In Ontario, dental hygienists need to complete at least two years of post-secondary education at a community college, private school, 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.
