Best Dental Hygienist Schools in Illinois!
Are you searching for the Best Dental Hygienist Schools in Illinois? If so, this blog post on the top Dental Hygienist institutions in Illinois will provide you with all the information you require.
Approximately one-quarter of Illinois residents (2.48 million) do not have their tooth decay treated. Tooth decay and oral maladies are among the most prevalent chronic health issues in Illinois and the United States. The good news is that the majority of oral health conditions can be prevented or treated
The prevalence of untreated cavities and other oral health issues is high among Illinois children, particularly those living in poverty or in rural areas.
Tooth decay, also known as cavities, is the most prevalent dental issue among youth, but it can be prevented. As soon as a child’s first tooth erupts, tooth decay can commence.
Tooth decay must be treated by a dental professional; otherwise, it will aggravate. On the dentition, white or brown spots indicate tooth decay.
Also read: Top Dental Schools That Do Not Require DAT
Requirements for Best Dental Hygienist Schools in Illinois
To become a dental hygienist in Illinois, the following requirements must be met:
- You must have completed secondary school or possess a GED.
- You must have completed a two-year dental sanitation program from a CODA-approved institution.
- You must possess a valid CPR certification.
- You have completed the National Board Examination for Dental Hygiene.
- Have passed a clinical examination administered by any of the Central Regional Dental Testing Service, Inc. (CRDTS), Southern Regional Testing Agency, Inc. (SRTA), Western Regional Examining Board (WREB), or North East Regional Board (NERB).
The average tuition for the Best Dental Hygienist Schools in Illinois
A two-year associate’s degree in dental hygiene costs between $3,700 and $41,130 and takes up to 30 months to complete, while a four-year bachelor’s degree costs up to $75,230 and takes up to four years to complete.
Check out: Fastest Bachelor&Degree Online Program
List of the Best Dental Hygienist Schools in
The following is a list of the Best Dental Hygienist Schools in Illinois:
- Southern Illinois University-Carbondale
- Lakeland College
- William Rainey Harper College
- College of Lake County
- Illinois Central College
- Lewis and Clark Community College
- Rock Valley College
- Parkland College
- Carl Sandburg College
- City Colleges of Chicago Malcolm X
1. Southern Illinois University at Carbondale
This institution is home to the earliest dental hygiene program in the state of Illinois and offers the only Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene in Illinois.
Current healthcare professionals have the option of pursuing a bachelor’s degree online if they are admitted to this competitive program.
Graduates are qualified to pursue careers in research, teaching, or clinical practice in public or school health programs and have access to increased employment opportunities in the field of dental care.
In four years, students earning a Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene will complete 120 credit hours of coursework.
In a series of labs and clinics, senior students acquire teaching experience in dental hygiene through a practicum rotation. The integration of professional courses in dental hygiene over a three-year period permits for additional supervised clinical practice prior to graduation. It is one of the Best Dental Hygienist Schools in Illinois.
The Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) has accredited the school’s Dental Hygiene program.
2. Lakeland College
The Associate of Science in Dental Hygiene program at this institution is a rigorous, two-year academic program that includes classroom instruction, laboratory training, and clinical experience in various healthcare agencies.
Once approved by the Director of Dental Hygiene, the student may petition to take the Central Regional Dental Testing Service (CRDTS) clinical examination and National Board Dental Hygiene Examination (NBDHE) for Registered Dental Hygienist (RDH) in their final spring semester. It is among the Best Dental Hygienist Schools in Illinois.
After passing these examinations, the graduate may file for the RDH license. Upon completion of the program, the student receives an Associate of Applied Science degree; however, completion of the Dental Hygiene program does not guarantee RDH licensure.
If a candidate has a criminal record, the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) may refuse to issue a license. Consult with the superintendent of the Dental Hygiene Program to avoid delays in license application processing.
The course Dental Hygiene equips students with the specialized skills required for employment as a dental hygienist. The focus is on patient treatment, including removal of calculus, stains, and deposits from the teeth, prevention of oral disease, and the function of the dental hygienist as a dental health educator.
The services of the hygienist are sought by dentists, schools, prisons, hospitals, health departments, and industry. Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association has granted full accreditation to the Dental Hygiene program.
3. William Rainey Harper University
The Dental Hygiene Program at Harper College is a six-semester, full-time program leading to an Associate of Applied Science. It is accredited by the American Dental Association’s Commission on Dental Accreditation. This is a program with limited enrollment.
100% of Harper’s Dental Hygiene Program graduates passed both the American Dental Association’s National Board Dental Hygiene Examination and the Commission on Dental Competency Assessment’s Clinical Board Examination in the fall of 2021.
The Commission on Dental Accreditation has accredited the program in dental hygiene. The Commission is recognized by the United States Department of Education as a specialized accrediting body of the American Dental Association.It is regarded as one of the Best Dental Hygienist Schools in Illinois.
4. The University of Lake County
The American Dental Association has accredited an Associate in Applied Science degree program in Dental Hygiene.
Under the supervision of a licensed dentist, a licensed dental hygienist assists in oral health assessment, disease prevention, and health promotion. This program is designed to educate interested students for careers as licensed dental hygienists.
The degree requirements include courses in general education, dental hygiene, and science. Dental Hygiene is a limited enrollment program.
The American Dental Association has granted accreditation to the Dental Hygiene program.
In most cases, dental hygienists work in a dentist’s office, assisting with oral care by cleaning teeth, examining patients for symptoms of gingivitis and other conditions, and instructing patients on preventive care. It is one of the Best Dental Hygienist Schools in Illinois.
The dental hygienist cleans the teeth and examines the head, neck, and oral regions for evidence of oral disease. In addition, they can educate patients on oral hygiene, obtain and develop radiographs, and apply fluoride and sealants.
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5. Illinois Central College
This institution grants an associate of applied science in dental hygiene. The Commission on Dental Accreditation, a specialized accrediting body of the American Dental Association, has accredited the Dental Hygiene program.
Graduates are eligible to sit for the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination and a regional/state examination for Dental Hygienist registration in Illinois and other states.
In dental offices and other health agencies, the dental hygienist works under the supervision of the dentist, performing duties delegated by the dentist in accordance with the Illinois Dental Practice Act or other applicable state practice acts.
Cleaning teeth, exposing x-rays, providing oral healthcare instructions to patients, maintaining patient records, etc. are among the responsibilities of a dental assistant. Students receive extensive clinical experiences at the Dental Hygiene Clinic of Illinois Central College and other agencies. It is one of the Best Dental Hygienist Schools in Illinois.
6. Lewis and Clark Community College
Students in the dental hygienist program at L&C study assessment; treatment and prevention of oral diseases; electronic dental record keeping and digital radiography; planning community oral health programs; advising patients on commercial products; and other topics.
In the second semester, students will begin seeing patients at the Paul B. Hanks Dental Clinic on campus, which provides preventive services such as exams, digital X-rays, cleanings (including thorough cleanings), sealants, and fluoride. The students will also gain practical experience at off-campus locations.
Due to the school’s 5:1 student-to-teacher ratio, students receive individualized attention from knowledgeable teachers.
Upon graduation, L&C Dental Hygiene graduates have a 100% employment rate. They are qualified for positions in general dentistry, periodontal offices, public health clinics, pediatric offices, and hospital clinics. Hygienists with experience may also find work in retail sales and educational institutions.
Dental Hygiene is a two-year program with selective admissions. To enroll, students must have graduated from an ADA-CODA dental assisting program.
7. Rock Valley University
As one of the Best Dental Hygienist Schools in Illinois, The institution provides an associate of applied science in dental hygiene. A dental hygiene profession can be pursued in a variety of settings.
Registered Dental Hygienists are essential members of the dental health staff. Dental hygienists work in private and corporate dental facilities, where they provide treatment and services that aid in the prevention of oral diseases such as dental caries and periodontal disease, and educate patients on how to maintain optimal oral health.
As faculty members, they also work in hospitals, nursing homes, long-term care facilities, schools, correctional facilities, health maintenance organizations, and higher education institutions.
Graduates are qualified to take two board exams leading to state licensure. Under the auspices of the American Dental Association (ADA), the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) has granted the program full accreditation.
8. Parkland College
To be prepared for a career as a Registered Dental Hygienist in the school, which provides hands-on training in modern labs, classrooms, and clinics, you must possess strong interpersonal skills, excellent manual dexterity, and a genuine interest in working with a diverse population.
You will learn to provide clinical services such as oral examinations, oral hygiene instruction, radiographs, dental cleanings, pit and fissure sealants, teeth bleaching, infection control and disinfection, as well as local anesthesia and nitrous oxide sedation as a dental hygienist in school.
The Parkland College Dental Hygiene Program has been granted the status of Approval without Reporting Requirements by the Commission on Dental Accreditation. The United States Department of Education acknowledges the commission as a specialized accrediting agency. It is among the Best Dental Hygienist Schools in Illinois.
9. Carl Sandburg University
Dental hygiene is offered as an Associate of Applied Science at Carl Sandburg College. Their two-year (including one summer) program prepares students to become dental hygienists through hands-on training.
This limited enrollment program prepares students to effectively take the National Dental Hygiene Board Examination, the respective clinical dental hygiene board examination, and the examination for registration as a dental hygienist in the respective state.
Both the Illinois Board of Community Colleges and the Illinois Board of Higher Education have approved the dental hygiene program.
The American Dental Association Commission on Dental Accreditation has conferred accreditation status of “approval without reporting requirements” to the program. The United States Department of Education acknowledges the commission as a specialized accrediting body. It is one of the Best Dental Hygienist Schools in Illinois.
Graduates of the dental hygiene program will be eligible to take the National Dental Hygiene Board Examination, the respective state’s clinical dental hygiene board examination, and the state’s examination for registration as a dental hygienist.
10. City Colleges of Chicago, Malcolm X
As one of the Best Dental Hygienist Schools in Illinois, The institution provides an associate of applied science in dental hygiene. The Dental Hygiene AAS program prepares students to provide patients with preventive oral health care services.
Principal responsibilities include evaluating a patient’s medical history, examining the teeth and oral structures, removing plaque biofilm, calculus, and stains from the teeth, taking intraoral radiographs, and educating patients on oral self-care.
Graduates are prepared to pass the required national, regional, and state licensing exams for dental hygiene licensure.
FAQs On Best Dental Hygienist Schools in Illinois
How long does it take to become a Dental Hygienist near Illinois?
You can earn an associate, bachelor's, or master's degree. Whereas an associate degree costs between $3700 and $41,130 and takes up to 30 months to finish, a bachelor's degree takes about four years and costs up to $75,230.
How long does a dental hygienist take?
This depends on each individual patient. However, on average it should take between 30 to 60 minutes to receive a thorough and effective clean. Book your hygienist appointment now.
Where do most dental hygienists work?
Clinical dental hygienists provide direct patient care in a variety of healthcare settings which include private dental offices, managed care organizations, schools, public health clinics, hospitals and long-term care facilities.
What is the highest field in dentistry?
The highest-paying dental specialty is oral and maxillofacial surgery. On average, dentists practicing in this specialty make $400,000 annually. Oral and maxillofacial surgeons treat injuries and head, neck, face, and jaw diseases.
Also read
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- Best Dental Hygienist Schools in Arizona
- Best Dental Hygienist Schools in Virginia
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