Graduate students in dental hygiene may prepare for careers in clinical and classroom education, research, administration, gerontology or special patient care in hospital or community-based settings. Availability of positions for graduates of the master of science degree program has been excellent in these career areas. Assuming the number of dental hygiene programs in the country remains at about 260, the need for highly qualified educators, researchers and administrators with master's degrees in dental hygiene education will remain strong. Students who plan a career in teaching, research or administration may consider graduate work leading to a Ph.D. degree.