Greater emphasis on the importance of oral health highlights the need for dental hygienists in the dental lab. The associate’s degree in dental hygiene paves the way for successful practice, marketability, and flexibility to advance to other positions in the profession. This entry-level program emphasizes preventative oral health care and the practices that are essential to the maintenance of good oral and prevention of oral diseases. Dental hygienists are vital members of the dental practice as they assess, diagnose, intervene, and evaluate patients. Their responsibilities include but are not limited to periodontal care of teeth and gums, maintenance of clinical records, counseling patients on oral health, removing plaque biofilm and stains from teeth, taking radiographs, and communicating with dentists and physicians regarding care. Dental hygienists work in private dental offices, clinics, schools, research facilities, and managed-care facilities.
Practice as a dental hygienist in Illinois requires a license. You must take and pass the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination (NBDHE) after completing a program accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation. The exam is administered by the Joint Commission on National Dental Examinations. Illinois accepts regional exams from the Southern Regional Testing Agency, North East Regional Board, Council of Interstate Testing Agencies, Western Region Examining Board, and Central Regional Dental Testing Services.
Fox College
The Fox College Dental Hygiene leads to an Associate of Applied Science degree in Dental Hygiene. The fast-paced program covers theory and hands-on training in oral health and hygiene, creating molds, and taking x-rays. Core courses include anatomy and physiology, nutrition and dental health, dental hygiene pre-clinical skills, dental materials, community dental health, periodontics, preventative dental practices, and much more. The simulated activities in the fully-equipped on-site dental clinic will support the transition to practice in the real world. Graduates will be eligible to take the National Board Dental Hygiene Exam and a Dental Hygiene Clinical Exam. Fox College’s Dental Hygiene Program is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation and holds the status of “approval without reporting requirements.”
Program overview:
A.A.S. in Dental Hygiene
Duration: 20 months
Credit hours: 83
Contact hours: 2066
Prerequisites:
- Must have graduated from an accredited high school or equivalent
- Submit a transcript of work completed in high school or college
- Submit a completed application for admission and the non-refundable application fee
Program cost:
The cost of tuition is $7,670. Books, supplies, and lab fees will cost an additional $5,155. Financial aid is available for eligible students.
Website: https://www.foxcollege.edu/our-programs/dental-hygiene
Address: 6640 S Cicero Ave, Bedford Park, Illinois 60638
Phone: 708-444-4500
Malcolm X – City Colleges of Chicago
The Dental Hygiene AAS degree program offered by Malcolm X College prepares students with knowledge and competency to deliver oral health care services to patients. The Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association accredited program includes theory and practical work in the areas of preventative therapy, dental radiology, dental hygiene principles, dental pharmacology, community dental health, and much more. Core courses must be completed in sequence. A grade C or better is required for proceeding to the next course in the sequence. Graduates will have the confidence to succeed on the national, regional and state board licensing exams licensure as a dental hygienist.
Program overview:
Dental Hygiene A.A.S.
Duration: 2 years
Credit hours: 74
Prerequisites:
- Complete the prerequisite courses with a grade C or better – Speech, Biology, Microbiology
- Have a minimum college GPA of 2.8
- Submit a high school transcript or GED transcript
- Submit official transcripts of all college courses completed to the Office of Registrar Services
- Meet the requirements for admission to City College
- Apply to the program through the student portal
- Submit a completed Admissions Packet
- Must be at least 18 years old
- Must complete a mandatory 20 documented hours of observing a dental hygienist in clinical practice
- Attend a dental hygiene open house (recommended)
Program cost:
The cost of tuition is $2429 for in-district students and $5,279 for out-of-district students. Students must purchase all required books, instruments, uniforms, and cover costs for the licensure examination fees.
Website: https://www.ccc.edu/colleges/malcolm-x/departments/Pages/Dental-Hygiene.aspx
Address: 1900 W. Jackson Chicago, IL 60612
Phone: (312) 850-7000
Harper College
Harper’s Dental Hygiene Program leads to an Associate in Applied Science degree. Students will complete the core requirements in just five semesters and will be eligible to take the American Dental Association’s National Board Dental Hygiene Examination and the Commission on Dental Competency Assessment’s Clinical Board Examination. Course topics include Intro to Dental Hygiene, Dental Hygiene Principles, Periodontology, Dental Radiology, Community Oral Health, and Dental Hygiene Clinic. Admission to the program is competitive. New students are admitted once a year in the fall semester.
Program overview:
Dental Hygiene A.A.S.
Duration: 5 semesters
Credit hours: 62
Prerequisites:
- Attend the mandatory Health Care Careers Information Meeting
- Review and agree to the program’s policy including functional abilities that are unique to the program
- Submit a completed application to Harper College and non-refundable fee
- Submit a completed application to the program with a valid NLN preadmission RN Exam Score Report
- Submit official high school transcript or GED results
- Submit official college transcripts of any courses applicable to the Dental Hygiene Program
- Must have a minimum 2.0 GPA
- Complete the prerequisite courses with a minimum grade C – English composition, introduction to psychology, chemistry for health sciences, microbiology, human anatomy, human physiology, and introduction to sociology
Program cost:
The total program cost is $32,426. It includes tuition, books, fees, uniforms, immunization, national Board Exam, and licensure application fee.
Website: https://www.harpercollege.edu/academics/health/dental/index.php
Address: 1200 West Algonquin Road, Palatine, IL 60067
Phone: 847-925-6000
Prairie State College
The Dental Hygiene program offered by Prairie State College is a 4-semester program that leads to an Associate of Applied Science degree. The program is accredited by the Commission on Dental American Dental Association and meets the state’s guidelines for education for Dental Hygienists. Students will learn theory in the classroom and apply the principles learned in the state-of-the-art Tech Center. They must complete 19 credits of general education courses and 64 credits of major courses. Course modules include head and neck anatomy and tooth morphology, fundamentals of dental hygiene, clinical dental hygiene, general and oral pathology, periodontology, care of special populations, community dental health, and pharmacology. All courses must be completed in the specified sequence. The program is delivered on a full-time basis only. The program begins in the summer semester only.
Program overview:
A.A.S. Dental Hygiene
Duration: 4 semesters
Credit hours: 82
Prerequisites:
- Provide a high school diploma or equivalency
- Must have permanent resident status in the US and have a valid social security number
- Must submit a completed application to Prairie State College
- Complete the Dental Hygiene Intent Form
- Provide documentation of age (18 years or older)
- Take a placement test or submit satisfactory ACT scores
- Complete the HESI-A2 Assessment Exam
- Complete prerequisite courses with a grade C or better – Biology and Anatomy and Physiology
- Attend an interview with an advisor from the Academic Advising Center
- Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid
- Complete a comprehensive physical and dental exam
- Provide proof of standard immunizations
- Complete a criminal background check
Program cost:
The total estimated cost of the program is $27,022. It includes tuition, uniform and shoes, textbooks, supplies, fees, background check, flu shot, and NERB exam.
Website: https://prairiestate.edu/academics/academic-programs/allied-health/dental-hygiene/index.aspx
Address: 202 S. Halsted St., Chicago Heights, IL 60411
Phone: (708) 709-3500
College of Lake County
College of Lake County’s Dental Hygiene is accredited by the American Dental Association and leads to an Associate in Applied Science degree. The program prepares students for a career as a licensed dental hygienist where they will work under the direction of a licensed dentist. The degree requires completion of general education courses, dental hygiene courses, and science courses. Required dental hygiene programs include head and neck anatomy, dental anatomy, preventative dental hygiene, oral histology and embryology, clinical dental hygiene, pain management, and dental pharmacology and anesthetics. Courses must be taken in the designated sequence. The number of students that can eb admitted to the program is limited, so applicants must undergo a strict screening process.
Program overview:
Dental Hygiene A.A.S.
Duration: 2 years
Credit hours: 79
Prerequisites:
- Attend a program information session
- Submit a student information form
- Submit official high school transcript with graduation date or GED test scores
- Complete the Dental Hygiene Program Request for Screening Form
- Complete the prerequisite courses with a grade C or better
- Take and pass the NLN PAX with minimum acceptable RN percentile rank scores of 30 in the verbal, math, and science sections
- Must be at least 18 years old
- Attend a Dental Hygiene Program Information Session
Program cost:
The cost of tuition is $122 per credit for in-district students and $314.50 for out-of-district students. Additional costs for textbooks, fees, uniforms, and supplies are not included in the cost.
Website: https://www.clcillinois.edu/programs/dhy
Address: 19351 West Washington Street, Grayslake, IL 60030-1198
Phone: (847) 543-2000
College of DuPage
Students enrolled in the Dental Hygiene offered by the College of DuPage will acquire knowledge and competencies to provide comprehensive oral health care services under the direction of a licensed dentist. Theory and hands-on practice will cover Principles of Dental Hygiene, Head and Neck Anatomy, Biochemistry and Nutrition, General and Oral Pathology, Medical Emergencies, Dental Materials, Radiology, Periodontics, Pharmacology, and Community Dental Health. Graduates will be prepared to take the National Dental Hygiene Examination and Regional Board Examination and apply for mandatory state licensure. The program is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association and affiliated with the American Dental Hygienists’ Association.
Program overview:
Dental Hygiene A.A.S.
Duration: 5 semesters
Credit hours: 82
Prerequisites:
- Attend a Dental Hygiene Advising Session
- Complete the prerequisite courses with a minimum grade C – Microbiology, Chemistry, Anatomy and Physiology
- Must have a minimum cumulative 3.0 for entry
- Submit a completed application to the College of DuPage and pay the non-refundable application fee of $20
- Submit all official transcripts from all schools attended including high school
- Complete the online application to the Health Career Selective Enrollment Program and pay the non-refundable fee of $50
- Complete the College of DuPage Residency Verification form and two proofs of residency to the Office of Student Registration Services
- Take the HESI Admission Assessment exam
- Dental experience is recommended but not mandatory
Program cost:
The cost of tuition is $138 per credit hour for in-district students and $325 for out-of-district students. Other costs include dental hygiene instrument kit, uniforms, HESI test, ADA membership, dental loupes, lab fees, Dental Hygiene Board Review course, regional board exam, health requirements, mandatory drug testing, textbooks, malpractice insurance, background check, and medical document manager.
Website: https://www.cod.edu/academics/programs/dental/
Address: 425 Fawell Blvd., Glen Ellyn, IL 60137
Phone: (630) 942-2800