Dental hygienists are licensed, preventive oral health care professionals who provide educational, clinical, research, administrative, and therapeutic services that support total health by promoting optimal oral health. They are required to graduate from an accredited dental hygiene program that is at least two years in length. The dental hygiene curriculum includes general education, biomedical sciences, dental sciences, and dental hygiene sciences. Dental hygienists work in private dental hygiene offices; private dental offices; hospitals; managed care organizations; federal, state, and municipal health facilities; long-term care facilities; nursing homes; and schools. The Dental Hygiene Program is accredited by the American Dental Association's Commission on Dental Accreditation, a specialized body recognized by the Council on Postsecondary Accreditation, and by the United States Department of Education.