Dental Hygiene Program

Dental hygiene may be a good fit for individuals interested in healthcare, preventive care, and patient interaction. Those considering the Carrington Dental Hygiene program or colleges with dental hygiene programs may share the following traits:

• Interest in science and hands-on clinical work
• Strong attention to detail
• Comfort working closely with patients
• Ability to communicate clearly about health topics

If you’ve wondered, “Is dental hygiene school hard?”, it’s helpful to know that these programs are designed to support students, combining academic coursework with supervised clinical training.

The time required to become a dental hygienist depends on the program structure and enrollment status. Carrington College’s Dental Hygiene Associate Degree program can be completed in as few as 64-80 weeks depending on location. (3)

For more details, visit our Career Guide.

The cost of Dental Hygiene programs can vary based on factors such as location, program length, and individual financial circumstances. Available funding for a Dental Hygiene program will depend on your specific circumstances.

For the most up-to-date details on program costs, please refer to the Academic Catalog or speak with an Enrollment Services Associate.

Dental assistants and dental hygienists both support patient care in a dental office, but their roles differ in focus and responsibilities.

Dental assistants work under the supervision of a dentist and handle a mix of clinical and administrative tasks, such as preparing treatment rooms, assisting during procedures, scheduling appointments, and managing patient records. (4)

Dental hygienists focus on preventive and therapeutic oral care, working directly with patients to clean teeth, take X-rays, and provide oral health education. (1)

Dental hygienists are licensed oral health professionals who may provide preventive and therapeutic care, working directly with patients to maintain oral health and identify potential concerns early.

Common responsibilities include cleaning teeth, taking dental X-rays, applying preventive treatments such as fluoride, and educating patients on daily oral care. They also document changes in oral health and share findings with the dentist as part of the care team. (1)

For a more detailed overview of daily responsibilities and career expectations, visit our Career Guide.

Becoming a dental hygienist may require completing a dental hygienist associate’s degree from an accredited program. Most programs combine classroom learning with clinical training and can vary in length depending on the institution.

Dental hygiene program requirements may include:

• High school diploma or equivalent
• Completion of prerequisite coursework
• Meeting minimum academic standards

Some programs may also require entrance assessments, background checks, or immunization records.

For more details, visit the Academic Catalog.

Carrington College prerequisites vary by program, and not all programs require them. Some programs have specific admission steps or prerequisite coursework, depending on the campus and credential path. For example, dental hygiene programs may require coursework in anatomy, physiology, chemistry, microbiology, math, and communication, while nursing programs have their own separate requirements.

Because requirements can differ, applicants should review the specific program details before applying. (3)