Dental Hygienist Certificate Programs

Diablo Valley College

• The two-year certificate program in dental hygiene at Diablo Valley State College prepares students for licensing exams. Students need to complete prerequisite courses in anatomy, chemistry, microbiology and nutrition prior to enrolling in the program. The dental hygiene curriculum covers topics including radiology, dental hygiene care, disease prevention and local anesthesia. Applicants to the program must have a valid CPR card.

  Diablo Valley College

  Pleasant Hill Campus

  321 Golf Club Road

  Pleasant Hill, CA 94523

  925-685-1230

  dvc.edu

University of Pittsburgh

• The University of Pittsburgh's dental school offers a two-year dental hygiene certificate program. Students in the program are exposed to a variety of clinical experiences; they also complete clinical rotations at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. The curriculum includes courses in dental anatomy, nutrition and microbiology. Students are also trained in radiology and local anesthesia. Graduates of the certificate program are eligible for a bachelor's degree completion program focusing on dental hygiene research, education or health management. Admission is based on a review of SAT scores, high school transcripts, a personal essay and interview and three references.

  University of Pittsburgh

  School of Dental Medicine

  Dental Hygiene Program

  3501 Terrace Street

  B-82 Salk Hall

  Pittsburgh, PA 15261-1937

  412-648-8432

  dental.pitt.edu

University of Detroit Mercy

• The University of Detroit Mercy dental hygiene program is administered by the university's School of Dentistry. The curriculum includes courses in microbiology, radiology, dental materials and pharmacology. Students are also trained in how to provide care to children and learn about specialty care areas such as orthodontics and periodontics. A required practicum during the final term of the two-year program gives students clinical experience in nursing homes and community health clinics throughout Detroit. Applicants must submit undergraduate transcripts and proof of employment in a dental office. In lieu of experience, a minimum of six to eight hours of observation at a dental office is accepted.

  University of Detroit Mercy

  School of Dentistry

  2700 Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard

  Detroit, MI 48208-2576

  313-993-1000

  dental.udmercy.edu

UT Health Science Center at Houston

• The two-year dental hygiene certificate program at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston is a full-time program that consists of classroom learning, clinical practice and laboratories. The curriculum coves topics including radiology, dental anatomy, nutrition and pharmacology. Students are also trained in handling dental emergencies and gain clinical experience in a community health setting. Applicants to the dental hygiene certificate program must complete prerequisite courses such as English, psychology, chemistry and microbiology, with a GPA of at least 2.5. Personal interviews are also required, and Texas residents are given preference in admissions.

  UT Health Science Center at Houston

  6516 MD Anderson Boulevard, Suite 1085

  Houston, TX 77030

  713-500-4086

  db.uth.tmc.edu