What is a Dental Hygienist?
Dental hygienists are licensed healthcare professionals who play a vital and collaborative role in delivering preventive oral health care. They provide comprehensive patient care, including oral health assessments, dental cleanings, radiographic imaging, fluoride application and the administration of local anesthesia where permitted. In clinical practice, dental hygienists practice autonomously within their scope of licensure, collaborating with dentists to ensure optimal patient outcomes. They are also leaders in patient education, promoting lifelong oral health through personalized instruction and evidence-based care.
What is the average salary range for a Dental Hygienist?
A dental hygienist in Georgia can make between $60,000-$95,000 a year depending on location, type of dental facility and years of experience. This field is projected to have a large need within Georgia healthcare careers.
Complete an undergraduate degree: Students will complete an associate or bachelor’s degree in dental hygiene from a program accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA). Associate degree programs typically take two years to complete and provide education necessary for clinical practice. Bachelor’s degree programs typically take four years to complete and include courses in leadership, research and more advanced clinical training that offers the graduate an opportunity for career advancement in alternative practice settings.
Take the National Board of Dental Hygiene Examination (NBDHE): The NBDHE is a comprehensive examination made up of 350 multiple choice questions and case-based items covering the scientific basis for dental hygiene practice, provision of clinical dental hygiene services and community health/research principles. Graduates must complete the NBDHE with a score of 75 or higher.
Take a Dental Hygiene Clinical Examination: Clinical examinations provide a reliable third-party assessment of candidates’ clinical skills and are used by state dental boards in making valid licensing decisions. Clinical licensure exams are administered at various times throughout the year at various host institutions. Graduates must complete a clinical licensure examination with a score of 75 or higher.
Licensing: After successfully earning a degree in dental hygiene and passing both the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination and a clinical licensure exam, candidates are eligible to apply for licensure in the state where they intend to practice. Some states also require a jurisprudence examination covering local laws and professional ethics. Once licensed, dental hygienists must maintain and periodically renew their licenses, which involves meeting continuing education requirements and complying with any additional state-specific regulations.
For detailed admissions criteria, please visit the program’s official website via the provided link.
Institution *Link to program page | Location | Degree Type | Dental Office Observation Hours | Admission Testing Scores | GPA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Albany State University | Albany | Associate degree | 16 hours at two different general dentist offices | TEAS: 60 | 2.5 |
| Augusta University | Augusta | Bachelor’s degree | 12 hours at two different dental offices | None | 2.5 |
| Clayton State University | Morrow | Bachelor’s degree | Minimum 4 hours | None | 2.8 |
| Degree Completion AS-DH to BS-DH | None | None | 2.0 | ||
| Bachelor’s degree and Health Care Management Dual Degree | None | None | 3.0 | ||
| Ga Highlands | Floyd | Associate degree | 30 hours at two different general dentist offices | TEAS: 65 | 2.5 |
| Degree Completion AS-DH to BS-DH | None | None | 2.5 | ||
| Georgia State University | Dunwoody | Associate degree | None | None | 3.0 |
| Online | Degree Completion AS-DH to BS-DH | None | None | 2.5 | |
| Valdosta State University | Valdosta | Associate degree | 12 hours at two different general dentist offices | HESI A2: 75 in all sections | 2.5 |