Working as a dental hygienist can be a challenging but rewarding job. Earning your degree in dental hygiene requires organization, communication skills, soft-skills, and problem-solving skills.

As a licensed dental hygienist, you will use these skills as you help patients maintain good oral health.

Yes, you can work while in dental hygiene school, but due to the rigorous program, it is challenging to balance working with courses.  Many students recommend working very limited hours. Each student is unique, so talk with your program advisor on how to balance your classes and study time with any work requirements.

Before starting dental hygiene school, it may be helpful to shadow or interview a dental hygienist. Talking with dental providers is one of the best ways to learn about the dental hygiene field, what typical days are like, and what training is needed.

The highest degree you can earn in the field of dentistry is a doctorate in dentistry – either a Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) or Doctor of Medicine in Dentistry (DMD).

A dental hygiene degree is not one of the qualifications needed to apply for dental school. While it’s possible to use your experience as a hygienist to transition into a career as a dentist, you will likely have minimal advantage when applying for dental school.

Typically, it takes between two and four years to become a dental hygienist. Some programs can be completed in 36 months or less, such as Herzing’s Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene program. You can potentially transfer credit from prior college courses to decrease how much time it takes to complete.

The average hourly wage for a dental hygienist is $43.21, according to the BLS. The average annual salary was $89,890.* Pay may vary based on additional factors, such as experience, employer, and the city or state of employment.