Top 10 Community Colleges That Offer Dental Programs 2025

To become a dentist, you need to go to graduate school and earn a doctoral degree. However, there are many roles in dental care that don't require this much schooling, such as dental assistants or dental hygienists.

These roles typically require a certificate or associate degree, which you can earn through a community college. Keep reading to discover community colleges with dental hygiene programs and dental assisting programs.

Do Community Colleges Offer Dental Programs?

Many community colleges offer dental programs. The most common type of program is in dental hygiene � but dental assistant programs are common as well. Some schools offer programs like dental technology or dental radiology.

What Type of Dental Program Can I Pursue at a Community College?

There are a few different types of programs available to those who want to study dental assisting or hygiene at community colleges. The most common are:

• Associate of Applied Science (AAS): AAS degrees are typically designed so students can graduate and go right into the workforce.
• Associate of Science (AS): AS degrees also allow students to enter the workforce, but also may offer a pathway to a bachelor's degree.
• Certificate: Certificates are shorter options that give a basic overview of a topic or focus on a specific field.

For a dental assistant program, community colleges usually offer certificates, but some offer associate degrees. Dental hygiene programs are usually degree programs.

10 Best Community Colleges for Dental Programs

Dental programs are pretty common at community and technical colleges. Below, we've highlighted some of the top community colleges that offer dental hygienist programs and dental assistant programs.

1. Hostos Community College

Hostos Community College is part of the City University of New York (CUNY) system and is located in New York City. It offers an AAS in dental hygiene that prepares students to pass the national and New York State board examinations to become dental hygienists.

The program includes courses on oral microbiology, dental materials, periodontology, and more, as well as clinical experiences. It requires 70 credits and takes about six semesters to complete.

• Estimated tuition cost: $5,254 per year (in-state); $8,134 per year (out-of-state)
• Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE), American Dental Association (ADA) Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA)

2. Pasadena City College

Pasadena City College (PCC) offers three program options for those wanting to study dentistry:

• AS in dental hygiene
• certificate in dental assisting
• certificate in restorative dental technology

PCC, a public community college, is located in Pasadena, CA, just outside of Los Angeles. The dental hygiene and restorative dental tech programs take about two years, while the dental assisting program takes one.

• Estimated tuition cost: $1,180 per year (in-state); $9,820 per year (out-of-state)
• Accreditation: Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC) and CODA

3. William Rainey Harper College

William Rainey Harper College offers an 81-credit AAS in dental hygiene. Harper College is a public school in Palatine, IL, in the suburbs of Chicago.

The dental hygiene community college program includes coursework on topics like oral health, dental emergencies, and periodontology, and also provides hands-on experience in the school's dental hygiene clinic. It takes six semesters to complete.

• Estimated tuition cost: $3,894 per year (in-district); $10,062 per year (in-state); $11,874 per year (out-of-state)
• Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC) and CODA

4. Austin Community College

The AAS in dental hygiene at Austin Community College (ACC) has a 100% pass rate for the regional and national exam as well as a 100% job placement rate. In addition to clinicals, it includes courses on community dentistry, dental materials, and pharmacology.

ACC, located in Austin, TX, is a public community college. The program here takes five semesters for students who have completed the program prerequisites.

• Estimated tuition cost: $2,550 per year (in-district); $8,580 per year (in-state); $10,590 per year (out-of-state)
• Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) and CODA

5.Miami Dade College

Miami Dade College (MDC) is a public school in Miami. It offers an AS in dental hygiene as well as a certificate in dental assisting technology and management.

The dental hygiene program is a three-year program that prepares students to help patients maintain oral health and prevent disease. The certificate takes less than a year and teaches students about dental procedures, dental office management, and patient support.

• Estimated tuition cost: $2,838 per year (in-state); $9,661 per year (out-of-state)
• Accreditation: SACSCOC and CODA

6. Northern Virginia Community College

Students can find another community college with dental hygiene programs just outside of Washington, DC. Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA) offers an AAS in dental hygiene as well as a dental assisting certificate.

NOVA, a public community college, is located in Annandale, VA. Students who have completed their prerequisites can finish the dental hygiene degree in two years and the dental assisting certificate in one.

• Estimated tuition cost: $5,891 per year (in-state); $12,409 per year (out-of-state)
• Accreditation: SACSCOC and CODA

7. Atlanta Technical College

Atlanta Technical College (ATC) offers a diploma and certificates in dental assisting and an AAS in dental hygiene. ATC is a public school in Atlanta.

The dental assistant community college programs include a dental assisting diploma (six terms), a basic dental assisting certificate (two terms), and an advanced dental assisting certificate (one term). The dental hygiene option is a six-term program that includes coursework, labs, and clinicals.

• Estimated tuition cost: $3,382 per year (in-state); $5,950 per year (out-of-state)
• Accreditation: SACSCOC and CODA

8. Community College of Philadelphia

The AAS in dental hygiene at the Community College of Philadelphia (CCP) is a two-year, 83-credit program. It teaches students how to provide preventative dental care and treatment.

CCP, located in Philadelphia, is a public college. It offers the only CODA-accredited dental hygiene program in the city.

• Estimated tuition cost: $4,632 per year (in-district); $8,688 per year (in-state); $12,744 per year (out-of-state)
• Accreditation: MSCHE and CODA

9. Phoenix College

Phoenix College is a member of the Maricopa Community College District and is located in Phoenix. It offers an AAS in dental assisting and an AAS in dental hygiene.

The community college dental assistant program prepares students to assist the dental team in a broad scope of dental procedures, perform office management functions, and provide patient support. The dental hygiene program teaches students to provide education, assessment, diagnostic, preventive and therapeutic services, research, and administrative services.

• Estimated tuition cost: $2,358 per year (in-state); $8,958 per year (out-of-state)
• Accreditation: HLC and CODA

10. Middlesex Community College

Through Middlesex Community College (MCC), students can earn an associate degree in dental hygiene, a certificate in dental assisting, or a certificate or associate degree in dental laboratory technician. MCC is a public college in Bedford, MA, not far from Boston.

Students at MCC get hands-on experiences through the college's Dental Hygiene Clinic. All dental programs here require four semesters after prerequisites.

• Estimated tuition cost: $6,048 per year (in-state); $12,120 per year (out-of-state)
• Accreditation: New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE) and CODA

How We Rank Schools

To choose the programs above, we focused on:

• Accreditation: All schools listed above are regionally accredited, and all programs are accredited by CODA.
• Affordability: Every institution charges less than $6,500 per year to in-state students.
• Program reputation: All programs are nonprofit and have a strong reputation for high-quality programs.

FAQs About Dental Hygienist Community College Programs

Community colleges are a great way to start your dental career. Below, we've answered some frequently asked questions about dental programs at community colleges.

How Much Does a Dental Degree Cost at a Community College?

The amount you pay for a dental degree at a community college will depend on multiple factors, including what school you choose, whether you're an in-state or out-of-state student, and what financial aid you qualify for.

At an in-state community college, you could pay anywhere from $5,000 to $15,000 in tuition; however, many states, like California and New York, offer financial aid that completely covers tuition costs for qualifying undergraduates.

Do Dental Schools Accept Community College Credits?

As long as your community college is regionally accredited, your credits should transfer to pretty much any school, including dental schools.

What Is the Best College To Go To for Dental Hygiene?

There is no single best college for dental hygiene, and the best college for one student may not be the best for another. There are many schools that offer dental hygiene programs. When trying to find the best one for you, consider:

• location
• price
• program requirements
• admission requirements

What Is the Fastest You Can Become a Dental Hygienist?

Most dental hygiene programs take at least two years to complete. You'll also need to pass the necessary certification exams to practice professionally. As a result, the fastest you can become a dental hygienist is in just over two years.

Is a Degree in Dental Hygiene Worth It?

If you want to become a dental hygienist, a dental hygiene degree is worth it. Most dental hygienists need at least an associate degree.

Discover More Dental Degrees

Start your journey toward a dental career by exploring the programs featured on Learn.org. Reach out to individual schools to learn more about admissions, enrollment, and financial aid.