In the East Bay community of Hayward, Chabot College is a public, two-year institution. In 2009, all of the graduates of the college's associate degree program in dental hygiene passed the state licensing examination on their first attempt. The program is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association.
Admission is highly selective; only 20 students receive an invitation to enroll each year. Applicants must have coursework in chemistry, anatomy, physiology, microbiology, psychology and sociology. Those admitted spend two years completing the course requirements in dental materials, medical emergencies, pharmacology, community dental health, periodontics and patient management. Students participate in clinical internships at the college's on-site dental hygiene clinic. Federal and state financial aid are available for eligible students. The college offers job placement assistance. An on-site day care center provides low-cost child care for students' children.
Chabot College
25555 Hesperian Blvd.
Hayward, CA 94545
510-723-6600
chabotcollege.edu
The University of Southern California is a private, non-sectarian institution in Los Angeles. The university's Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry offers a bachelor's degree in dental hygiene that is approved by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association. Fewer than 20 percent of applicants for the 2010 school year were admitted, according to the college's website.
The program requires four years of study to complete. Students take classes in nutrition, ethics, disease prevention and tobacco cessation as well as specialty dentistry fields such as periodontics. Clinical internships take place on the school's campus as well as at area dental clinics. Qualified students can receive federal and state grants and loans and institutional scholarships.
Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry
University of Southern California
925 W. 34th St.
Los Angeles, CA 90089
213-740-2841
dentistry.usc.edu
A public institution, Shasta College is in Redding in the northern California. The college has a two-year associate's degree program in dental hygiene accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association.
The program admits 16 students per year. Required courses for admissions consideration include anatomy, physiology, microbiology, chemistry, composition, sociology, psychology, communications and nutrition. Among the courses in the curriculum are anesthesia, radiology, dental materials and periodontics. Students participate in three clinical rotations at dental offices and clinics prior to graduation. The college participates in federal and state financial aid programs. Job placement assistance is available.
Shasta College
11555 Old Oregon Trail
Redding, CA 96049
530-242-7500
shastacollege.edu