How to Become a Dental Hygienist in Michigan
Michigan is a great state to become a dental hygienist. The industry is part of Michigan’s strong and diverse economy, which has been rapidly growing over the last decade. Becoming a dental hygienist allows in Michigan you to enjoy a high standard of living and a good quality of life in Michigan. However, becoming a dental hygienist in Michigan will introduce you to a variety of interesting challenges and obstacles, so you must be determined and focused.
How to Become a Dental Hygienist in Michigan
To become a dental hygienist, you must fulfill specific educational and licensing criteria. To start your profession, follow these four steps:
Obtain a degree program
More than 300 community colleges, technical schools, dental schools, and universities are accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA), the only accrediting body recognized by the US Department of Education. These institutions offer dental hygiene education programs. Before you can be admitted to their programs, many demand prerequisite courses.
For most dental hygienists, an associate’s degree is the entry-level curriculum. It is available in approved community colleges, technical schools, or dental schools, and it normally requires two years or more to complete. Bachelor’s degree programs at colleges normally last four years to complete. For jobs in school clinics or public health, a bachelor’s degree might be necessary.
All certified programs are required by CODA to include instruction in four essential subject areas: general education, biological sciences, dental sciences, and dental hygiene science. Radiography, pathology, medical ethics, physiology, nutrition, anatomy, periodontics, and patient management are common subjects covered in degree program coursework. Courses on dental diseases, dental health concepts, and dental research are offered in several four-year schools. Along with classroom and laboratory teaching, you’ll also get practical clinical training that includes hours of underwatched patient care.
You can also choose which age group or demographic you want to work with. You might think about specializing in dental care for children, adults, seniors, or people with special needs.
Obtain a state license
Before starting work, hygienists must obtain a license from their state. Contact the Board of Dental Examiners in your state for more on the requirements. Most states call for:
- Diploma from an accredited program or institution
- A passing score on the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination from the Joint Commission on National Dental Examinations (JCNDE).
- Completion of a state-level or regional clinical board examination
You could be regarded as a completely licensed and registered dental hygienist once you’ve finished these three steps. You can start filling out employment applications and cleaning your teeth.
Depending on the state where you are licensed, you may also need to renew your license every one to three years.
Consider additional training
Consider earning a master’s degree in dental hygiene if you want to work in research, education, or administration. You must finish a capstone project and some programs can last up to two years.
In order to keep their licenses, dental hygienists must also complete continuing education requirements. They stay current with fresh information on dental health care thanks to the courses.
Seek jobs
When you obtain your dental hygiene license, you should update your resume to reflect your new qualifications in terms of education, training, and experience. Dental schools, professional organization websites, and online job boards all provide information on openings.
What does a Dental Hygienist do?
Dental hygienists have never had as many options for their education and jobs. There are more possibilities than ever for starting your profession, including training that may be found both in-person and online, as well as employment settings outside of the typical clinic. Find out how to become a licensed dental hygienist if you’re interested in working in this rapidly expanding sector.
A dental hygienist’s main focus is on the patients’ preventative oral healthcare as they collaborate with a dentist. They educate their patients on proper dental hygiene practices while also cleaning teeth, checking gums, and gathering medical history.
Accreditation
Whatever degree you decide to pursue, you must enroll in a program that has been accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation in order to become a licensed hygienist (CODA). Since they are shown to fulfill the highest educational standards, accredited dental hygiene programs aid in ensuring the safety of present and future patients.
Dental Hygienist General Requirements
To start their careers, dental hygienists must have at least an associate’s degree in the field. A bachelor’s degree is preferred by some businesses when hiring dental hygienists, and advanced roles may call for a master’s degree.
The program must be accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation regardless of the degree option you select (CODA). The main organization for granting accreditation for Dental Hygiene degrees is CODA, which verifies the high caliber and dependability of a program.
According to the CODA website, passing a test to become licensed or certified requires graduating from an accredited institution, which is usually always required by state law.
According to the American Dental Association, aspiring dental hygienists need at least an associate’s degree to be able to sit for their board licensing exams and, if they pass, become Registered Dental Hygienists (RDH).
Dental hygienists must be licensed in every state, albeit each state has different requirements for that licensure.
Dental Hygienist Degree Requirements
The majority of dental hygiene programs will include general education, science, and career-focused curriculum, among other content areas. Students learn the basics of oral health, dental software, radiography equipment, infection control and prevention, pain management, and more in preparation programs. Students who study dental hygiene also acquire a lot of patient care and communication skills.
Associate Degree in Dental Hygiene
Students who get an associate’s degree in dental hygiene are prepared to grasp the basic procedures of dental hygiene, such as examination, diagnosis, evaluation, and documentation. Students get knowledge on how to work as an essential member of a dental healthcare team and how to interact with patients in an effective manner. Normally, in addition to their degree-specific courses, students in this program must complete general education courses. Students pursuing an associate’s degree in dental hygiene must also undergo clinical rotations that will prepare them to give direct patient care in a real-world context.
Bachelor’s Degree in Dental Hygiene
Although a two-year associate degree is the minimum educational need for dental hygienists, some students may decide that a four-year bachelor’s degree in dental hygiene is more in line with their professional aspirations. Students must finish general education courses as well as program-specific courses including oral anatomy and periodontology as part of this curriculum.
However, this program of study also enables students to minor in a field of study that interests them. There are many other alternatives, but some of these minors can include education, marketing, psychology, or human services. The normal professional dental hygiene curriculum can be combined with a more thorough liberal arts education to give students more employment options, more professional skills, and the opportunity to develop as all-around caregivers.
Master’s Degree in Dental Hygiene
A master’s degree in dental hygiene is the ideal choice for licensed dental hygienists who wish to advance into leadership roles in education and public health, even though it is less common for dental hygienists to pursue a graduate degree. Students in this two-year program get the chance to work on field sites in a variety of fields, including public health, education, administration, and research. Additionally, student teaching and a research-based master’s capstone project are requirements for students.
Types of Dental Hygienist Degrees
A dental hygienist must have at least an associate’s degree, while individuals who desire to advance in the industry can also pursue bachelor’s and master’s degrees. The degree you select will determine how long it takes for you to complete your education. Two to four years is the usual time span.
Dental Hygienist Associate’s Degree
A dental hygienist must have at least an associate’s degree, while individuals who desire to advance in the industry can also pursue bachelor’s and master’s degrees. The degree you select will determine how long it takes for you to complete your education. Two to four years is the usual time span.
Over the course of your degree, you’ll conduct supervised clinical practice in addition to classroom education that covers the topics listed by CODA. You should accrue 8 to 12 hours of practical experience each week in your first year when you start offering clinical services. In your second year, this should increase to between 12 and 16 hours of dental hygiene practice.
Dental Hygienist Bachelor’s Degree
Although less prevalent, bachelor’s degree programs are made for dental hygienists who want to provide more specialized care, such as working in public health or education settings or creating programs there. Along with receiving a liberal arts education, you’ll study dental hygiene classroom courses, participate in supervised clinical practice, and participate in clinical rotations.
Although bachelor’s degrees normally need four years to complete, if you start with an associate’s in dental hygiene, you can graduate sooner. These courses, also known as degree-completion programs, are made for dental hygiene license holders who now desire to gain leadership experience or expand their understanding of theory and research.
It may not be necessary to acquire clinical experience because you will have obtained the necessary practical training during your associate’s program. You could even be able to earn your degree totally online. A degree-completion program will typically last between 15 and 18 months.
Dental Hygienist Master’s Degree
A master’s degree in dental hygiene can be the best option to pursue if you want to teach, do research, or work at an administrative level. Higher-level positions such as directors of community programs, oral disease prevention specialists, or managers of dental health and education initiatives could be attained with these degrees. Dental hygiene master’s degrees typically last 1-2 years and include a capstone project.
Top Accredited Dental Hygienist Schools Michigan
| School | Area | More Information |
|---|---|---|
| University of Michigan | Ann Arbor | Learn More |
| Kellogg Community College | Battle Creek | Learn More |
| Ferris State University | Big Rapids | Learn More |
| Baker College | Clinton Township | Learn More |
| Wayne County Community College District | Detroit | Learn More |
| University of Detroit Mercy School of Dentistry | Detroit | Learn More |
| Mott Community College | Flint | Learn More |
| Grand Rapids Community College | Grand Rapids | Learn More |
| Kalamazoo Valley Community College | Kalamazoo | Learn More |
| Jackson College | Jackson | Learn More |
| Lansing Community College | Lansing | Learn More |
| Delta College – University | University Center | Learn More |
| Oakland Community College | Waterford | Learn More |
Conclusion
Michigan is a great state to become a dental hygienist. The industry is part of Michigan’s strong and diverse economy, which has been rapidly growing over the last decade. Becoming a dental hygienist allows you to enjoy a high standard of living and a good quality of life in Michigan. However, becoming a dental hygienist in Michigan will introduce you to a variety of interesting challenges and obstacles, so you must be determined and focused.