Over 300 dental hygiene programs offered at various US colleges and universities are accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation. The job of dental hygienists is to examine and treat patients with oral diseases and provide preventive measures. There are various levels of degrees that one can pursue to work as a dental hygienist and the typical entry level education required is an associate degree along with a license.
If you are looking for a dental hygienist course in USA, you have landed at the right place. We bring to you this guide to give you context of top dental hygiene schools in USA with their eligibility criteria, course curriculum, fees, scholarships, scope & more!
Why Study Dental Hygienist Course in USA?
If you are wondering whether dental hygienist course in USA is worth pursuing or not, take a look at the following points:
- USA is home to 16 prestigious universities that have ranked in the QS World University Rankings for dentistry with 14 universities in the top 50 category.
- According to the data of the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the projected growth for dental hygienists is predicted to be around 9% between 2021 to 2031.
- Around 16,300 jobs for dental hygienists are expected to be added each year on an average between 2021 to 2031 as per the BLS.
- Dentistry as a career ranks 11th in best paying jobs in the US as per the U.S. News and World Report 2022.
- US universities are known for their world-class facilities, state-of-the art infrastructure and equipment as well as highly qualified faculty.
Best Dental Hygiene Schools in USA
There is no lack of coveted dental hygiene schools in USA whether you are looking for an associate, bachelor, master or doctoral program. Here are some of the most sought after dental schools in USA that must be on your list:
- University of Michigan - Ann Arbor
- University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill
- New York University
- University of Minnesota
- University of Pittsburgh
In the following discussion, you will see the key insights of the best dental hygiene schools in USA:
1. University of Michigan - Ann Arbor
The School of Dentistry of UMich is one of the top 5 dentistry schools in the USA. With an excellent reputation, the school offers the second oldest graduate program in dental hygiene in USA.
|
University Type |
Public |
|
QS World University Rankings 2023 |
25 |
|
QS World University Rankings by Subject 2022 (Dentistry) |
5 |
|
Program Offered |
BS in Dental Hygiene (2 years) MS in Dental Hygiene (2 years) |
|
Average Program Fees |
20,280 USD per year for BS 33,320 USD per year for MS |
2. University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill
The Adam School of Dentistry at UNC - Chapel Hill is the only university in the state to offer bachelor’s degree in dental hygiene which makes it unique. The university offers dentistry programs in many other specializations as well such as endodontics, orthodontics, oral and maxillofacial radiology, prosthodontics and more.
|
University Type |
Public |
|
QS World University Rankings 2023 |
102 |
|
QS World University Rankings by Subject 2022 (Dentistry) |
19 |
|
Program Offered |
BS in Dental Hygiene (4 years) MS in Dental Hygiene Education (22 months) |
|
Average Program Fees |
35,580 USD per year for BS 31,345 USD per year for MS |
3. New York University
NYU College of Dentistry is the only dental hygiene program to be offered at a dental college in New York. The programs at NYU are flexible and can be completed through the BS degree completion track, fast track or advanced standing track for the AAS program.
|
University Type |
Private |
|
QS World University Rankings 2023 |
39 |
|
QS World University Rankings by Subject 2022 (Dentistry) |
20 |
|
Program Offered |
BS in Dental Hygiene (4 years) Associate in Applied Science (AAS) in Dental Hygiene (2 years) |
|
Average Annual Program Fees |
27,692 USD per year for BS 22,638 USD per year for AAS |
4. University of Minnesota
The BS in Dental Hygiene at the University of Minnesota lets you complete the program in 3 years rather than the traditional 4-year duration. The MS program gives you the opportunity to pursue the program through the online dental hygiene track.
|
University Type |
Public |
|
QS World University Rankings 2023 |
185 |
|
QS World University Rankings by Subject 2022 (Dentistry) |
39 |
|
Program Offered |
BS in Dental Hygiene (3 years) MS in Dental Hygiene (2 years) |
|
Average Annual Program Fees |
37,647 USD per year for BS 1,044 USD per credit hour for MS |
5. University of Pittsburgh
The bachelor's degree at University of Pittsburgh is a completion program suitable for students who have completed a certificate or associate degree in dental hygiene. You can also pursue a 2-year Associate of Science in Dental Hygiene.
|
University Type |
Public |
|
QS World University Rankings 2023 |
181 |
|
Program Offered |
Associate of Science in Dental Hygiene (2 years) BS in Dental Hygiene (2 years) |
|
Average Annual Program Fees |
54,000 USD per year for AS 36,058 USD per year for BS |
How to choose a university abroad?
Course Curriculum for Dental Hygiene Programs in USA
You must check the course curriculum before applying for a dental hygienist course in USA as you will be able to excel in the course only if it is something that interests you. Here is a table to give you some insight about the course curriculum for dental hygienist in USA after BDS:
|
Course Duration |
Associate degree - 3 years Bachelor's degree - 4 years Master’s degree - 2 years |
|
Course Content |
Dental anatomy, oral pathology, dental materials, anesthetics, oral biology, dental health and nutrition, oral histology and so on. |
|
Course Alternatives |
Master of Dental Surgery, MS in Orthodontics, MS in Endodontics, Doctor of Medicine in Dentistry |
Eligibility Criteria for Dental Hygienist Course in USA
You will have to meet the eligibility criteria for admission to dental hygienist course in USA after BDS in India which is discussed as under:
- Educational qualification
- Entrance exam scores
- English language proficiency test scores
Take a look at how you can fulfill the eligibility to pursue dental hygienist course in USA after BDS in India:
-
Educational qualification
To enroll for an associate or bachelor degree in dental hygiene, you must have completed high school with a recommended score of 75-80%. A completed bachelor’s degree comparable to a US degree is required to get admission to a master’s degree program with a GPA of 3.5 on 4.0 is recommended for entry to top dental schools. An educational background in biology, chemistry and mathematics is required.
-
Entrance exam scores
You may need SAT or ACT scores for admission to undergraduate level programs. Universities may ask for your GRE scores to get admission to master’s degree programs. There are varying requirements for every university but a minimum score of 315 or above is recommended.
Exams required to study in USA
-
English language proficiency test scores
If you are an international student whose native language is not English, you will have to submit IELTS, TOEFL or equivalent test scores as proof of English language proficiency. Most renowned institutions ask candidates for a minimum IELTS score of 6.0 or TOEFL-iBT score of 90.
How to Apply for a Dental Hygienist Course in USA?
- Start planning your application for dental hygienist in USA after BDS in India at least 8-10 months in advance by shortlisting the dental schools you wish to apply to.
- Visit the official website of your shortlisted universities and take note of the upcoming intakes, application deadlines, eligibility criteria, fees, etc.
- Complete the online application early and pay the necessary application fee.
- You will have to provide the university with a list of supporting documents for evaluation of your application.
- After submitting all the documents, you will receive a confirmation email and details to track the status of your application.
- Once the admission decision is announced, confirm your acceptance and deposit the necessary tuition fee without any delay.
- On receiving your letter of acceptance, you can apply for a F-1 student visa to study dental hygienist course in USA after BDS in india.
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Also Read |
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Documents Required for Dental Hygienist in USA after BDS
We have prepared a list of documents that you may require to complete your application for dental hygienist course in USA:
- Copy of official transcripts of a 4-year bachelor’s degree
- DAT test score
- English language proficiency test scores
- Statement of purpose
- Letters of recommendation
- Resume
- Copy of passport
- Proof of finances
How Much Does it Cost to Study a Dental Hygienist Course in USA?
While planning to do a dental hygienist course in USA for international students, you must consider the following costs to plan your budget:
Tuition Fees
The average tuition fees for undergraduate dental hygienist course in USA is around 20,000 USD - 40,000 USD per year whereas master’s degree costs range between 35,000 USD - 60,000 USD per year. There are a number of public dental hygiene schools in USA that offer the program at a much more affordable rate.
Cost of Living
An international student in USA requires around 1,000 USD-1,500 USD per month to pay the rent of accommodation, food, utility bills and personal expenses. Therefore, the annual living expenses for international students sums up to 12,000 USD -18,000 USD per year. You can expect these expenses to vary according to your choice of accommodation, mode of transport and your lifestyle.
Scholarships for Dental Hygienist Course in USA
As international students you can apply for a variety of scholarships that recognise academic excellence as well as financial need. Apart from the entrance scholarships and merit based scholarships that you will be considered for, here is a list of scholarships available for dental hygiene courses in USA:
|
Scholarship Name |
Amount (in USD) |
|
ADEA/Crest Oral-B Scholarship for Dental Students Pursuing Academic Careers |
5,500 USD |
|
ADHA Institute for Oral Health Scholarship |
1,000 USD |
|
Dental Trade Alliance Foundation Scholarship |
5,000 USD |
|
Penn Dental Medicine Dean’s Scholarship (University of Pennsylvania) |
40,000 USD per year |
|
Dr. Fanny N. Freund Advanced Education Scholarship (University of Minnesota) |
12,000 USD |
Career Opportunities after Studying Dental Hygienist Course in USA
Before concluding the discussion on the dental hygienist course in USA for international students, let us take a look at the various career opportunities. You can expect to get a starting salary of 29,800 USD per year which can go up to 87,700 USD per year with years of experience and level of education.
Take a look at the table below to get an idea about some job titles related dental hygienist in USA after BDS:
|
Job Title |
Average Annual Salaries (in USD) |
|
Dental Hygienist |
57,300 USD |
|
Dental Assistant |
65,300 USD |
|
Dental Technician |
59,000 USD |
|
Dental Laboratory Technician |
59,500 USD |
|
Dental Receptionist |
51,100 USD |
Before you start practising, you will have to pass the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination to receive your license and become Registered Dental Hygienist (RDH). Speak to our Yocket counsellors today and get expert guidance and complete support to get into the best dental hygienist course in USA after BDS in India.
Frequently Asked Questions about Dental Hygienist Course in USA
Ques. How long does it take to become a dental hygienist in USA?
Ans. The duration of dental hygiene programs in USA vary depending on the level of study. The standard duration of an associate degree is 2 years, a bachelor’s degree takes 4 years to complete and a master’s degree can be completed in 2 years.
Ques. How much does it cost to become a dental hygienist in USA?
Ans. The average fees for various undergraduate level dental hygiene courses in USA is around 20,000 USD-40,000 USD per year. A master’s degree is expected to cost 35,000 USD - 60,000 USD per year.
Ques. How can I become a dental hygienist in USA?
Ans. The minimum entry level qualification required to become a dental hygienist in USA is an associate degree. Additionally, you will require a license for which you will have to pass the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination.
Ques. How much do dental hygienists make in USA?
Ans. The salary of a dental hygienist in USA ranges between 29,800 USD - 87,700 USD per year.
Ques. Are dental hygienists in demand in USA?
Ans. Yes, dental hygienists are well in demand in USA with almost 16,300 job openings every year and a projected growth of 9% as per the stats of the Bureau of Labor Statistics.