The hygienist works under the direction or supervision of a licensed dentist, and must be licensed by the state in which he or she practices. Satisfactory completion of the dental hygiene curriculum is necessary in order to be eligible for state licensure. Hygienists are employed by dentists in solo and group practices, government health agencies, school systems, hospital and industrial dental clinics, the military services, and in dental hygiene education programs. Graduates who enjoy working with people and are extremely conscientious in their work can look forward to satisfying and rewarding careers. The dental hygiene curriculum is a demanding one, requiring a high degree of individual motivation, good health and stamina, good manual dexterity, and an excellent background in biology and chemistry.
Instruction is individualized and performance standards are exacting.
To assure students of quality technical training in both classroom instruction and clinical practice, enrollments are limited. Academic preparation in high school should include one year each of biology and chemistry. A year of high school algebra and a semester of geometry are recommended. Students applying to the dental hygiene program are accepted as pre-professional students. The pre-professional student will complete prerequisites necessary for acceptance into the professional sequence.