Dental Hygiene

A dental hygienist is a licensed oral health professional who promotes oral health by providing education and therapeutic services. A career in Dental Hygiene provides entry into a variety of professional opportunities including clinician, educator, administrator, public health worker, government worker, researcher and other health care providers.

CEI offers dental hygiene students a comprehensive, affordable, high-quality education taught by expert healthcare providers with advanced degrees. Our small class sizes allow students to engage in personalized educational experiences through individual attention and peer collaboration, and our staff of knowledgeable dental hygienists and dentists supervise students in our innovative, modern, on-site dental hygiene clinic equipped with current technology.

Student Success

Job Opportunities

• Registered Dental Hygienist: Treatment provider for routine patient care. Treatment provider for beginning to advanced stages of periodontal disease.
  • Job Tasks: Traditional and digital radiography. Administers local anesthetic and nitrous oxide.
  • Job Tasks: Traditional and digital radiography. Administers local anesthetic and nitrous oxide.

  Traits a Dental Hygienist Should Have

  • Aptitudes: Must be able to verbalize in a clear manner, the science of dental hygiene and physically demonstrate the related clinical skills.
  • Interests: Continuing education. Desire to educate others. Be a mentor to those in the field.
  • Temperament: A high level of professionalism is required to exemplify the qualities of a dental hygienist. A hygienist should be patient, impartial, and calm with a continued desire to learn and improve.

  Working Conditions

  The working conditions are good, hours are flexible. The environment is a clean and well designed with quality equipment and technology available.

  Physical Demands

  Physical working demands of a dental hygienist include manual dexterity, stamina and concentration. Educational demands are high. Graduation from a dental hygiene school does not guarantee the chance to practice dental hygiene. After graduation a dental hygienist must pass an 8 hour written National Board Dental Hygiene Examination (NBDHE), a CDCA-WREB Clinical Board Examination (scaling a quadrant of calculus to remove tarter off of a live patient or manikin teeth), and a written Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE). Written and clinical Anesthesia examination (clinical exam is a demonstration of an injection on a live patient). After successfully passing these examinations a candidate is eligible to take the Jurisprudence test, this is the ethics and laws that pertain to each state.

  Job Outlook

  Most projections for a dental hygienist in the profession are that there is a shortage and will continue to be shortages for dental hygienists for several years to come, as long as periodontal disease goes untreated. It is a job that can be practiced anywhere in the U.S. Some positions come with benefits and bonus systems.

  Careers and Salary

  The average Dental Hygienist salary in Idaho is $75,117 as of December 27, 2022, but the range typically falls between $65,230 and $85,414. Source https://www.salary.com

  Admissions

  Admissions

  • The Dental Hygiene program uses a merit-based, competitive admission process. We accept one cohort of up to 12 students every Fall semester. Prior to acceptance, qualified candidates may be contacted to participate in a mandatory orientation.
  • Applications for admission to the Dental Hygiene program are only accepted during open submission periods.
  • Applications for Fall 2023 cohort will be accepted from …….
  • If you do not receive an email confirming receipt of your application within 7 days or if you have any questions about the application process, please call the Health Sciences Admissions Office ………..
  • All communication will be through email
  • The School of Health Sciences reserves the right to reopen any program application after the established deadline, if it is in the best interest of the program to do so.