In this article, we have highlighted five dental hygienist schools in Connecticut including colleges and universities. When you read this article, you will be familiar with the requirements to obtain a license and function as a registered dental hygienist.
The United States has some of the prestigious dental hygienist schools in the world, scattered across different states. However, we want to identify dental hygienist schools in Connecticut, including colleges and universities.
Connecticut may not be a popular state in the U.S but it’s home to some of the best universities in the world, Yale University and the University of Connecticut.
If you are an international student who wants to build a career in oral health, the dental hygienist schools included in this article might be the perfect destination for you.
The growth prospect of dental hygienists in Connecticut has also been included in this article, and the average income earned by dental hygienists in the state.
Who Is A Dental Hygienist?
A dental hygienist is a licensed health professional who specializes in providing preventive oral care. They are trained and experienced health professionals concerned about your oral health and they provide medical services to patients with different types of oral diseases.
Dental hygienists are important to the healthcare system as they provide preventive care, which is considered crucial in healthcare. To maintain good dental hygiene, the best medical attention, and advice on oral care is given by dental hygienists.
What Is The Job of A Dental Hygienist?
The job of a dental hygienist is beyond cleaning the teeth and giving instructions to patients on how to maintain good dental hygiene. Their expertise in oral health involves total preventive care for patients, from applying fluoride and sealants to patients’ teeth to treating patients with herpes, gum diseases, gingivitis, and dental cavities.
As experienced and licensed health professionals, dental hygienists work with dentists to deliver the best oral care to patients. One of their jobs includes administering anaesthetics, applying periodontal dressings, filling materials, or temporary fillings during dental surgery.
Additionally, dental hygienists also educate and provide therapeutic services to patients. Becoming a licensed and registered dental hygienist requires attending a college or university that offers programs in dental hygiene. The subject “dental hygienist schools in Connecticut” is aimed at highlighting the best dental hygienist colleges and universities in Connecticut.
We have also prepared a list of the 20 Best Dental Hygienist Schools in the USA; follow This Link to cover them.
License Requirements for Dental Hygienists in Connecticut.
To obtain a license and function as a registered dental hygienist in the state of Connecticut, you will need to meet some requirements which include.
- Graduating from an American Dental Association (ADA) accredited dental hygiene program
- Successfully pass the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination
- Pass any of these clinical exams which include Southern Regional Testing Agency, North East Regional Board of Dental Examiners, Western Regional Examining Board, or Central Regional Dental Testing Service
- Pay $150 as an application fee
Why Become A Dental Hygienist In Connecticut?
Before you decide to become a dental hygienist in Connecticut, there are factors you should look out for which may include salary outlook or growth prospects.
According to statistics, Connecticut has more than 3,120 dental hygienists employed in the state, and the growth prospects of dental hygienists in The Nutmeg State are guaranteed.
If you intend to become a dental hygienist and you want to know how demanding your prospective career will be in a few decades. Well, by 2028, the demand for dental hygienists is expected to rise and is 7% on the national scale, and 12% for both dental assistants and dental hygienists in the state of Connecticut. With such percentages in growth prospects, the possibilities for future jobs are foresighted.
Salaries of Dental Hygienists in Connecticut by Area
We are not deviating from the subject of “dental hygienist schools in Connecticut” including colleges and universities.
Now let us take a scope at the average annual income of dental hygienists in Connecticut by area. According to data collected by the Bureau of Labor Statistics in 2020, the average annual salary of a dental hygienist in Connecticut was $87,540 and $42.09 per hour. Currently, about 3,120 dental hygienists are employed in the state and the Hartford area accounts for 35% of that number.
| Area | Total Employed | Mean Hourly Wage | Mean Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT | 940 | $40.03 | $83,260 |
| Danbury, CT | 210 | $35.72 | $74,300 |
| Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT | 1,300 | $42.27 | $87,910 |
| New Haven, CT | 750 | $38.50 | $80,090 |
| Norwich-New London-Westerly, CT-RI | 280 | $36.66 | $76,260 |
| Springfield, MA-CT | 630 | $38.39 | $79,860 |
| Waterbury, CT | ** | $38.95 | $81,020 |
| Worcester, MA-CT | 690 | $39.72 | $82,620 |
5 Dental Hygienist Schools in Connecticut
Connecticut is a state located in the northeastern United States and the southernmost state in the New England region. The state houses some of the prestigious universities in the U.S and the world entirely. The iconic Yale University and the University of Connecticut among others can be found in The Nutmeg State.
However, we want to find out the top five dental hygienist schools in Connecticut comprising colleges and universities.
If you want to get to know about the 20 Best Dental Hygienist Schools In Texas then follow This Link to see all you need to know.
1. University of Bridgeport, Bridgeport
The University of Bridgeport is a private institution located in Bridgeport, Connecticut, and established in 1927. The University sits on 86 acres of campus size and operates a semester-based system. As of fall 2019, the institution had 3,233 undergraduate enrollment and the acceptance is less selective at 71%.
As one of the best dental hygienist schools in Connecticut, the University of Bridgeport offers three different levels of dental hygiene degree programs.
Associate
The associate degree program lasts for two years and you are required to complete the 73 credit coursework attached with it. The coursework includes general knowledge of preventive care, dental health, elementary microbiology, and lots more. The coursework in both semesters of the first year is to be completed with a minimum grade of “C” or more to enable the continuation of your studies into the next year.
Bachelor of Science
This four-year bachelor’s degree program has up to 120-124 credits of coursework to complete. Confined within the curriculum are courses to enhance your skills and knowledge in dental hygiene care, expatiating your thinking skills with liberal art courses.
Furthermore, some parts of the coursework can be customized to your advantage. For instance, if you have completed a dental hygiene program from an accredited institution, you are eligible to transfer 60 to 90 credits and obtain this degree within two years.
Bachelor of Science Online
This program is only available to those with dental hygiene licensure, and also those that have completed an associate degree in dental hygiene from an accredited institution in the U.S or Canada. The coursework for this online program is the same as the Bachelor of Science degree program.
Master of Science
This program is designed for individuals that want to expatiate and achieve great feats in dental hygiene. A dental hygienist at this level can contribute massively to better public health. This program can be completed in two years and upon completion of your thesis and capstone, your Master of Science degree is earned and secured.
Being one of the dental hygienist universities in Connecticut, the University of Bridgeport is less competitive on acceptance, SAT, and ACT.
- SAT Range: 920-1130
- ACT Range: 17-22
- No Application Fee
If you are interested to attend The University of Bridgeport, you can find more information, on their official website.
2. Tunxis Community College Farmington
Tunxis Community College is a small public community institution located in Farmington, Connecticut. Being a small community institution, the undergraduates enrolled at the university is just 1,342, and 3,902 total enrollment on a semester-based system.
Tunxis Community College is arguably one of the smallest dental hygienist colleges in Connecticut and they offer state-supported programs in dental hygiene. The University of Connecticut allows Tunxis Community College to teach some parts of its dental program at the School of Dental Medicine.
If you are enrolled in this state-supported dental hygiene program, you will acquire the best knowledge of oral health firsthand. The program involves clinical fieldwork occurring at both federal, state, local, and community hospitals. You are mandated to apply directly to the college’s dental hygiene program.
The requirements for this program are to complete pre-requisite and basic core courses in English, anatomy, chemistry, and physiology. Proficiency in mathematics is also required from applicants. Once you complete this accredited program, you will be awarded a degree on Associate of Science in Dental Hygiene.
Tunxis Community College is less competitive and affordable considering the acceptance rate and tuition and fees.
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Application Fee: $20 (2018/2019)
- In-State Tuition and Fees: $4,464 (2018/2019)
- Out of State: $13,232
Under Health Profession and Related Programs, you can major in Dental Assisting/Assistant, Dental Hygiene/Hygienist, or Dental Support and Allied Professions. You can get more information about dental hygiene programs at Tunxis Community College.
You can check out a list of the 20 Best Dental Hygienist Schools in New Jersey via This Link to discover all you need to know.
3. University of New Haven, West Haven
The University of New Haven is a private institution located in West Haven, Connecticut, and established in 1920. The University sits on 122 acres which consist of its main campus and graduate campus.
Colleges at the University of New Haven include the Tagliatela College of Engineering, Henry C. Lee College of Criminal Justice and Forensic Science, College of Art and Science, Pompea College of Business, and the School of Health Science. Among dental hygienist colleges and universities in Connecticut, the University of New Haven is relatively small when compared with other schools in campus size.
As of fall 2020, the university had an undergraduate enrollment of 4,837 and it operates a semester-based system.
The University of New Haven offers a three-year associate degree program in dental hygiene. In this accredited degree program, you will be given coursework that will expatiate your knowledge and prepare you for licensing exams.
The four-year accredited bachelor’s degree program also has the same coursework as the associate degree program in the first three years including an extra year of general education courses. Additionally, you can take degree completion courses online.
The University of New Haven allows students in the degree completion program to study and practice dental hygiene in various locations within and outside the United States. Students can study and practice in Native American reservations or in places like Mexico and Romania.
Being among the small-sized dental hygienist schools in Connecticut, the University of New Haven is less competitive. Considering its acceptance rate.
- Acceptance Rate: 91%
- SAT Range: 1050-1220
- ACT Range: 22-28
- Application Fee: $50
- Tuition and Fees: $42,898
The University of New Haven has more information on its official website. If you are interested to know more kindly;
4. Manchester Community College, Manchester
Manchester Community College is a public community institution located in Manchester, Connecticut. The institution is one of the dental hygienist schools in Connecticut and it operates a semester-based system. Currently, Manchester Community College has a total enrollment of 6,003 of which 1,468 are undergraduate students.
Manchester Community College offers different degree programs in Liberal Arts and Sciences, Health Profession and Related Programs, General Studies and Humanities Business, Management, and Marketing. Under Health Profession and Related Programs, you will find majors such as Dental Support Services and Allied Professions and Dental Assisting/Assistant.
Manchester Community College is less competitive considering its acceptance rate.
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- In-State Tuition and Fees: $4,464 (2018/2019)
- Out of State Tuition and Fees: $13,232 (2018/2019)
- Application Fee: $20
Get more information about dental hygiene programs at Manchester Community College by visiting their official website.
Also Read: Requirements for Dental Schools
5. American Institute, West Hartford
American Institute-West Hartford is a for-profit institution located in West Hartford, Connecticut. The College is one of the smallest dental hygienist colleges in Connecticut because of its size.
It’s a small institution when you look at the number of undergraduates enrolled which stands at 382. There are various programs offered at American Institute from Dental Assisting to Medical Coding and Billing, Massage Therapy, Medical Assisting, Electrical Trades Technology, and more.
The Dental Assisting Program is offered in a combination training format, consisting of distance education and on-campus classes. American Institute is less selective regarding its acceptance rate.
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Application Fee: $25
Get more details about the Dental Assisting Program at American Institute, and get involved by visiting their official website.
Also Read: UConn Acceptance Rate and Admissions at the University of Connecticut
Conclusion
Dental hygienists are very important in the healthcare system. You would agree with me that oral care is as important as the health professionals attending it.
With the top 5 dental hygienist schools in Connecticut provided to you, making the best decision on the specific school or dental hygiene program should not be that difficult. Additionally, each coursework is aimed at getting you prepared for a future career and licensing exams.
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References
- https://dentalassistantedu.org/dh/ct/
- https://www.niche.com/colleges/search/best-colleges-for-dental/s/connecticut/
- https://dentalhygienistprograms.com/
- https://www.nursingprocess.org/dental-hygiene-programs/
- https://bestaccreditedcolleges.org/articles/dental-hygiene-programs-in-connecticut.html
