Can you become a dental hygienist with a biology degree?
Question:
Can you become a dental hygienist with a biology degree?
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Answer:
It is definitely possible to become a dental hygienist with a biology degree, but you will have to take additional schooling. To be able to practice as a licensed dental hygienist, you are required to complete a dental hygiene program approved by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA). These programs range from associates-level programs at community colleges to university masters-level programs. If your goal is to practice dental hygiene as soon as possible, then a community or technical college dental hygiene program may be more useful in providing applied, hands-on experience. These programs typically take around two years to complete. However, if your interests are more towards teaching and/or research, then pursuing a second bachelor's or a master's degree in dental hygiene may be more appropriate for you. Though the specific admission schemes vary, some colleges actually give preference to applicants with previous college experience, so having a biology degree is advantageous in that regard.
For more information about dental hygienist education requirements, check out this article: Dental Hygienist Education Requirements
