First, there are college prerequisite classes to take before entering a dental hygiene program. Some of these classes include anatomy and physiology, microbiology, and pharmacology. You can check out different programs online and see what the specific prerequisites are for each program. After those are completed you can apply to hygiene school. You can go to a program that’s an associates degree which is two years or attend a program that’s a bachelors degree which tends to be 3 years. With both of these degrees you can work clinically, like in private practice. If you want go beyond working clinically, like as an educator, you may need a higher degree like a masters. Even though dental hygiene appears to be only a 2 year program, adding the prerequisites makes it more than than 2 years to complete.