Which Schools in North Carolina Have Dental Hygiene Programs?
Find out which North Carolina schools offer programs in dental hygiene. See requirements, prerequisites and school information, and learn about admissions and tuition to discover the right dental hygiene education program for you.
Are you interested in studying dental hygiene in North Carolina? In this article, you will read about three community colleges that offer associate's degrees and one university with a bachelor's degree program in dental hygiene.
What You Need to Know
In North Carolina, dental hygiene programs are offered at the associate's degree level by community and technical colleges, and at the bachelor's degree level by universities. Associate's degree programs take two years to complete, and bachelor's degree programs take four, though schools may offer a degree completion bachelor's program to students who already have an associate's degree. A dental hygiene program can include coursework in orofacial anatomy, dental radiography and periodontology while preparing students to take the national board certification exam. Dental hygienists can find employment in dental offices, health organizations, hospitals and schools. Programs may include hands-on work or the ability to concentrate your studies in a specific area, such as geriatric dentistry.
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Southern New Hampshire University
You have goals. Southern New Hampshire University can help you reach them. Whether you need a bachelor's degree to get into a career or want a master's degree to move up in your current career, SNHU has an online program for you.
University of Maryland Global Campus
University of Maryland Global Campus provides affordable, achievable, and flexible pathways to a college degree for adult learners. With over 90 degrees and certificates, UMGC is built to fit your schedule and goals.
University of North Carolina
The University of North Carolina offers a wide range of online programs designed for working adults. Earn your degree from a nationally recognized institution with flexible scheduling and strong academic support.
Arizona State University
Arizona State University offers more than 300 online degree programs, certificates and courses. ASU Online delivers the same rigorous academic programs as on campus, with the flexibility you need to succeed.
Dental Hygienist Associate's Degree Programs in North Carolina
Central Piedmont Community College
The largest community college in North Carolina, Central Piedmont Community College offers an associate's degree program that is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation. The associate's degree program teaches you about taking patient histories, cleaning teeth and administering x-rays. Your coursework can also prepare you to plan oral healthcare programs and teach patients about dental hygiene. You may qualify for the national and state licensure exams upon completion.
- Program Name: Associate in Applied Science in Dental Hygiene
- Program Length: Two years full-time
- Tuition and Fees: $2,792 per year in-district, $2,795 per year in-state, $8,936 per year out-of-state (2018-2019)
- Requirements: High school transcripts; placement exam; some classes require prerequisite courses; CPR certification; high school chemistry course with lab
- School Type: 2-year, public; about 18,800 students (all undergraduate)
Fayetteville Technical Community College
The Commission on Dental Accreditation accredits Fayetteville Technical Community College's associate's degree program in dental hygiene. This course of study may prepare you to work in a number of settings, including dental offices, schools and public health organizations. This program includes coursework in orofacial anatomy, periodontology and dental radiography, among other topics. The clinical requirement allows you to gain hands-on experience working with patients and prepares you for the National Dental Hygiene Board and North Carolina State Dental Hygiene Board exams.
- Program Name: Associate in Applied Science in Dental Hygiene
- Program Length: Two years full-time
- Tuition and Fees: $2,544 per year in-state, $8,688 per year out-of-state (2018-2019)
- Prerequisites: Biology, algebra and chemistry courses or placement test credit equivalent
- School Type: 2-year, public; about 11,500 students (all undergraduate)
Forsyth Technical Community College
Forsyth Technical Community College offers an Associate in Applied Science in Dental Hygiene that prepares you to work in dentists' offices, public schools, public health agencies and clinics. The program notes that successful students are commonly team players with a knack for empathy and attention to detail. Some of the classes you could take include orofacial anatomy, biochemistry and dental hygiene theory. Other areas of study could include nutrition, dental health and dental pharmacology.
- Program Name: Associate in Applied Science in Dental Hygiene
- Program Length: Two years full-time
- Tuition and Fees: $2,199 per year in-state, $7,215 per year out-of-state (2018-2019)
- Prerequisites: High school or GED transcripts; placement test; high school or college-level courses in chemistry, biology and algebra
- School Type: 2-year, public; about 7,779 students (all undergraduate)
Dental Hygienist Bachelor's Degree Program in North Carolina
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
The School of Dentistry at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill offers a bachelor's degree program in dental hygiene that can be completed in about four years, as well as a degree completion program for students who have already completed an associate's degree program. In this course of study, you can choose to pursue a concentration, such as hospital dentistry, geriatric dentistry or community dental health. Classes include histology, periodontology, oral microbiology and dental ethics. In your senior year, you will complete a practicum experience.
- Program Name: Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene
- Program Length: Four years full-time
- Specializations: Geriatric dentistry, community dental health, hospital dentistry, periodontics, pediatric dentistry and research
- Tuition and Fees: $8,987 per year in-state, $35,170 per year out-of-state (2018-2019)
- Requirements: Immunizations and skin tests
- Prerequisites: English, chemistry, biology, microbiology, physiology, sociology/psychology and communication courses
- School Type: 4-year, public; about 30,000 students (19,100 undergraduate)
In summary, associate's dental hygiene programs in North Carolina can be found at Central Piedmont Community College, Fayetteville Technical Community College and Forsyth Technical Community College; a Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene is also available through the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
