Dental hygienist schools in West Virginia provide the background education you need to become a licensed dental hygienist. Junior colleges, career schools and other institutions offer dental hygiene courses designed for students seeking to build a career in dental hygiene, with programs lasting one to two years. See what dental hygienist schools in West Virginia are available nearby.
Dental Hygienists: Overview, Employment
Dental Hygienists usually work in private dental offices in which they work one on one with patients. Having good people skills is a must for the career to be satisfying. The hygienist provides information to patients on proper oral care, such as types of floss to use, etc. They also check teeth and gums for diseases or problems. On many occasions hygienists work with dentists to perform procedures on patients.
The unemployment rate for dental hygienists is very low. In fact, the job outlook for dental hygienists is expected to increase by 36% by the year 2018. In West Virginia, the cities of Wheeling, Weirton and Morgantown have more jobs readily available since they are more heavily populated areas.
Salary Outlook
The median salary for dental hygienists is $66,570. The people earning the highest salary in West Virginia have jobs located in Morgantown, Huntington, and Wheeling. Depending upon the area the person is employed will affect their income. As well as their level of education will have some affect on income. Working part time or full time will also affect the income level. However, most dental hygienists located in West Virginia work part time at about 35 or so hours per week.
Education and Training
In order to become a dental hygienist the student must complete a dental hygiene program at a school that is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation. Which, the majority of those schools that offer dental hygienist programs are accredited by this association. Once students are admitted into the program which requires a high school diploma or equivalent, they must graduate and then seek certification for the state they intend to work in. These certification is two tests, one oral and one written.