Career Information


Dental Hygiene Career Information

  • Job prospects are expected to remain excellent. Employment of dental hygienists is projected to grow 19 percent from 2014-2024, much faster than the average for all occupations. Ongoing research linking oral health to general health will continue to spur demand for preventative dental services, which are often provided by dental hygienists.
  • Opportunities for part-time work and flexible schedules are common.

—U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

About the Profession

A dental hygienist is a licensed primary health care professional. Dental hygiene is the science and practice of the recognition, treatment, and prevention of oral diseases. Typical functions of the clinical dental hygienist include:

  • Assessing and monitoring medical and dental health histories
  • Performing head and neck cancer screenings
  • Obtaining and assessing dental X-rays
  • Identifying oral and systemic health problems
  • Treating oral diseases by removing deposits from the teeth and applying therapeutic agents
  • Preventing further disease by applying preventive agents such as fluorides and dental sealants
  • Educating individuals and groups on oral health care and promotion
  • Developing oral health programs to meet the needs of school and community settings

Dental hygienists become licensed in Texas by first becoming a registered dental hygienist, which requires the successful completion of a program of study accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) and successfully passing the National Dental Hygiene Board Examination. Then the registered dental hygienist must successfully complete a state or regional examination (like the examination administered by the Western Regional Examination Board), and an examination on the state laws pertaining to dental hygiene in order to apply for a state license to practice.

The majority of graduates work in the private practice dental settings. Dental hygienists are also employed in hospital and institutional clinics, long term care facilities, corporate health facilities, school systems, research facilities, dental insurance companies, corporate sales, and as teachers in dental hygiene programs.

Learn more about the profession by visiting the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics at this link.

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Dental Hygiene Updates

  • ACC Health Sciences Regional Simulation Center

    As the area’s number one educator of healthcare professionals, ACC’s Health Sciences Area of Study equips students for the important work that lies ahead. Our program is amongst the best in the state, and our graduates outperform students from across the nation.

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  • ACC and AFD Celebrate Five Years of Red Angels Partnership

    A new plaque proudly hangs on the walls of ACC’s Health Sciences building at Eastview Campus — celebrating five years of making a difference in the community.

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  • TEAS Testing Requirements for Health Sciences Applicants

    A TEAS Exam score is required to apply to the following programs: Dental Hygiene, Occupational Therapy Assistant, Radiology, and Vocational Nursing.

    If you are not applying to one of the programs above, then you are not required to take the TEAS Exam at this time. Please refer to the Application Process page for your program to see all application requirements.

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