The University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson contains the Schools of Medicine, Dentistry, Nursing, Graduate Studies and Health Related Professions, one of which is dental hygiene. Graduation from the program results in the awarding of a bachelor of science degree in dental hygiene. The program consists of two years of general course study, one year of basic dental science courses and a final year of clinical experience applying the learned dental procedures.
Located in Poplarville, Pearl River Community College offers a dental hygiene program to 15 new students each year. According to its website, the following functions are normally performed by a dental hygienist in Mississippi: cleaning teeth, applying fluoride, examining teeth and taking X-rays. Other activities may include both patient and community education about dental care and general nutrition, along with screenings for hypertension and oral cancer.
Meridian Community College, located in Meridian, admits 14 students each year to its dental hygiene program that begins with a summer semester. It then follows with four semesters of study and clinical experience, leading to an associate of science degree. Following graduation and upon passing the required exam, a student becomes a licensed dental hygienist.
For residents of the northeast counties of Alcorn, Prentiss, Tippah, Tishomingo and Union who are seeking a career in dental hygiene, Northeast Mississippi Community College in Booneville offers the two-year associate of applied science program. Its program is similar to those offered by Pearl River and Meridian.
Mississippi Delta Community College in Moorhead offers another program, with small class sizes and competitive admissions. The picture of the 2010 graduates on its website contains seven students. The website contains further information indicating the job market for dental hygienists in the area surrounding the school is good.