Dental hygienist school programs typically take between 2 to 4 years to complete, depending on the type of program and degree pursued:
- An associate degree in dental hygiene usually takes about 2 years and provides the minimum education required for licensing
- A bachelor's degree in dental hygiene generally takes 3 to 4 years. For example, some Bachelor of Science dental hygiene programs are 3 years full-time but require at least one year of prior university coursework
- There are also diploma or certificate programs that can take about 18 months to 2 years, often offered by community or career colleges
- Master's degree programs in dental hygiene, for those seeking advanced specialization or research roles, typically take an additional 1 to 2 years beyond a bachelor's degree
In summary, becoming a dental hygienist can take as little as 2 years with an associate degree or diploma program, while pursuing a bachelor's or master's degree can extend the training to 3 to 6 years total
