dental hygienist requirements in connecticut
Healthcare

Dental Hygienist Prerequisite Checklist

As with the rest of the healthcare industry, careers in dentistry are flourishing. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that dental hygienists, in particular, are seeing rapid growth, with almost 20,000 job openings expected by 2033. Without a doubt, now is the time to become a dental hygienist and meet this growing demand. The question now is, how?

Becoming a dental hygienist requires education and training. But (perhaps to your surprise), these requirements can be completed in just a few years’ time. There are certain prerequisite courses you’ll need to take, and skills requirements you’ll need to meet, but the path to becoming a dental hygienist is one of the fastest you’ll find in healthcare.

This is not to say that the dental hygienist requisites are easy. After all, these professionals must be extremely skilled and polished in all that they do. Dental hygienists use a variety of intricate tools and techniques to clean teeth, identify oral health conditions, and provide preventative care. They provide direct care to patients and operate advanced industry technology daily. And, as a result, they must fulfill standard requirements, such as training and licensure, before practicing in the field.

Let’s unpack the specific dental hygienist prerequisites you need to meet before pursuing this career.

High-Level Dental Hygienist Requirements

In general, an associate degree in Dental Hygiene is the standard requirement to become a dental hygienist today.

Bachelor’s and master’s degree programs are also available, but less common. The majority of associate degree programs take around three years to complete, and consist of laboratory training, clinical practice, and classroom instruction.

An associate degree in Dental Hygiene is what qualifies candidates for licensure, which is an important requirement. Across the United States, dental hygienists must hold a license to practice.

License requirements for dental hygienists can vary by state, but generally involve passing a written and clinical examination. This exam can be taken after the completion of a state-approved Dental Hygiene program, and is administered by each state’s Board of Dental Examiners.

State-Level Dental Hygienist Requirements (Connecticut)

As noted above, each state has its own requirements for aspiring dental hygienists. For the purpose of this blog, we’ll explore the dental hygienist requirements in Connecticut.

According to the state’s Department of Public Health, the dental hygienist license requirements in Connecticut are as follows:

After passing these examinations, you must also submit the required documentation for licensure. These include:

  • Official transcripts of your dental hygienist education, which will verify the award of the degree
  • Official reports of your National Board scores
  • Official reports of your regional clinical exam
  • A completed application for licensure (along with corresponding fee)

 

 

 

Learn more about the path to becoming a dental hygienist here!

 

 

 

Admissions Requirements for a Dental Hygienist Program

Just like the dental hygienist prerequisites vary by state, admissions requirements will vary significantly by school and degree program.

In general, Dental Hygiene programs will require you to complete an application, submit your high school transcripts, become CPR certified, and fulfill a handful of prerequisite coursework. However, it is important to keep in mind that this is a highly competitive field. Many programs will outline an array of prerequisites and markers to place aspiring hygienists.

To help you better understand the dental hygienist prerequisites, we’ve included the admissions requirements for Goodwin’s dental hygiene school below:

  • Complete the application for admission into Goodwin University and get accepted
  • Complete the application for admission into the Dental Hygiene program
  • Have a minimum GPA of 2.7 at the time of application
  • Successfully complete a background check, drug test, and Department of Children and Families check (forms provided by program personnel)

Complete the following dental hygiene prerequisite courses:

  • Introduction to Psychology or equivalent (with a passing grade)
  • Computer Literacy Elective (with a passing grade)
  • English Composition or equivalent (with a passing grade)
  • Intermediate Algebra or higher math course (“C” or better)
  • Chemistry 101 (“C” or better)
  • Anatomy & Physiology I (within five years with a “C+” or better)
  • Microbiology (within ten years with a “C+” or better)
  • Anatomy & Physiology II, in which students may be enrolled at the time of application. The course must be successfully completed before beginning the first dental hygiene course, or within the last five years with a “C+” or better.

Also:

  • Have the functional ability to perform the tasks required of a dental hygienist, including ability to participate in clinical rotations and offer physical, safe, and hands-on patient care
  • Provide documentation of 8 hours of observation of dental hygiene services within the last 12 months
  • Submit a 500-word essay (this will be used as part of a points system) if invited to do so after your initial application is sent

Like many of the leading dental hygiene schools, admissions into Goodwin University’s program are competitive and therefore based on a point ranking system to help qualify aspiring dental hygienists.

Common Coursework Required for Dental Hygienists

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, dental hygienists need to be well-versed in general topics like anatomy and medical ethics, as well as more technical areas of study like periodontics (the study of gum disease).

The most important studies will all be covered in a Dental Hygiene degree program. However, you can start taking relevant courses even sooner! As early as high school, you can take courses in biology, chemistry, and math to prepare for a dental hygiene career.

Below are some examples of courses required to graduate from a Dental Hygiene program, as well as prerequisite courses needed to enroll.

Common Programmatic Course Requirements:

  • Head and Neck Anatomy
  • Nutrition
  • Oral Pathology
  • Periodontology
  • Principles of Dental Hygiene
  • Public Health Dentistry
  • Radiology

Common Prerequisite Course Requirements:

  • Anatomy & Physiology I
  • Chemistry 101
  • Computer Literacy
  • English Composition
  • Introduction to Psychology or equivalent
  • Math (Intermediate algebra or higher)
  • Microbiology

Dental Hygienist Requirements FAQ

How long does it take to become a dental hygienist?

Most associate degree programs in Dental Hygiene take three years to complete, beginning with general education and prerequisite classes and culminating in a capstone course. Upon completion of this program, the licensing exam can be completed.

What is the minimum education required for a dental hygienist?

The minimum educational requirement for dental hygienists can vary by state, but is typically an associate degree in Dental Hygiene (from a state-approved or accredited program).

What do you need to be a dental hygienist in Connecticut?

Aspiring dental hygienists in Connecticut need to graduate from a CODA-accredited degree program, successfully pass the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination, and complete a clinical performance exam administered by the state.

Start Checking the Boxes Towards a Dental Hygienist Career

A Dental Hygienist program is designed to equip you with the skills needed to work with patients, to work with your hands, to operate advanced technology, to educate the community about oral hygiene, and to become a successful dental hygienist.

If you are interested in becoming a dental hygienist in Connecticut, Goodwin University can help you get there.

Goodwin’s Dental Hygienist degree program is centered around career-focused, evidence-based learning and hands-on coursework. Students gain the theoretical foundation needed in the classroom, as well as the clinical foundation needed through our state-of-the-art dental hygiene facility, where students get to work with real patients in the community.

The Goodwin College Dental Hygiene program is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation, a specialized accrediting body recognized by the United States Department of Education.

 

To learn more about becoming a dental hygienist through Goodwin, or to request more information about our dental hygiene prerequisites, do not hesitate to reach out. Call 800-889-3282 or visit us online to learn more.