Becoming a dental hygienist in California is a great way to get your foot in the door of the dental industry. It’s a highly sought-after job, and it doesn’t require a lot of experience or education to qualify. Here’s how:
Step 1: Get Your License
Dental hygiene programs are offered by community colleges and universities throughout California. You’ll need to complete an accredited program before applying for your license—you can find more information about these schools on the California Board of Dental Examiners website.
Once you’ve completed your training, you’ll need to apply for a license with the California Board of Dental Examiners. The application process will include getting fingerprinted, paying fees, and passing an exam covering ethics and law. You’ll also need to provide proof of citizenship or legal residency (if applicable) at this time.
Step 2: Find A Job
Now that you’re licensed as a dental hygienist in CA, it’s time to start looking for jobs! There are plenty of opportunities available across the state—just check out some local job boards like Indeed or Monster
How To Become Dental Hygienist In California
This article detailed the steps on how to become a dental hygienist in California. A dental hygienist or oral hygienist is a licensed dental professional, registered with a dental association or a regulatory body within the country where he practices. Before we talk about how to become a dental hygienist in California, let us look at who a dental hygienist is.
Dental hygienists are health professionals who have received special education and training in the prevention and treatment of many oral diseases.
It is no gainsaying that dental hygienists are among the top sought after health professionals in California, which explains why an average dental hygienist earns as high as $94,980.
It becomes more interesting to know that top dental hygienist earns as much as $109,970 ($52.87 per hour). Are you seeking to build a career in dental hygiene? If you are already a dental hygienist seeking to get information on how to acquire a dental hygiene license, then sit tight as we lead you through how to become a dental hygienist in California.
Contents hide
1 The Steps on How to Become A Dental Hygienist in California
1.1 Step 1: Earn a Bachelor’s Degree in a Related Field
1.2 Step 2: Complete the Requirement for State licensing
1.3 Step 7: complete an application through the Western Regional Examination Board (WREB).
1.4 Step 8: Engage in Continuing Education
2 What Do Dental Hygienists Do?
2.1 Why Become a Dental Hygienist?
3 Benefits of Being a Dental Hygienist
4 Do I Need to Be Certified to Be a Dental Hygienist?
5 How much does dental hygiene school cost in California?
6 What to Look for in a Dental Hygiene School
8 Working Condition of a dental health Hygienist
9 Qualities of a Dental Hygienist
10 Do dental hygienists make good money in California?
11 Can you become a dental hygienist without going to school?
12 Conclusion on how to become a dental hygienist in California
The Steps on How to Become A Dental Hygienist in California
- Earn a Bachelor’s Degree in a Related Field
- Complete the Requirement for State licensing
Step 1: Earn a Bachelor’s Degree in a Related Field
In general, the first step on our list of steps on how to become a dental hygienist in California is obtaining a bachelor’s degree in dental health or a related field.
This must be done through an institution fully accredited by Commission on Dental Accreditation. A bachelor’s degree in dental health exposes you to research opportunities and clinical practices as opposed to obtaining an associate degree.
https://8fffa7122b426b9d993a20fc799cdf2b.safeframe.googlesyndication.com/safeframe/1-0-38/html/container.htmlDental hygiene programs are often offered in community colleges, technical schools, and universities and they typically take 3 years to complete ranging from laboratory, clinical, and classroom instruction.
Areas of study include anatomy, medical ethics, and periodontics, which is the study of gum disease. Courses such as Nutrition, Psychology, Chemistry, Physiology, English, Anatomy, Biology, etc. are often required as prerequisites.
https://8fffa7122b426b9d993a20fc799cdf2b.safeframe.googlesyndication.com/safeframe/1-0-38/html/container.htmlIt is important you research the prerequisite courses required to obtain a degree in any field you want to build a career in. This will ensure you start taking classes in these courses that are needed.
Step 2: Complete the Requirement for State licensing
Becoming a dental hygienist does not just stop at Obtaining a bachelor’s degree in dental hygiene. As much as this is a significant step, you will be required to obtain a state license before you are authorized to practice.
Further steps on how to complete the requirements for state licensing if you must practice as a dental hygienist are as follows:
- Step 3: Must be a graduate of an approved and accredited Dental Hygiene program.
- Step 4: Must successfully complete a dental hygiene clinical examination accepted by the state of California.
- Step 5: Must Complete an approved course in the administration of local anaesthesia and nitrous oxide.
- Step 6: Must pass the National written examination.
Step 7: complete an application through the Western Regional Examination Board (WREB).
Upon successful completion of the WREB application, a letter will be sent to you with information regarding the written RDH law and ethics examination administered by the computer-based testing centre (PSI).
Obtaining licensure will demand that successful applicants pass the RDH law and ethics examination.
Once the whole requirements are met, you will be considered fully licensed and can add “RDH” to your name, signifying that you are a registered dental hygienist.
Step 8: Engage in Continuing Education
To remain relevant, as well as maintain your license, you will need to participate in continuing education sessions to stay up to date on the latest dental hygiene techniques and research.
Continuing education will keep you at the forefront of knowledge, exposing you to the latest best practices in your field, whether it relates to handling equipment or serving patients more effectively.
There are both local and international programs in dental hygiene you could lay your hands on, in addition to courses offered by the America Dental Hygienists’ Association (ADHA). Colgate’s Oral Health Network is an online option you can take advantage of to improve yourself.
