California Schools With Dental Hygiene Programs
According to the U.S. Department of Labor, dental hygiene is expected to be one of the fastest-growing occupations in the United States. These dental professionals will be in high demand because of a growing population and people retaining their natural teeth longer in life. California offers several schools with dental hygiene programs, which offer either an associate's or a bachelor's degree in the field.
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Cerritos College
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Cerritos College is located in Southern California, just outside Los Angeles. This college offers a two-year associate of arts degree program in dental hygiene. Students in the program must take prerequisite courses in nutrition, microbiology, anatomy and physiology before beginning their dental hygiene courses. The program includes classes in periodontics, pharmacology, dental hygiene radiology and oral pathology. Several hands-on labs are required as well. Applicants to the program must demonstrate proficiency in English, math and reading by taking placement tests. CPR certification, up-to-date immunizations and tuberculosis testing are also required for admission.
Cerritos College
11110 E. Alondra Blvd.
Norwalk, CA 90650
562-860-2451
cms.cerritos.edu
University of the Pacific
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Located about 80 miles east of San Francisco, the University of the Pacific offers a three-year bachelor's degree program in dental hygiene. Students take courses year-round, beginning with a first year of general education courses, such as biology, chemistry, psychology and sociology. The remainder of the program consists of dental hygiene courses, such as head and neck anatomy, dental anatomy, dental emergencies and patient management. Several clinics provide real-world training for students. In the final semester of the program, students embark on a senior project in a focused area, such as community health or teaching. To apply for the program, students are required to submit a score from either the SAT or the ACT, as well as a letter of recommendation, high school transcripts and a personal essay.
University of the Pacific
3601 Pacific Ave.
Stockton, CA 95211
209-946-2211
pacific.edu -
Sacramento City College
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Sacramento City College's dental hygiene program offers students the opportunity to earn an associate of science degree in the field. The program begins with 35 to 39.5 general education courses, such as anatomy, chemistry and microbiology, which are prerequisites for the dental hygiene courses. Once the prerequisites are completed, students can begin their dental hygiene curriculum, which consists of classes such as embryology, periodontics and oral histology. Students complete four clinicals in dental hygiene throughout the last four semesters of the program. Official transcripts are required for enrollment. Any eligible applicants are placed in a random selection pool.
Sacramento City College
3835 Freeport Blvd.
Sacramento, CA 95822
916-558-2356
scc.losrios.edu
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