Remington College's Nashville campus offers an associate degree in dental hygiene. Coursework includes classroom instruction on oral health, hygiene, nutrition basics, instrument skills, head, neck and dental anatomy, oral radiology, oral cancer screening, pain control and local anesthesia techniques. Hands-on training is provided at a fully equipped dental clinic located on campus. The program is approved by the Commission on Dental Accreditation. Applicants must complete prerequisite courses in Anatomy and Physiology and chemistry to be accepted into the program.
Roane State Community College, located in Oak Ridge, offers an associate degree in dental hygiene technology. Students are required to complete prerequisite courses in biology and chemistry before being accepted into the program. Students are admitted to the program based on prerequisite courses completed, with a minimum 2.5 GPA and a personal interview. Work experience in the field of dentistry may be a consideration for admittance into the program; a resume and permission to contact your current employer are also required. The program takes two years to complete. After graduation, the student is eligible to sit for the national and state exams to obtain a license to practice. Roane State's dental hygiene program is approved by the Commission on Dental Accreditation.
An associate degree in dental hygiene can be obtained at Chattanooga State Community College. Classroom studies include human anatomy and physiology, nutrition, mathematics and English composition. An on-campus dental facility is available for practical hands-on learning under the supervision of a dentist. Students learn how to conduct an examination of oral and facial structures, remove stains and deposits from the teeth, root planing and how to perform laboratory diagnostic tests. The college offers an informational seminar to prospective students. A description of the profession, the selection process for acceptance into the program, job opportunities, program overview, course scheduling information and admission requirements are explained in detail during the seminar.
Tennessee State University, located in Nashville, offers associate and bachelor's degrees in dental hygiene. Admittance into the program is highly competitive. Prerequisite courses in microbiology, anatomy and physiology, English composition and humanities are required. Applicants must obtain a minimum score of 19 on the ACT and a minimum college GPA of 2.7. Applicants must complete a department of dental hygiene application, including letters of recommendation, transcripts and an autobiography. The program consists of classroom instruction on chemistry, psychology and dental hygiene, along with hands-on training provided on campus at the Clement Hall Dental Hygiene Clinic. The clinic offers services to students and the general public. Graduates are qualified to sit for the National Dental Hygiene Board Examination and the State Board Examination.