Dental Hygienist Schools in California
There are a number of excellent options available to future dental hygienists looking to pursue their education in California. The majority of dental hygienist schools in California cater to students looking to acquire an Associate’s Degree (2 year course of study), though more advanced degree options are available from some of the upper tier educational institutions in the state.
But ultimately, whether you acquire your degree from California or another state, the quality of your degree and the reputation of the school from which you get it are going to determine what kind of work is open to you as a dental hygienist. Demand may be high, but it’s highest for well-trained, qualified individuals with an excellent educational background (and a practicum on your c.v. doesn’t hurt either).
Below, we’ve provided information on some of the best dental hygienist schools in California. Think carefully and then pick the school that will give you the most advantages once you graduate and move out into the wide world to embrace your future.
University of Southern California’s School of Dentistry
The University of Southern California’s School of Dentistry is an excellent choice for aspiring dental hygienists. Offering a wide variety of programs in dental hygiene, USC is one of the most reputable schools in California, and has a great track record in alumni who’ve gone on to lucrative and rewarding careers.
USC’s School of Dentistry is a great place to start your basic dental hygienist education, as well as a choice venue for taking advanced degrees that will let you move into different branches of the dental hygienics industry.
Students looking to apply to the USC Schools of Dentistry are required to complete a 2-year pre-dental program prior to the application process. These pre-dental programs consist of coursework focused on the basic sciences: biology, anatomy, nutrition and chemistry.
Once enrolled at the USC School of Dentistry you’ll benefit from educational programs consisting of both theoretical and practical courses. Graduates of USC’s School of Dentistry are regarded as qualified profressionals, and treated as such, allowing you to perform duties beyond the basic scope of a dental hygienist’s role right out of the gate. In addition to your basic duties, you’ll be:
- examining patients and assessing their problems
- educating patients on the prevention and (where possible) self-maintenance of dental disorders
- performing non-surgical oral treatments
It’s also worth noting that if you’re thinking specifically of your c.v. when deciding where to apply for your dental hygienist’s degree the University of California School of Dentistry is one of the most highly respected institutions offering a dental hygienist’s degree (preparatory, undergraduate and graduate) in California.
Riverside Community College
Riverside Community College is another excellent option among the dental hygienist schools in California, and well worth your consideration. Though primarily focused on the Associate’s Degree more so than the more advanced degrees offered by larger Colleges or Universities, Riverside’s Associate program does have one particular advantage that many other dental hygienist programs don’t offer.
The Associate’s Degree offered by Riverside Community College is a blend of both theoretical and practical classes. It’s a good way to pick up some quick practical knowledge and expertise, putting you ahead of the competition in terms of experience when it comes time to go looking for work post graduation.
Santa Rosa Junior College
Another among the dental hygienist schools in California that primarily offer an Associate’s Degree is Santa Rosa Junior College. Santa Rosa’s curriculum focuses on courses that stress both theory and practical application.
Like Riverside mentioned above, Santa Rosa Junior College will help you gain quick entry into the field with an Associate’s Degree and solid, practical experience as well as a sound grounding in the theory you’ll need in your career as a dental hygienist.
All of the above schools are accredited institutions offering dental hygienist educational degrees, but these are by no means the only ones available – simply some of the most prestigious, with proven track records for their alumni’s training and post graduation placement.
All of these institutions will prepare you not only for the career that awaits you, but for the coming licensing examination (the Western Regional Examination Board gives this exam) you need to take post graduation in order to be able to practice dental hygienics in California.
Look carefully at the educational institutions available to you and make an informed choice. It’s your future. Now reach out.
