Dental Hygienist Schools
Dental hygienist schools are sprouting all over the country and for a really good reason. The dental hygienist career is considered to be one of the best 50 careers to pursue in 2011 according to USnews.com. It is also expected to have a really strong growth in the coming years. According to the Labor Department, in 2008 there were 174,000 dental hygienist jobs and the projection is an increase of up to 36% (237,000 jobs) up until 2018.
The scope of work of a dental hygienist may include the following:
- Examining and cleaning teeth and gums
- Look for oral abnormalities
- Take dental x-rays when necessary
- Teach good oral hygiene practice
If you have already decided to pursue this promising health care career, then the next thing you probably need to look for are the best dental hygienist schools in the country. The cost of tuition fee can be a bit expensive but there are dental scholarships available for you to apply for. Some schools offer a 2-year certificate program while other universities offer a full 4-year course. After graduating from the program, you will need to pass a written and clinical examination before you can be granted a license and become a certified dental hygienist. After which, you can already start looking for a job to start earning a decent dental hygiene salary. The salary of a dental hygienist can be quite promising. The dental hygenist salary has an average of $60,000 and can reach up to $100,000 all depending on the geographical location of your dental office and your number of experience in the field.
Here is a list of some of the most recommended dental hygienists schools. Check it out, one just might be near your area.
1. University of Southern California
The Bachelor of Science degree in Dental Hygiene has a prerequisite of 2 academic years of pre-dental hygiene. The courses that follow would be 2 additional years of enrollment in the dental hygiene program.
2. University of Pittsburg
University of Pittsburgh Dental Hygiene Program is a certificate program affiliated with a major University, a school of dental medicine as well as a major medical center. It offers a 2-year full time course leading to a certificate in dental hygiene.
3. University of Louisville
University of Louisville School of Dentistry’s Bachelor of Science degree in Dental Hygiene offers a four-year program curriculum. The program offers training and education to students in order to become licensed health-care professionals. They train them to become dental hygienist who can provide a wide range of preventive and therapeutic dental services. These include examining teeth and gums, removal of plaque and stains, teeth bleaching, dental x-rays, fluoride application and teaching basic oral hygiene.
4. University of the Pacific
Pacific’s Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry and College of the Pacific have joined forces to offer a 36-month Bachelor of Science Degree in Dental Hygiene. Pacific is considered as one of the most distinctive, student-centered national universities in the West.
5. St. Petersburg College
St. Petersburg College offers a Bachelor of Applied Science degree in Dental Hygiene (BASDH). It is a program designed for the licensed dental hygienist. The College is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.
6. New York University
NYU offers the Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene Program. It provides advanced education for dental health care providers. The program could lead to a career in research, education, health care management, and public health. The Dental Hygiene Program is fully accredited by the American Dental Association Commission on Dental Accreditation for Dental Hygiene Education Programs.
7. University of Southern California
University of Southern California (USC) offers the Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene degree. It requires successful completion of the Dental Hygiene curriculum. It includes course work in the basic sciences, clinical, and general education. USC is recognized as one of the world’s leading private research universities. Furthermore, it is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges.
8. Western Kentucky University
Western Kentucky University offers the Bachelor of Science in dental hygiene. The program was approved and initiated at the University in the Fall of 1987. The dental hygiene program is fully accredited by the Council of Dental Education/Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association.
9. The University of Minnesota
The University Of Minnesota School Of Dentistry offers an accelerated 3-year dental hygiene program leading to a bachelor’s degree. The dental hygiene program is recognized as one of the outstanding programs in the country.