How to Go About Becoming a Dental Hygienist in Alabama
Dental hygienists clean and polish teeth. Hygienists often make recommendations to dentists on the condition of a patient's teeth and gums. Alabama has specific guidelines for a person interested in becoming a dental hygienist. Students in Alabama interested in becoming a dental hygienist should consider Wallace State Community College in Hanceville.
How can I Become a Dental Hygienist in Alabama?
Preparation for becoming a dental hygienist should begin in high school. Students interested in the profession should focus on the sciences in high school and take courses like biology and chemistry. Informal prerequisites for becoming a dental hygienist include good manual dexterity and communication skills.
The Commission on Dental Accreditation has approved training programs that award associate's degrees, certificates, bachelor's and master's degrees. An associate's degree and professional certification are the minimum requirements for becoming a dental hygienist. Bachelor's or master's degrees are needed for research and teaching. A dental hygienist working in public or school environments will require a bachelor's degree.
Dental Hygienist Coursework
Admission requirements to a dental hygienist associate's degree program are an Alabama high school diploma, GED or Alabama occupational diploma. Coursework includes microbiology, physiology, periodontology, nutrition and radiography for dental x-rays. Students also study dental materials, dental hygiene nutrition, pharmacology, oral pathology and dental anatomy.
Alabama is the only state that does not require graduates to take the American Dental Association (ADA) written examination. However, if an aspiring dental hygienist plans to work in other states, they must sit for the ADA examination, which is required by all other states and the District of Columbia. Candidates in Alabama must meet the requirements of the Alabama Dental Hygiene Program. To qualify in Alabama, candidates must take courses, receive on-the-job training and sit for a state-administered license examination.
Leading School in Alabama for Dental Hygienist Training
Wallace State Community College in Hanceville, Alabama, offers an Associate of Applied Science degree in Dental Hygiene. The program is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association (ADA). Successful completion of the program qualifies a graduate to sit for the National Dental Hygiene Board Examination as well as Alabama's state certification test.
The dental hygiene program focuses on studies of dental materials radiology, anatomy, embryology, nutrition, periodontology, clinical hygiene, dental hygiene and pre-clinical dental hygiene.
Contact Information
- Address: 801 Main St NW, Hanceville, Alabama 35077
- Phone: (256) 352-8000
Related to How to Go About Becoming a Dental Hygienist in Alabama
- Related
- Recently Updated
- Popular
Best Schools for a Dental Assisting and Dental Hygienist Degree - San Jose, CA
There are 17 schools within 50 miles of San Jose, CA, that have dental assisting and dental hygienist certificate...
RDH - Dental Hygienist: Career Profile
Becoming a registered dental hygienist, also known as a RDH, requires completing a 2-year dental hygienist program and...
Hygienist: Becoming a Dental Hygienist
Dental hygienists clean patients' teeth and examine their gums. Hygienists may also perform administrative tasks...
Dental Hygienist: Educational Requirements for Dental Hygienists
Learn how to become a dental hygienist. Research basic and advanced education programs as well as the licensure you'll...
Dental Hygienist: Dental Hygiene Career Education Overview
- Online Dental Hygienist Associate's Degree Program Information
- Dental Hygiene: Overview of Adult School Programs for Becoming a Dental Tech Hygienist
- Dental Hygienist: Overview of Continuing Education for Dental Hygienists
- Montana (MT): Colleges and Universities
- Top Degree Programs in Electronics - Anaheim, CA
- Top Degrees in Nursing - Kansas City, MO
- Top Health Care Administration Degree Programs - Los Angeles, CA
20 Popular Schools
-
Minimum eligibility requirements:
- Must be a high school graduate or have completed GED
School locations:
- Online Learning
Online Programs
- Master
- Bachelor
-
Associate
-
- AAS in Medical Assisting
- AS in Health Science
-
-
Minimum eligibility requirements:
- Must be a high school graduate or have completed GED
School locations:
- Online Learning
Online Programs
-
Minimum eligibility requirements:
- Must be 21 years of age or older and have completed some college or 24 years of age or older and a high school graduate for a Bachelor's degree
- Masters degree applicants must have a Bachelors degree
- Doctorate degree applicants must have a Masters degree
School locations:
- Online Learning
Online Programs
- Doctorate
-
Bachelor
-
- BS in Health Studies - General
- BS in Health Studies - Health Management
-
-
Minimum eligibility requirements:
- Must be a high school graduate or have completed GED
School locations:
- Online Learning
Online Programs
- Doctorate
- Master
- Bachelor
-
Associate
-
- AA in Health Care Administration
- AA in Health Care Administration - Electronic Health Records
- AA in Health Care Administration - Medical Records
-
- Associate of Arts Foundations in Health Care Administration
- Associate of Arts Foundations in Health Care Administration/Medical Records
-
- Non-Degree
-
Minimum eligibility requirements:
- Must be a high school graduate or have completed GED
- Currently not accepting applications from Texas residents
School locations:
- Online Learning
Online Programs
-
Master
-
- MBA Dual Concentration: Healthcare Management and Project Management
-
- MBA Dual Concentration: Healthcare Management and Public Safety Leadership
-
-
Associate
-
- AS in Medical Assisting
-
- Non-Degree
-
School locations:
- Online Learning
Online Programs
-
Minimum eligibility requirements:
- Must have either two or more years of college or active military status if you are under 24 years of age
School locations:
- Online Learning
Online Programs
-
Minimum eligibility requirements:
- Must be a high school graduate.
School locations:
- Online Learning
Online Programs
-
Master
-
- Master of Science in Education - Allied Health Teaching and Leadership
-
-
Bachelor
-
- BS in Health Science
-
-
Minimum eligibility requirements:
- Must be a high school graduate or have completed GED
School locations:
- Online Learning
Online Programs
-
Minimum eligibility requirements:
- Must be a high school graduate or have completed GED
School locations:
- Online Learning
Online Programs
- Master
- Bachelor
