Certification Requirements for School Dental Hygienist-Teachers (#073)

We’re glad you’d like to promote the oral health of Connecticut students! Here are the requirements for certification:

• Valid dental hygienist license
• Bachelor's degree or its equivalent from a regionally accredited college or university that includes six semester hours of credit the following:
  • School health services
  • Child growth and development
  • Methods and materials of instruction
  • School organization
• A course of study in special education comprising at least 36 clock hours that includes study in
  • Understanding the growth and development of exceptional children, including handicapped and gifted and talented children and children who may require special education
  • Methods for identifying, planning for and working effectively with special-needs children in the regular classroom

IMPORTANT:

• To eventually advance a certificate endorsed for school dental hygienist-teacher to the professional level, candidates must complete either a master’s degree or at least 30 semester hours of graduate credit. This may include coursework required for the initial educator certificate.
• All coursework must lead to award of credit to the official transcript of a regionally accredited college or university.

Please note that requirements may change without notice.