This page provides details about the best dental hygiene schools in California that provide the greatest dental hygiene programs.
Have you been looking for the best dental hygiene schools in California? If you want to pursue a career in dental health by enrolling in one of California’s top colleges or institutions, then read this article to learn more.
To provide you with complete and exquisite information, significant research has been done on the best dental hygienist colleges in California. If your major career goal is to work as a dental hygienist in California, you should be aware of your employment prospects.
It might be argued that California boasts some of the top educational institutions in the entire globe, not just in the United States. The state is home to some of the most prominent institutions and universities, which provide the greatest education for any career of your choice.
The need for health professionals in the healthcare sector is currently great. Graduates with medical degrees are more likely than graduates in other fields to land lucrative positions in the healthcare industry.
Dental hygienists are crucial members of the healthcare team that offer preventive oral care. They offer therapeutic services, treat and diagnose patients with oral disorders, and instruct patients on the best oral health practices. Let’s examine dental hygiene as a profession now.
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Why Practice Dentistry in California?
Dental hygienists are not exempt from the opportunities that the Golden State offers for medical professionals. The Bureau of Labor Statistics forecasts that employment opportunities for dental hygienists will grow by 15% over the next few years, through 2028.
As a result, there will be a surplus of 1,370 positions for dental hygienists in the future.
Who is a Dental Hygienist?
Dental hygienists are qualified oral health professionals with a license and registration who specialize in dental care. These skilled medical experts provide patients with preventive oral care while instructing them on the finest dental hygiene techniques.
Graduates having degrees in dental hygiene from recognized institutions are dental hygienists. Besides cleaning teeth, dental hygienists can also teach, do research, and manage organizations.
What Does a Dental Hygienist Do?
A dental hygienist’s duties extend beyond simple tooth cleaning and examination. Dental hygienists offer patients preventative care, which includes therapeutic services, pain management, oral disease diagnosis, and treatment.
Dental hygienists, who are also employed by dentists as licensed health professionals, apply periodontal dressings and provide anesthetics during dental surgery.
However, the medical treatments that a dental hygienist can offer are subject to unique laws in every jurisdiction.
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Best Dental Hygiene Schools in California
1. University of Southern California, Los Angeles
The University of Southern California, one of the top universities for dental hygienists in California, is one of the few dental schools in the country to provide both a Bachelor’s and a Master’s degree in dental hygiene. Students who attend the university’s School of Dentistry receive superior instruction in dental hygiene.
Dental hygiene bachelor’s degree
You must finish 76 credits in dental hygiene courses and 12 credits in general education to graduate from this program. The five-trimester course of study includes clinical instruction to expand your understanding of dental health.
The best experiences required to grow a career in oral health are provided by this curriculum.
Dental hygiene master’s degree
Dental hygienists who wish to advance their knowledge of dental hygiene should enroll in this program. The curriculum can be finished in 16 months of full-time study. For those who have other obligations, there is a part-time schedule.
2. The University of the Pacific
The University of the Pacific (San Francisco campus) offers a 3-year bachelor’s degree program in dental hygiene. In the first half of the program, you will get extensive coursework, some of which will have liberal arts components. Dental hygiene coursework is included in the second section.
Due to the university’s selectivity, this program also has a minimum high school GPA requirement of 2.7.
3. West Coast University
One of California’s smaller universities for dental hygienists is the West Coast University. The university has 2,510 undergraduate students and is situated in Orange County, Anaheim, California.
One of California’s accelerated dental hygiene programs is offered by West Coast University. You can earn your dental hygiene bachelor’s degree in 34 months if you enroll in this expedited program.
Coursework for the program comprises general education and dental hygiene modules. While the dental hygiene courses are mostly taught on campus, the general education courses are available and can be taken online.
The fastest dental hygienist school in California, West Coast University, offers bachelor’s degrees in a short amount of time.
4. San Joaquin Valley College
One of the smaller dental hygienist schools in California is San Joaquin Valley College. a private, for-profit institution with 1,927 undergraduate students and a total enrolment of 5,275 students in Visalia, California.
A 16-month associate degree program in dental hygiene is available in the San Joaquin Valley. You will learn advanced technical skills while enrolled in this program, such as how to use intra-oral cameras, take X-rays, place fluoride, and more.
5. Foothill College, Los Altos
In Los Altos, California, there is a tiny public college called Foothill College. Foothill College, one of California’s smallest dental hygienist schools, with 14,732 students enrolled in total.
There are two dental hygiene bachelor’s degree programs offered by Foothill College.
1. Entry-level Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene:
You must finish the first two years of this program’s curriculum, which consists of general education, science, and social science classes. You must apply for the dental hygiene program after completing the first curriculum. If you’re accepted, you’ll need to finish 107 credits worth of upper-division general education and the fundamental core courses in dental hygiene.
It involves training in dental radiology, oral anatomy, dental health education, periodontics, dental material, etc. and requires an additional two years of study.
2. Dental hygiene Associate’s to Bachelor’s Degree Program:
This program is designed for people who have earned an associate degree in dental hygiene and wish to learn more. You need to pass 8 online courses in this program in order to graduate.
6. Diablo Valley College
The dental hygiene associate degree program at Diablo Valley College lasts for two years. Classes must be attended throughout the day because the program has a full-time schedule.
You must finish a curriculum that comprises general education and fundamental core courses in order to graduate from this program. You can sit for the National and Regional Dental Hygiene Board exams after completing these courses.
When it comes to the admissions process for its dental hygiene programs, Diablo Valley College is quite stringent.
7. Santa Rosa Junior College, Santa Rosa, California
A five-semester, full-time associate degree program in dental hygiene is available from Santa Rosa Junior College. Through an excellent learning environment, the courses in this program gives students the best professional competence and knowledge.
Before beginning the dental hygiene program, you must finish general education and prerequisite courses.
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8. Taft College, Taft
Taft College has an associate degree program in dental hygiene that lasts two years and is one of the dental hygienist schools in California. Through the courses in this program, you will expand your knowledge of oral health and develop abilities in patient assessment, patient evaluation, and patient dental hygiene planning, among other things.
9. Concorde Career College
With 664 students enrolled, Concorde Career College is one of the best dental hygiene schools in California.
An associate degree is the highest degree available at Concorde Career College. In order to graduate from this program, you must obtain 111.5 credits of coursework. There are 9 terms totaling 17 months of the curriculum.
Coursework for the degree also involves hands-on instruction at the college clinic.
10. Southwestern College, Chula Vista’s
One of California’s mid-sized dental hygiene colleges is Southwestern College. a public university with 6,403 undergraduate students that is located in Chula Vista, California.
A two-year associate’s degree program in dental hygiene is available through Southwestern College. You must attend up to 60 to 65 hours of class time per week to finish the program’s coursework.
The core dental hygiene coursework consists of 53 credits and includes classes in oral anatomy, dental pharmacology, pain management, periodontics, physiology, dental materials, clinical health, community health, ethics, and regulations crucial to the practice of dentistry.
11. Carrington College
In addition to the University of Southern California, which is one of the best dental hygiene schools in California. There are additional community institutions that provide excellent instruction in oral health.
In San Jose, California, there is a private for-profit college called Carrington College.
A two-year associate program in dental hygiene is available at Carrington College. The curriculum of the program is meant to help you develop the technical abilities needed to carry out dental procedures such removing plaque, applying fluoride and sealant, taking oral X-rays, and compiling patient information.
You must complete the prerequisite coursework from an authorized university with a minimum GPA of 2.7 and no grades lower than a “C” in order to be qualified for this program.
12. Sacramento City College
With 4,386 undergraduate students enrolled, Sacramento City College is one of the smaller dental hygienist schools in California.
A two-year dental hygiene degree is available at Sacramento City College. The coursework consists of 45.5 credits of dental hygiene coursework and 39.5 credits of prerequisite courses. You will be qualified to take the national and state licensing examinations after finishing the coursework.
Sacramento City College, one of the best dental hygiene schools in California, suggests that you take algebra, chemistry, biology, and physiology as high school electives. You can get ready for the program with the help of this subject being included.
13. Cabrillo College
With 3,201 undergraduate students enrolled, Cabrillo College is one of the best dental hygiene schools in California. The associate degree is the highest level of education available at this public college in Aptos, California.
One of California’s more selective dental hygienist schools is the University of Southern California, and Cabrillo College follows a similar admissions procedure for students applying to its dental hygiene programs.
A two-year associate’s degree program in dental hygiene is available at Cabrillo College. It only accepts 22 students a year, and classes are held full-time, Monday through Friday.
The dental hygiene curriculum covers topics including oral anatomy, dental materials understanding, oral health instruction, dental radiology, dental terminology, periodontics, and dental insurance.
You must have a minimum GPA of 2.7 in all prerequisite science courses and a minimum grade of “C” in general courses in order to enroll in this program.
14. Chabot College, Hayward
A public college called Chabot College is located in Hayward, California. The highest degree provided by the institution is an associate’s degree, and it uses a semester-based structure.
A dental hygiene associate’s degree program is available through Chabot College. You must finish 60.5 credits in general education and dental hygiene classes with a minimum grade of “C” in order to graduate.
15. The Fresno City College
With 6,012 undergraduate students enrolled, Fresno City College is one of the mid-sized dental hygienist schools in California.
A dental hygiene associate degree program is offered at Fresno City College. You must participate in classes and practical training on campus and at connected clinical sites for the duration of this full-time, four-semester program.
Frequently Asked Questions
In California, how long does it take to become a dental hygienist?
You can complete an associate of science degree in dental hygienist school in California in around 16 months, at which point you can sit for the National Board written test and the State/Regional Clinical Board exam to become licensed as a Registered Dental Hygienist.
What is the ideal degree for a dental hygienist?
A dental hygiene associate degree and state license are prerequisites for dental hygienists. Consider earning a dental hygiene bachelor's or master's degree if you want to grow in your career.
In the USA, are dental hygienists in demand?
Dental hygienist employment is anticipated to increase by 9% between 2021 and 2031, faster than the average for all occupations. Over the next ten years, there are expected to be, on average, 16,300 openings for dental hygienists.
Do dental hygienists in California earn a good living?
As of 2021, the average Dental Hygienist pay in California was $108,200 ($52.02 per hour), however actual salaries frequently ranged from $98,680 to $125,450.
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