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Dental hygienists are licensed dental health care professionals. They provide a wide range of services, including nutritional counseling, oral health assessment and education, periodontal (gum) disease treatment, sealant application, and therapy planning.
The Oregon Employment Department forecasts Portland area dental hygienist employment will grow 12.8% through 2027.
Take the next step
Applying to ¶¶Òõ¸£Àûµ¼º½ is free and only takes a few minutes.Apply now Limited entry awards have an additional application process. See each award page for all prerequisite requirements. Attend an information session
Why study Dental Hygiene at ¶¶Òõ¸£Àûµ¼º½?
Since 1970, graduates of ¶¶Òõ¸£Àûµ¼º½’s Dental Hygiene program have been in high demand because of their reputation for excellent patient care and quality skills. Our curriculum is designed to prepare you for the state and regional licensure examinations (including NBDHE and CDCA-WTEB-CTIA) and the clinical practice of dental hygiene.
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Our dental clinic will provide you with opportunities to practice your skills, gain invaluable hands-on clinical experience, and provide patients with compassionate and free care in our cutting-edge clinic.
graduation cap Related offerings
¶¶Òõ¸£Àûµ¼º½ also offers a Dental Assisting program, as well as non-credit classes for professionals in the field.
Certification and accreditation
When all coursework is completed with a C grade or higher, you will be eligible to sit for the National Board Examination and the Western Regional Board Examinations. Only after graduation from the program and successful completion of both board examinations are you eligible for licensure. Licensure requires fingerprinting and criminal activity disclosure. Questions regarding this requirement may be directed to the at 503-229-5520.
¶¶Òõ¸£Àûµ¼º½â€™s Dental Hygiene program is accredited and endorsed by the American Dental Association (ADA). This is the link to file comments or complaints with the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) about the program concerning Accreditation Standards. To view CODA Dental Accreditation standards, please go to .
$39–$63 hourly wages
$102,916 annual salary
Average wages for Portland-area dental hygienists according to the Oregon Employment Department.
Award information
| Award | Length (attending full-time) | Financial aid eligible | Currently accepting students? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Associate Degree: Dental Hygiene | 2 years | Limited entry, see how to apply to Dental Hygiene |
Locations
Vanport Building
What will you learn?
Class information
Dental Hygiene in the news
All primary functions are taught to meet clinical competency standards as approved by the Oregon Board of Dentistry for dental hygienists. A broad-based education in dental sciences, clinical techniques, biological sciences, and humanities prepares you for work in private practice and community settings.
What will you do?
- Local anesthetic administration
- Nitrous oxide sedation
- Oral health assessment
- Periodontal therapy
- Teeth cleaning
- Topical fluoride application
- X-ray interpretation
- Place and finish dental fillings
Transfer options
Our courses are fully transferable to four-year institutions. ¶¶Òõ¸£Àûµ¼º½ Dental Hygiene students have the option of having all of their credits from general education and Dental Hygiene program electives transfer to various institutions for bachelor’s degree completion programs. Speak with an advisor at the institution you plan to transfer to, as they will have the final decision in determining which of the ¶¶Òõ¸£Àûµ¼º½ credits are transferable and accepted. Institutions include:
- Eastern Washington University
- Oregon Institute of Technology (OIT)
- Pacific University (Health Management)
- Portland State University (Public Health or Business)
- University of Idaho
- Idaho State University
Take the next step
Applying to ¶¶Òõ¸£Àûµ¼º½ is free and only takes a few minutes.Apply to ¶¶Òõ¸£Àûµ¼º½Limited entry awards have an additional application process. See each award page for all prerequisite requirements.
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¶¶Òõ¸£Àûµ¼º½ offers more than 90 programs.
