From “is this for me?” to your license renewal

Every step of dental hygiene. One place.

Programs, boards, licensing, jobs, and CE. Start wherever you are.

Start where you are

Inside BrushNotes

The tools behind each step

Free guides explain what to do. Members get the tools to do it: school search, study tools, job search, and CE tracking in one account.

Premium adds Chat with Carissa, a practicing dental hygienist who answers your questions herself. Meet Carissa

See plans and pricing

SCHOOLS

Find the right program

Search dental hygiene programs near you, check prerequisites and admissions details, and keep a private shortlist.

STUDY

Study for class and boards

Study guides, quizzes, and flashcards by subject, plus board-prep practice for the NBDHE.

JOBS

Find your next job

Search dental hygienist jobs and temp listings by ZIP code, and save a search to check back on later.

Stay ready to renew

Log CE hours against your state's requirements and get a reminder before your license renewal.

By state

Licensing, CE, and pay depend on your state

Pick your state to see its programs, license exams, CE hours, and median pay, each with a link to the full page and its official sources.

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard (schools), state dental boards (license and CE, checked August 2026), BLS OEWS May 2025 (pay).

Free guides

Plain answers to the big questions

How long it takes, what it costs, how the boards work, and how to get licensed. Free to read, no account needed.

Exploring the career10 min read

How to Become a Dental Hygienist

The 5 steps to become a dental hygienist, how long it takes (about 3 years for most people), what school costs, and what varies by state.

Choosing a program9 min read

How to Choose a Dental Hygiene Program

Check accreditation first, then compare degree type, total cost, admissions and waitlists, and schedule. Here's how, plus the questions to ask every school.

Choosing a program8 min read

Dental Hygiene Prerequisites: What Classes You Need

The classes most dental hygiene programs require, typical credits, GPA and entrance exam rules, and which courses to take first.

In school8 min read

How to Survive Dental Hygiene School

Dental hygiene school is hard but survivable. How to study, prep for clinic, find patients, protect your body, and start board prep early.

Browse all guides

Good to know

Questions, answered

Still deciding? Start where you are. You can read every guide for free and join when you're ready.

Who is BrushNotes for?

Anyone in or considering dental hygiene: high school and college students exploring the career, students in a program or studying for boards, new grads, and practicing hygienists.

Is BrushNotes an app?

Yes. BrushNotes is a web app that works in the browser on your phone, tablet, or computer. Your saved schools, study progress, and CE records stay with your account on every device.

What does a membership include?

BrushNotes Pro includes school search, study guides, quizzes and flashcards, board prep, job and temp search, and a CE tracker with your state's requirements. Premium adds Chat with Carissa, a practicing dental hygienist who answers every message herself. Meet Carissa

How much does BrushNotes cost?

BrushNotes Pro is $29 per month or $290 per year and includes every tool for every stage. Premium, which adds Chat with Carissa, is $59 per month or $590 per year. There's no free trial, and you can cancel anytime. See pricing

Can I read the guides without joining?

Yes. Every guide on this site is free to read, with no account needed. So are the state pages for schools, licensing, CE requirements, and salary. Browse guides

Can I start if I'm not sure dental hygiene is for me?

Yes. Start with the free guides and the career overview. Join when you're ready for tools that help you compare schools and plan your prerequisites. Is dental hygiene a good career?

Your next step

Everything for your next step, in one place

School search, study tools, jobs, and CE tracking for $29/month or $290/year. Cancel anytime.

Join BrushNotes Pro