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Career Colleges    » Massachusetts    » Health, Medical, and Nursing     » Dental Hygienist

Massachusetts Dental Hygienist Degrees

Dental Hygienist Degrees: Massachusetts Colleges

Looking for accredited career colleges, technical schools, and universities in Massachusetts offering Dental Hygienist degrees. Ready to enter the dental hygiene profession? Academic programs provided by community colleges, technical colleges, dental schools or universities

Pursuing a Massachusetts education means studying in a state that most agree is the education capital of America, with countless fine colleges and universities to choose from. The state boasts the sophisticated city of Boston, home to a fine symphony orchestra, an exceptional museum, and a very good ballet company along with a wide variety of innovative small dance, theater and performing arts companies. The Massachusetts countryside features the majestic Berkshire mountains as well as pristine Colonial-era villages and hearty seafaring towns. This is, simply put, a magnificent state in which to study.

Massachusetts Colleges: Dental Hygienist Degrees

Do I Want to Be a Dental Hygienist?

Dental hygienists are oral health professionals who work under the supervision of licensed dentists. Along with teaching patients proper oral hygiene, they may conduct patient assessments, oral inspections and teeth cleanings. Hygienists often work in general and specialty dental clinics but may also find employment in hospitals, nursing homes and other healthcare facilities.

Dental hygienists receive their education through academic programs at community colleges, technical colleges, dental schools or universities. The majority of community college programs take at least two years to complete, with graduates receiving associate degrees. Upon completion of this degree, a hygienist will have to take the license examinations (national and state or regional), become licensed and to work in a dental office.

University-based dental hygiene programs may offer baccalaureate and master's degrees, which generally require at least two years of further schooling. These additional degrees may be required for a career in teaching and/or research, as well as for clinical practice in school or public health programs.

Dental hygiene program admission requirements vary depending upon the specific school. Additionally, these programs include courses in liberal arts (eg, English, speech, sociology and psychology); basic sciences (eg, anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, immunology, chemistry, microbiology and pathology); and clinical sciences (eg, dental hygiene, radiology and dental materials). After completion of a dental hygiene program, dental hygienists can choose to pursue additional training in such areas as education, business administration, basic sciences, marketing and public health.

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