This article will enlighten you on the best dental hygienist schools in Colorado, including colleges and universities. If you are an international student with aspirations to become a professional in dental health and you intend to study in the U.S, then read through this article as the state of Colorado might house a perfect dental hygienist school for you.
The prospects of being a dental hygienist in the healthcare system are promising. The truth is, dental hygiene is an important practice for all, and this also makes the health professionals who specialize in dental care to be essential also.
The job of a dental hygienist is mainly preventive care, preventive dental care that can be provided to everyone from children, and young adults to adults. An interesting fact about being a licensed and registered dental hygienist is the job and salary outlook. The common question a prospective dental hygienist would ask is, what is the annual salary of a dental hygienist? Will I get a lucrative job if I become a professional in dental health? Well, the answer to these questions is contained in this article.
The best dental hygienist colleges and universities in Colorado offer various dental hygiene degree programs from an associate in science to other levels of degree programs.
The requirements to become a licensed dental hygienist are also included in this article.
Who Is A Dental Hygienist?
A licensed and registered health professional with expertise in oral health is referred to as a dental hygienist. They provide preventive oral care to patients, treat and educate patients on practising the best dental hygiene.
Dental hygienists also collaborate with dentists to offer preventive oral care to patients.
What Is The Job of a Dental Hygienist?
As health professionals with expertise in dental health, the job of a dental hygienist is not just to examine and clean the teeth. The preventive care dental hygienist provides to patients include therapeutic services, pain management, and education.
Oral diseases such as oral cancer, dental cavities, gum diseases, herpes, and gingivitis are diagnosed and treated by dental hygienists. During dental surgery, dental hygienists administer anaesthetics and apply periodontal dressings and temporary fillings.
Why Become a Dental Hygienist in Colorado
Attending one of the best dental hygienist schools in Colorado is reasonable enough to become a dental hygienist in the state. Another factor on why you should become a dental hygienist in Colorado is a growth prospect.
The demand for dental hygienists in Colorado is expected to rise in a few years.
According to predictions made by the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment, the employment rate in dental hygiene will rise by 21% in just a few years to 2028. Ten years before 2028, Colorado had about 4,590 dental hygienists employed in the state.
However, the growth of dental hygienists in Colorado is faster than most professions in the state and it is estimated to surpass national growth.
Also Read: 20 Best Dental Hygienist Schools in the USA
License Requirements for Dental Hygienists in Colorado
If you have obtained a degree from one of the dental hygienist colleges or universities in Colorado, you will also need a license to operate as a registered dental hygienist in the state.
The Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies, Division of Professions and Occupations is responsible to issue licenses to dental hygienists in Colorado.
To earn a license in Colorado, you must have completed a two-year dental hygiene program from an accredited institution. You are also expected to pass the national licensing exams, and a clinical exam with any of the regional testing services, or you can opt for a state exam.
For dental hygienist who wants to administer local anaesthesia, the license requirements are different and include.
- Possessing a current Basic Life Support (BLS)
- Completing training at a Commission on Dental Accreditation-accredited institution with 12 hours of training in pharmacology, techniques, physiology and medical emergencies, and anatomy.
- Additionally, you also need 12 hours of clinical training including the administration of six infiltrations and six block injections.
Once you meet these requirements you will be issued a license by the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA).
Things You News to Know
Dental hygiene programs are offered at different community colleges in Colorado on a full-time basis. The programs are completed within two years, and a degree in Associate of Applied Science in dental hygiene is awarded to all participants.
The coursework in the program includes courses in preventive dentistry, anatomy, periodontics, pharmacology, and many more.
Dental hygienist schools in Colorado offer associate degree programs aimed at nurturing and building the best career for students in dental health.
Salaries of Dental Hygienists in Colorado
Dental hygienists earn sustainable amounts as a salary each year.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average salary of dental hygienists in Colorado was $89,640 equivalent to $43.10 per hour as of 2018. Presently, there are about 4,590 dental hygienist Jobs in Colorado and the Denver Aurora Lakewood area accounts for over 60% of these jobs. The salaries of dental hygienists in Denver are above Colorado’s average.
| Area | Total Employed | Mean Hourly Wage | Mean Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boulder, CO | 370 | $39.12 | $81,360 |
| Colorado Springs, CO | 350 | $36.50 | $75,920 |
| Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO | 2,760 | $39.84 | $82,870 |
| Fort Collins, CO | 310 | $38.75 | $80,600 |
| Grand Junction, CO | 70 | $29.88 | $62,160 |
| Greeley, CO | 210 | $37.51 | $78,010 |
| Pueblo, CO | 140 | $34.80 | $72,370 |
5 Best Dental Hygienist Schools in Colorado
The best dental hygienist schools in Colorado include state-based community colleges.
1. Community College of Denver, Denver
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- In-State Tuition: $4,750
- Out-of-State Tuition: $15,830 (2018-2019)
- Student-Faculty Ratio: 21-to-1
- No Application FeeSchool Address: 1111 W. COLFAX AVE.DENVER, CO 80204
Community College of Denver is one of the dental hygienist schools in Colorado. A public institution located in Denver, Colorado, with a total enrollment of 7,887 and undergraduates account for 2,050 students. Community College of Denver is a small-sized institution that operates a semester-based system and the highest degree they can offer is an associate degree.
However, students at Community College of Denver can earn degrees and certificates in fourteen separate fields. Some of the programs at the college include Health Professions and Related Programs, Business, Management, Marketing, General Studies, Liberal Arts and Science, and Related Support Services.
Under Health Professions and Related Programs, you will find Dental Hygiene/Hygienist and Dental Support Services and Allied Professions.
As one of the dental hygienist colleges in Colorado, Community College of Denver offers an associate degree program in dental hygiene.
The pre-requisite for an Associate of Applied Science degree program includes a minimum GPA of 3.0 on science education courses while that of general education courses requires a minimum GPA of 2.5.
Once you complete the prerequisite coursework in this program, you will start taking courses in dental anatomy, dental emergencies, and oral pathology. The second-year coursework has courses in nutrition, periodontics, and practice management.
Community College of Denver also has a dental assisting program. If you are interested to know more about dental hygiene programs at Community College of Denver, kindly visit their official website via the link.
Also Read: 20 Best Dental Hygienist Schools In Texas
2. Colorado Northwestern Community College, Rangely
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- In-State Tuition: $4,018
- Out of State Tuition: $6,401
- Student-Faculty Ratio: 21-to-1
- No Application Fee
- School Address: 500 KENNEDY DRIVE RANGELY, CO 81648
This is one of the small-sized dental hygienist schools in Colorado. Located in Rangely Colorado and established in 1962, Colorado Northeastern is what you will classify as a small institution. The college has a total enrollment of 1,154 students and 431 undergraduates.
Some of the popular programs at Colorado Northwestern Community College include Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities, Health Profession and Related Programs, and Transportation and Materials Moving.
Being among the smallest dental hygienist colleges in Colorado, an associate degree is the highest degree offered at Colorado Northwestern Community College.
To complete the two-year associate degree program, you must complete coursework in courses such as dental radiology, anatomy, dental materials, local anaesthesia, community dental health, preventive dentistry, practice management, and a dental emergency.
However, the program pre-requisite courses require a minimum GPA of 2.8 and grades of “C” or above.
You can get more information about dental hygiene programs at Colorado Northwestern Community College via the link below.
3. Pueblo Community College, Pueblo
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- In-State Tuition: $5,179
- Out of State Tuition: $16,262
- Student-Faculty Ratio: 19-to-1
- No Application Fee
- School Address: 900 W ORMAN AVE PUEBLO, CO 81004
Pueblo Community College is one of the small-sized dental hygienist colleges in Colorado. A public Hispanic-Serving institution situated in Pueblo, Colorado, and established in 1933. Pueblo is a small community college with just 1,598 undergraduate students and 6,197 as its total enrollment.
The school operates a semester-based system and most of its popular programs are Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities, Health Professions and Related Programs, and Precision Production.
The degree program offered at Pueblo Community College is an associate degree. The program teaches extensively about dental hygiene, and you can learn more about fluoride treatment, the gathering of patients’ data, and lots more.
To earn a degree in this program, you must complete a curriculum of courses in dental material, periodontics, pharmacology, local anaesthesia, oral and general pathology, community dental health, and practice management.
Additionally, if you can complete an extra 3 credit hours of coursework, you will obtain a mini-certificate in local anaesthesia and nitrous oxide.
If you are interested to know more about dental hygiene programs at Pueblo Community College, the school’s official website is shared in the link below.
Also Read: 15 Best Dental Hygienist Schools in Florida
4. Concorde Career College, Aurora
- Acceptance Rate: 94%
- No Application Fee
- Average Tuition and Fees: $15,955
- Student-Faculty Ratio: 41-to-1
- School Address: 111 N. HAVANA STREET AURORA, CO 80010
Concorde Career College is one of the dental hygienist schools in Colorado with no application fee and is less selective in its admission process. As a small private for-profit institution situated in Aurora, Colorado, the college has an enrollment of 329 undergraduates and 778 in total enrollment.
Concorde Career College only offers an associate degree.
Dental Assisting & Dental Assistant, Dental Assistant and Dental Hygiene Associate Degree Program, dental hygiene courses offered at Concorde Career College.
Get more information about dental hygiene courses on the college’s official website.
Also Read: 20 Best Dental Hygienist Schools in New Jersey
5. Arapahoe Community College, Littleton
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- In-State Tuition: $3,918
- Out of State Tuition: $15,006
- Student-Faculty Ratio: 23-to-1
- No Application Fee
- School Address:
Arapahoe Community College is one of the small-sized dental hygienist colleges in Colorado. The college doesn’t really offer a direct program that will lead to a dental hygienist degree but you can get a related program that will set you on the right path in the field of dental hygiene.
The college’s highest degree is an associate degree and it has only 2,065 undergraduate enrollment.
Conclusion
Dental hygienists are essential health professionals in healthcare. The preventive oral care they offer to patients is crucial for the best practices in dental health.
If your aspirations are centred on becoming a dental hygienist, the dental hygienist schools in Colorado are among the institutions to start your career in oral health.
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References
- Niche.com: Best Colleges with Dental Hygiene Degrees in Colorado
- Learn.com: Which Colorado Schools Offer Dental Hygiene Programs?
- Dentassistantedu.com: Become a Dental Hygienist in Colorado
