Carrington College is a subsidiary of DeVry, Inc. The for-profit educator is across from Holladay Park in downtown's Lloyd District. The school is near bus and light rail stops. The first step to admissions is an interview with the college's admissions staff and an admissions test. Admittance to the dental hygiene program also requires an essay about why the candidate wants to become a hygienist. The school gives preference to candidates who already have a degree, have worked in the dental profession, and who have earned a dental assisting certificate. Graduates receive an associate's degree in dental hygiene.
Portland Community College offers an associate's degree in dental hygiene at its Sylvania campus adjacent to Lesser City Park on the southwest side of Portland. Students are required to have earned a high school diploma or general equivalency diploma before applying. Students must also have earned at least a C in composition, elementary algebra, anatomy and physiology, microbiology and organic chemistry principles. Candidates are ranked based on a point system that considers the grades earned in the prerequisite coursework, previously earned degrees, work experience and an essay.
Pacific University's Health Professions Campus is in Hillsboro, 18 miles west of downtown Portland. Students graduate from Pacific's two-year program with a bachelor's in dental hygiene, having completed prerequisite coursework that qualifies them for the four-year degree. Before admittance, students must complete two years of coursework that includes nutrition, microbiology, chemistry, anatomy, statistics, psychology, sociology and composition. Students also are required to have studied Spanish and taken arts and humanities courses. Applicants are ranked based on their academic achievement, experience in health care, letters of recommendation and an interview.
Mt. Hood Community College is 17 miles east of Portland in Gresham. The dental hygiene program awards two-year associate's degrees in dental hygiene upon graduation. A high school diploma with a 2.7 GPA is required for admission or a GED. composite average of 580. Students are also required to have maintained at least a 2.5 GPA in previous college coursework. Applicants prove their competency in reading, writing and math by taking a college placement test or providing proof of a previously earned college degree. Prerequisite work in chemistry, microbiology, anatomy and physiology and composition are also required.