How to use it: Select Dental Hygiene and filter by state or city. Review the listed program's current accreditation status and contact the school about admissions.

Confirm before applying or enrolling: This directory covers CODA-accredited programs only. Accreditation does not itself grant eligibility for a state license; confirm current requirements with the state board.

Source checked Nov 2, 2026

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Nationwide directory

Find your state dental board

American Dental Association

Find contact information for state and territorial dental regulators that set and administer local licensure requirements.

How to use it: Choose the state or territory where you plan to work and ask its board about current dental-hygiene education, examination, and licensing requirements.

Confirm before applying or enrolling: The ADA page is a contact directory, not a program finder, and contact details can change. Confirm rules and contacts on the relevant board's own website.

Source checked Nov 2, 2026

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