Why we're here
About BrushNotes
BrushNotes gives dental hygiene students and hygienists accurate answers and practical tools for each step, from the first prerequisite to the next license renewal.
The BrushNotes story
The next step shouldn't be so hard to find
Becoming a dental hygienist takes years and a lot of decisions: prerequisites, applications, clinic, boards, licensing, and your first job. Then CE every renewal cycle.
The answers are scattered across school websites, state board pages, forums, and job boards. Many are out of date, and most depend on your state.
BrushNotes puts them in one place. Free guides and state pages explain what to do. Membership gives you the tools to do it: school search, study tools, job search, and CE tracking.
Editorial standards
How we keep it accurate
Bad information costs you time and money. Here's how we check ours.
Official sources first
Pay and job outlook come from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Board exam facts come from the JCNDE. License and CE rules come from each state's dental board. We link the source on the page.
State rules, dated
Requirements vary by state and change. State pages show when we last checked the rules, so you know how fresh they are. Always confirm with your board before you act.
Reviews named and dated
Guides are published by BrushNotes. When a practicing hygienist reviews a guide, it shows her name and the review date, so you know who checked what.
Fixed when wrong
Spot an error or an outdated rule? Send us the page and what changed. We check it and update the page.
Found something to fix? Tell us
Every stage counts
Start at your stage
You don't need it all figured out. Start where you are; the rest is here when you need it.
Exploring the career
See if dental hygiene fits: pay, schooling, and the day-to-day work.
See what's included Stage 02Choosing a program
Compare programs near you and plan your prerequisites.
See what's included Stage 03In school
Study guides, quizzes, and flashcards for your classes.
See what's included Stage 04Board prep
Practice questions and a steady routine for your boards.
See what's included Stage 05Getting licensed
Get licensed in your state and find your first job.
See what's included Stage 06Working hygienist
Track CE hours, stay ready to renew, and find your next role.
See what's includedStart here
Find your next step
Read a free guide, or join to get every tool for every stage.