What is the minimum age to apply for licensure as a dental hygienist?

The minimum age to apply for licensure as a dental hygienist is set at 18 years. This requirement aligns with the broader expectations of professional maturity and responsibility, ensuring that candidates have reached an age where they are better able to understand and adhere to the ethical, legal, and practical demands of the profession.

Being at least 18 not only reflects a legal benchmark for adulthood but also ensures that applicants have completed their necessary educational credentials, typically including an accredited dental hygiene program, and have met other prerequisites such as passing relevant examinations. This age requirement thus serves as a gatekeeper to maintain the standards of the profession and to protect public health and safety.

In contrast, options that suggest younger ages do not align with the regulatory framework that governs the licensure of health professionals, which prioritizes both the readiness and capability of candidates to practice safely and competently in the field. The settings surrounding dental hygiene practice require a significant degree of understanding, judgment, and responsibility that typically develops with age and experience.