20 Best Dental Hygienist Schools in California

Best Dental Hygienist Schools in California!

This article discusses the Best Dental Hygienist Schools in California, including the top universities and colleges offering the finest programs in this field.

Have you been looking for the Best Dental Hygienist Schools in California? If you want to pursue a career in dental health by attending the top colleges and universities in California, you should read this article.

Regarding the Best Dental Hygienist Schools in California, exhaustive research has been conducted in order to provide you with detailed and precise information. If your primary objective is to become a dental hygienist in California, you should be aware of your employment prospects.

California arguably has some of the finest educational institutions in the United States and the entire globe. Some of the nation’s most prestigious colleges and universities are located in the state, and they provide the finest education in any field.

In the current healthcare system, there is a high demand for health professionals. Graduates with a degree in medicine are more likely to obtain lucrative positions in the healthcare system than those with degrees in other fields.

In the healthcare system, dental hygienists are essential health professionals who provide preventive oral treatment. They educate patients on the best oral hygiene practices, diagnose and cure patients with oral diseases, and provide therapeutic services. Let us now consider dental hygiene as a profession.

Also check: Top 10 Most Haunted Colleges In America

Who exactly is a dental hygienist?

Dental hygienists are licensed and registered oral health professionals with specialized knowledge of dental hygiene. Patients receive preventive oral care from these trained health professionals, who also educate them on the best dental hygiene practices.

Dental hygienists are graduates of an accredited institution with a degree in dental hygiene. Additionally, a dental hygienist may serve as a researcher, educator, or administrator.

Dental Hygienist Salaries in California

In 2020, the average annual salary for dental hygienists in California is $109,520, or $52.65 per hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. A third of dental hygienist positions in California are located in the Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim area. In Los Angeles, the average salary for dental hygienists is $110,250, which is above the state average.

List of the Best Dental Hygienist Schools in California

The following is a list of the Best Dental Hygienist Schools in California:

1. Los Angeles’s University of Southern California

• Acceptance Rate: 11%
• SAT Range: 1340-1530
• ACT Range: 30-34
• Average Tuition: $60,275
• Application Fee: $85

The University of Southern California is one of the Best Dental Hygienist Schools in California. A private institution founded in 1880 and located in Los Angeles, California.

The University of Southern California, one of the top dental hygienist universities in California, is one of the U.S. dental schools that offers both a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in dental hygiene. The university’s School of Dentistry offers students an exceptional education in dental hygiene.

If you are interested in dental hygiene programs at the University of Southern California, you can visit their official website by clicking on the link provided below.

2. San Francisco’s University of the Pacific

• Acceptance Rate: 71%
• Average Tuition: $52,352
• SAT Range: 1080-1340
• ACT Range: 22-30
• Application Fee: $55

The San Francisco Campus of the University of the Pacific is one of the dental hygiene schools in California.

The University of the Pacific (San Francisco campus) offers a 3-year bachelor’s degree program in dental hygiene. In the first portion of this program, you will be provided with extensive coursework that incorporates liberal arts components. The second section consists of dental hygiene coursework.It is one of the Best Dental Hygienist Schools in California.

In addition, this program requires a minimum high school GPA of 2.70 due to the selective nature of the university.

3.  Anaheim’s West Coast University

• Acceptance Rate: 100%
• Average Tuition: $24,211 
• No Application 
• School Address: 1477 S MANCHESTER AVE ANAHEIM, CA 92802

The West Coast University is one of California’s smaller dental hygiene institutions. The University is located in Anaheim, Orange County, California, with 2,510 undergraduate students.

West Coast University offers one of California’s accelerated dental hygiene programs. With this expedited program, you can earn your dental hygiene bachelor’s degree in 34 months.

The program curriculum encompasses general education and dental hygiene courses. The general education courses can be taken online, whereas the dental hygiene courses are primarily offered on campus.It is among the Best Dental Hygienist Schools in California.

West Coast University is the California institution where you can earn your Bachelor’s degree in the shortest amount of time.

4. San Joaquin Valley College, Ontario & Visalia

• Acceptance Rate: 100%
• No Application Fee
• Student-Faculty Ratio: 19:1

San Joaquin Valley College is one of California’s smaller dental hygiene institutions. A private, for-profit institution in Visalia, California with a total enrollment of 5,275 students, including 1,910 undergraduates.It is one of the Best Dental Hygienist Schools in California.

A 16-month associate degree program in dental hygiene is available in the San Joaquin Valley. This program teaches advanced technical skills, including the use of intra-oral cameras, X-ray techniques, the placement of dental fluoride, and many others.

5.  Foothill College, Los Altos Hills

• Acceptance Rate: 100%
• No Application Fee
• In-State Tuition: $1,563 (2018-2019)
• Out of State Tuition: $7,503
• Student-Faculty Ratio: 26:1

Foothill College is a minor California public college located in Los Altos. Foothill College is one of the smallest dental hygienist institutions in California, with a total enrollment of 14,732.

Foothill College offers two dental hygiene bachelor’s degree programs.

Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene, Entry-Level

In the first two years of this program, you must complete a curriculum consisting of general education, science, and social science courses. After completing the first curriculum, you must submit an application to the dental hygiene program. If accepted, you will be required to complete 107 credits in dental hygiene essential courses and upper-division general education.

The procedure requires an additional two years of schooling and includes courses in dental radiology, oral anatomy, dental health education, periodontics, and dental materials, among others.It is regarded as one of the Best Dental Hygienist Schools in California.

Program leading from Associate of Science to Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene
Individuals with an associate’s degree in dental hygiene who wish to acquire additional skills and knowledge are eligible for this program. In order to graduate from this program, you must complete eight online courses.

6. Diablo Valley College located in Pleasant Hill

Diablo Valley College is one of California’s mid-sized dental hygiene schools. Diablo Valley, located in Pleasant Hill, California, has 6,709 undergraduate students and a total enrollment of 20,278.

The dental hygiene curriculum at Diablo Valley College is a two-year associate degree program. The program requires daytime attendance and follows a full-time schedule.

To graduate from this program, you must complete a curriculum consisting of general education and core courses. You will be able to sit the National and Regional Dental Hygiene Board examinations after completing these courses.It is one of the Best Dental Hygienist Schools in California.

Dental hygiene programs at Diablo Valley College have an extremely selective admissions policy.

If you are interested in dental hygiene programs at Diablo Valley College, click on the link below to visit their official website.

• Acceptance Rate: 100%
• No Application Fee
• In-State Tuition: $1,312 (2018/2019)
• Out of State Tuition: $8,564
• Student-Faculty Ratio: 26:1

7. Santa Rosa Junior College, Santa Rosa

Santa Rosa Junior College is one of California’s smaller dental hygiene institutions.

The full-time dental hygiene associate degree program at Santa Rosa Junior College can be completed in five semesters. This program’s curriculum provides students with the finest professional skills and knowledge in an exceptional learning environment.

General education and prerequisite courses must be accomplished prior to beginning dental hygiene coursework.

8. Taft College, Taft

• Acceptance Rate: 100%
• In-State Tuition: $1,328
• Out of State Tuition: $8,174
• No Application 
• Student-Faculty Ratio: 20:1

Taft College, one of the Best Dental Hygienist Schools in California, offers a two-year dental hygiene associate degree program. This program’s curriculum will expand your understanding of oral health, and you will acquire skills in patient assessment, evaluating and planning dental hygiene, etc.

9. Concorde Career College, San Bernardino, Garden Grove & San Diego

• Acceptance Rate: 94%
• Student-Faculty Ratio: 25:1
• No Application Fee

Concorde Career College is among the smaller dental hygienist schools in California, with 664 pupils enrolled.

Associate’s degrees are offered at Concorde Career College. To graduate from this program, you must complete 111.5 credit hours of coursework. The program is 17 months long and is divided into nine terms.It is one of the Best Dental Hygienist Schools in California.

The curriculum of the program also incorporates clinical training at the college’s clinic.

10. Southwestern College, located in Chula Vista

• Acceptance Rate: 100%
• In-State Tuition: $1,388
• Out of State Tuition: $6,602
• No Application Fee
• Student-Faculty Ratio: 22:1

Southwestern College is one of California’s mid-sized dental hygiene institutions. A public institution in Chula Vista, California with 6,403 undergraduate students enrolled.

Southwestern College offers a two-year dental hygiene associate degree program. To complete this program’s coursework, you must attend 60 to 65 hours of seminars per week.It is among the Best Dental Hygienist Schools in California.

The core dental hygiene coursework consists of 53 credits and includes courses in dental radiology, oral anatomy, dental pharmacology, pain control, periodontics, physiology, dental material, clinical health, community health, and essential dental practice ethics and laws.

11. Carrington College, Sacramento and San Francisco

• Acceptance Rate: 93%
• No Application Fee
• Student-Faculty Ratio: 18:1

In addition to the University of Southern California, which is one of the Best Dental Hygienist Schools in California, there is also the University of the Pacific. There are additional community colleges that provide superior dental health education.

Carrington College is a private institution in San Jose, California that operates for profit.

The dental hygiene program at Carrington College is a two-year associate degree. The program is designed to help you acquire the technical skills necessary to perform dental procedures such as plaque removal, fluoride and sealant application, oral X-rays, and patient data collection.

To qualify for this program, you must complete the prerequisite coursework at an accredited institution with a minimum GPA of 2.70 and no grade lower than “of C.”

12. Sacramento City College, Sacramento

• Acceptance Rate: 100%
• In-State Tuition: $1,104
• Out of State Tuition: $8,712
• No Application Fee
• Student-Faculty Ratio: 25:1

Sacramento City College is one of the smaller dental hygienist institutions in California, with an undergraduate enrollment of 4,379 students.

The Sacramento City College provides a two-year dental hygiene program. The curriculum comprises 45.5 credits of dental hygiene courses and 39.5 credits of prerequisite courses. After completing the curriculum, you will be qualified to take the national and state licensing examinations.

As one of the Best Dental Hygienist Schools in California, Sacramento City College suggests that you take algebra, chemistry, biology, and physiology in high school. This subject will assist you in preparing for the program.

13. Cabrillo College, Aptos

• Acceptance Rate: 100%
• In-State Tuition: $1,270
• Out of State Tuition: $7,462
• No Application Fee
• Student-Faculty Ratio: 21:1

The undergraduate enrollment at Cabrillo College is 3,201, making it one of the smaller dental hygienist schools in California. The college is a California public institution located in Aptos, and the greatest degree offered is an associate’s.

The University of Southern California is one of the California universities for dental hygienists with a more selective admissions process, and Cabrillo College has a similar admissions policy for its dental hygiene programs.

The dental hygiene curriculum at Cabrillo College is a two-year associate degree program. Every year, only 22 students are admitted, and classes are held from Monday through Friday.It is one of the Best Dental Hygienist Schools in California.

Coursework in dental hygiene covers the anatomy of the oral cavity, knowledge of dental materials, oral health education, dental radiology, dental terminology, periodontics, and dental insurance.

To enroll in this program, you must have a GPA of at least 2.70 in all pre-requisite scientific courses and a minimum grade of “C” in general education courses.

14. Chabot College located in Hayward

• Acceptance Rate: 100%
• In-State Tuition: $1,142
• Out of State Tuition: $7,742
• No Application Fee
• Student-Faculty Ratio: 26:1 

Chabot College is a California public institution located in Hayward. The institution operates on a semester basis, and the highest degree available is an associate’s.

Dental hygiene is offered as an associate degree program at Chabot College. To graduate, you must earn a minimum grade of “C” in 60.5 credits of general education and dental hygiene courses.

15. Fresno City College is in Fresno.

• Acceptance Rate: 100%
• In-State Tuition: $1,304
• Out of State Tuition: $7,494
• No Application Fee
• Student-Faculty Ratio: 27:1

Fresno City College is one of the mid-sized dental hygienist schools in California, with a total undergraduate enrollment of 6,012.

The dental hygiene program at Fresno City College leads to an associate degree. To complete this 4-semester, full-time program, you must attend courses and clinical practicums on campus and at affiliated clinical sites.It is among the Best Dental Hygienist Schools in California.

16. Cerritos College, Norwalk, California

• Acceptance Rate: 100%
• In-State Tuition: $1,346
• Out of State Tuition: $8,710
• No Application Fee
• Student-Faculty Ratio: 25:1

Cerritos is one of the mid-sized dental hygienist colleges and universities in California, with an undergraduate enrollment of 8,240 students.

Dental hygiene is offered as a two-year associate degree program at Cerritos College. For more information about Cerritos College’s dental hygiene program.It is regarded as one of the Best Dental Hygienist Schools in California.

17. Culver City, West Los Angeles College

• Acceptance Rate: 100%
• In-State Tuition: $1,220
• Out of State Tuition: $7,746
• No Application Fee
• Student-Faculty Ratio: 26:1

With 11,734 students, West Los Angeles College is among the smaller dental hygienist schools in California.

West Los Angeles College provides a Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene as well as additional Dental Hygiene courses.It is regarded as one of the Best Dental Hygienist Schools in California.

18. Pasadena City College, Pasadena

• Acceptance Rate: 100%
• In-State Tuition: $1,166
• Out of State Tuition: $7,548
• No Application Fee
• Student-Faculty Ratio: 26:1

Pasadena City College is one of the Best Dental Hygienist Schools in California. A public institution of moderate size located in Pasadena, California, with 9,427 undergraduate students.

Dental hygiene is a two-year associate degree program at Pasadena City College.

19. Oxnard College, Oxnard

• Acceptance Rate: 100%
• In-State Tuition: $1,388
• Out of State Tuition: $7,050
• No Application Fee 
• Student-Faculty Ratio: 31:1

Oxnard College is a modest public institution among the dental hygienist colleges and universities in California. Its undergraduate enrollment in Oxnard, California, is just 1,838 students.

The dental hygiene program at Oxnard College culminates in an associate’s degree.

20. Cypress College, Cypress

• Acceptance Rate: 100%
• In-State Tuition: $1,140
• Out of State Tuition: $6,158
• No Application Fee
• Student-Faculty Ratio: 24:1

With 15,794 students, Cypress College is one of the Best Dental Hygienist Schools in California. The institution in Cypress, California, offers an associate’s degree in dental hygiene.

Upon completion of the dental hygiene program and the college’s general education requirements, you will be eligible for an associate of science degree.

FAQs On Best Dental Hygienist Schools in California

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