What’s the Next Step After Becoming a Dental Hygienist? Explore Career Advancement Opportunities in Dental Hygiene
Becoming a licensed dental hygienist can take around three years. Career advancement requires more time, education, and focus. Most dental hygienists work with clients to maintain or improve oral health.
Individuals who continue their education may pursue careers in public health or management, depending on their goals or interests. So, what is the next step after dental hygienist? Learn more about career advancement possibilities for dental hygienists in this guide.
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Career Pathway for Dental Hygienists
According to the American Dental Education Association, there are 327 accredited associate-level dental hygiene training programs, 51 bachelor’s programs, and 17 master’s programs in the United States.
Dental hygienists typically work in dental offices cleaning and examining patients’ teeth. During oral examinations, they look for potential oral health concerns and work closely with the dentist to educate patients about oral health and care. Hygienists who want to advance their careers can pursue several opportunities in the field, including clinical practice, education, public health, administration, and research.
The following includes choices a dental hygienist might make for their career:
- Associate Degree: Earn a two- or three-year associate degree in dental hygiene through an accredited program.
- Licensure: Pass the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination and a clinical examination to qualify for a license to practice in your state.
- First Job: Practice and gain experience as an entry-level dental hygienist.
- Bachelor’s Degree: Consider enrolling in a degree completion program for a bachelor’s degree in dental hygiene.
- Advanced Position: Earn an advanced dental hygiene position in an area of interest, such as management, advanced clinical position, education, public health, or research.
- Further Education: People who earn a master’s degree in dental hygiene might be in a good position to consider the following jobs:
- Education: Work in higher education, shaping the next generation of students as a dental hygiene professor, program director, or corporate educator.
- Corporate: Consider positions as sales representatives, corporate administration, and product researchers.
- Community Public Health: Positions in public health programs might include rural or inner-city community clinics or classrooms.
- Research: A graduate degree is preferable for employment as a dental researcher in colleges and universities, corporations, government agencies, and nonprofit organizations.
- Entrepreneur: Dental hygienists can choose to start their own business, including an employment service, product development, consulting, professional speaker, writer, influencer, or practice manager.
Can Dental Hygienists Become Dentists?
Yes, dental hygienists can become dentists after furthering their education. First, you must earn a bachelor’s degree and take the Dental Admission Test (DAT). This standardized exam is necessary to apply to dental school. You must be admitted and complete an accredited doctor of dental surgery (DDS) or a doctor of dental medicine (DMD) program that typically can be completed in four years.
Some programs allow students to complete their bachelor’s degree while enrolled in the doctorate program. This can take up to six years to complete. After finishing your doctorate, you must take and pass the American Dental Association’s Integrated National Board Dental Examination and obtain a license through the state’s Board of Dental Examiners.
The transition from dental hygienist to dentist is demanding but achievable. It requires a significant commitment and investment of time and resources. The exact path can vary based on your educational background and the dental school’s requirements.
Where do Dental Hygienists Work?
While most dental hygienists work in private dental offices, they also have access to other employment opportunities. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), dental hygienists held approximately 220,000 jobs in 2022.
The majority of those positions were in private dental offices, but other opportunities exist in public health clinics, nursing homes, hospitals, and corporate settings where they help manufacture dental products and work on related product development or marketing. Some hygienists work as educators in colleges and universities, and others take on roles in prison facilities or school systems.
Degree Differences in Dental Hygiene Education
With many career advancement options for dental hygienists, determining how to advance your education can be difficult. Most dental hygiene programs take place in person, but there are also online and hybrid options, especially for degree completion and master’s-level education. No matter how the student accesses coursework, there is a clinical requirement the student must fulfill.
An advanced degree also leads to increasing responsibilities and greater salary potential. Before applying for and enrolling in an advanced degree, consider how much time and energy you can invest. Online or hybrid programs may offer greater flexibility to work around family and work obligations.
The following information details how specific degree programs can lead to distinct career paths.
Associate
- Years to Complete: 2 years
- Professional Opportunities:
- Clinical: Private dental practices, community clinics, prison facilities, nursing homes, and hospitals.
- Education: Clinical instructors
- Entrepreneur: Practice management, product sales, employment service, consulting, and professional speaking and writing.
Bachelor’s and Degree Completion
- Years to Complete: 4 years bachelor’s; 1-5 years degree completion
- Professional Opportunities:
- Clinical: The same opportunities as an associate degree with greater salary potential.
- Corporate: Sales representatives, product researchers, corporate educators, and administrators.
- Public Health Setting: Head Start, school sealant programs, community clinic administrator, Indian Health Service, State Public Health Officer.
- Researcher: A bachelor’s degree is an entry-level requirement for colleges and universities, governmental agencies, corporations, and nonprofit organizations.
- Educator: Clinical or classroom instructor.
- Entrepreneur: The same opportunities exist in an associate degree.
Master of Science
- Years to Complete: 2
- Professional Opportunities: Dental hygienists with a master of science have the same opportunities as a bachelor’s-prepared dental hygienist. Graduate degrees are preferred for these positions:
- Researcher in any organization.
- Classroom instructor, program director, corporate educators.
- Director-level positions and research administrator
Dental Hygienist Training for Nontraditional Students
There is a need for dental hygienists across the globe, which means some nontraditional students may require additional education to be licensed to practice in the United States. Here are some tips and profiles for learners who want to join the oral healthcare community.
Foreign-Educated Students
Candidates educated outside the U.S. in programs not accredited by the American Dental Association’s (ADA) Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) can join dental hygiene programs with advanced standing. This means the program recognizes at least part of your previous education or experience. Enrollees often complete these degrees in less than three years.
International Students
International students who speak English as a second language must take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL).
International students may have trouble finding financial aid but may qualify for institutional aid. The National Association for Foreign Student Affairs (NAFSA) offers resources to help international learners identify scholarships and loans to help fund dental hygiene programs in the United States.
Career-Changing Students
If you are considering becoming a dental hygienist after earning a degree or working in another field, you have options. You can enter a certificate or associate degree program and finish within two years. You can also enroll in a degree completion program, which may require prerequisite courses, depending on how long it has been since graduating from another program.
Gap Year Students
A gap year, also called a sabbatical year, can help prepare students for college. Students may choose to take a gap year for several reasons, such as financial concerns or health and mental well-being.
Gap-year students can work with school advisors to explore their options and plan the application process. Students should stay in touch with teachers and mentors so they have access to letters of recommendation as needed for school applications.
Salary Information: Dental Careers
Dental hygienists often earn salaries well above other dental or health-related professions for entry-level professions. In other cases, they earn below what other dentistry professionals earn. The difference often lies in an individual’s training and experience, among other factors.
The following are examples of advanced career options for dental hygienists, the average annual salary, and the minimum education requirement.
| Career | Average Annual Salary | Minimum Education Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Dental Assistant | $47,340 | Certificate/Diploma |
| Dental Lab Technician | $52,390 | Associate |
| Dental Hygienist | $77,230 | Associate |
| Medical and Health Services Manager | $134,440 | Bachelor’s |
| Dentist | $191,750 | Doctorate |
Dental Hygienist: Career Outlook
According to BLS data, dental hygienists are in demand, with an expected job growth of 7% from 2022 to 2032 — more than twice as fast as the average for all industries.
The top-paying employers for dental hygienists include dental offices, outpatient care centers, and employment centers.
In terms of job growth and annual salary, dental hygienists compare favorably with similar positions outside of dentistry.
| Position | Average Annual Salary | Projected Growth 2022-2032 |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $94,480 | 6% |
| MRI Technologist | $83,740 | 8% |
| Radiation Therapist | $104,420 | 2% |
| Respiratory Therapist | $80,340 | 13% |
Career Advancement: Ask a Dental Hygienist
Cyndie Richardson is a dental hygienist who graduated from the Oregon Health & Science University in 1993 with a bachelor of science in dental hygiene. She keeps current by attending a monthly study club known as “The Gum Gardeners” and is contemplating pursuing an MBA in healthcare.
What kinds of programs did you look into for higher education and career advancement in dental hygiene?
I looked at schools where you earn a degree vs. a trade school. It was important to me to earn a bachelor’s degree.
What are three qualities you see as essential to cultivate and work on in the dental hygiene field?
Dental hygienists must be passionate about people, strive for clinical excellence, and hold high standards for patient care.
What benefits have you seen in seeking career advancement in dental hygiene?
Involvement as a team member has enhanced the daily job by including responsibilities not limited to teeth cleaning.
Frequently Asked Questions About Dental Hygienist Career Advancement
After working as a dental hygienist, you might consider advancing your career by pursuing higher-level positions, such as educator, consultant, sales representative, researcher, or dentist. These positions require additional education and experience but offer new professional and growth opportunities.
