Dental Hygiene Schools In California: Dental hygiene is one of the most satisfying career fields today. Dental hygienists enjoy a flexible work schedule, earn a mouth-watering salary, and work in a stress-free and fun environment.
However, one must attend a dental hygiene school to become a dental hygienist. Thus, this article will tell you all you need to know about dental hygiene schools in California.
Who is a Dental Hygienist?Â
A dental hygienist is a certified dental health expert licensed by a dental regulatory board to offer comprehensive oral health care to patients.
These professionals look at a patient’s mouth to determine what kind of dental problem they have.
Dental hygienists also encourage and sustain good oral health and complete periodontal therapy for patients suffering from periodontal disease.
More so, many job opportunities are available for dental hygienists, ranging from those in public to those in private health care centers.
Requirements for dental Hygiene schools in California
The general requirements for dental hygiene schools in California are listed below:
- A bachelor’s degree in any related field of study.
- Completing course prerequisites in biology, chemistry, physics, and English.
- A minimum GPA of 3.0, which varies based on the school.
- A Dental Admission Test Score
- SAT or ACT scores, vary according to school.
How long does it take to become a dental hygienist in California?
Suppose you already hold a bachelor’s degree in a related field of study.
In that case, 4 years is the minimum time you need to complete a Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD) or Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) program.
On the other hand, for those without a bachelor’s degree, you may need at least 8 years to independently earn both a bachelor’s and a doctorate.
Moreover, many US dental schools offer doctoral programs that enable one to obtain a bachelor’s degree even though they are still pushing for a doctorate. This type of program can be completed in 6 years.
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Dental Hygiene Schools in California
California is home to several dental hygiene schools. However, here is a list of the best dental hygiene schools that you should consider if you want to study in California:
1. University of Southern California, Los Angeles
The University of Southern California, Los Angeles, is known for training students in dental hygiene who go on to make a difference in the field.
The school offers a comprehensive dental hygiene curriculum that provides a blend of dental and dental hygiene sciences, supporting sciences, and general education.
The curriculum is centered on the vital roles of dental hygienists in private and public health settings.
Thanks to its advanced learning environment, dental hygiene students at the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, are equipped with all the knowledge they need to become seasoned oral health professionals.
This school exposes students to the practice of dental health education, patient assessment, disease prevention, and non-surgical periodontal therapy.
The Bachelor of Science degree in Dental Hygiene program offered by the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, can be completed in four years.
More so, the department of dental hygiene at USC is one of the best dental hygiene schools in California.
2. Santa Rosa Junior College, Santa Rosa:
Santa Rosa Junior College offers a rigorous and task-oriented dental hygiene program that produces some of the best dental hygienists upon graduation.
The dental hygiene program at Santa Rosa Junior College provides training that ensures students’ progress from novice to experienced dental health care professionals.
Santa Rosa Junior College, Santa Rosa, offers an interesting, science-based, and thought-provoking program that produces graduates that can provide academic, medical, and therapeutic dental hygiene health services to many people.
This school offers intensive hands-on training in clinical, laboratory, and community settings to provide students with all of the skills they need to excel as dental hygienists in society.
The Santa Rosa Junior College dental hygiene program graduates are fully prepared for sustainable self-development in dental hygiene care.
More so, students can earn an associate’s degree in science and be well-prepared to take the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination, the California Dental Hygiene Board Examination, and/or the Central Regional or Western Regional Dental Hygiene Examination through the Dental Hygiene Program, which is a rigorous and challenging program.
3. University of the Pacific, San Francisco
The University of the Pacific in San Francisco is renowned for its top-class practical learning coursework that allows students to obtain the valuable hands-on experience they need to excel in their field of practice.
The University of Pacific in San Francisco exposes students to fully comprehensive coursework that develops the interprofessional abilities of students in the field of oral healthcare.
This educational establishment offers undergraduates an opportunity to learn together with dental students in the DDS, IDS, and residency programs.
More so, Pacific has made a unique accelerated Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene program for students who are very qualified.
In addition to clinical work, a baccalaureate degree in hygiene opens the door to many jobs in teaching, research, administration, public health, private industry, and other areas of hygiene practice. It also lets you apply to graduate programs.
The school is blessed with some of the most experienced dental hygiene professors who use experiential learning procedures and data to train students.
4. Diablo Valley College, Pleasant Hill:
Diablo Valley College offers one of the best dental hygiene programs in California.
This two-year associate’s degree in dental hygiene program consists of theoretical lessons and practical classes coordinated by seasoned industry professionals and experts.
Diablo Valley College exposes students to some of the best learning facilities for dental health.
Each academic year, only 20 students are accepted into this program, and they are chosen by a lottery. Students must finish their classes in two years, which includes two sessions in the summer.
5. Foothill College, Los Altos Hills:
Foothill College offers a Bachelor of Science degree in dental health, which is regarded as among the best in California.
This school equips its students with the knowledge they need to sit for the National Dental Hygiene Board Examination and meet the state or regional Dental Hygiene licensure examination requirements.
Established in 1964, the dental hygiene program at Foothill College has gained prominence due to the high academic standards it offers. Foothill College is another school that makes it to this list.
6. Taft College, Taft:
The Taft College Dental Hygiene program is renowned for its intensive learning curriculum that equips students with the technical skills they need to excel in dental hygiene.
The goal of the Dental Hygiene program at Taft College is to inspire and teach dental hygiene care that is both technically excellent and focused on the whole health needs of each patient.
This school offers coursework that empowers students with the knowledge, experience, and educational requirements to sit the state and national board examinations.
The Associate in Science dental hygiene degree offered by Taft College empowers them for any job role as far as dental hygiene is concerned.
This school’s dental hygiene program teaches students about disease prevention, patient/operator positioning, time and motion management, and the prevention and management of emergencies.
It teaches them patient assessment, diagnosis, planning, dental hygiene intervention principles and methodologies, monitoring, record keeping, and professional ethics. and measuring dental hygiene outcomes.
7. Concorde Career College, San Bernardino:
The dental hygiene program offered by Concorde Career College, San Bernardino has coursework that equips students.
Career College’s dental hygiene program is endorsed by the Commission on Dental Accreditation, an expert accrediting organization acknowledged by the United States Department of Education.Â
More so, Concorde Career Colleges and Institutes does not discriminate based on race, color, religion, or any other protected feature in its educational practices, admissions rules, scholarship and loan programs, and other school-administered programs.
Frequently Asked Questions on Dental Hygiene Schools In California
Dental hygiene is the way you take care of your mouth to keep it clean and free of disease. It includes brushing and flossing your teeth and going to the dentist often for X-rays, exams, and cleanings.
Tooth decay and gum disease can be prevented by practicing good dental care at home. The consequences of dental decay and gum disease if left untreated can be devastating.
Oral diseases are caused by a number of risk factors that can be changed. These include eating too much sugar, smoking, drinking too much alcohol, and not taking care of your teeth and gums.
There are certain benefits to using a water pick to remove food particles from your teeth, such as reducing bleeding and gum disease, but it isn’t a substitute for brushing and flossing. If you have visible plaque and film on your teeth, it may not be able to remove it, but it can help reduce bacteria below the gumline.
Conclusion
Dental hygiene is one of the best career fields in the world. It offers an opportunity for professional and personal growth.
If you want to work as a dental hygienist in California, you have to take a written and practical test on ethics and state dental law and get your criminal record checked.
However, becoming detail-oriented, possessing problem-solving abilities, and developing oral communication abilities are some skills that guarantee success in the field.
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