Dental Hygiene Schools and Programs in The United States

Dental Hygiene Studies in The United States

Dental hygienists examine patients for signs of oral diseases, provide preventive care such as removing tartar and plaque, and educate patients about oral health. In the United States dental hygiene is a licensed health profession with its own college programmes, separate from dentistry. The usual qualification is an associate degree, taught at community colleges, technical schools and universities, and it is followed by national and state examinations.

How the degree is organised

According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), dental hygienists typically need an associate's degree in dental hygiene, and they may also get a bachelor's degree. Programmes typically take three years to complete and offer laboratory, clinical and classroom instruction, in areas such as anatomy, medical ethics and periodontics. The American Dental Hygienists' Association (ADHA) describes the choice as an accredited associate programme of two to three years or a bachelor's programme of four years. Master's programmes exist but are relatively uncommon; the BLS notes that a bachelor's or master's degree is usually required for research, teaching or clinical practice in public or school health programmes.

The length is explained by prerequisites. Most programmes require applicants to complete college-level courses before they enter the professional part. At Laramie County Community College in Cheyenne, Wyoming, the professional programme is full-time and lasts five semesters, not including prerequisite courses, which typically take a full-time student two further semesters.

The schools listed here show the different levels:

• the College of Southern Idaho in Twin Falls offers an Associate of Applied Science in Dental Hygiene that takes two years and selects ten students each year
• the University of Pittsburgh offers an Associate of Science or a bachelor's degree in dental hygiene within its School of Dental Medicine
• The Ohio State University in Columbus offers a four-year Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene (two years of general education and prerequisites, then two years in the professional programme), an online degree-completion programme for licensed hygienists with an associate degree, and a two-year online master's programme

Accreditation and licensing

Programme accreditation comes from the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA), which accredits dental, advanced dental and allied dental education programmes in the United States. This matters for the licence: the BLS states that every state requires dental hygienists to be licensed and that, in most states, a degree from an accredited dental hygiene programme and passing written and clinical examinations are required. ADHA names these as the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination and a regional or state clinical board examination. Requirements vary by state and are set by each state's board of dental examiners.

Admission and language

Entry to the professional programme is competitive and separate from admission to the college. The College of Southern Idaho, for example, requires an admission application and admits ten students a year. The BLS recommends school courses in biology, chemistry and maths as preparation. International applicants also need proof of English: EducationUSA states that US institutions require an English language proficiency test before admission. Teaching and patient care in the college clinic are in English. For an F student visa, a student must first be accepted by an institution certified by the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP).

Costs beyond tuition

Dental hygiene has high programme costs, because students buy instruments and pay clinic and examination fees. Laramie County Community College estimates expenses of $25,000 to $30,000 in addition to tuition and books for 2026-2028, including a programme fee of $14,868, an instrument kit and board examination fees.

Where to study dental hygiene in the United States

The 28 schools listed on this page are spread across the country; no city has more than one. Many are community and technical colleges, such as Broward College in Fort Lauderdale, Lansing Community College in Michigan, Chemeketa Community College in Salem, Oregon, and Baltimore City Community College, which offers a Dental Hygiene AAS. The list also includes universities, among them the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, Idaho State University in Pocatello, Old Dominion University in Norfolk and the University of Bridgeport. The Ohio State University states that it has the only dental hygiene programme in Ohio affiliated with a dental school.

Recognition of the qualification

A US dental hygiene licence is issued by a state, on the basis of a CODA-accredited programme and the board examinations. The profession is regulated differently in other countries, so students who plan to practise outside the United States should ask the health or dental authority of that country how a US degree and licence are treated before enrolling.

Careers

Graduates work in general dental practices, paediatric dental offices, periodontal and orthodontic practices and educational institutions, according to Laramie County Community College. The BLS counts 225,300 dental hygienist jobs in 2025 and projects employment to grow 8 percent from 2025 to 2035, much faster than the average for all occupations, with about 15,000 openings each year.

Frequently asked questions

How long does it take to become a dental hygienist in the United States?

According to the BLS, programmes typically take three years to complete, including prerequisites. A bachelor's degree takes four years.

Is an associate degree enough to work as a dental hygienist?

Yes, as the academic requirement. The BLS states that hygienists typically need an associate's degree; they must also pass the examinations and obtain a state licence.

What is CODA accreditation?

It is accreditation by the Commission on Dental Accreditation. In most states a degree from an accredited dental hygiene programme is required for the licence.

How much do the materials and fees cost?

It depends on the college. Laramie County Community College estimates $25,000 to $30,000 in addition to tuition and books for 2026-2028.