This article is specially curated for international students who are interested in enrolling in any of the best dental hygienist schools in Colorado. So, if you fall among this category, I enjoin you to sit tight and read with keen attention.
Before I go on, let’s get a clear view of who dental hygienists are. Dental hygienists are individuals who major in providing oral care, guiding or helping patients clean their teeth, examining signs of oral diseases, and referring them to a dentist.
Dental hygienists are trained on how to carry out their jobs effectively and professionally in dental hygienist schools. There are many dental hygienist schools across the globe such as Massachusetts dental hygienist schools, dental hygienist schools in Michigan, etc.
Dental hygiene is one of the degrees with a high assurance of employment upon graduation as the demand for a dental hygienist is increasing at a rapid speed. From helping to maintain good dental hygiene to examining and diagnosing dental issues, an expert in dental hygiene is needed.
Another attractive thing about getting a degree in dental hygiene is the ability to work in diverse areas such as hospitals, managed care organizations, university dental clinics, prison facilities, nursing homes, community clinics, and many other places.
The duration of studying a dental hygiene program varies depending on the degree type. Those pursuing an associate in dental hygiene degree can complete it in two years, whereas a bachelor in dental hygiene degree takes about four years.
Now, whether you graduated from dental hygienist schools in Utah, or the one situated in Maryland, in-depth training on how to thrive in a dental hygienist field is given. Even, while you have graduated, using online dental courses to advance your skills is also important.
Without further ado, let’s quickly look at the dental hygienist schools in Colorado and all they entail.
Requirements For Dental Hygienist Schools In Colorado
It is important to note that the requirements for dental hygienist schools in Colorado differ due to factors like the residency of the student, degree type, and other things.
However, the general criteria or requirements for dental hygienist schools in Colorado are as follows:
- You must possess a high school diploma from an accredited and recognized institution. In case of no high school diploma, a GED or its equivalent can go for it.
- You must pass the school’s entrance exams if there are any for that school.
- You must be ready to present all official documents and transcripts from past colleges attended.
- If the English language is not your native language, you must take and submit the score of your English proficiency test such as TOEFL.
- You must fill out the application form completely.
- All medical and legal check requirements must be met.
- You must have your letters of recommendation and a well-written essay.
- You must have your statement of intent, and be ready for an interview whenever it is required.
- Due to the competitive nature of the admission, having a good GPA, and scoring high in the entrance examination will place you on a higher pedestal. Moreso, having an experience in the healthcare industry, maybe through volunteering is a plus for you during the interview.
Average Cost Of Dental Hygienist Schools In Colorado
The cost of dental hygienist schools in Colorado also varies like the requirements. However, with a range of $3918 to $16,262, one can enroll in any of the schools offering dental hygiene programs in Colorado.
Best Dental Hygienist Schools In Colorado
Below are the best dental hygienist schools you can find in Colorado.
- Colorado Northwestern Community College
- Community College Of Denver
- Concorde Career College-Aurora
- Pueblo Community College
The four schools above offer top-notch dental hygienist programs in Colorado.
How To Become A Licensed Dental Hygienist In Colorado
In Colorado, the Colorado Dental Board oversees and gives licenses to dental hygienists who render administrative, therapeutic, research, and clinical services to the general public with the aim of promoting dental or oral health.
Without a license in dental hygiene, you may not be able to work as a dental hygienist in Colorado, therefore, it is important to get your licensure as you journey into the field of dental hygiene.
Here are the steps to becoming a licensed dental hygienist in Colorado:
- To be qualified for applying for a license, you must have completed a dental hygiene associate’s degree program which runs for a duration of at least two years.
- You are required to take and pass the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination, conducted through the Joint Commission on National Dental Examinations.
- You must take the regional clinical examination, and pass it.
- You are also required to pass the Colorado Dental Jurisprudence Examination.
- You must submit an application for a license in Colorado as a dental hygienist, along with an application fee of $150, made payable to the state of Colorado.
- An official transcript showing your dental hygiene degree, affidavit of eligibility form, photocopy of the National Board scorecard showing your scores, proof of current basic life support certification, and other things are also needed during the application.
- You must complete and maintain a healthcare professional profile online.
- You must maintain your dental hygiene license by renewing it at due time.
Dental Hygienist Schools In Colorado
Having gotten a clear view of dental hygienist schools, costs, and requirements, let’s now see the various best ones in Colorado. I will be listing and explaining them to give you more insights.
The data are gotten from deep research about dental hygienist schools in Colorado on sources like dental school rankings, dental assistant edu, and individual school websites.
- Colorado Northwestern Community College
- Community College Of Denver
- Concorde Career College-Aurora
- Pueblo Community College
1. Colorado Northwestern Community College
Colorado Northwestern Community College is the first on our list of best dental hygienist schools in Colorado. The institution is located in Rangely and focuses on giving students in-depth teaching in all concerning dental health education.
The school also has a pre-dental program that prepares students for dental hygienist school admission. The program explores courses such as community dental health, dental anatomy, histology, dental practice management, preventive dentistry, periodontics, and many others.
The program runs for five semesters, and upon graduation, students are awarded an associate of applied science degree.
2. Community College Of Denver
Another dental hygienist institution in Colorado is the Community College of Denver which offers both associate and bachelor of applied science degrees in dental hygiene. It is situated in Denver and focuses on providing standard dental hygiene education.
The associate degree in dental hygienist program has a prerequisite of 28 unit courses which must be completed before the dental hygiene core classes. The prerequisite courses cover topics such as dental hygiene terminology, human anatomy, and physiology, biochemistry, sociology, etc.
The dental hygiene core classes which carry 67 units explore topics such as dental anatomy and histology, dental and medical emergencies, local anesthesia, and others. The school also helps to prepare the students for the National Board Examinations.
3. Concorde Career College-Aurora
Concorde Career College-Aurora also offers dental hygienist programs in Colorado. The school provides the students with skills and knowledge on how to carry out dental hygienist practices such as obtaining patients’ dental history, performing dental examinations, taking X-rays, and many others.
The program explores topics like dental anatomy, dental materials, dental radiology, pharmacology, etc., and upon completion, students are awarded an associate degree in dental hygiene.
The program’s duration is about 17 months.
4. Pueblo Community College
Next on our list of dental hygienist schools in Colorado is the Pueblo Community College. The school offers an associate degree in dental hygienist program which runs for two years and focuses on equipping the students with all skills needed to thrive in the field of a dental hygienist.
Its prerequisite and general class topics that must be completed before the dental hygiene core courses include chemistry, human anatomy, psychology, biochemistry, and others.
The dental hygienist program explores courses like anesthesia, pharmacology, oral pathology, dental anatomy, histology, sedation, clinical skills, and many others.
To apply, visit the school website here
Conclusion
I can say at this point that you have gotten all details about the dental hygienist schools in Colorado. I hope you make the most out of the information provided. I wish you luck as you apply.
Do look at the frequently asked questions below to gain more insights.
Dental Hygienist Schools In Colorado- FAQs
Here are the frequently asked questions about dental hygienist schools in Colorado. I have selected some vital few and answered them.
[sc_fs_multi_faq headline-0=”h3″ question-0=”How Long Does It Take To Become A Dental Hygienist In Colorado?” answer-0=”It takes about two to four years to become a dental hygienist in Colorado. It depends on the degree you are studying for. ” image-0=”” headline-1=”h3″ question-1=”What Is The Salary Of A Dental Hygienist In Colorado?” answer-1=”According to the Bureau of Labour Statistics, the average salary of a dental hygienist in Colorado as of 2018 is $89,640 or $43.10 per hour. ” image-1=”” headline-2=”h3″ question-2=”How Many Dental Hygienist Schools Are In Colorado?” answer-2=”There are four accredited dental hygienist schools in Colorado.” image-2=”” count=”3″ html=”true” css_class=””]