Does it really fascinate you when you see people’s teeth blink and glamour? Or are you the type of person that is very concerned about dental health or the well-being of your teeth? Do you longing passion to participate in dental care activities?
Then you need not worry as we have a lot in stock for you and we also selected the top dental hygienist schools in the world you can resort to for a good education.
Hence, it will be very nice to meticulously go through this article without much deliberation as it contains all the facts and contents you require and is expected to learn about dental hygienist schools worldwide.
Including their salary scale, top prominent hygienist schools in the world to attend and their acceptance ratios and locations.
Table of contents
- What is Dental Hygiene All About?
- Is It a Good Career?
- What Is a Dental Hygienist School Like?
- Why Study Dental Hygiene?
- How much does a Dental Hygienist Earn?
- How Much Does a Dental Hygienist School Cost?
- Which Body Accredits Dental Hygienist Programs?
- How Long Does it Take to Complete a Dental Hygienist Program?
- Requirements For Dental Hygienist Programs
- Top 20 Schools That Offer Dental Hygienist Programs In The World In 2023
- #1. University of Michigan
- #2. New York University
- #3. University of Southern California
- #4. Ohio State University
- #5. Texas A&M
- #6. University of Pittsburgh
- #7. University of Minnesota
- #8. University of Washington
- #9. University of North Carolina
- #10. University of Missouri
- #11. North Dakota State College of Science
- #12. University of South Dakota
- #13. Oregon Institute of Technology
- #14. Taft College
- #15. Farmingdale State College
- #16. Ferris State University
- #17. Southern Adventist University
- #18. University of Southern Indiana
- #19. University of New Haven
- #20. Western Kentucky University
- FAQs | Dental Hygienist Schools
- Conclusion
- References
What is Dental Hygiene All About?
In a nutshell, dental hygiene is all based on the best practices of keeping the teeth, mouth, and gums healthy and clean to prevent them from biological degradations and physical harm.
Oftentimes, most people disregard their dental/oral health forgetting that it is a very essential part of our daily living.
Thus, there are some unhealthy activities people engage their teeth to like using the teeth to crack hard nuts, opening beer bottles with the teeth. Hence, these activities are very unhealthy and deleterious to one dental health.
Furthermore, the teeth suffer some diseases like tooth decay and periodontal disease an infection caused by bacteria under the gum tissue that begin to destroy the gums and bone.
Therefore, dental hygiene is focused on taking proper care of one’s dental health and following safe practices not to harm the teeth.
Is It a Good Career?
Dental Hygienist is a very wonderful career path as it has many wonderful job opportunities and also allows its practitioners to expand their knowledge. Most jobs found as a dental hygienist is quite flexible and swift.
The dental hygienist assists the dentist to carry out some tasks in the dental lab like cleaning teeth and prescribing good dental practices. Some of the jobs and duties obtainable as a dental hygienist are;
- Dental hygiene administration
- Teaching students pursuing dental hygiene programs
- Marketing for companies organizations that produce dental health products
- Dental hygiene research
What Is a Dental Hygienist School Like?
Are you among those that imagine how a dental hygienist school actually looks like? Or the criteria for a school to be a dental hygienist school? Thus, you’d need not fantasize about it that much as we would create a perfect image of how a hygienist school actually looks like.
Dental hygienist schools are more like any other four walls of a school having convenient learning environments and facilities. In other words, a good dental hygienist school is ought to have a good laboratory with standard laboratory equipment to help ease the learning process.
Why Study Dental Hygiene?
Apart from just the passion of it all, there are several other reasons why one may choose to study Dental hygiene. Although, this passion is driven by the willingness and readiness of the intending persons to help care for teeth.
Some other motives that may lead persons to wat to study dental hygiene include;
- Educate patients about the importance of oral health.
- Earn a competitive salary with an Associate degree.
- Help their patients lead healthier lives.
- Provide service to others.
- To enjoy a flexible lifestyle.
- Continuously advance their careers by getting their bachelor’s and master’s degrees in dental hygiene.
How much does a Dental Hygienist Earn?
Interestingly, dental hygienists earn very good pay in their jobs. According to information gotten from Best Jobs US News, Dental Hygienists made a median salary of $76,220 in 2019.
While then, the best-paid 25% made $91,560 that year, while the lowest-paid 25% made $64,260.
Meanwhile, some states in the United States that pay highly to dental hygienists are enlisted below;
- Santa Maria, California —- $140,150
- San Jose, California —- $120,420
- San Francisco, California —- $113,940
- Santa Rosa, California —- $113,390
- Vallejo, California —- $112,700
How Much Does a Dental Hygienist School Cost?
Becoming a dental hygienist comes with a great cost after all it is a well-paying career path. Hence, according to the American Dental Hygienists’ Association, the average estimated total cost of tuition and fees for an associate degree is $22,692.
Also, a baccalaureate degree is $36,382. A master’s degree is $30,421. Though, this is for In-State/District students.
Which Body Accredits Dental Hygienist Programs?
The body responsible for handling the accreditation of dental hygienist programs is theCommission on Dental Accreditation (CODA).
The Commission on Dental Accreditation serves the public and profession by developing and implementing accreditation standards that promote and monitor dental education programs’ continuous quality and improvement.
How Long Does it Take to Complete a Dental Hygienist Program?
To become a dental hygienist may take up to 2 to 4 years or more when you also consider practical experience. If you intend to undertake an associate in a dental hygiene program, this will take up to two years to complete.
While if you decide to go for a bachelors degree in the dental program, it will take up to four years to complete the program. Although the coursework takes up 2-4 years to complete, you’d also need good practical experience to become a dental hygienist.
Requirements For Dental Hygienist Programs
To become a dental hygienist, you must first complete your high school, then sort for an associate degree program or bachelor’s degree program in dental hygiene. However, while in high school, you must ensure you cover some of the courses below;
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Math
- Also, other subjects are required by the specific intending school.
Meanwhile, when undertaking your degree programs, students will be engaged in topics like;
- Physiology
- Nutrition
- Radiography
- Pathology
- Medical ethics
- Anatomy
- Patient management
- Periodontics, which is the study of gum disease.
Furthermore, becoming a dental hygienist, one has to have some important personal qualities to ease the learning process and to make him/her more competent at the end of it all. Below are examples of some of such qualities;
- Critical thinking
- Have good communication skills
- You should learn to be detail-oriented. That is learn to follow specific rules and instructions.
- Dexterity: As a dental hygienist, you have to be good at working with your hands.
- Problem-solving skills.
Top 20 Schools That Offer Dental Hygienist Programs In The World In 2023
Many competent and profound schools offer dental hygienist programs around the globe. But, below we have selected among them the top 20, though, this is in no particular order;
#1. University of Michigan
The University of Michigan is one of the world’s best schools to undertake a dental hygienist program. The school offers a 2 years bachelors degree in dental hygiene in the school of Dentistry.
Though, you’d have to know that the school criteria is very demanding as much coursework are usually assigned to students. But, this is solely to prepare the students to be competent dental hygienists in time to come.
Location: Ann Arbor, Michigan
Tuition: $15,262
Faculty to Student Ratio: 11:1
Acceptance Rate: 23%
#2. New York University
The New York University also has one of the best dental schools in the world. The institution offers a 17-month dental hygiene program to deserving students. It is a very competitive institution due to its very high standard of teaching and good learning facilities.
Location: New York City, New York
Tuition: $51,828
Faculty to Student Ratio: 9:1
Acceptance Rate: 6%
#3. University of Southern California
Another tremendous school that is very good in its dental programs is the University of Southern California. The school offers a bachelor of science degree in dental hygiene.
Also, the school have a very appropriate scheme that will enable students to learn in a top-notch format. You can visit the school webpage below to see more about the program.
Location: Los Angeles, California
Tuition: $56,225
Faculty to Student Ratio: 9:1
Acceptance Rate: 11%
#4. Ohio State University
Ohio State University is another tremendous institution offering a good dental hygiene program. They offer a bachelor’s degree of science in dental hygiene; this particular program takes four years for students to complete.
They also offer another accelerated bachelor program for students who are licensed, dental hygienists. They graduated from an accredited associate degree program.
The traditional bachelor program consists of two years of liberal arts education and then two years of professional education for the major or dental hygienist.
Location: Columbus, Ohio
Tuition: $10,726
Faculty to Student Ratio: 19:1
Acceptance Rate: 54%
#5. Texas A&M
The Caruth School of Dental Hygiene in Texas A&M offers a bachelor’s degree in dental hygiene. The school is one of the top Dental Hygienist Schools in the World. Intending students must write all the general prerequisite courses before enrolling in the dental hygiene program.
Once accepted into the program, the students will take courses specific to dental hygiene and participate in clinical experiences where they gain the necessary skills to practice as a dental hygienist.
Location: College Station, Texas
Tuition: $11,870
Faculty to Student Ratio: 20:1
Acceptance Rate: 58%
#6. University of Pittsburgh
The University of Pittsburgh offers both an associate and a bachelor’s degree program in Dental hygiene. The Dental hygiene programs offered in the school prepare students to become licensed, professional dental hygienists.
You can visit the school webpage to know more about the institution.
Location: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Tuition: $19,080
Faculty to Student Ratio: 14:1
Acceptance Rate: 57%
#7. University of Minnesota
The University of Minnesota is another world-class institution that offers a bachelor’s degree program in dental hygiene. They are dedicated to creating a learning environment that fosters collaboration, life-long learning, and leadership in the oral healthcare industry.
Hence, you can check through the link below to see more about the school program.
Location: Minneapolis, Minnesota
Tuition: $14,760
Faculty to Student Ratio: 17:1
Acceptance Rate: 57%
#8. University of Washington
Students who seek to become licensed dental hygienists can also earn their bachelor’s degree in dental hygiene at The University of Washington. The University of Washington also has one of the prominent dental hygienist schools in the world.
Upon passing the exam graduates can practice at a private office or seek to advance their degree at the master’s degree level that is also offered at the University of Washington.
Location: Seattle, Washington
Tuition: $11,207
Graduation Rate: 84%
Faculty to Student Ratio: 19:1
Acceptance Rate: 52%
#9. University of North Carolina
The University of North Carolina offers a dental hygiene program that enables students to earn a bachelor’s degree in dental hygiene. Students will learn to promote oral health as well as prevent dental disease.
They will also learn to assume leadership roles as a member of a healthcare team while they participate in the development, implementation, and evaluation of public health programs.
Location: Chapel Hill, North Carolina
Tuition: $8,987
Graduation Rate: 91%
Faculty to Student Ratio: 19:1
Acceptance Rate: 23%
#10. University of Missouri
The University of Missouri in Kansas City offers a bachelor’s degree in dental hygiene. Students need to complete the required two years of general education courses before enrolling in the dental hygiene program.
They will be required to take courses before they are eligible to take the national licensing exam to become a dental hygienist. You can see more about the institution through the link below.
Location: Columbia, Missouri
Tuition: $9,972
Graduation Rate: 68%
Faculty to Student Ratio: 17:1
Acceptance Rate: 81%
#11. North Dakota State College of Science
North Dakota State College of Science offers an associate degree in dental hygiene that allows students to take the national dental hygiene exam and be employed as a licensed dental hygienist upon passing and graduating.
The dental hygiene program consists of an academic classroom curriculum as well as laboratory and clinical experiences that help students gain the necessary skill set needed to be competent dental hygienists.
Location: Wahpeton, North Dakota
Tuition: $5,132
Graduation Rate: 52%
Faculty to Student Ratio: 13:1
Acceptance Rate: 100%
#12. University of South Dakota
The University of South Dakota prepares students to promote oral health through the accredited dental hygiene program. Students can earn their bachelor’s degree in dental hygiene and qualify to become licensed hygienists.
The curriculum includes coursework, laboratory experience as well as outreach clinical hours that fully prepare students to be employed as dental hygienists.
Location: Vermillion, South Dakota
Tuition: $9,061
Graduation Rate: 53%
Faculty to Student Ratio: 17:1
Acceptance Rate: 86%
#13. Oregon Institute of Technology
Oregon Institute of Technology offers a bachelor’s degree in dental hygiene and has a long history of competence and efficiency in handling the program.
Thus, the students will participate in extensive hands-on clinical experiences as well as have opportunities for international externships.
Graduates finish the program with enough hours to not only qualify for licensing but to have an extended practice permit as well.
Location: Klamath Falls, Oregon
Tuition: $10,118
Graduation Rate: 43%
Faculty to Student Ratio: 15:1
Acceptance Rate: 97%
#14. Taft College
The dental hygiene program at Taft College is comprehensive as well as personal, in educating students in excellence. Students participate in a rigorous curriculum that promotes technical excellence and focuses on providing personal care to individual patients.
Upon completion of the dental hygiene program, students are prepared to take the state and national licensing exams to become dental hygienists, they will have the knowledge, skills, and confidence to pass.
Location: Taft, California
Tuition: $1,410
Graduation: 3%
Faculty to Student Ratio: 36:1
Acceptance Rate: 100%
#15. Farmingdale State College
Farmingdale State College offers both an associate degree and a bachelor’s degree in dental hygiene.
Students of each will receive the academic requirements needed to certify as a licensed dental hygienist, the bachelor’s degree however allows for a broader spectrum as a dental hygienist.
Location: New York State
Tuition: $8,306
Graduation Rate: 3%
Faculty to Student Ratio: 20:1
Acceptance Rate: 55%
#16. Ferris State University
As one of the largest dental hygiene programs in the country, Ferris State University provides a unique learning experience for students studying dental hygiene.
Ferris has a large state-of-the-art hygiene clinic where students learn the skills they need. Students then refine their skills and treat patients during clinical experiences in the community.
Those seeking a bachelor’s degree in dental hygiene can complete the coursework online and earn their bachelor’s degree.
Location: Big Rapids, Michigan
Tuition: $11,788
Graduation Rate: 49 %
Faculty to Student Ratio: 16:1
Acceptance Rate: 87%
#17. Southern Adventist University
The Southern Adventist University offers pre-licensure courses for students seeking to become dental hygienists. Currently, the academic and skills set taught at Southern Adventist will prepare students to earn their associate degree of science in dental hygiene.
Upon graduating, students can take the state and national dental hygiene exams for licensure. They will qualify for entry-level dental hygiene employment in the private sector.
Location: Collegedale, Tennessee
Tuition: $21,950
Graduation Rate: 53%
Faculty to Student Ratio: 13:1
Acceptance Rate: 100%
#18. University of Southern Indiana
The dental hygiene program at the University of Southern Indiana prepares students to work in top dental hygiene positions. Those enrolled in the program participate in a rigorous curriculum and learn skills in a state-of-the-art dental hygiene clinic located on campus.
Students earn a bachelor’s degree in dental hygiene while learning in small classes from expert faculty. Students will have opportunities to perfect their skills in the on-campus clinic with patients of all ages.
Location: Evansville, Indiana
Tuition: $8,349
Graduation Rate: 38%
Faculty to Student Ratio: 16:1
Acceptance Rate: 84%
#19. University of New Haven
Another tremendous school that is very good in its dental programs is the University of New Haven. The school offers a bachelor of science degree in dental hygiene.
Also, the school has a very appropriate scheme that will enable students to learn in a top-notch format. You can visit the school webpage below to see more about the program.
Location: West Haven, Connecticut
Tuition: $39,270
Graduation Rate: 57%
Faculty to Student Ratio: 16:1
Acceptance Rate: 83%
#20. Western Kentucky University
Western Kentucky University is one of the best schools in the world to undertake a program in dental hygienist. The school offers a 2 years associate’s degree and four years bachelor’s degree programs in dental hygiene in the school of Dentistry.
Though, you’d have to know that the school criteria are very demanding as much coursework is usually assigned to students. But, this is sole to prepare the students to be competent dental hygienists in time to come.
Location: Bowling Green, Kentucky
Tuition: $10,512
Graduation Rate: 44%
Faculty to Student Ratio: 18:1
Acceptance Rate: 97%
FAQs | Dental Hygienist Schools
Dental Hygienists earn a median salary of $76,220 from statistics of 2019.
The average estimated total cost of tuition and fees for an associate degree in a dental hygienist program is $22,692. Also, a baccalaureate degree is $36,382
To become a dental hygienist may take up to 2 to 4 years or more when you also consider practical experience.
The body responsible for handling the accreditation of dental hygienist programs is the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA).
Dental Hygienist is a very wonderful career path as it has many wonderful job opportunities and also allows its practitioners to expand their knowledge.
Conclusion
If you carefully went through this article, you should have learned a lot of things concerning becoming a dental hygienist and some do and don’ts.
Also, you should have seen many prominent institutions in the world you can obtain a dental hygiene program.
Therefore, the purpose of this content is definitely served. That is the top dental hygienist school in the world. But if there are any further questions you have uncovered in this article, do well to use our comment box below.
