Dental hygienists are licensed in Arizona State to provide preventative and therapeutic services to reduce instances of common oral diseases and promote overall dental health. As a dental hygienist, your duties will include removing plaque, taking impressions or dental radiographs, applying topical fluorides and other material to minimize tooth decay, screening and monitoring oral health, treating patients to prevent gum disease, maintaining accurate records of patients’ dental progress, and identifying and using the appropriate dental tools in practice.
Dental hygiene programs include theory and practical instruction that will help you to develop the essential skills to pass the state licensure exam and practice as a competent and professional dental hygienist. You’ll learn how to observe patients for abnormalities and devise a plan for rehabilitation, use oral x-ray machines, perform periodontal therapies such as removing stains and teach patients about good practices in oral hygiene to prevent tooth decay.
Phoenix College
The Dental Hygiene Associate in Applied Science degree offered by Phoenix College prepares students to become primary care oral health professionals. The intensive, science-based curriculum will facilitate time in the classroom and in clinical settings where students will apply the theoretical principles. The practical, real-world sessions will support the development of critical thinking skills, ethical and professional behaviors, and a commitment to serve diverse populations. Students will learn how to keep accurate records throughout the process of care, design and implement patient-centered dental hygiene care plans, assess data on the general and oral health needs of patients, communicate effectively with patients, families, and the health care team, and advocate for communities. Graduates of the Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association accredited program will be eligible to take the board examinations and for licensure in all fifty states.
Program overview:
Dental Hygiene AAS
Duration: 2 years
Credit hours: 92-102.5
Prerequisites:
- High school diploma or GED
- Complete the program prerequisites with a grade C or higher
- Submit a completed application for admission with a copy of an Arizona Department of Public Safety Level One Fingerprint Clearance Card
- Must be able to participate in the classroom, lab, and clinical activities
- Must be in compliance with a College Supplemental Background Check policy
- Submit proof of immunity and health declaration form – must be signed by a licensed health care provider
- Complete a satisfactory drug screen
- Submit current CPR card for Health Care Provider – must be maintained throughout the program
Program cost:
Tuition costs $85 per credit hour or a flat rate tuition of $1,020 per semester for 12 to 21 credits for Maricopa County residents. The cost of books and supplies must be covered by the student.
Website: https://www.phoenixcollege.edu/degrees-certificates/dental
Address: 1202 W Thomas Road, Phoenix, AZ 85013
Phone: 602-285-7777
Rio Salado College
The Dental Hygiene Associate in Applied Science degree offered by Rio Salado College prepares students for licensure as a Dental Hygienist. The rigorous curriculum requires full-time attendance to complete in the projected time. Students will learn through interactive lectures in the classroom and practical sessions in community clinics. Program courses will include dental hygiene theory, dental health advocacy and outreach, oral pathology, dental radiography, dental radiography laboratory, and dental anesthesia in addition to the prerequisite and general education courses. The fast-paced program gives students the opportunity to begin working in just one year. The option to study online will give students the flexibility to study according to their schedule without compromising one-on-one instruction. The program is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association, so graduates will be eligible to take the board examinations and for licensure in all fifty states.
Program overview:
Dental Hygiene AAS
Duration: 2 years
Credit hours: 92-102.5
Prerequisites:
- High school diploma or GED
- Complete the program prerequisites with a grade C or higher
- Submit a completed application for admission with a copy of an Arizona Department of Public Safety Level One Fingerprint Clearance Card
- Must be able to participate in the classroom, lab, and clinical activities
- Must be in compliance with a College Supplemental Background Check policy
- Submit proof of immunity and health declaration form – must be signed by a licensed health care provider
- Complete a satisfactory drug screen
- Submit current CPR card for Health Care Provider – must be maintained throughout the program
Program cost:
The cost of tuition and fees is $1,854 per academic year (fall and spring) for in-state students. Books and supplies cost an additional $1,472. Financial aid is available for eligible students.
Website: https://www.riosalado.edu/
Address: 2323 West 14th Street, Tempe, AZ 85281
Phone: 480-517-8000
Toll-Free: 800-729-1197
Mesa Community College
Mesa Community College’s Dental Hygiene program leads to an Associate in Applied Science degree. The curriculum includes theory as well as practical sessions to give students a well-rounded education in the role and responsibilities of a dental hygienist. Core courses include Emergency Medicine, Dental Radiography, Pre-Clinical Dental Hygiene, Dental Anatomy, Embryology and Histology, Dental Radiography Laboratory, Prevention of Dental Disease, Pharmacology, Oral Pathology, Head and Neck Anatomy, Dental Hygiene Theory and Dental Hygiene Clinic. Courses are offered in sequence and must be completed with a passing grade before registering for the next course in the sequence. A grade C or higher is required for all courses in the program. Graduates of the Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association accredited program will be eligible to take the board examinations and for licensure in all fifty states.
Program overview:
Dental Hygiene AAS
Duration: 2 years
Credit hours: 92-102.5
Prerequisites:
- High school diploma or GED
- Complete the program prerequisites with a grade C or higher
- Submit a completed application for admission with a copy of an Arizona Department of Public Safety Level One Fingerprint Clearance Card
- Must be able to participate in the classroom, lab, and clinical activities
- Must be in compliance with a College Supplemental Background Check policy
- Submit proof of immunity and health declaration form – must be signed by a licensed health care provider
- Complete a satisfactory drug screen
- Submit current CPR card for Health Care Provider – must be maintained throughout the program
Program cost:
Tuition costs $85 per credit hour or flat-rate tuition of $1,020 per semester for 12 to 21 credits for Maricopa County residents. The cost of books and supplies must be covered by the student.
Website: https://www.mesacc.edu/
Address: 1833 West Southern Ave, Mesa, AZ 85202
Phone: 480-461-7000
Carrington College
Students enrolled in the Dental Hygiene program at Carrington College will develop skills and knowledge to provide dental hygiene care. Students will learn to assess and implement research to dental hygiene care through their participation in community activities that promote oral health. Areas of study include pharmacology, oral biology, local anesthesia, periodontology, general and oral pathology, clinical dental hygiene, community dental services, human anatomy and physiology, community oral health, head and neck anatomy, nutritional and biochemical foundations for dental hygienists, and Dental Hygiene National Board Preparation. Students must successfully complete all required courses for the previous semester before progressing to the next series of courses. Upon successful completion of the classroom and clinical requirements, students will be prepared to take the Dental Hygiene National Board as well as Arizona state licensing exams.
Program overview:
Dental Hygiene AAS
Duration: 2 years
Clock hours: 1935
Credit hours: 83
Prerequisites:
- High school diploma or GED
- Must pass the Wonderlic Scholastic Level Exam with a score of 15 or above for admission
- Submit proof of immunization – negative TB test results, MMR, Hepatitis B, chickenpox
- Submit to a background check and drug screen before the clinical rotations
- Must have current Basic Life Support (BLS) CPR card
Program cost:
The cost of the dental hygiene program is $60,967. It includes tuition, fees, and technical, externship, and capstone courses. Financial aid is available for eligible students.
Website: https://carrington.edu/program/dental-hygiene/
Address: 1001 W. Southern Ave., Suite 130, Mesa, AZ 85210
Phone: (480) 734-2378