Dental Hygiene
Degrees Offered
Associate in Science and Bachelor of Science
Program Summary
The dental hygiene profession offers opportunities for graduates to work in a variety of health care settings. Associate degree graduates primarily work in general and specialty dental practices. Bachelor degree graduates have the opportunity for employment in community health agencies, public schools, and both state and federal government agencies.
The program is accredited by the American Dental Association Commission on Dental Accreditation. All students completing the program will be eligible to participate in licensing examinations.
Associate of Science Degree Program
The majority of students pursuing an A.S. in Dental Hygiene wish to work as a dental hygienist. Employment of dental hygienists is expected to grow much faster than the average for all occupations in the immediate future in response to increasing demand for dental care. Job prospects are expected to remain very good. The dental hygiene profession is primarily educational and preventative in nature and offers opportunities to work in a variety of health care settings, including general and specialty dental practices, community health agencies, and public schools.
Graduates of the dental hygiene program can expect a high level of professional demand from employers in the private dental practice setting.
Enrollment Information for the Associate Degree Program
The Vermont Tech program will accept 24 students each fall. All dental hygiene courses must be taken in the prescribed four semester sequence.
Students may apply as freshman candidates, however due to the rigor of the program, many dental hygiene students enroll in some non-professional courses prior to initiating the program. Suggested courses include college level anatomy & physiology, nutrition, English, and psychology.
Licensure
Upon completion of the required credits in the Dental Hygiene program, graduates are awarded an Associate of Science Degree in Dental Hygiene. Graduates are then eligible to apply to take the National Board in Dental Hygiene Examination and a regional clinical board examination, such as the Northeast Regional Board. Dental hygiene graduates are prepared to work in the private dental office setting.
For licensure in Vermont, in addition to the Dental Hygiene National Board Examination and the Northeast Regional Board Examination, graduates will also be required to take a jurisprudence examination offered by the Vermont States Board of Dental Examiners. Applicants are also required to present information regarding past history of substance abuse, prior felony convictions, and failure to pay child support and/or taxes. Other states may ask similar questions. It is the Board's responsibility to determine eligibility for dental hygiene licensure.
Prerequisites and Other Requirements
Applicants to the Dental Hygiene program are required to have a high school diploma or GED, plus have completed the following prerequisite courses at the high school level:
- Algebra I and II;
- Geometry;
- Biology with lab; and
- Chemistry with lab.
In addition, applicants must:
- Complete the Vermont Tech application;
- Submit a $35 application fee;
- Have high school transcript(s) sent to Vermont Tech;
- Arrange for two letters of recommendation;
- Complete all required placement tests;
- Have current certification in CPR.
- All Practical Nursing, Nursing, Dental Hygiene, and Respiratory students are required to pass a background check prior to June 1
Bachelor of Science Program in Dental Hygiene
The B.S. in dental hygiene opens up more options for students who have already completed an associate's degree in dental hygiene. Career areas where an advanced degree would be advantageous include jobs in dental hygiene research, sales, public health, and education.
Enrollment Information for the Bachelor of Science Program
To apply for the bachelor's program, an applicant must have already earned an associate's degree in dental hygiene from an accredited college or university. The baccalaureate curriculum would include the 72 credits required for the associate's degree, plus an additional 48 credits of coursework and field experience. All of the coursework can be completed either online or by distance education at Vermont Tech's Randolph and Williston campuses or at any of the other Vermont State College Institutions or by credit transfer. Thirty of the last 39 credits for the program must be completed at a VSC institution.
Campus Locations
Accepted students will attend their dental hygiene clinical, laboratory, and lecture classes at the Vermont Tech Williston Campus. These students may take non-professional courses, such as English, nutrition, and anatomy and physiology at any Vermont State College, as well as at the Vermont Technical College Williston Campus at Blair Park.