Unlock the Door to Becoming a Dental Hygienist in California
If you’re interested in pursuing a career as a dental hygienist in California, there are a few essential steps you’ll need to take to unlock the door to this exciting profession. First and foremost, it’s necessary to understand that dental hygienists in California must be licensed by the Dental Hygiene Committee of California (DHCC) in order to practice legally.
To become a licensed dental hygienist in California, you must complete an accredited dental hygiene program and pass the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination (NBDHE) and the California Law and Ethics Exam. These exams ensure that all licensed dental hygienists have the knowledge and skills to provide safe, effective patient care.
Accredited dental hygiene programs can be found at community colleges, technical schools, and universities throughout California. The length of these programs can vary, but typically take 2-3 years to complete. You’ll learn about oral anatomy and physiology, patient assessment and diagnosis, preventive care techniques, and more during your studies.
In addition to completing an accredited program and passing the exams, applicants must provide proof of CPR certification and undergo a criminal background check. These requirements help ensure that all licensed dental hygienists in California are qualified, trustworthy professionals who prioritize patient safety.
After meeting these requirements, applicants can apply for licensure through the DHCC and pay the necessary fees. Once licensed, dental hygienists in California must also complete continuing education requirements to maintain their license. This ensures that they stay up-to-date on their field’s latest techniques and best practices.
Becoming a dental hygienist in California requires dedication, hard work, and a commitment to ongoing learning. However, it can be a good career path for those passionate about oral health and helping others achieve healthy smiles. So if you’re ready to unlock the door to this exciting profession, start researching accredited dental hygiene programs in California today!
What It Takes To Become a Licensed Dental Hygienist in California
Are you interested in pursuing a career as a dental hygienist in California? If so, there are a few steps you need to take to become licensed and practice legally.
First and foremost, you must complete an accredited dental hygiene program that is at least two years long. This program will provide both classroom and clinical training, giving you the knowledge and skills to perform dental hygiene procedures on patients.
Once you have completed your education, you must pass the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination (NBDHE) and the California Law and Ethics Exam. The NBDHE is a comprehensive exam that covers a wide range of topics related to dental hygiene, including anatomy, physiology, pathology, diagnosis, treatment planning, and community health. The California Law and Ethics Exam tests your knowledge of California’s laws and regulations governing dental hygiene practice.
In addition to passing these exams, you must also pass a criminal background check and provide proof of CPR certification. Once all requirements are met, you can apply for licensure with the Dental Hygiene Committee of California (DHCC). This process includes submitting an application, paying fees, and providing documentation such as transcripts and exam scores.
But your journey doesn’t end there! Renewal of your dental hygiene license in California is required every two years and involves completing continuing education courses. This ensures that you stay up-to-date with the latest advancements in dental hygiene and continue to provide high-quality care to your patients.
Becoming a licensed dental hygienist in California requires dedication, hard work, and a commitment to ongoing learning. But it can be a good career path for those passionate about oral health and helping others. So if you’re up for the challenge, start exploring accredited dental hygiene programs today!
Learn About The Requirements & Steps For Becoming a DH in California
Becoming a dental hygienist in California requires dedication, hard work, and a commitment to ongoing learning. To start this career path, you must complete an accredited dental hygiene program and pass two exams: the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination and the Western Regional Examining Board clinical examination. But what does this process actually look like in real life?
Meet Sarah. She’s always had a passion for healthcare and helping others, but she was still determining what career path to pursue once she learned about dental hygiene. After researching different programs, Sarah enrolled in an accredited dental hygiene program at a local community college. Over the next two years, she took courses in anatomy, physiology, microbiology, and other subjects related to oral health.
After completing her coursework, Sarah was ready to take the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination. This exam tests knowledge in oral health assessment, patient management, and community health promotion. Sarah studied hard for the exam and was thrilled when she passed on her first try.
Next up was the Western Regional Examining Board clinical examination. This exam tests practical skills such as administering local anesthesia, scaling and root planing and taking radiographs. Sarah spent months preparing for this exam, practicing on mannequins and actual patients under the supervision of her instructors.
Sarah was ready to apply for her dental hygiene license in California. She had no criminal convictions or disciplinary actions related to dentistry or dental hygiene, and she could provide proof of legal residency in the United States. She also passed the California Law and Ethics Exam with flying colors.
Now that Sarah is a licensed dental hygienist in California, she must renew her license every two years by completing continuing education courses. This allows her to stay up-to-date on the latest research and techniques in oral health care, ensuring that she can provide the best possible care to her patients.
Get Ready For A Career In Dental Hygiene With SJVC
Becoming a dental hygienist in California requires dedication and hard work, but proper training can be a rewarding career. San Joaquin Valley College (SJVC) offers a comprehensive Dental Hygiene program that prepares students for success in this field.
The program is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) and meets the American Dental Association (ADA) standards. It is offered at multiple campuses of SJVC and includes courses such as dental anatomy and physiology, dental radiography, periodontology, pharmacology, and dental materials.
SJVC’s Dental Hygiene program provides students hands-on training, theoretical knowledge, and practical experience. Under the supervision of licensed dental hygienists, students get to practice their skills in a clinical setting. This approach ensures that graduates are well-prepared for the demands of the job.
Upon completion of the program, students are eligible to take the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination and the Western Regional Examining Board (WREB) exam to obtain their registered dental hygienist (RDH) license. SJVC also provides career services to help students find employment opportunities.
SJVC’s Dental Hygiene program provides an excellent foundation for students who want to pursue a career in dental hygiene. The program’s experienced faculty, industry-standard curriculum, and hands-on approach make it a perfect choice for aspiring dental hygienists.
If you’re ready to take the first step towards a career in dental hygiene, SJVC’s Dental Hygiene program may be right for you. With dedication and hard work, you can become a registered dental hygienist in California and positively impact people’s oral health.
An Overview of the Process To Become A Registered Dental Hygienist in California
Have you ever considered a career as a dental hygienist? If so, t takes es take come one in California. Well? Look no further! In this article, we’ll give you an overview of how to become a registered dental hygienist in California.
The dental hygiene program typically takes two years to complete and includes classroom and clinical training. During your time in the program, you’ll learn how to clean teeth, take X-rays, and educate patients on oral health.
After completing the program, graduates must pass the NBDHE and a clinical examination approved by the DHCC. The NBDHE is a comprehensive exam that covers topics such as oral health assessment, patient management, and community health. The clinical exam tests your ability to perform dental hygiene procedures on patients.
The DHCC is responsible for regulating dental hygienists in California and ensuring that they meet specific education, training, and competency standards. As part of the application process for licensure, applicants must also provide proof of CPR certification and a background check.
Once all requirements are met, applicants can apply for licensure with the DHCC and become registered dental hygienists in California. As a registered dental hygienist, you’ll work alongside dentists to provide preventive care to patients. You may also work in public health settings or research facilities.
becoming a registered dental hygienist in California requires dedication and hard work. However, with the proper education and training, it can be a rewarding career choice. So, if you’re passionate about oral health and helping others, consider pursuing a career as a dental hygienist!
What You Need To Know About Becoming A DH In California

Have you ever considered becoming a dental hygienist in California? If so, there are some essential things you need to know before embarking on this career path.
Firstly, to practice legally in the state, all dental hygienists must be licensed by the Dental Board of California (DBC). This means completing an accredited dental hygiene program, which typically takes 2-3 years and includes coursework and clinical rotations.
Once you have completed your program, you must pass the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination and a clinical examination approved by the board. These exams ensure you have the necessary knowledge and skills to provide patients with safe and effective dental care.
It’s important to note that as a dental hygienist in California, you will need to renew your license every two years and complete continuing education courses to keep your skills and knowledge up-to-date. This is essential for providing high-quality care to patients.
As a dental hygienist in California, you may work in various settings, including private dental offices, public health clinics, hospitals, and schools. The average annual salary for DHs in California is around $100,000, depending on experience, location, and job setting.
If you are interested in specializing in an area such as periodontics or pediatric dentistry, additional education, and certification may be required. However, this can lead to even more rewarding career opportunities.
becoming a dental hygienist in California requires dedication and hard work. However, it can be a fulfilling career with many opportunities for growth and advancement. So if you’re up for the challenge, why pursue this exciting career path?
Final Words
Becoming a licensed dental hygienist in California requires completing an accredited dental hygiene program and passing the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination (NBDHE) and California Law and Ethics Exam. continuing education courses must be completed every two years to renew the license.
San Joaquin Valley College (SJVC) offers a comprehensive Dental Hygiene program that meets the American Dental Association (ADA) standards. This program is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) and prepares students for success in this field. To become a registered dental hygienist in California, one must complete an accredited dental hygiene program, which typically takes two years, pass the NBDHE, and apply for licensure with DHCC after passing a clinical examination approved by DHCC.