Why Should a Dental Assistant Become a Hygienist?

While dental assistants and hygienists both work in dental care, their roles differ significantly. As a dental assistant, you mainly help dentists by preparing patients, sterilizing instruments, and handling administrative tasks related to dental office management. 

Moving to a hygienist role creates more independence, direct patient care responsibilities, and additional clinical duties.

As a hygienist, you’ll handle advanced tasks such as cleanings, oral health assessments, and treatment plan development with dentists. You’ll have more autonomy, emphasizing preventive care and patient education. You may also perform procedures like periodontal therapy and apply preventive materials.

Such a career advancement brings substantial benefits. 

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median dental hygienist salary is approximately $87,530 annually, nearly double the $46,540 median salary of dental assistants.

While the change might seem daunting, the transition from assistant to hygienist is a natural step in dentistry. Your experience as an assistant provides a valuable foundation in dental procedures, patient care, and office operations. That background positions you well to move into the more specialized hygienist role.

With the required education and licensing, you can gain more job satisfaction, increased clinical responsibilities, and higher earning potential.

Educational Requirements for Becoming a Dental Hygienist

The minimum requirement is an associate's degree from a program accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA), the only agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education to accredit dental hygiene programs.

Most associate degree programs take about two years to complete, though some, such as those at Concorde Career Colleges, can wrap up in 17–22 months depending on the campus.

CODA-accredited programs must cover four main content areas:

• General Education: Oral and written communication, psychology, and sociology

• Biomedical Sciences: Anatomy, physiology, chemistry, biochemistry, microbiology

• Dental Sciences: Tooth morphology, oral pathology, radiography, periodontology

• Dental Hygiene Science: Oral health education, preventive care, patient management

The curriculum combines classroom learning with supervised clinical experience. In your first year, you’ll typically complete 8–12 hours of hands-on practice weekly, increasing to 12–16 hours in your second year.

To qualify for a dental hygiene program, you’ll need:

• High school diploma or equivalent

• Completion of prerequisite courses in biology, chemistry, and mathematics

• Minimum GPA (often 2.5–3.0, depending on the program)

• Strong manual dexterity and communication skills

Licensing and Certification Process

Becoming a licensed dental hygienist involves exams and requirements at both national and state levels.

Pass the National Board Examination

The cornerstone of dental hygiene licensure is passing the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination (NBDHE). This comprehensive exam has 350 multiple-choice questions split into two sections:

• Discipline-based: Tests knowledge in dental hygiene, pharmacology, and microbiology

• Case-based: Assesses how you apply knowledge to clinical scenarios

To be eligible for the NBDHE, you must first graduate from a CODA-accredited hygiene program. The examination is administered through the American Dental Association, with registration available through their website. The fee is about $470, and you can take the exam at Pearson VUE testing centers nationwide.

Satisfy State-Specific Licensing Requirements

Licensing requirements vary by state, though most require the NBDHE plus a clinical exam. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, state requirements often include:

• Passing scores on the NBDHE

• Completion of a regional or state clinical examination

• Submission of official transcripts and exam results

• Background checks and other documents as required

Some states have additional steps. For example, dental hygienists in Washington state must complete a state-specific Drug and Law exam.

If you want to practice in multiple states, the new Dentist and Dental Hygienist Compact can make this possible. However, you’ll need to meet specific eligibility requirements to be approved.

Maintain Your License

Once you’re licensed, you must keep your credentials current with:

• Continuing Education (CE):

  • Requirements typically range from 10–30 hours every two years

  • Courses must cover approved topics like new dental technologies, patient care advances, ethics, and infection control

• License Renewal:

  • Renewal schedules differ by state (every 1–3 years)

  • Requires proof of your completed CE hours and renewal fees

  • You may need to maintain other certifications (like CPR)

Many employers offer professional development support for continuing education. When applying for jobs, ask about CE funding and other certification requirements specific to your role or practice.

Timeline and Cost Considerations

Moving from dental assistant to dental hygienist takes planning in terms of both time and finances. Generally, the transition spans 2.5 to 3 years, divided into:

• Education: About 2 years for an associate degree

• Licensing Process: 3–6 months to complete national and state requirements

• Job Search: 1–3 months, depending on local market conditions and the hygienist recruitment process

Costs to budget for include:

• Program Tuition: $5,000 to $30,000 total

• Books and Supplies: $1,000 to $2,000 per year

• Licensing Fees: $300 to $600, depending on the state

Various financial aid options can help you manage these expenses, such as:

• Dental hygiene-specific scholarships

• Federal and state grants

• Student loans

• Merit-based institutional aid

To reduce expenses, consider attending community colleges for lower tuition, look for accredited programs in your state, apply for multiple scholarships early, and try to maintain part-time work as a dental assistant if possible.

Get Ready for Your Next Chapter

The path from dental assistant to dental hygienist is a significant but rewarding upgrade. Completing an associate degree and fulfilling licensing requirements can lead to expanded clinical responsibilities, higher earning potential, and a more independent role focused on preventive care.

Ready to put your new credentials to use? Teero’s app for flexible dental hygienist staffing connects you with temporary assignments for extra experience or permanent positions matched to your career goals. Download the app and join the growing community of professionals who’ve made the move to dental hygiene, and take the next step in your career today.