I am trying to go to school to be a Dental Hygienist (already in college)?

I am 19 years old, in my second year of college.. and I've decided I want to be a Dental Hygienist. I'm really excited about it, however I need to figure out what classes and what else I have to do. Which I will talk to a college counselor, but was looking to hear from maybe someone who is a Dental Hygienist. What type of schooling is need (typically)? About how many years does it take to be able to become one? [Note: I dont care how many years it is, im very interested] Thanks.. and any other random feedback is welcome. :) Btw, if it helps im in Virginia.
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http://www.adha.org/careerinfo/entry/va.… that is the american dental hygienist association website and it has all the dental hygiene schools that are located in virginia! but anyways i am currently in a dental hygiene program right now in illinois. i am going for 2 years and getting an associates degree, or you can go for 4 years and get a bachelors degree which the only difference in where you will work is not very different, if you just want to work in a private practice, then 2 year degree is all you need, but if you wanted to work for a company like crest or colgate, or teach somewhere you need to have a bachelors. im thinking about after graduating i will go back and get my bachelors, which you can do online actually. the pre reqs are will usually take a year or a year and a half, the pre reqs for where i am going were anatomy and physiology 1 and 2, chemistry, and microbiology. and then you had to get a 3.0 or higher and they only take 24 people a year so it is usually pretty hard to get into. but i worked in a dental office for 2 years and got a letter for one of the doctors i worked for. so if you have exp. that helps. so if you really like teeth i think you should definitely go for it. it is a great job, great pay also. there is a huge age range of people that are in my class, im a 20 and there are people from like 45. so it is a great program, very hard, but it will be worth it when youre all done
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