Dental hygienists are required to be licensed in the state where they practice. Students must graduate from an accredited dental hygienist program and pass both a written and clinical examination to receive a dental hygienist certificate. A dental hygienist works closely with dentists and dental assistants. They prepare clinical and laboratory diagnostic tests for the dentist to interpret; remove tartar, stains and plaque from teeth; examine the gums and teeth to look for disease or oral abnormalities; and take x-rays and apply fluoride. Dental hygienists also educate dental patients on how to obtain and maintain excellent oral hygiene by showing them how to floss and brush correctly.
Oral radiology, dental materials, oral histology, oral biology, clinical techniques, clinical dental hygiene, nutrition, and head and neck anatomy are just a few courses that will prepare students to enter the field of dentistry. An associate degree will get you in the field, but a bachelor's or master's degree is usually required for individuals who want to enter research, teaching, or clinical practice in public health programs or in schools. There were more than 180,000 practicing dental hygienists in 2010, and the job outlook is expected to grow 38 percent by 2020.
Click Here to See the Best Colleges in the USGeorge C Wallace State Community College-Hanceville offers 1 Dental Hygiene/Hygienist degree programs. It's a medium sized, public, two-year college in a faraway town. In 2022, 25 Dental Hygiene/Hygienist students graduated with students earning 25 Associate's degrees.
University of Alaska Anchorage offers 1 Dental Hygiene/Hygienist degree programs. It's a large, public, four-year university in a large city. In 2022, 16 Dental Hygiene/Hygienist students graduated with students earning 16 Bachelor's degrees.
Carrington College-Mesa offers 1 Dental Hygiene/Hygienist degree programs. It's a very small, private for-profit, two-year college in a large city. In 2022, 55 Dental Hygiene/Hygienist students graduated with students earning 55 Associate's degrees.
Mesa Community College offers 1 Dental Hygiene/Hygienist degree programs. It's a large, public, two-year college in a large city. In 2022, 18 Dental Hygiene/Hygienist students graduated with students earning 18 Associate's degrees.
Mohave Community College offers 1 Dental Hygiene/Hygienist degree programs. It's a small, public, two-year college in a outlying rural area. In 2022, 17 Dental Hygiene/Hygienist students graduated with students earning 17 Associate's degrees.
Northern Arizona University offers 1 Dental Hygiene/Hygienist degree programs. It's a very large, public, four-year university in a small city. In 2022, 55 Dental Hygiene/Hygienist students graduated with students earning 55 Bachelor's degrees.
Phoenix College offers 1 Dental Hygiene/Hygienist degree programs. It's a medium sized, public, two-year college in a large city. In 2022, 40 Dental Hygiene/Hygienist students graduated with students earning 40 Associate's degrees.
Pima Community College offers 1 Dental Hygiene/Hygienist degree programs. It's a large, public, two-year college in a large city. In 2022, 27 Dental Hygiene/Hygienist students graduated with students earning 27 Associate's degrees.
Pima Medical Institute-Albuquerque offers 1 Dental Hygiene/Hygienist degree programs. It's a very small, private for-profit, two-year college in a large city. In 2022, 19 Dental Hygiene/Hygienist students graduated with students earning 19 Associate's degrees.
Rio Salado College offers 2 Dental Hygiene/Hygienist degree programs. It's a large, public, two-year college in a midsize city. In 2022, 20 Dental Hygiene/Hygienist students graduated with students earning 20 Associate's degrees.
School | Average Tuition | Student Teacher Ratio | Enrolled Students | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Central Community College Grand Island, NE | 42 : 1 | 6,519 | ||
University of Oklahoma-Health Sciences Center Oklahoma City, OK | 12 : 1 | 3,389 | ||
Central Carolina Community College Sanford, NC | 32 : 1 | 5,231 | ||
East Tennessee State University Johnson City, TN | 24 : 1 | 13,483 | ||
University of Alaska Anchorage Anchorage, AK | 26 : 1 | 10,464 |