Which Dental Schools are in Virginia?

Are you interested in becoming an oral health care professional? Continue reading to learn more about four dental hygienist programs in Virginia, a dentistry program, and an Advanced Education Program.

What You Need to Know

Earning an associate's or bachelor's degree could prepare you to work as a dental hygienist. Dental hygiene associate's programs require two years of study and include general education classes. Bachelor's degree programs also have general education requirements, and they take four years to complete.

If your career goal is to become a dentist, you can complete your dental training in about four years. Additional specialty training is also available at dental colleges in Virginia.

Dental Associate's Degree Programs in Virginia

Northern Virginia Community College

A renowned dental school in Northern Virginia and located near Washington, D.C., Northern Virginia Community College offers a dental hygienist associate's degree program that's designed to prepare you for licensure as a Registered Dental Hygienist (RDH). Courses include oral anatomy, periodontics, dental hygiene, nutrition, management of pain and anxiety, public health, and ethics.

• Program: Associate of Applied Science in Dental Hygiene
• Program Length: 2 years (5 semesters)
• Tuition and Fees: $5,610 per year for in-state students; $11,618 per year for out-of-state students (2018-2019)*
• Prerequisites: 2 specific health science courses (minimum grade of 'B'), English composition, and orientation to health care (at least a 'C' grade) must be completed at this school before admission to the program
• Requirements: Attend an information session and have legal status in the U.S.; consult with the assistant dean if you've been found guilty of a felony or misdemeanor
• School Type: 2-year, public; 50,929 students (all undergraduates)*

Source: *National Center for Education Statistics

Virginia Western Community College

Located in a small city in western Virginia, this school's program would make you eligible for state, regional, and national board examinations leading to licensure as an RDH. Your coursework would include college composition, college success skills, dental hygiene, oral radiography, pharmacology, and microbiology.

• Program: Associate of Applied Science in Dental Hygiene
• Program Length: 2 years (5 semesters)
• Tuition and Fees: $5,355 per year for in-state students; $11,283 per year for out-of-state students (2018-2019)*
• Prerequisites: Completion of high school or college units in biology, chemistry, and additional algebra, anatomy, and physiology courses with a grade of 'C' or higher
• Requirements: Minimum 2.75 grade point average (GPA), academic record, interviews, essay, 2 letters of recommendation, completion of Test for Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) for Allied Health
• School Type: 2-year, public; 6,827 students (all undergraduates)*

Source: *National Center for Education Statistics

Dental Bachelor's Degree Programs in Virginia

Old Dominion University

This school is located in a midsize city near the Chesapeake Bay. The last two years of the program cover dental hygiene theory and practice, dental sciences, community oral health, teaching strategies, and research methodology. After completing this program, you'd be eligible to take state and regional board examinations and the Dental Hygiene National Board Examination to become licensed as a dental hygienist.

• Program: Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene
• Program Length: 4 years
• Tuition and Fees: $10,560 per year for in-state students; $29,460 per year for out-of-state students (2018-2019)*
• Prerequisites: General education and prerequisite courses (will be completed in your first two years)
• Requirements: Dental hygiene information session, current cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) certification, accredited dental assisting program is optional
• School Type: 4-year, public; 24,176 students (19,372 undergraduates)*

Source: *National Center for Education Statistics

Virginia Commonwealth University

Located in a midsize city in eastern Virginia, this university's dental hygienist program can qualify you for regional, state, and national board licensing examinations. After completing the first two years of prerequisites, your second two years would focus on basic and dental sciences, community health, dental hygiene, and preclinic/clinical experiences. You'd be required to provide your own transportation to off-campus clinical sites.

• Program: Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene
• Program Length: 4 years
• Tuition and Fees: $14,493 per year for in-state students; $35,834 per year for out-of-state students (2018-2019)*
• Prerequisites: First 2 years of the program include prerequisite liberal arts courses (60 semester hours and minimum 'C' grades required)
• Requirements: Transcripts, 2 references, personal statement, possible interview, criminal background check
• School Type: 4-year, public; 30,697 students (23,693 undergraduates)*

Source: *National Center for Education Statistics

Doctor of Dental Surgery Program in Virginia

Virginia Commonwealth University

This general dentistry program emphasizes study in behavioral, biomedical, and clinical sciences. Additionally, you'll complete clinical and laboratory experiences in all 4 years of this program. This is the only ADA-accredited DDS program in Virginia; the state has no accredited Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD) programs.

• Program: Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS)
• Program Length: 4 years
• Tuition and Fees: $55,331-$57,911 per year for in-state students; $87,701-$90,281 per year for out-of-state students (tuition varies depending on your year in dental school) (2018-2019)**
• Prerequisites: Minimum 3 years/90 hours of academic study, including specified courses in biology, chemistry, physics, and biochemistry (minimum grade of 'C' required); completion of a 4-year academic program is recommended
• Requirements: Dental Admissions Test (DAT), application through the American Association of Dental Schools Application Service (AADSAS), transcripts, 3 letters of recommendation, criminal background check
• School Type: 4-year, public; 30,697 students (23,693 undergraduates)*

Sources: *National Center for Education Statistics, **School website

Advanced and Specialty Dental Education Programs in Virginia

Virginia Commonwealth University

This program is designed to give you an advanced understanding of dental care. It's meant to improve both your confidence as a dentist and your technical abilities. As a dental resident, you'll engage in hands-on clinical experiences in addition to studying dentistry scientifically. Clinical experiences comprise about 85% of the program and are mostly accomplished onsite.

In addition to the general dentistry residency, VCU offers AEP programs in subjects like oral and maxillofacial surgery, dental medicine, orthodontics, periodontics, and endodontics. The prerequisites, requirements, and program lengths for these residency programs vary based on the area of study. Some programs result in a master's degree; these include endodontics, pediatric dentistry, orthodontics, and periodontics. The school also offers a postgraduate anesthesia training program.

• Program Name: Advanced Education in General Dentistry (AEGD)
• Program Length: 12-24 months
• Tuition and Fees: $14,496 per year for in-state graduate students; $27,311 per year for out-of-state graduate students (2018-2019)*
• Prerequisites: Graduation from an accredited dental program, licensure or eligibility for licensure in Virginia
• Requirements: Successful completion of Part I and Part II of the National Dental Board Examination
• School Type: 4-year, public; 30,697 students (23,693 undergraduates)*

Source: *National Center for Education Statistics

In summary, several colleges in Virginia offer a variety of dental degrees and programs, including associate's degrees, bachelor's degrees, a DDS, or an Advanced Education Program in General Dentistry, to students who are interested in oral health care.