Founded in 1965, the New Hampshire Technical Institute became NHTI in 2008. The community college offers 62 academic programs. The college is located in south central New Hampshire in the state capital. Approximately 5,000 students attend classes each week at NHTI. The college offers an Associate in Science degree with a major in dental hygiene. The two-year program provides a background for students interested in dental hygiene careers. Clinical work plays a key role in the program, which also stresses education in the dental sciences, the biological sciences, nutrition and social sciences. There is competition for admission into the program. The program was established in 1970 and is accredited by the American Dental Association.
NHTI
Concord's Community College
31 College Drive
Concord, NH 03301
603-271-6484
nhti.edu
At the University of New England, health education is a focal point. The university's Westbrook College of Health Professions is a multi-faceted learning environment that offers programs in dental hygiene and other health care fields. The college offers its programs in three locations. The Biddeford campus is located 30 miles from New Hampshire's eastern border in Biddeford, Maine. Students who seek a dental hygiene education can choose from a four-year Bachelor of Science degree program or a Bachelor of Science completion degree. In the second and third year, students spend 12 to 16 hours per week in clinics, where they provide direct dental health care to local patients while under close supervision by faculty members. The Portland campus, which is actually located in Maine, has its own dental clinic with 31 chairs and x-ray services. Some states require dental hygienists to have knowledge of local anesthesia and pain control. The university offers courses in those areas, but they are not required. The school's program is accredited by the American Dental Association.
University of New England
Westbrook College Campus
716 Stevens Ave.
Portland, ME 04103
207-797-7261
une.edu
The college is located in Randolph, Vermont. The campus is 30 miles from Lebanon, New Hampshire. Vermont Technical College offers both an Associate's degree and a Bachelor's degree in dental hygiene. According to the college's website, the Bachelor's degree program provides students with greater career opportunities. The website also notes that all of the college's 2009 dental hygiene graduates successfully completed their National Board Dental Hygiene Exam. The Associate's degree program requires two years at the college. Courses include Dental Radiography, Oral Tissues I and II, Clinical Dental Hygiene I and II, Dental Materials, Periodontics and Oral Pathology. Bachelor's degree students add advanced courses in dental hygiene and several more electives and general education courses.
Vermont Technical College
P.O. Box 500
Randolph Center, VT 05061
802-879-5632
vtc.edu