Does all this teeth talk pique your interest by any chance? Maybe you’re already interested in pursuing a career in healthcare, or you’re simply curious about how dental hygienists and dentists get their credentials (are dentists real doctors? Yes, definitely!).

Whatever the case may be, check out the following simplified pathways to becoming a dental hygienist or dentist. Part of the rigorous training and education for both require learning about the entire human body, not just the mouth. After all, our mouths are connected to the rest of our bodies!

• Earn the degree
  • High school diploma/GED is required
  • Required prerequisite courses vary from program to program but generally take at least one academic year to complete
  • Minimum of a two-year Associate’s Degree is required from a CODA-accredited dental hygiene program, but Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees are possible to obtain depending on the institution
• Pass the exams
  • National Board Dental Hygiene Examination (NBDHE), which is a standardized written exam
  • A state or regional clinical board examination, which tests hands-on technical skills
  • A state/regional Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) which assesses diagnosis and treatment planning knowledge/skills
  • State law exam
  • Local anesthesia exam (49 out of 50 states; DE only state to not allow hygienists to administer local anesthesia)
• Get licensed
  • Apply for licensure in your state. All states require licensure, but the specific requirements can vary.
  • Contact your state’s Board of Dental Examiners for specific details on their requirements