Dental Hygienist FAQ

About three years, including prerequisites and a two-year accredited program, plus licensing exams.

No. Hygienists are licensed to clean teeth and provide preventive care, while dental assistants support the dentist and often need less training.

Yes. Part-time and multi-office schedules are very common.

The median annual wage for dental hygienists was $98,100 ($47.16 per hour) in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest 10% earned less than $74,880 and the highest 10% earned more than $126,050.

Most people need about About 3 years of training. Dental hygienists need at least an associate degree from a program accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA). With prerequisites, this usually takes about three years. Bachelor’s and master’s programs prepare hygienists for public health, education and research roles.

No four-year degree is typically required. BLS lists “associate's degree” as the typical entry-level education.

It can be, depending on your goals. Employment is projected to change +8.0% from 2025–35 (much faster than average), with about 15,000 openings each year. Upsides include high pay for an associate-level career; a common challenge is that repetitive strain on hands, wrists and neck.

Key technical skills include periodontal assessment and charting, scaling and root planing, dental radiography, and local anesthesia (where permitted). Employers also value gentle, reassuring manner, manual dexterity, and attention to detail.

Common credentials include State dental hygiene license (RDH), National Board Dental Hygiene Examination (NBDHE), Clinical licensing exam, and Local anesthesia or nitrous oxide permit. Every state requires dental hygienists to be licensed. Requirements typically include graduation from a CODA-accredited program, the NBDHE and a clinical exam. Scope of practice, including anesthesia, varies by state.