Nestled in its Health Division is Wallace State Community College's Associate in Applied Science program for aspiring dental hygienists. The program usually takes five semesters to complete, with a total credit count of 78. Students, however, who have a certificate or degree in Dental Assisting from an ADA-accredited institution can received advanced standing by completing the Dental Materials and Dental Radiology courses.
Wallace State Community College
801 Main Street NW
P.O. Box 2000
Hanceville, AL 35077
(256) 352-8380
wallacestate.edu
Aspiring dental hygienists can choose to go straight to the Alabama Board of Dental Examiners for formal training rather than Wallace State. The Alabama Dental Hygiene Program--also abbreviated as the ADHP--takes a year, composed of nine sessions, to complete, and at graduation students are awarded certificates. Candidates should bear in mind, however, that part of the application requirement is that they must already have at least two years of employment as a dental assistant, which involves more general dental tasks.
Alabama Board of Dental Examiners
5346 Stadium Trace Parkway
Hoover, AL 35244
205-985-7267
www.dentalboard.org
There are other dental programs in Alabama that prepare people for supervised roles under dentists which can be found in educational institutions such as the Mobile and Montgomery campuses of Fortis College, James H. Faulkner State Community College, and Calhoun State Community College. The programs, however, are in dental assisting, not in dental hygiene. Alabama is the only state that does not require dental hygienist candidates to take the ADA exam.