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Deciding which college to attend can be a daunting task. For many, it will be the most important decision that they make in their lives. To make an informed decision, you have to consider a lot of variables, such as cost of attendance, financial aid, student/teacher ratio, academics, student life, and more. These factors will either positively or negatively impact the quality of education that you receive.
Do you want to acquire a bachelor’s degree in dental hygiene, but don’t know what institution you should attend? Well, if you are as ambitious as I was in my late teens, then you want to attend a top school, instead of an average or mediocre one. Fortunately, we have already done the legwork for you. To help you find the right school for your interests and goals, we’ve compiled a list of 2022’s best bachelor’s in dental hygiene programs.
What institution did we forget? Leave your thoughts in the comment section below.
The University of Southern California Trojans are learners and faculty who are fortunate enough to learn and teach in one of the most prominent privately run institutions on the West Coast. USC has a dental hygiene degree program was established more than 80 years ago. Students learn from an internationally recognized school by attending a bachelor’s degree at the Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry. The BS in dental hygiene teaches learners basic clinical knowledge so that they can work in an array of settings upon graduation. Below are some key highlights of the degree program:
- Fall, summer, and spring trimesters
- Average class size of 202
- Average overall GPA of 3.33
- 88 credit hours
More than 70 percent of this degree program’s graduates are employed in dental offices. Other graduates have gone on to pursue the master’s degree.
NYU’s BS in dental hygiene degree program promotes not only the ethical clinical practice but also scholarly activity. This is the only degree program of its kind within the state of New York. Therefore, learners get an unusual one-of-a-kind exposure to the field at an early start.
- Specialty area rotations (i.e., orthodontics)
- Completion time: Three to four years
- Some online classes available
This degree program can also be taken part-time. Instead of graduating in May, learners will graduate in September. Classes are usually held in the evenings.
The University of Michigan’s primary campus is located in the city of Ann Arbor, rated as the No. 1 college town in the nation, according to Forbes. Michigan is among the state’s top four employers, with an estimated economic impact of about $10.4 billion. Not only is it the No. 1 state institution according to the National Science Foundation, but it also has the No. 1 dental school in the world according to the Shanghai Ranking.
Michigan’s BS in dental hygiene is a two-year degree program that begins every spring semester. This entry-level degree program exposes learners to clinical practice, research, and health administration. Some available classes are:
- Biomaterials
- Special Patients
- Oral Anatomy
- Histology & Embryology
Sophomores who meet the prerequisites will be admitted into the degree. The degree program recommends specific electives to ensure the best preparation for the dental hygiene core coursework.
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill was the only institution to award degrees in the US in the 18th century . Today, UNC-Chapel Hill has 77 undergraduate programs, with an enrollment of over 18,800. In 1950, the School of Dentistry was established, making it the first in the state of North Carolina. UNC-Chapel Hill offers a competitive BS in dental hygiene degree program. After completing all general education prerequisites, a total of 61 to 62 credit hours will be taken in the Dental Hygiene Professional School. Learners have access to some of the following opportunities:
- Dental hygiene licensure
- Community-based clinical work
- Undergraduate research
There are several reputable learner organizations available to join, including the American Dental Hygienists’ Association and the American Association of Dental Research.
Ohio State University manages six campuses across the state, with its primary one situated in the city of Columbus. Innovation is a crucial characteristic of OSU. The institution carries out research in several fields, sustaining meaningful relationships. Likewise, the College of Dentistry also carries out intensive research in areas such as infectious diseases and cancer research. OSU offers a bachelor’s degree in dental hygiene. This very adaptable degree program is offered online and can be taken part-time or full-time. Upon graduation, learners will receive their BS in one of three concentrations:
- Dental Hygiene Education
- Expanded Functions
- Individualized Program
There is no out-of-state tuition; all learners pay the same regardless of residence because this is a distance education degree program. The only difference is that Ohio residents will pay a slightly lower online degree program fee of $100 versus $105 for nonresidents.
Texas A&M University had its roots as an agricultural and mechanical school, hence its current name. The Caruth School of Dental Hygiene has a BS degree for future licensed hygienists who wish to work in an array of clinical settings. At least 60 credit hours must be finished to apply for the degree program.
This school has been offering dental hygiene programs since 1955; the university has promoted and educated the community on oral health for decades.
Minnesota has a year-round, accelerated BS in dental hygiene degree. Learners will partake in classes and group clinical work to prepare themselves for this rewarding field. Highlights of the degree consist of:
- Completion time: three years
- Study abroad programs available
- Dental Hygiene-specific scholarships
UMN is rated No. 1 in dental and dental hygiene service. The institution is known to help the economically disadvantaged obtain quality oral care.
West Virginia University is a land- and space-grant state institution. Its leading campus is situated in Morgantown, but there are other divisions and schools across the state. WVU’s BS in dental hygiene degree program has liberal arts coursework merging real-life and classroom experiences. This is a four-year degree program consisting of about 133 or 134 credit hours. Graduates will be ready for the following careers:
- Administrative
- Education
- Research
- Clinical practice
This degree program is the first integrated dental hygiene degree program in the nation due to its liberal arts nature. It was also designated as a Program of Excellence by the West Virginia Board of Governors in 2014.
After completing the BS in dental hygiene degree program, learners can apply for licensure in the field. They will also be able to seek licensure in local infiltration anesthesia and nitrous oxide analgesia. Some classes that can be taken are:
- Medical Microbiology
- Periodontology
- Essentials of Clinical Practice Theory
- Oral Pathology
The Oregon Institute of Technology has a reasonably priced education in primarily STEM-related fields. As the state’s polytechnic institution, Oregon Tech is proud to partner with leading industries to give learners the experience they need. Oregon Tech has a BS in dental hygiene degree, which provides undergraduates with clinical experiences on and off-campus. Not only will learners be eligible to become registered dental hygienists, but they will also be able to get an expanded practice permit within the state of Oregon. This permit means that they can deliver more care to patients without the supervision of a dentist.
NAU has the only BS in dental hygiene within the state of Arizona. This bachelor’s degree entails a minimum of 120 credit hours. Throughout the degree program, learners will develop equal comprehension of theory and practice.
- Accredited by the Commission on Dental Accrediting Body (CODA)
- Liberal arts component
- 18-chair dental hygiene clinic, five-chair radiographic facility
UNM’s School of Medicine has a BS in dental hygiene degree program. This five-semester degree program has a close-knit community of learners. Each class contains only about 24 learners. Here are some original features of the degree:
- New Mexico residents are given priority for acceptance
- Competency-based coursework
- Offered online in part-time and full-time formats
The degree program starts every spring semester. The classwork consists of general concepts, actual clinical practice, and even a choice to finish a thesis to be admitted directly into the MS degree program.
The University of New Haven is proud to be a leading privately run institution with dedicated faculty and hard-working learners. New Haven was established in 1920 on Yale University’s campus. Over 7,000 learners are currently enrolled across its 82-acre campus situated in Connecticut. Several of its programs are multidisciplinary and career focused. New Haven’s undergraduate dental hygiene degree program is very adaptable, offering three distinct formats: a three-year associate degree program, a four-year bachelor’s degree program, or an online completion degree program. Each choice targets slightly distinct populations that allow learners to finish the degree that fits their schedule.
- Several internship locations
- Cutting-edge technology in laboratories
- More than 85 percent of undergraduates obtain financial aid
The three-year associate degree program is for people who are not quite ready to pursue a bachelor’s degree. The online degree program is targeted to those who already have an associate degree.
Students with an associate degree in dental hygiene are urged to apply to Bridgeport’s BS degree program. This highly individualized degree program enables learners to take certain classes that meet their career objectives.
- 60 to 90 transfer credits accepted
- For-credit internships and externships
- Service-learning opportunities in the community
Dental Hygiene learners are still able to study abroad. Bridgepoint has several travel programs where learners can take classes that will directly go towards the degree on their home campus.
Ferris State manages 190 distinct degree programs, with a mean learner-to-faculty ratio of 16:1. Real-life learning is emphasized here, with about 70 percent of its learners participating in an internship during their degree program. Ferris State has a fully online BS in dental hygiene for people who possess an associate degree or those who are already licensed dental hygienists. Because it is an online degree program, classes can be finished from virtually anywhere. Classes may consist of:
- Community Program Assessment and Planning
- The U.S. Health Care Systems
- Public Health Administration
The SR Education Group rated this degree program favorably on its rating of the Best Online Colleges in 2019 due to its affordability and quality training.
