Eastern Washington University offers dental hygiene programs throughout the state. Students interested in the entry-level bachelor's degree program take prerequisites such as a year of anatomy/physiology and chemistry on the main campus before applying to the three year-long dental hygiene program in nearby Spokane. The program emphasizes practical experience. Students have the opportunity to practice their skills on real patients at EWU's 46 chair dental clinic. For practicing hygienists who already have an associate degree but wish to complete their bachelor's, degree completion programs through EWU are available on community college campuses in Seattle, Tacoma and Vancouver. Students can complete the program on a full- or part-time basis and combine upper-level dental hygiene classes with general education courses. Eastern also offers an online Master of Science in dental hygiene. While the majority of the program is online, students must make two trips to campus for a practicum experience and their thesis defense.
Eastern Washington University
310 N. Riverpoint Blvd.
Spokane, WA 99202
509-368-6510
ewu.edu
Idaho State University is the only college in the state that offers bachelor's and master's degrees in dental hygiene. Undergraduate students generally take two years to complete the required prerequisite courses before applying to the dental hygiene program for their junior year. Admission to the program is very competitive, with admitted students having an average GPA of 3.5 on a four-point scale. Once admitted, the program takes two years to complete. Students gain clinical experience at a variety of sites, including ISU's own dental hygiene clinic where clients come from throughout southern Idaho to receive services such as fillings, X-rays and routine cleanings. Upon graduation, students have more than 1,000 hours of hands-on training. Hygienists who already possess a bachelor's degree and wish to further their education can enroll in the online master's in dental hygiene program at ISU. The program offers a choice of majoring in rural and community oral health or dental hygiene education.
Idaho State University
921 S. 8th Ave.
Pocatello, ID 83209
208-282-3796
isu.edu
Portland Community College has been training future dental hygienists in Oregon's largest city for more than 30 years. Students must complete approximately 60 quarter credits of prerequisites prior to applying, which generally takes anywhere from four to six terms of full-time study. Each year, about 200 students apply for 20 places in the program, and most successful applicants have at least a 3.5 GPA and prior work or volunteer experience in a dental office. Students can complete the dental hygiene program itself in two years and one summer. In the first year, students finish general education requirements while beginning the dental curriculum. In the second year, students focus on more advanced clinical procedures and take a year-long sequence of courses in community oral health. Upon graduation, students earn an associate degree in dental hygiene and are eligible for licensure as a hygienist.
Portland Community College
12000 SW. 49th Ave.
Portland, OR 97219
503-977-4795
pcc.edu