Edison State College offers a two-year associate's degree program in dental hygiene. Students in the program complete both general education courses, such as anatomy and physiology, composition, sociology and human biology, plus dental core classes, including dental hygiene, dental anatomy, dental materials, general and oral pathology, periodontics, community dental health and radiology. Upon completion, students may take the Dental Hygiene National Board, then a state exam to obtain their state dental hygiene license.
Applicants must have a high school diploma or GED, plus complete a placement test. An interview is required. All accepted students must have a health exam, immunization records and criminal background check prior to starting the program. Edison State College provides job-placement assistance to dental hygiene graduates.
Edison State College
8099 College Parkway
Fort Myers, FL 33919
239-489-9300
edison.edu
Earn an associate's degree in dental hygiene from Catawba Valley Community College. The two-year program includes orofacial anatomy, periodontology, dental radiography, community dental health, materials and procedures, dental hygiene theory and infection control, plus general courses such as music appreciation, acting and creative writing. Graduates may take the National Board Dental Hygiene Exam and the North Carolina State Board Examination. Students gain real-world experience and exposure through the college's community dental hygiene clinic, where services are available to the general public at reduced rates, including cleaning, X-rays and sealants.
Applicants must have already taken college courses in biology, chemistry, English, introduction to psychology and introduction to sociology. Students interested in the program must have a high school diploma or GED and have completed a shadowing session of three days/four hours per day of a licensed dental hygienist. A health exam is also required.
Catawba Valley Community College
2550 US Highway 70 S.E.
Hickory, NC 28602-8302
828-327-7000
cvcc.edu
The dental hygiene program at Collin County Community College lasts two years and awards graduates the associate's degree in dental hygiene. Coursework includes strategies of oral medicine, community dental health applications, contemporary dental hygiene care, dental materials, preclinical dental hygiene and introduction to chemistry. Collin County's public health clinic offers reduced-rate services to local residents, where students get to observe and practice treatments such as oral prophylaxis, fissure sealant and X-rays.
All applicants require CPR certification, a drug test and a criminal background check. Dental and eye exam records, plus immunization shots, are also required. Students must also have a high school diploma or GED with a minimum grade point average of 2.5, an essay and two references.
Collin County Community College
800 E. Spring Creek Parkway
Plano, TX 75074
972-548-6535
collin.edu