If you are interested in becoming a dental health professional or have been searching for the best dental schools, read this article as it highlights the best schools for dental hygienists in Georgia, including colleges and universities.
A career in dental health comes with many benefits. In terms of employment opportunities, a dental hygienist has better job prospects with enticing income.
This article walks you through the basics of becoming a dental hygienist in Georgia.
Who is a dental hygienist?
A dental hygienist is a graduate of an accredited institution and dental hygiene program. Dental hygienists are health specialists with expertise in dentistry, periodontics, orthodontics, dental anatomy, dental materials, etc.
A dental hygienist provides patients with preventive oral care, which is important in the healthcare industry. Your routine to practice the best oral hygiene is guided by a dental hygienist.
What is the job of a dental hygienist?
As a health professional with expertise in preventive oral care, a dental hygienist's job is multifaceted, to name a few. Dental hygienists provide therapeutic services for patients, perform diagnoses and treat oral diseases such as gum disease, gingivitis, herpes, caries and oral cancer.
In addition, dental hygienists administer anesthetics or apply periodontal dressings during dental surgery.
Why I should become a dental hygienist in Georgia?
One of the main reasons for choosing a career in a particular field is employment opportunities or employment rates. Georgia has better job prospects for dental hygienists.
The Georgia Department of Workforce Statistics & Economic Research projects that the state will see a 2028% growth in the number of dental hygienists in the state by the end of 2028 in ten years to 13.
Requirements to become a dental hygienist in Georgia
There are requirements you must meet before becoming a dental hygienist in Georgia.
To become an accredited dental hygienist in Georgia, you must;
- Complete a two-year associate degree in dental hygiene at a CODA-accredited institution that is also recognized by the Georgia Board of Dentistry.
- They pass a clinical examination with a minimum score of 75 or higher.
- You must also score at least 75 on the National Board Exam.
- Finally, you must also pass an open-book jurisprudence exam with a minimum score of 75 or more.
Salaries for dental hygienists in Georgia by region
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, dental hygienists in Georgia (as of 2020), earn an average annual salary of $65,650 or 31.51 USD per hour. About 6,990 dental hygienists are employed in the state of Georgia and 3,490 in the Atlanta metropolitan area.
Living spaceTotal employedAverage hourly wageAverage annual salary
| Albany, GA | 120 | $ 24.54 | $ 51,040 |
| Athens-Clarke County, GA | 140 | $ 28.02 | $ 58,280 |
| Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA | 3,490 | $ 33.37 | $ 69,410 |
| Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | 320 | $ 28.28 | $ 58,810 |
| Brunswick, GA | ** | $ 27.46 | $ 57,120 |
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | 370 | $ 28.87 | $ 60,040 |
| Columbus, GA-AL | 210 | $ 26.82 | $ 55,790 |
| Dalton, GA | 60 | $ 31.08 | $ 64,640 |
| Gainesville, GA | 100 | $ 30.89 | $ 64,250 |
| Macon, GA | 180 | $ 24.74 | $ 51,450 |
| Rome, GA | 70 | $ 29.93 | $ 62,250 |
| Savannah, GA | 330 | $ 30.23 | $ 62,880 |
| Valdosta, GA | 70 | $ 24.79 | $ 51,560 |
| Warner Robins, GA | 130 | $ 28.92 | $ 60,150 |
10 Best Schools for Dental Hygienists in Georgia
The best schools for dental hygienists in Georgia include both colleges and universities, based on the dental hygiene program they offer.
1. Central Georgia Technical College, Warner Robins & Macon Campus
- Acceptance rate: 100%
- In-State Tuition: $2,778
- Out-of-state tuition: $4,914
- Registration fee: $25
- School Address: 80 COHEN WALKER DRIVE WARNER ROBINS, GA 31088
Central Georgia Technical College is a public institution that was founded in 1962 and is located in Warner Robins, Georgia. The institution operates a semester-based academic year and has an enrollment of 1,820 students. As one of Georgia's schools for dental hygienists, the college ranks 3. Ranked in the Best Dental Hygiene Colleges & Universities in Georgia.
Central Georgia Technical College offers associate degree in dental hygiene. In this dental hygiene program, you must complete 83 credits in a curriculum that includes courses in general education, anatomy, physiology and dental hygiene. This program takes you through two years of laboratory sessions and clinical training in dental health.
Upon completion of this program, you will be prepared to take state and national licensing exams.
To learn more about this program and its application deadline, visit the college's official website.
2. Clayton State University, Morning
- Acceptance rate: 69
- In-state tuition: $6,584
- Out-of-state tuition: $19,986
- Registration fee: $40
- Student-to-faculty ratio: 19 min.
- School Address: 2000 CLAYTON STATE BOULEVARD MORROW, GA 30260
Clayton State University is a public institution located in Morrow, Georgia, and was founded in 1969. A total of 6,376 undergraduate students are enrolled at the institution. Among colleges and universities for dental hygienists, Clayton State ranks 3rd. Ranked in the Best Dental Hygiene Colleges & Universities in Georgia.
Clayton State University is one of the best and most affordable schools for dental hygienists in Georgia. The university offers a registered dental hygienist bachelor of science in dental hygiene for registered dental hygienists with an associate degree.
Courses in this program are offered online and you can take the courses full-time or part-time if you wish.
For more information about this dental hygiene program in terms of application dates and deadlines, visit the school's official website at the link below.
3. West Georgia Technical College, Waco
- Acceptance rate: 100%
- In-state tuition: $2,838
- Out-of-state tuition: $4,974
- Application Fee: $25
- Student-faculty ratio: 18 min.
- School Address: 176 MURPHY CAMPUS BLVD. WACO, GA30182
West Georgia Technical College is a public institution founded in 1966 and located in Waco, Georgia. The college operates a semester-based academic year with a total enrollment of 7,184.
The college is among the best schools for dental hygienists in Georgia and offers an associate degree in dental hygiene. In this program, you must complete 86 credits in courses such as anatomy, physiology, microbiology, oral history, oral anatomy, head and neck anatomy, dental materials, dental radiology, pharmacology and pain control, community dental health, periodontics and nutrition fundamentals.
If you are interested in this dental hygiene program, you can visit the college's official website through the link below.
4. Savannah Technical College, Savannah
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- In-state tuition: $2,744
- Out-of-state tuition: $4,800
- Registration Fee: $25
- Student-faculty ratio: 16 min.
- School Address: 5717 WHITE BLUFF RD SAVANNAH, GA 31405
Savannah Technical College is a small public institution located in Savannah, Georgia. The college is a small institution due to its total enrollment of 3,817.
Savannah Technical College is one of the best dental universities in Georgia and ranks 5. Ranked in the Best Dental Hygiene Colleges & Universities in Georgia.
The associate degree offered at Savannah Technical College is an associate degree in dental hygiene. In this five-semester program, you must complete 83 credit hours of coursework. The curriculum in this program includes courses in general education, humanities, behavioral sciences, natural sciences and dental hygiene. If you complete the coursework in this program, you can take the national and state licensing exams.
With the skills and knowledge acquired in this course, you will be able to perform dental hygiene procedures such as scaling, plaque removal, fluoride and sealant application, oral prophylaxis, and taking radiographs.
For more information on this dental hygiene program, visit the school's website using the link below.
5. Augusta University, Augusta
- Acceptance Rate: 83%
- In-state tuition: $8,832
- Out-of-State Tuition: $24,210
- Registration fee: $ 55
- Student-Faculty Ratio: Not Available
- School Address: 1120 15. ST. AUGUSTA, GA 30912
Augusta University is a public research institution located in Augusta, Georgia, founded in 1828. Among Georgia's best colleges for dental hygiene, Augusta University ranks 1. Ranked in the Best Dental Hygiene Colleges & Universities in Georgia.
As one of the top schools for dental hygienists in Georgia, Augusta University offers two undergraduate degree programs.
Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene
This is a four-year degree program designed for students with no prior knowledge of dental health. To enroll in this program, you must complete two academic years totaling 65 credits at the Augusta campus. During the first and second years of the two-year program, you must complete 60 credits, which can be taken from an accredited institution.
Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene Degree Program
This program is designed for individuals with an associate degree in dental hygiene from an accredited institution. Courses in this program are offered online with easy schedules.
If you are interested in visiting one of the best schools for dental hygienists in Georgia, visit the school's official website at the link below.
6. Atlanta Technical College, Atlanta
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- In-state tuition: $2,820
- Out-of-State Tuition: $4,956
- Application fee: $25
- Student-to-faculty ratio: 15 min.
- School Address: 1560 METROPOLITAN PKWY SW ATLANTA, GA 30310
Atlanta Technical College is a public institution located in Atlanta, Georgia. The college is one of Georgia's smaller schools for dental hygienists, with an enrollment of 818 students.
Atlanta Technical College offers a two-year associate degree program in dental hygiene. Coursework in this program includes courses in anatomy, dental radiology, dental materials, oral pathology, periodontology, community dental health, and nutritional basics. Completing the 84-credit hour in this full-time program will prepare you as a dental hygienist with expertise in oral health.
For more information about this dental hygiene program regarding application dates and deadlines, click on the link below.
7. Athens Technical College, Athens
- Acceptance rate: 100%
- In-State Tuition: $2,789
- Out-of-State Tuition: $4,934
- Registration Fee: $25
- Student-faculty ratio: 14 min.
- School Address: 800 US HWY 29 NORTH ATHENS, GA 30601
Athens Technical College is a public institution located in Athens, Georgia. A small institution with an enrollment of 872 students. Despite the size of the college, it is still one of the best schools for dental hygienists in Georgia. Athens Technical College occupies the 6. Ranked among the best colleges and universities for dental hygiene in Georgia.
The dental hygiene program offered at Athens Technical College is a two-year associate degree. The curriculum in this program includes 49 credits in dental hygiene courses, 22 in general education and 12 in behavioral and biological sciences.
To earn a degree in this program, you must complete credits in these courses and pass with a minimum grade of "C".
This dental hygiene program is designed to provide you with the best clinical training, knowledge and skills to advance a career in dental health. If you would like to learn more about this program, visit the college's website via the link below.
8. Lanier Technical College, Gainesville
- Acceptance rate: 100%
- In-State tuition: $3,336
- Out-of-state tuition: $6,006
- Application fee: $ 25
- Student-faculty ratio: 14 min.
- School address: 2535 LANIER TECH DRIVE GAINESVILLE, GA 30507
Lanier Technical College is a public institution located in Gainesville, Georgia. The college is a small institution with an enrollment of 1,194 students.
Lanier Technical College is one of the best schools for dental hygienists in Georgia and offers an associate degree program in dental hygiene. This 21-month program is highly selective, admitting only 15 students on a full-time basis each year.
If you want to increase your chances of admission, it is strongly recommended that you take the 38-credit prerequisite courses with a minimum GPA of 3.0 or higher to complete.
Lanier Technical College recommends that you take the interdisciplinary course of study to improve your performance in meeting the requirements for prerequisite courses.
If you want to attend one of the best dental hygiene universities in Georgia, get more information about this dental hygiene program offered at Lanier Technical College. The following link will take you to the school's official website.
9. Columbus Technical College, Columbus
- Acceptance rate: 100%
- In-state tuition: $2,778
- Out-of-state tuition: $4,914
- Registration fee: $ 25
- Student-faculty ratio: 17 min.
- School address: 928 MANCHESTER EXPY COLUMBUS, GA 31904
Columbus Technical College is a public institution located in Columbus, Georgia. A small institution with an enrollment of 944 students. Among the best colleges and universities for dental hygienists, Columbus Technical College ranks 12. Ranked first in the Best Dental Hygiene Colleges & Universities in Georgia.
The dental hygiene program at Columbus Technical College is a five-semester associate degree program.
The program includes a variety of courses, including courses in oral anatomy, oral pathology, community dental health, cervical and head anatomy, sociology, psychology, communication, dental materials, pharmacology, dental radiology, pain control and periodontics.
The program was designed to provide the best clinical education in dental health and increase knowledge of providing oral care to patients.
After completing this program, you will be able to perform some dental procedures, z. B. applying fluoride and sealants, examining and providing preventive oral care to patients, and more.
For more information about this dental hygiene program, including application dates and deadlines, visit the school's website.
10. Georgia Highlands College, Rome
- Acceptance rate: 100%
- In-state tuition: $3,288
- Out-of-state tuition: $9,485
- Registration fee: $ 30
- Student-faculty ratio: 20 min.
- School address: 3175 CEDARTOWN HIGHWAY, SE ROME, GA 30161
Georgia Highlands College is a public institution located in Rome, Georgia. The college has a total enrollment of 6,184 and conducts a semester-based academic year.
Georgia Highlands is one of the best schools for dental hygienists in Georgia, offering both an associate degree in dental hygiene and a registered dental hygienist for the Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene degree program.
Associate Degree in Dental Hygiene
This two-year associate degree program is a stepping stone to earning a bachelor's degree in dental hygiene. The program selectively admits only 14 students per year, and students are also advised to improve in math and science to be prepared for the program's coursework.
Registered dental hygienist to bachelor of science in dental hygiene degree program
This program is designed for registered dental hygienists with an accredited associate degree in dental hygiene who want to advance their careers. The coursework in this program requires the completion of 30 credits of undergraduate coursework. All courses in this program are offered online according to simple schedules.
Completion of this program exposes you to certain preliminary skills to build your career in dental health.
As one of the best colleges for dental hygienists in Georgia, the college has more details on the dental hygiene programs it offers. If you want to know more about dental hygiene programs.
Frequently asked questions about the best schools for dental hygienists in Georgia
Here are the frequently asked questions about dental hygienists in Georgia.
How much does a dental hygienist make in Georgia??
The United State Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that dental hygienists in the state of Georgia earn an average salary between $49,200 and $68,110 per year.
How to become a dental hygienist in Georgia?
First, you must earn a degree from a Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) accredited program and institution.
Second, you must pass the National Board Exam, a clinical examination, and a jurisprudence examination before you are eligible to apply for a license with the Georgia Board of Dentistry.
How long does it take to become a dental hygienist in the state of Georgia?
To be licensed as a dental hygienist in Georgia, you must complete at least a two-year or four-year postsecondary program at an accredited institution.
Conclusion
We have provided the information you need to know why you should become a dental hygienist. When you look at the job outlook for dental hygienists, it's comforting to know that you're choosing a career with better job growth and better earnings.
Georgia dental hygiene schools have a variety of programs to choose from. Dental hygienist job openings in Georgia make for better career prospects for you.