Fastest Way To Become a Dental Hygienist: Shortest Programs

If you're thinking about becoming a dental hygienist, you may be wondering about the process involved. Specifically, you're curious about how you can reach your career goals in the shortest timeframe possible.

Keep reading as we discuss the fastest way to become a dental hygienist. We'll take a look at the steps you can follow, explore some fast online dental hygienist programs, and answer some questions you may be wondering about.

How Long Does It Take To Become a Dental Hygienist?

There are different pathways to becoming a dental hygienist, but typically, you'll need to earn either an associate degree or a bachelor's degree to pursue initial licensure. Respectively, these programs take about two to four years to complete if you study full-time.

Some schools offer accelerated or bridge programs that allow students to finish in a shorter timeframe. Common examples of this are programs that enable registered dental hygienists (RDHs) who hold an associate degree to earn a Bachelor of Science in dental hygiene (BSDH) within one year.

What Education Do You Need To Be a Dental Hygienist?

Most states require aspiring dental hygienists to complete an accredited training program. Most commonly, students earn an associate degree in dental hygiene, but bachelor's and even master's degrees are also available.

Some students consider the easiest dental hygienist degree programs to be associate degrees, but these programs can be highly competitive. They also contain challenging courses and rigorous clinical experiences to give students the hands-on preparation they need for their future careers.

These training programs teach the fundamentals of dentistry and oral health, preparing students for jobs in dental offices, public health facilities, and other healthcare settings. To pursue licensure, it's important to choose a program accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA).

Steps To Become a Dental Hygienist

If you're ready to start working toward becoming a licensed dental hygienist, keep reading. Below, we'll look at the educational requirements and other steps you can follow to get your license.

Step 1: Graduate High School or Earn a GED

To be admitted into any dental hygienist training program, you'll need to have a high school diploma or GED. If you're still in school, work hard to keep your grades up, as many programs have minimum GPA requirements.

Taking classes in math, biology, and chemistry can help you prepare for the challenging courses you'll take in college. They may also be required prerequisites for some programs. You should also look into financial aid, such as grants and scholarships, to help financially prepare for college.

Step 2: Enroll in an Accredited Dental Hygiene Program

The next step is to enroll in a pre-licensure dental hygiene program accredited by the CODA. Many colleges and community colleges offer these programs.

You can study on a part-time or full-time basis at most schools. You will complete a combination of coursework, which may be offered online or in-person, along with skills practice labs and clinical experiences. Courses cover topics such as periodontics, anatomy, and medical ethics.

Learn More: Math Requirements For Dental Hygienists

Step 3: Complete Required Clinical Training

Clinical training is a key component of any accredited pre-licensure dental hygiene program. Learners gain supervised patient care experience by working shifts in dental offices and other facilities.

This experience enables dental hygiene students to put the skills they learn in the classroom and lab into practice. It also helps them prepare for the day-to-day job duties they'll perform in this career path.

Step 4: Pass the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination

All aspiring dental hygienists must pass a series of licensing exams before they can begin practicing. The first of these is the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination (NBDHE).

This test takes nine hours to complete and consists of 350 questions surrounding patient assessment, dental ethics, and common procedures. Students take the exam in-person at Pearson Vue testing centers in their local communities.

Step 5: Apply for State Licensure and Pass Clinical Exams

Once they've passed the national written examination, students must then pass a clinical exam in their state or region. This exam gives students an opportunity to demonstrate their clinical skills on a manikin or live test patient.

Specific details of these exams vary by state. Most states use one of three regional testing services to administer the exams, but some offer their own, state-specific options. Once you've passed all of your exams, applied to your state's board of dental examiners for a license, and met all local requirements, you will receive your dental hygienist license and can begin working as an RDH.

Fastest Dental Hygiene Programs

It's worth noting that few schools offer online pre-licensure dental hygienist programs. Most of the shortest dental hygienist programs available online are bridge programs for associate-educated RDHs who want to earn a bachelor's degree. Let's take a closer look at some top options below.

1. Wichita State University

Wichita State University is a public school located in Wichita, KS. It provides a post-licensure BSDH completion program that students complete online.

The program provides flexible coursework and study options, but full-time students can graduate in as little as three semesters. Courses build on students' previous education and experience to help them pursue career advancement in dental health.

• Estimated cost: $9,684 per year
• Program length: Three semesters
• Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC)

2. Carrington College

Carrington College is a private, for-profit school headquartered in Sacramento, CA. Its BSDH program can be completed entirely online in just one year.

Graduates of the program have opportunities to explore career growth and graduate studies in dental care. The program gives students a highly flexible way to advance their skills and grow their careers.

• Estimated cost: $22,182 per year
• Program length: 12 months
• Accreditation: Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC)

3. Georgia State University

Georgia State University is a public school in Atlanta, GA. Students at this school can complete an RDH to BSDH program in a flexible online format.

The program consists of 30 credit hours and can be completed in as little as one year. Continuous, year-round study options are available, and the online coursework is flexible enough to fit into any schedule.

• Estimated cost: $8,664 per year
• Program length: One year
• Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)

4. Pennsylvania College of Technology

Pennsylvania College of Technology is a public school affiliated with Pennsylvania State University. It is located in Williamsport, PA, and offers a 100% online RDH to BSDH program.

The program offers flexible, asynchronous courses that students can complete at any time of day. Learners can choose to study on a full-time or part-time basis depending on their needs and work schedules.

• Estimated cost: $17,940 per year
• Program length: One to two years
• Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)

5. Vermont State University

Vermont State University is a public school with multiple locations in Vermont. It offers a two-year-long RDH to BSDH program with convenient online coursework.

Students in this program gain leadership skills as they delve into advanced topics of dental practice. Flexible courses are designed for busy working adults and allow students to study on their own schedules.

• Estimated cost: $11,952 per year
• Program length: Two years
• Accreditation: New England Commission on Higher Education (NECHE)

How We Chose These Programs

We strive to choose top schools when creating our college rank lists. We selected the schools above using the following criteria:

• Shortest program lengths: Each of the programs can be completed in two years or less.
• Accreditation: All of the schools are institutionally accredited, and their dental hygiene programs maintain CODA accreditation.
• Online coursework: All of the programs offer online or hybrid coursework options.

FAQs About Becoming a Dental Hygienist Fast

If you still have questions about completing dental hygiene education quickly, you're not alone. Read on for answers to some commonly asked questions.

Can I Become a Dental Hygienist in Less Than 2 Years?

The vast majority of pre-licensure dental hygiene programs take two to four years to complete. Even some associate degree programs can last up to three years of full-time study.

That said, a few schools offer accelerated or advanced-standing options that can be completed in a shorter timeframe. One example is New York University, which offers a fast-track associate degree in dental hygiene that students can complete in 17 months.

Do Any Schools Offer Online Dental Hygiene Programs?

Online pre-licensure programs are rare and always include in-person clinical components and skills labs. That said, some schools allow students to complete prerequisites and general education coursework online.

What's more, many schools offer post-licensure RDH-to-BSDH programs online or in a hybrid format. These programs may or may not require in-person components, but most, if not all, of the coursework requirements can be completed remotely.

What Is the Shortest Accredited Dental Hygiene Program?

Generally speaking, the shortest dental hygiene programs are accelerated RDH-to-BSDH programs, some of which can be completed within a year. Some schools also offer accelerated prelicensure programs that help students earn an associate degree and pursue entry-level dental hygiene careers in under two years.

Are There Bridge Programs From Dental Assisting to Dental Hygiene?

Some dental hygiene programs offer advanced-placement or advanced-standing options for dental assistants. These may sometimes be called bridge programs. They accept transfer credits for students' previous training and experience as dental assistants, helping them finish their program sooner.

Is It Hard To Get Into a Dental Hygiene Program?

Dental hygiene programs are typically competitive and do not admit every student who applies to them. This can make certain programs very challenging to get into, especially if they only admit one small cohort each year.

To improve your chances of acceptance, keep your grades up and apply to programs that have multiple start dates, relaxed admissions requirements, or that accept larger numbers of applicants.

Explore Dental Hygienist Programs

If you're ready to begin or continue your dental hygiene journey, explore the schools featured on Learn.org. Contact any of the colleges to learn more about their programs and choose the right one for you.