51³Ô¹Ï undergraduates who are interested in a career as a dental hygienist may choose to complete a pre-dental hygiene studies track in preparation for a dental hygiene program. 51³Ô¹Ï offers a two-year dental hygiene program resulting in a bachelor of science. Pacific also offers several other pre-professional tracks for students.
About Dental Hygiene Studies
Dental hygienists clean teeth, examine patients for signs of oral disease, and provide other preventative dental care. They also educate patients on ways to improve and maintain good oral healthy. Hygienists use a range of equipment, from hand- and powered-tools to x-ray machines. In some states, dental hygienists may also place and carve filling materials, temporary fillings and periodontal dressings.
Employment of dental hygienists is expected to grow by 9 percent form 2021 to 2031. The median annual wage of dental hygienists was $77,810 in 2021.
Program & Requirements
An associate’s degree in dental hygiene is the minimum requirement to enter the occupation. Certificates, bachelor’s and master’s degrees also are available, though they are less common. A bachelor’s or master’s degree is usually required for research, teaching, or clinical practice in public or school health programs.
Dental hygiene programs typically include laboratory, clinical and classroom instruction. Hygienists study anatomy, physiology, nutrition, radiography and periodontology.
High school students interested in becoming dental hygienists should take courses in biology, chemistry and mathematics. Some dental hygiene programs also require applicants to have completed at least one year of college.
The School of Dental Hygiene Studies at 51³Ô¹Ï offers an entry-level program leading to a bachelor of science in dental health. The program includes two years of dental hygiene courses completed at 51³Ô¹Ï following the completion of prerequisite coursework. Applicants must complete a minimum of 48 semester hours prior to starting the 51³Ô¹Ï program and must meet minimum GPA requirements. Applicants also must complete a minimum of 20 hours of dental observation, at least 10 hours of which must take place in public healthy, such as a public dental clinic, dental school clinic, dental hygiene school clinic, mobile dental van, community health center, hospital, nursing home or prison.
