What Are the Best Schools with Dental Hygiene Degrees and Programs?
Are you interested in pursuing the education needed to become a dental hygienist? Are you wondering how to find the best schools for this field? Read on to learn about three schools you might want to consider, while also learning ways to begin your search. Schools offering Dental Hygiene degrees can also be found in these popular choices.
What Are Some Characteristics of the Best Schools with Dental Hygiene Degrees and Programs?
Dental hygiene programs range from associate through master's degrees. One way to check out schools is through the American Dental Association's Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA), which has accredited 50 dental schools in the United States. Checking out national rankings supplied by resources such as U.S. News and World Report is a way of finding what are considered to be the best schools with dental hygiene programs. Each of the following schools offers CODA-approved programs.
What Are Three Top Schools Offering Dental Hygiene Programs?
University of Michigan in Ann Arbor
The University of Michigan (U-M) was ranked 28th in 2012 national university rankings from U.S. News & World Report. U-M's School of Dentistry bachelor's degree options include an on-campus full-time program and a degree completion program for licensed hygienists who already have earned an associate degree. The completion program is also available online. The university's master's degree program can prepare you for clinical research or teaching careers.
As a student, you will have access to the Michigan Center for Oral Health Research and the school's program of clinical studies. The school offers a competitive fellowship through the Student Research Program to all degree candidates. These degrees are offered:
- Dental Hygiene Bachelor of Science
- Dental Hygiene Degree Completion (BS)
- Master of Science in Dental Hygiene
University of Nebraska - Lincoln
U.S. News & World Report placed University of Nebraska (UNL) 101st in its 2012 National University rankings. Through the university's College of Arts and Science.,* you can participate in a 2-year pre-dental hygiene program. Preparatory college courses taken in subjects such as English, math, biology and chemistry can be applied to the college's Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene program offered at the University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Dentistry. You can also take the necessary pre-dental hygiene courses at another college or university. In the baccalaureate dental hygiene program, you'll be given opportunities to provide hands-on care to patients.
University of Southern California in Los Angeles
The University of Southern California (USC) was ranked 23rd in U.S. News & World Report's 2012 national universities rankings. It is one of only 48 out of 315 dental hygiene programs that offer a bachelor's degree. Admission is offered to no more than 42 applicants per year.
The Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry offers an undergraduate program in dental hygiene. Credits earned elsewhere could be applied toward your Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene. Your undergraduate major will include work in hygiene sciences and nutritional counseling. The school encourages experience working in a dental office. If you're already a hygienist seeking to maintain your Registered Dental Hygienist or other certification, continuing education courses are available, both on campus and internationally through the Pan Pacific Center.
The school offers 'travel and learn' programs that promote instruction in specific topics at various locations. You might have clinical opportunities at the USC Oral Health Center and its eight other interdisciplinary centers. The Dental Hygiene Clinic is one of nine specialty clinics of the Norris Dental Center Clinics.
To continue researching, browse degree options below for course curriculum, prerequisites and financial aid information. Or, learn more about the subject by reading the related articles below:
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