Located in Richmond, Virginia Commonwealth University serves as home to more than 32,400 undergraduate and graduate students. To qualify for admission to the college's Bachelor of Science in dental hygiene program, students must first complete 60 hours of undergraduate-level coursework at Virginia Commonwealth or another accredited institution. Applicants must also pass a physical examination and a criminal background check. Admitted students then spend two years completing the course requirements, which include anatomy, infection and immunity, radiology, periodontics, nutrition, pathology, community dental health, pharmacology, law and ethics and medical emergencies. Students complete three clinical rotations at dental clinics and offices in the Richmond area. Approximately 69 percent of freshmen and 65 percent of continuing students receive some form of financial aid, according to the "2009 Barron's Profiles of American Colleges."
Virginia Commonwealth University School of Dentistry
520 N. 12th St.
Richmond, VA 23298-5064
804-828-9953
vcu.edu
Home to more than 24,000 undergraduate and graduate students, Old Dominion University is a public institution in Norfolk. Entry into the two-year university's traditional Bachelor of Science in dental hygiene program requires two years of undergraduate coursework as well as CPR certification, a physical examination and criminal background check. The college also offers an accelerated baccalaureate program for licensed dental hygienists who hold only an associate degree in the field. Students in undergraduate dental hygiene programs gain experience working in the university's on-site clinic as well as in other clinics throughout the Norfolk area. The university also offers a Master of Science in dental hygiene, which consists primarily of online courses. Both a thesis and non-thesis option are available for the master's programs, and students can specialize in community health, marketing, research, administration and management or education. An accelerated joint baccalaureate and master's degree program is also available for top-performing students, which allows for the completion of both degrees in less time than it would traditionally take to complete them individually. Around 86 percent of all students at Old Dominion benefit from some form of financial aid, explains the "2009 Barron's Profiles of American Colleges."
Old Dominion University
5115 Hampton Blvd.
Norfolk, VA 23529
757-683-3685
odu.edu
A public, two-year institution, Wytheville Community College is in the southwestern portion of Virginia, approximately 78 miles southwest of Roanoke. The college offers an Associate of Applied Science in dental hygiene. To qualify for admission to the program, students must have taken biology and chemistry while in high school and pass an entry examination. Applicants must also observe a licensed dental hygienist for 16 hours and undergo a criminal background check and physical examination. Those admitted spend two years completing the required coursework, which includes anatomy, histology, periodontics, radiography, microbiology, public health, anxiety, psychology, office practices and ethics. Clinical experience occurs off campus. Eligible students can receive federal and state financial aid, scholarships or work-study placements. Job search assistance is available.
Wytheville Community College
1000 E. Main St.
Wytheville, VA 24382
276-223-4700
wcc.vccs.edu