In Ontario, dental hygienists need to complete a post-secondary program at a community college, career college, or university (see list below). University programs are not available in Ontario. The curriculum focuses on oral and clinical science, with an emphasis on health promotion and preventive, motivational and communication strategies. Additional post-graduate education gives some dental hygienists a specialization in restorative dentistry which allows them to place and contour fillings after the dentist has prepared the tooth.
