The United States Bureau of Labor Statistics projects an excellent job outlook for dental hygienists. According to its Occupational Outlook Handbook, employment of dental hygienists is expected to grow 11 percent from 2020 to 2030. The link between oral health and overall health has many consumers seeking preventative dental services offered by dental hygienists. A dental hygienist obtains and assesses dental x-rays, treats oral diseases, applies preventative agents such as fluorides and dental sealants, assesses medical and dental histories, and educates patients about preventative care and the impact of nutrition on oral health.
To become a dental hygienist in Texas, you must first become a registered dental hygienist through the completion of a dental hygienist program that is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA). Upon completion of the program, you may apply to take the National Dental Hygiene Board Examination followed by the state or a regional exam that will assess your understanding of states law as they relate to the practice of dental hygiene. A dental hygienist program may lead to an associate or a bachelor of science degree. The AAS degree may be preferable if you want to save time and money. The two-year program will cover the knowledge and technical skills required for success in the field. You can then transfer credits and continue to the bachelor’s degree and earn an income while continuing your studies.
El Centro College
The Dental Hygiene Program at El Centro College leads to an Associate of Applied Science Degree. The program includes instruction in the classroom and skills lab activities that will prepare students for the clinical experiences in the dental clinic on-site. Course topics include anatomy and physiology, microbiology, chemistry, orofacial anatomy, histology, and embryology, dental radiology, preclinical dental hygiene, preventative dental hygiene care, general and dental nutrition, pharmacology for the dental hygienist, dental hygiene care, dental materials, periodontology, general and oral pathology, community dentistry, dental hygiene practice, and social psychology. Students will complete 68 credit hours to earn the AAS degree. Upon completion of the requirements, they will be eligible to take the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination (NBDHE) and a regional clinical board in order to apply for licensure by the Texas State Board of Dental Examiners to become a Registered Dental Hygienist (RDH).
Program overview:
Dental Hygienist – Associate of Applied Science Degree
Duration: 2 years
Credit hours: 68
Prerequisites:
- Attend an admission interview with an Admission Representative
- Submit a completed application for admission to DCCCD
- Apply for admission to the Dental hygienist program
- Meet the high school graduation requirements or equivalent
- Meet the Texas Success Initiative standards and course prerequisites
- Take and pass an admissions assessment
- Must be 18 years or older
- Must have a valid photo ID and social security card
Program cost:
Tuition costs $948 annually for in-district students based on half-time attendance. The cost of books, fees, and uniforms is not included.
- Website: https://www.dallascollege.edu/pages/default.aspx
- Address: 1601 Botham Jean Blvd., Dallas, TX 75215
- Phone: 214-378-1500
Texas A&M University
The dental hygiene program at Caruth School of Dental Hygiene prepares adults to function as preventive oral health professionals and become eligible for licensure as dental hygienists. The curriculum includes theory and practical experiences that develop the competency required for dental hygiene practice, facilitate student learning, encourage participation in teaching, service, and scholarly activity, and prepare students to provide quality care to patients. The program admits students who have completed 60 semester credit hours of college-level coursework. Course topics are theory of dental hygiene, introduction to dentistry, dental anatomy, oral radiology, preclinical dental hygiene, microbiology, introduction to pathology, applied dental materials, health promotion and disease prevention, pharmacology, medical emergencies, oral pathology, oral radiology, perspectives in dental hygiene, comprehensive care, gerontology, periodontics, and public and community health. Graduates will be eligible to take the NBDHE to apply for licensure by the Texas State Board of Dental Examiners to become a Registered Dental Hygienist.
Program overview:
Dental Hygiene – Bachelor of Science Degree
Duration: 2 years – not including prerequisite courses
Credit hours: 120
Prerequisites:
- Submit an application for admission to the university
- Submit a secondary application for admission to the Dental Hygiene program
- Submit a list of courses in progress and that will be completed prior to enrollment – up to 60 credits of prerequisite courses must be completed before admission
- Submit a biographical sketch as part of the online application
- Pay the application fee of $35
- Submit the required photography – 2×2
- Submit high school and college transcripts. Official transcripts must detail grade and GPA
- Submit scores from Texas Success Initiative (TSI), Exemption is granted to applicants who submit satisfactory SAT/ACT or TAAS scores
- Submit a completed Observation Verification Form
- Submit completed Evaluation Forms – completed by a Dental Hygienist, College Profession, Employer, or Supervisor
- Attend an admission interview – by invitation only
- Submit a completed physical examination form provided by the College
- Complete the required immunizations
Program cost:
Tuition, fees, books, and supplies cost $2,777.79 per semester for in-state students.
- Website: https://dentistry.tamu.edu/
- Address: 3302 Gaston Avenue, Dallas, TX 75231
- Phone: 214-828-8100
Tarrant County College – Northeast Campus
The Dental Hygiene Associate of Applied Science degree offered by Tarrant County College takes a practical approach to teaching to prepare students for what they will do at work. The first semester will provide a foundation for the core courses covered in the succeeding semesters. Patient contact begins in the second semester of the program and continues through the end of the final semester. Course topics include anatomy and physiology, general and dental nutrition, preventative dental hygiene care, preclinical dental hygiene, orofacial anatomy, histology, and embryology, dental materials, dental radiology, microbiology, periodontology, pharmacology, community dentistry, general and oral pathology, dental hygiene practice, and special topics in dental hygienist. Graduates will be eligible to take the NBDHE to apply for licensure by the Texas State Board of Dental Examiners to become a Registered Dental Hygienist. The program is available on a full-time schedule only. Classes meet Monday through Friday from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. Enrollment is limited to 24 students per cycle in the fall semester.
Program overview:
Dental Hygiene, Associate of Applied Science
Duration: 2 years
Credit hours: 68
Prerequisites:
- Submit a completed application to TCC and meet the admission requirements for the institution
- Submit a completed application to the Dental Hygiene Program to the secretary of the selection committee for Health Sciences
- Must the TSI requirements for credit course enrollment
- Submit official high school and college transcripts
- Schedule and take the HESI Admissions Exam
- Applicants who complete college-level general education and science courses will receive bonus points
- Complete all prerequisite courses with a grade C or better – must have been completed within 5 years prior to the application date
- Must undergo screening for substances of abuse and a criminal background check
Program cost:
The program cost of $19,677 includes tuition, books, immunizations, and prerequisites.
- Website: https://www.tccd.edu/
- Address: 828 W Harwood Rd, Hurst, TX 76054
- Phone: 817-515-8223
Concorde Career College
The dental hygiene program at Concorde Career College leads to an Associate of Science degree. The curriculum includes 1810 contact hours of theory and hands-on experiences in the classroom, lab, and clinical settings. Students will learn how to perform cleanings, take x-rays, and screenings. They will develop skills that will enable them to provide valuable support to dentists. Course topics include elements of human communication, dental office emergencies, dental radiography, dental materials. Dental hygiene, dental public health, nutrition, board review, dental law/ethics, oral pathology, dental office management, general psychology, chemistry, microbiology, dental anatomy/tooth morphology, and periodontology. The program is delivered in a blended format with some courses offered online only. Up to 45.3% of the coursework may be offered online. Graduates will be eligible to take the NBDHE to apply for licensure by the Texas State Board of Dental Examiners to become a Registered Dental Hygienist. The duration of the program is 70 weeks.
Program overview:
Dental Hygiene, Associate of Applied Science
Duration: 18 months
Credit hours: 88.5
Prerequisites:
- Attend a personal interview and campus tour
- Complete the application for admission and the enrollment agreement
- Take and pass the admission exam – Wonderlic with a score of 20 or above or HESI with a score of 75
- Provide documentation of completing high school or high school equivalency
- Must be a citizen or permanent resident or eligible non-citizen
- Must complete a health certificate including immunization records and the results of specified tests
- Must be able to read, write, and speak English
- Complete a criminal background check
- Attend an interview with the program director
Program cost:
Tuition: $64,782
Textbooks: $6,055
- Website: https://www.concorde.edu/
- Address: 12606 Greenville Ave., Suite 130, Dallas, Texas 75243
- Phone: (469) 251-4371
- Fax: (469) 221-3480
Collin College
The Dental Hygiene Program at Collin College seeks to promote lifelong individual growth and excellence in each dental hygiene student. The program will provide the highest standards of care to meet individual and community needs. Students will participate in lectures and hands-on instruction in hand and ultrasonic instrumentation, traditional and digital radiography, fluorides, oral hygiene instructional education, non-surgical periodontal therapy, current uses of dental materials and dental software technology within a state-of-the-art dental setting. Course topics include anatomy and physiology, microbiology, chemistry, orofacial anatomy, histology, and embryology, dental radiology, preclinical dental hygiene, preventative dental hygiene care, general and dental nutrition, pharmacology for the dental hygienist, dental hygiene care, dental materials, periodontology, general and oral pathology, community dentistry, dental hygiene practice, and social psychology. Graduates will receive an Associate of Science Degree and will be eligible to take the NBDHE to apply for national and regional licensing exams.
Program overview:
Dental Hygiene, Associate of Applied Science
Duration: 2 years
Credit hours: 68
Prerequisites:
- Submit a completed program application form
- Submit official copies of all college transcripts include Collin College transcripts mailed directly to the Dental Hygiene Program Director
- Submit transcripts of prerequisite courses – Anatomy and Physiology, Introduction to Chemistry, Microbiology – completed within five years prior to the application deadline
- Submit scores for the HESI exam – taken within the specified timeframe
- Submit a type 1-2 page essay discussing why you have selected College College Dental Hygiene
- Provide two professional reference forms completed by an employer or educator
- Provide a photograph – size 4×6
- Provide proof of exemption/waiver of TSI
- Provide proof of meningitis vaccination
- Complete mandatory campus safety training
- Must be certified in CPR, AHA from the BLS for Health Care Providers
- Complete formal training in Infection Control Procedures
- Must maintain a minimum overall GPA or 2.5 once enrolled as a dental hygiene student
- Complete drug screening and a criminal background check
- Must be in good health upon acceptance
- Complete annual TB testing
- Provide documentation of immunization
Program cost:
Tuition costs $54 per credit for in-county residents and $100 per credit hour for out-of-county residents.
- Website: https://www.collin.edu/
- Address: 3452 Spur 399 – McKinney, Texas 75069
- Phone: 972.548.6790