A public, two-year institution, Lewis and Clark Community College opened in 1970 and has an enrollment of more than 25,000 credit and non-credit students. Before enrolling in the school's two-year Associate of Applied Science dental hygiene degree programs, all students must complete the program requirements for a certificate in dental assisting, such as biology, radiology, dental surgery assistance, dental office management, communications and psychology. The dental hygiene program itself includes courses in microbiology, pharmacology, periodontology and nutrition as well as four clinical rotations. Graduates from the program have a 99 percent success rate at passing the board examinations in dental hygiene on the first try, according to the college's website.
Lewis and Clark Community College
5800 Godfrey Road
Godfrey, IL 62035
618-468-4413
lc.edu
Founded in 1869, the Southern Illinois University at Carbondale is 96 miles southeast of St. Louis, Missouri. The public college has nearly 16,000 undergraduate students and grants a Bachelor of Science degree in dental hygiene. To gain entry into the program, applicants must first take courses in composition, speech, college algebra, nutrition, psychology, sociology, chemistry and physiology and anatomy. The school admits 36 students per year into the professional dental hygienist program. All students must complete a one-semester internship in the field in order to graduate.
Southern Illinois University at Carbondale
1365 Douglas Drive
Carbondale, IL 62901
618-453-7213
siuc.edu
Kennedy-King College is one of the four city community colleges in Chicago. Among the programs available for the 5,100 students at the school is the Associate of Applied Science degree in dental hygiene. Prerequisites for admission into the school's hygiene program include biology, chemistry and anatomy. Once admitted, students spend two years in the program and take courses in communications, mathematics, social sciences, humanities and physical and life sciences in addition to those directly related to the field. Students participate in three clinical rotations and two dental laboratory courses.
Kennedy-King College
801 South Paulina
Chicago, IL 60612
312-996-8071
ccc.edu
Located in Peoria, Illinois, Central College is home to approximately 15,000 students. The public, community college opened in 1967 and represents 10 counties in central Illinois. To receive admission to the school's associate program in dental hygiene, students must pass a criminal background check and complete classes in mathematics, biology and chemistry. All accepted students study nutrition, radiology, techniques for treating individuals with special needs, anesthesia, pathology, pharmacology, sociology, psychology and office management. Three clinical rotations are required to fulfill the program's graduation requirements.
Illinois Central College
201 Southwest Adams
Peoria, IL 61635
309-999-4653
icc.edu