Do dental hygienists have to take the HESI?

Yes, many dental hygiene programs require applicants to take the HESI A2 exam (Health Education Systems, Inc. Admission Assessment) to test academic readiness, covering subjects like Math, Reading, Vocabulary, Biology, Chemistry, Anatomy & Physiology, and sometimes personality/learning styles. While not universal (some programs use other tests like the ATDH or holistic review), the HESI A2 serves as a benchmark to assess if students have the foundational knowledge to succeed in the demanding curriculum, with specific modules varying by college.

What is the HESI exam for dental hygienist?

What is the HESI Exam? The HESI A2 exam is used for admission into the Dental Hygiene program.

Is the HESI exam mandatory?

Most nursing schools require applicants to take either the TEAS or HESI exam as part of the admissions process. These standardized tests help schools evaluate academic readiness. However, not every program follows this route, preferring approaches like holistic admissions instead.

Do you have to take an entrance exam for dental hygiene?

The ATDH should be taken before entering a dental hygiene education program in the United States. The Admission Test for Dental Hygiene is a nationally administered standardized admission test for individuals applying to dental hygiene programs.

What is the next step up from a dental hygienist?

A master's degree in dental hygiene can open up careers in education, public health, research, or corporate settings. Transitioning from dental hygienist to dentist requires earning a bachelor's degree, passing the Dental Admission Test, completing a DDS or DMD program, and obtaining state licensure.

What Does a Dental Hygienist Do?

Which is harder, RN or dental hygienist?

Nursing programs are often considered more academically challenging because they cover a wider range of material and more complex topics. Dental hygiene, while less broad in scope, comes with its own unique demands.

Can I make 6 figures as a dental hygienist?

Yes, dental hygienists can absolutely make six figures, especially in high-cost states like California, Alaska, and Washington, or with specialized skills, extensive experience, or by working in high-demand areas, although many factors like location, hours, and benefits influence actual earnings, with the national median hovering near $94,000 in 2024. 

What disqualifies you from being a dental hygienist?

Dental hygienist disqualifications often stem from criminal convictions (especially felonies, DUIs, or drug/controlled substance offenses), professional misconduct (fraud, malpractice, substance abuse, incompetence), or dishonesty on applications, with state boards assessing if offenses relate to the job's duties and evaluating each case individually, though serious crimes like murder or sexual assault are usually prohibitive.
 

What's the quickest way to become a dental hygienist?

The fastest way to become a dental hygienist involves enrolling in an accredited accelerated Associate Degree program, which can take 2-3 years, or even under two years (around 12-24 months) for those with prior college credits or a bachelor's degree, allowing you to quickly complete general education and core hygiene courses to prepare for licensing exams. 

Why is dental hygiene so hard to get into?

Dental hygiene programs have high standards to ensure students are prepared for the challenges of the field. Academic Excellence: A strong GPA in relevant coursework such as biology, anatomy, and chemistry is often required. Prerequisites: Many programs require specific classes to be completed before applying.

What if I don't pass the HESI?

Learners are granted one (1) attempt for an initial HESI exam and one (1) additional attempt if they are unable to achieve a score of 850 or higher on the first attempt. Learners who score 850-899 on the first attempt may progress to the next course without a second attempt.

Who takes the HESI exam?

The Health Education Systems Incorporated (HESI) exam is a computerized, multiple choice entrance exam required by many nursing programs.

Can I take HESI online?

Candidates can take the test in-person or virtual with Meazure Learning. Appointments for the in-person HESI A2 Entrance exam are available online through Register Blast.

What is the highest pay for a dental hygienist?

The highest-paid states for dental hygienists generally include Alaska, California, Washington, and the District of Columbia, with average salaries often exceeding $100,000 annually, though exact figures vary by source and date. While Alaska often leads in mean wages, California and Washington frequently rank high as well, with top cities like Barrow, AK, and Berkeley, CA, offering very competitive rates, and experienced hygienists in high-demand areas can earn over $100k. 

What is the dental hygienist exam called?

The Joint Commission on National Dental Examinations (JCNDE), National Board Dental Hygiene Exam (NBDHE) assists state boards in determining qualifications of dental hygenists who seek licensure to practice dental hygiene.

What degree do most dental hygienists have?

Most dental hygienists have an associate degree in dental hygiene, which is the minimum requirement for licensure and the fastest path to becoming a Registered Dental Hygienist (RDH). While many complete an associate degree, some pursue a bachelor's degree for more career opportunities, and master's degrees are available for teaching or research, though less common.
 

How many people fail dental hygiene school?

While exact national failure rates vary, around 8-10% of dental hygiene students fail the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination (NBDHE) annually, with some individual programs seeing higher or lower rates, and program retention/completion rates can also fluctuate, indicating some students don't finish the coursework, though overall program success is generally high. Many students struggle with the demanding science, clinicals, and the high standards for passing board exams, leading to attrition or repeat testing. 

What is the hardest part of becoming a dental hygienist?

The hardest things about being a dental hygienist involve significant physical strain (neck, back, wrist pain from awkward postures and repetitive motions), the mental and emotional toll of high-pressure, fast-paced environments with difficult patients, dealing with the ** undervaluation** of their expertise by patients and sometimes colleagues, and the constant challenge of managing packed schedules that lead to burnout, making work-life balance difficult.
 

How much do dental hygienists earn in the USA?

The average salary for a dental hygienist is $52.02 per hour in the United States. 84.4k salaries taken from job postings on Indeed in the past 36 months (updated January 5, 2026).

Why are dental hygienists quitting?

Dental hygienists quit due to burnout from physical strain and emotional demands, poor work-life balance, low pay relative to temp rates, lack of growth, and dissatisfaction with practice culture, exacerbated by the pandemic which triggered early retirements and safety concerns, leading many to seek less stressful roles or different careers. 

What is the 80/20 rule in dentistry?

The 80/20 rule (Pareto Principle) in dentistry suggests that 80% of results (revenue, referrals, positive outcomes) often come from just 20% of efforts, patients, or procedures, prompting dentists to focus on high-impact activities like patient retention, high-value treatments, and identifying the vital few sources of success, while also applying it to problem-solving, like realizing 80% of staff issues stem from 20% of staff, or spending 80% of time listening to patients to gain better insights. However, some argue against solely focusing on the "vital few," suggesting the overlooked 80% of details and patients are crucial for sustainable growth and patient trust. 

What is the lowest a dental hygienist can make?

While ZipRecruiter is seeing salaries as high as $118,922 and as low as $39,476, the majority of Entry Level Dental Hygienist salaries currently range between $75,000 (25th percentile) to $98,700 (75th percentile) with top earners (90th percentile) making $110,533 annually in California.

Can you live off being a dental hygienist?

Financial benefits and compensation make sure that dental hygienists' hard work pays off. Key points include: Dental hygienists are among the highest-paid healthcare professionals. Competitive salaries can reach up to $118,400 as you gain experience.

Is dental hygiene harder than nursing?

Nursing is generally considered harder due to its broader, more complex curriculum covering the entire body, heavier emotional demands, and wider scope of responsibility with life-or-death decisions, whereas dental hygiene offers more specialized focus, typically better work-life balance with standard weekday hours, and less acute stress, though it involves rigorous science and physical strain from repetitive tasks. The choice depends on your tolerance for high-stakes, fast-paced environments (nursing) versus focused, stable, routine work (hygiene). 

Is a dental hygienist a 9 5?

The Average Schedule

To start, most dental hygienists don't work a standard 9-5, Monday to Friday schedule. Rather, many of these professionals work 3 or 4 days per week, and often, they work for more than one dental office. That means a dental hygienist could work 2 days at one office and 2 or 3 days at another.