8 Best Dental Hygienist Schools in Iowa

Dentistry is a career that provides plenty of rewards and challenges. In this article, you will learn about the best dental hygienist schools in Iowa, as well as the opportunities that would help you make communities healthier places. 

Dentistry is a highly respected profession. It is regarded among the top ten most trusted and ethical professions in the United States and in the world.

Dentists are considered community figures and are highly regarded and trusted by the people they serve in the healthcare system. Even other professions within the dentistry field are also seen as being highly respectable, just like dental hygienists.

There is not much difference between a dentist and a dental hygienist. The significant difference is that dental hygienists are the professionals responsible for cleaning a person’s teeth before the dentist sees them for the dental procedure. The dental hygienist’s cleanings are done to treat and prevent oral diseases that then leave the dentist to perform their role

A hygienist works independently of the dentist, seeing patients for preventative care and providing information on things like oral hygiene and nutrition. They are also responsible for screening symptoms of oral cancer or periodontitis. However, hygienists are managed and supervised by dentists.

Generally, people take their dental health very seriously, and they know the importance of having a dental hygienist with real-world experience to provide them with the best dental care.

Before you become a dental hygienist, you have to go through a series of procedures (which you will see in this article), including getting a degree in any science course. You can also earn a degree in medicine.

There are so many medical schools all over the world. There, you can study any course, before the four years dental program that is required. There are also some medical schools for different specialties, where you can as well choose to settle for dentistry.

To be more specific, for dental schools, there is only one dental school in Iowa, but there are dental schools in Florida. Niching down, there are dental hygienist schools in Florida, dental hygienist schools in California, and online dental courses with certificates for every course.

A dental hygienist career is a stable job and in high demand. Asides they have an extremely balanced lifestyle, they are also able to dictate the amount of money they make. What’s more, dental hygienists also enjoy the benefits of competitive salaries.

Requirements For Dental Hygienist Schools in Iowa

To get into any of the dental hygienist schools in Iowa, you will need the following:

  1. An application form
  2. An official college transcript
  3. A personal essay that you write.
  4. Four letters of recommendation
  5. A resume or CV
  6. DAT scores
  7. You will need to work as a job shadow dentist. You will be asked for proof of your job shadowing hours.
  8. An application fee, in addition to possible supplemental fees.

These requirements are for those who want to undergo a four-year dental program. Also, these requirements cover both international, local, and in-state students.

How Much are Dental Hygienist Schools in Iowa?

Dental hygienist schools in Iowa costs an average of $45,508 to $69,728 per year for both international and resident students.

How to Become a Licensed Dental Hygienist in Iowa

These requirements vary from state to state. It also depends on which dental hygienist school. For Iowa, and dental hygienist schools in Iowa, you will need to:

  1. Earn a minimum of an Associate’s Degree in Dental Hygiene.
  2. Pass the National, Clinical, and Iowa Jurisprudence Examinations.
  3. Submit an Application for Licensure to the Iowa Dental Board.
  4. Complete Continuing Education Requirements to Retain Licensure.

Furthermore, generally, for all states, you will need:

  1. A D.D.S. or D.M.D. degree from a university-based dental education program accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA).
  2. To pass Part I and Part II of the written National Board Dental Examination (NBDE). NBDE Part I and Part II are being discontinued and replaced by the Integrated National Board Dental Examination (INBDE). Either way, you will need to pass the two to get into dental hygienist schools in Iowa.
  3. To take the clinical examination. States like Iowa’s boards of dentistry rely on regional testing agencies to administer a clinical examination.

dental hygienist schools in Iowa

Dental Hygienist Schools in Iowa

Below are the various dental hygienist schools found in Iowa. I urge you to follow closely as I list and explain them.

  • The University of Iowa College of Dentistry and Dental Clinics.
  • Indian Hills Community college
  • Kirkwood community college
  • Iowa Western Dental Hygiene Program
  • Hawkeye Community College
  • Eastern Iowa Community College
  • Des Moines Area Community College
  • Iowa Central

1. College of Dentistry and Dental Clinics

There are not many dental schools in Iowa. In fact, there is only one dental school in Iowa. This college is an essential part of the university.

The college also has over 20 community programs focused on children and patients with special needs. They also have an award-winning Geriatrics Mobile Dental Unit. All their dental clinics are an essential resource to the school and state at large in helping people and communities meet their dental care needs.

The college’s DDS program receives an education in new knowledge, technical excellence, ethics, and practice management with a strong emphasis on critical thinking, problem-solving, and problem-based learning.

Their ADA specialty includes Dental public health, Endodontics, Oral & maxillofacial pathology, Oral & Maxillofacial Radiology, Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, General practice residency (Oral medicine), Orthodontics, Pediatric Dentistry, Periodontics, and Prosthodontics.

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2. Indian Hills Community College

At Indian Hills, you will be taught to perform some tasks you can expect to be performing from day to day as a dental hygienist. From taking x-rays of a patient’s teeth, removing plaque, applying fluoride, and teaching patients the best techniques to keep their teeth clean and healthy.

Graduates of the program will be eligible to sit for the National Board Dental Hygiene (NBDHE) and clinical board exam CRDTS.

You will also learn Digital dental radiographic imaging, Power scaling Dental hygiene care planning, Paperless charting/documentation, Periodontal non-surgical therapy, Root detoxification, Caries risk management, Sealants Intra-oral camera, Eaglesoft Software, Critical thinking skills, Dental instrumentation, Athletic mouth-guards Bleaching trays, and Nutritional counseling.

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3. Kirkwood Community College

One of the dental hygienist schools in Iowa teaches students to remove calculus deposits and stains from teeth, polish teeth, apply sealants and fluoride, take X-rays, record medical and dental histories, and educate patients on how proper brushing, flossing, and eating habits can help maintain a healthy mouth.

The Dental Assisting, Dental Hygiene, and Dental Technology programs are accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation. Their Dental Hygiene graduates are eligible to take the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination and the regional board examinations of their choice.

Upon successful completion of both board, examinations, you will receive a license to practice dental hygiene.

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4. Iowa Western Dental Hgiene Programm

The two-year Dental Hygiene program is designed to place students in the field upon completion. Apart from giving their students top-notch education, they also offer good dental services.

Upon graduation from the program, you will be able to take the National Board of Examination and a regional examination. Before that, you will earn an Associate of Applied Science degree that prepares you to complete both the National Board Examination and a state or regional exam.

They also offer clinical experiences off-campus. After completing your Iowa Western requirements, you’ll have the option of transferring to a four-year institution to complete a bachelor’s degree. To become a licensed professional, you must successfully complete both the National Board Examination, a state or regional exam, and a jurisprudence exam.

5. Hawkeye Community College

The college’s Dental Hygiene program prepares you to provide educational, clinical, and therapeutic disease prevention, health promotion, and oral hygiene services under the supervision of a licensed dentist.

You will gain knowledge and skills in: Medical terminology Oral and dental anatomy Digital dental radiography Dental procedures Oral disease and health Computerized charting and record keeping Dental equipment and materials Infection control Oral and dental hygiene practices Patient education Dental pharmacology Pain control techniques Public health systems

6. Eastern Iowa Community Colleges

The Dental Hygiene program at Eastern Iowa Community Colleges (EICC) is available as a result of a very unique cooperative partnership with Carl Sandburg College in Galesburg, Illinois.

They partner with organizations to provide their students with the necessary academic resources. Their partnership with Carl Sandburg College gives you the opportunity to take many of your classes (38 credits) through EICCD.

Once you are accepted into the Carl Sandburg College program, you will take dental hygiene-related classes in Galesburg and complete clinical experiences at the University of Iowa College of Dentistry in Iowa City.

7. Des Moines Area Community College

They have a Dental Hygiene curriculum that is designed to prepare both students graduates for positions in general and specialty dental offices, hospitals, schools, public health agencies, and industrial agencies.

Their students are trained in educational methods and preventive clinical services which qualify them as dental health educators and competent clinicians.

Their teachers place prominence and emphasis on the correlation between prevention, education, and the clinical phases of dental hygiene practice, as well as basic and social sciences.

The Dental Hygiene Program is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association.

8. Iowa Central

The Dental Hygiene program in Iowa Central prepares you, as their student, to provide comprehensive therapeutic oral health care and preventative education directly to diverse population groups in both clinical and community environments.

In collaboration with their integral part of the dental team, you will be taught valuable oral health care services which may include oral assessments, oral cancer screenings, removing deposits from the teeth, exposing and processing dental radiographs, the administration of local anesthesia, nutritional counseling, sealant placement, fluoride treatments, and preventative education.

After graduation, you will have the opportunity to work in the following areas: private dental offices, hospitals, nursing homes, public health clinics, education, research, office management, business administration, and dental company representatives.

Students receive clinical experience at the Iowa Central Dental Hygiene Clinic.

Dental Hygienist Schools in Iowa-FAQs

[sc_fs_multi_faq headline-0=”h3″ question-0=”How Long Does it Take to Become a Dental Hygienist in Iowa?” answer-0=”It takes about three to four years to become a dental hygienist in Iowa.” image-0=”” count=”1″ html=”true” css_class=””]

[sc_fs_multi_faq headline-0=”h3″ question-0=”What is The Salary of a Dental Hygienist in Iowa?” answer-0=”A dental hygienist in Iowa earns an average of $50 to $60 per hour, and about $80,000 to $100,000 or more every year.” image-0=”” count=”1″ html=”true” css_class=””]

[sc_fs_multi_faq headline-0=”h3″ question-0=”How Many Dental Hygienist Schools are in Iowa?” answer-0=”There are about eight or more dental hygienist schools in Iowa. There are also dental hygienist programs, both online and on-campus dental hygienist programs in some community colleges in Iowa.” image-0=”” count=”1″ html=”true” css_class=””]

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