A public institution, Owens Community College is in Perrysburg, which is near Toledo. Home to more than 17,000 full- and part-time students, the college offers an associate of applied science degree in dental hygiene. To qualify for admission, students must have valid CPR certification and pass a criminal background check. Required courses for the two-year program include anatomy, statistics, nutrition, radiology, preventative dentistry and radiology. Students gain hands-on experience working with patients in the college's 20-chair dental hygiene clinic as well as working in community-based clinics and practices. Federal and state financial aid is available for qualified students, and the college offer a limited number of scholarships. Job placement assistance is available.
Owens Community College
30335 Oregon Road
Perrysburg, OH 4355
567-661-7000
owens.edu
Located in Columbus, Ohio State University College of Dentistry is the third-largest public dental college in the United States as of September 2010, according to the institution's website. The university offers a bachelor of science degree in dental hygiene degree. Before beginning the program, prospective students must first complete two years of prerequisite undergraduate-level coursework at Ohio State University. Among the classes necessary for admissions consideration are English, mathematics, anatomy, biology, chemistry, nutrition psychology, sociology, the arts and humanities. Those who receive admission then spend two years completing the baccalaureate degree requirements. All students choose to specialize in one of three areas: expanded functions, public and community health or dental hygiene education. Dental hygiene majors complete additional clinical internships and courses related to their chosen specialization.
The university also offers an accelerated baccalaureate program for individuals who hold a dental hygiene license but only have an associate degree in the field. Eligible students can receive government financial aid, scholarships and work-study placements.
Ohio State University College of Dentistry
305 W. 12th Ave.
Columbus, OH 43210
614-292-1472
dent.ohio-state.edu
Cuyahoga Community College is a public institution in Cleveland that serves as home to approximately 55,000 students. Admissions prerequisite courses for the college's associate of applied science in dental hygiene program include composition, psychology, chemistry and two terms of anatomy and physiology. All applicants must also observe a licensed dental hygienist for a minimum of 20 hours. Only 24 students receive admission to the program annually. Those who receive admission spend 21 months completing the required curriculum, which includes classes in radiology, ethics, periodontics and pharmacology. Clinical internships occur both on and off campus. In addition to federal and state financial aid, the college offers a limited number of scholarships specifically for dental hygiene students. Job placement assistance is available and the college's overall placement rate across all majors is roughly 86 percent, according to its website.
Cuyahoga Community College
2900 Community College Ave.
Cleveland, OH 44115
216-987-4494
tri-c.edu