What are the opportunities with the job market in Dental Hygiene School? What are the requirements to get into this program? What if the waiting list is too long in my state to get in? What is the pay after I am finished?
Dental Hygienists are ranked among the 30 fastest growing occupations in the US by the Job Occupational Outlook Handbook.
The entry level programs have strict guidelines and you will need to score high on the prerequisite courses to get into the program. The ADHA, (American Dental Hygiene Association) lists these out in detail. Also the program director at he colleges listed below can give you the exact details you need. Because the program offering is limited in Kansas, you may want to consider a neighboring state like Illinois, which has many entry level programs to increase your chances of getting in.
Dental Hygienists make excellent salaries and can make anywhere from $18-$55 per hour depending on whether you work part-time, full-time, or contract. Pay is higher in some states than others. California typically pays higher wages to the Dental Hygienist than any other state. Of course, the cost of living is much higher there though too.
If all this seems a little too much to consider right now, perhaps you may want to enter a health field that does not require more than a few weeks of school and then work towards being a Illinois Dental Hygienist. Perhaps you might consider the field of Illinois Certified Nursing Assistant, also known as Illinois CNA, or Illinois Nurses Aide.
ENTRY-LEVEL DENTAL HYGIENE PROGRAMS
Flint Hills Technical College
3301 W. 18th Ave.
Emporia KS 66801
Johnson County Community College
12345 College Blvd.
Overland Park, KS 66210-1299
Wichita State University
1845 Fairmount
Wichita, KS 67260-0144