Dental hygienists must be licensed in order to obtain a position in a dental office.  In order to become licensed, it is mandatory for individuals to graduate from an accredited dental hygiene school as well as pass a written and clinical test.  Every state requires the same passing score on the tests that are administered and monitored by the American Dental Association’s Joint Commission on National Dental Examinations.  Some states may also require a candidate to successfully pass an exam that pertains directly to the legal aspects of a dental hygienist.

Dental hygienist programs are offered at certification programs, vocational or community colleges and universities.  Along with a successful test score, applicants must also have a minimum of an associate’s degree or a 2-year certification.  This basically allows a hygienist to work in a private dental office.  Those hygienists who are interested in specializing in research, training or clinical practice in public or school health programs must maintain at least a bachelor’s degree and sometimes a master’s degree.

In order to be admitted into a program for dental hygienists, a high school diploma and college entrance test scores are required.  There are many dental hygienist programs that prefer their applicants to have at least a minimum of 1 year of college before enrolling.  At times there may even be a waiting list.  Students in the program are educated in laboratory, clinical, and classroom instruction.  They learn anatomy, physics, chemistry, microbiology, pharmacology, nutrition, histology, period ontology and pathology.  There is also specific instruction that is geared toward aspects of dental hygiene as well as dental equipment and materials
It is necessary for hygienists to work well with other as well as an understanding of customer service.  Social and behavioral sciences are also required courses.  These courses touch on situations dealing with people and are supposed to help hygienists work with the public.

There is little room for error when it comes to being a hygienist.  This means that it is mandatory for hygienists to be familiar with dental tools, instruments, materials and equipment.  Safety precautions will ensure that there is no harm caused.  The clinical evaluation or examination is established to verify the competence of candidates who seek to be hygienists.  In order to obtain a position in a dental office it is mandatory that this section of the test is passed as well.  Along with the knowledge in written form, it is necessary for candidates to prove their skills with a hands-on evaluation.