This article will educate you on the best schools for dental hygienists in Colorado, including colleges and universities. If you are an international student with aspirations to become professional in dental health and you intend to study in the U.S., then read through this article as the state of Colorado could host a perfect dental hygienist school for you.
The prospects as a dental hygienist in healthcare are promising. The truth is that dental hygiene is an important practice for everyone, and this also makes health professionals specializing in dental care essential.
The job of a dental hygienist is mainly preventive care, preventive dental care that can be done from children to young adults to adults. An interesting fact about being a licensed and registered dental hygienist is the job and salary outlook. The frequently asked question of a prospective dental hygienist is: What is the annual salary of a dental hygienist?? Will I get a more lucrative job if I become a dental health professional? Well, the answer to those questions is contained in this article.
The best colleges and universities for dental hygienists in Colorado offer a variety of dental hygiene degree programs, from a research associate to other level 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 practitioner with expertise in oral health is referred to as a dental hygienist. They provide patients with preventive oral care, treat and educate patients on how to practice the best dental hygiene.
Dental hygienists also work with dentists to provide preventive oral care to patients.
What is the job of a dental hygienist?
As a medical professional with expertise in dental health, a dental hygienist's job is not only to examine and clean teeth. Dental hygienist preventive care for patients includes therapeutic services, pain management and education.
Oral diseases such as oral cancer, tooth decay, gum disease, herpes and gingivitis are diagnosed and treated by dental hygienists. During dental surgery, dental hygienists administer anesthetics and apply periodontal dressings and temporary fillings.
Why become a dental hygienist in Colorado?
Attending one of the best schools for dental hygienists in Colorado is reasonable enough to become a dental hygienist in the state. Another factor why you should become a dental hygienist in Colorado is a growth perspective.
Demand for dental hygienists in Colorado expected to increase in several years.
According to forecasts by the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment, the employment rate in dental hygiene will increase by 2028% in a few years to 21. Ten years before 2028, Colorado had approximately 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 is estimated to outpace national growth.
Licensing requirements for dental hygienists in Colorado
If you graduated from one of Colorado's colleges or universities for dental hygienists, you also need a license to practice as a registered dental hygienist in the state.
The Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies, Division of Professions and Occupations, is responsible for issuing licenses for dental hygienists in Colorado.
To become licensed in Colorado, you must have completed a two-year dental hygiene program from an accredited institution. You will also be expected to pass national licensing exams and a clinical exam at one of the regional testing services, or you may choose to take a state exam.
For dental hygienists who want to perform local anesthesia, licensing requirements vary and include.
- Possession of a current Basic Life Support (BLS)
- Complete training at an institution accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation with 12 hours of training in pharmacology, techniques, physiology and medical emergencies, and anatomy.
- In addition, you need 12 hours of clinical training, including the administration of six infiltrations and six block injections.
Once you meet these requirements, you will be licensed by the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA).
Things you should know
Dental hygiene programs are offered on a full-time basis at several community colleges in Colorado. Programs are completed within two years, and all participants are awarded an Associate of Applied Science degree in Dental Hygiene.
Coursework in the program includes courses in preventive dentistry, anatomy, periodontics, pharmacology and much more.
Schools for dental hygienists in Colorado offer associate degree programs designed to promote and build the best careers for students in dental health.
Salaries of dental hygienists in Colorado
Dental hygienists earn sustainable amounts as salary every year.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average salary for dental hygienists in Colorado for the year was 89,640 43.10 USD, which is equivalent to USD per hour in 2018. There are currently about 4,590 dental hygienist jobs in Colorado, and the Denver Aurora Lakewood area accounts for more than 60% of those jobs. Denver dental hygienist salaries are above Colorado average.
Living spaceTotal employedAverage hourly wageAverage 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 Schools for Dental Hygienists in Colorado
Among the best schools for dental hygienists in Colorado are state community colleges.
1. Denver Community College, Denver
- Acceptance rate: 100%
- In-state tuition: $4,750
- Out of State: $15,830 (2018-2019)
- Student-to-faculty ratio: 21-to-1
- No registration feeSchool address: 1111 W. COLFAX AVE. DENVER, CO 80204
Community College of Denver is one of Colorado's schools for dental hygienists. A public institution in Denver, Colorado, with a total enrollment of 7,887 students and 2,050 undergraduate students. Community College of Denver is a small institution that operates a semester-based system, and the highest degree they can offer is an associate degree.
Community College of Denver students, however, can earn degrees and certificates in fourteen different areas. Some of the programs at the college include health professions and related programs, business, administration, marketing, general studies, humanities and science and related support services.
Under health professions and related programs, you will find dental hygienist/hygienist and dental ancillary services and related professions.
As one of the dental hygiene colleges in Colorado, Community College of Denver offers an associate degree program in dental hygiene.
The requirement for an Associate of Applied Science degree program includes a minimum GPA of 3.0 in science education courses, while a minimum GPA of 2 is required for general education courses.5 is required.
Once you have completed the required coursework in this program, begin taking courses in dental anatomy, dental emergencies and oral pathology. Second year coursework includes courses in nutrition, periodontics and practice management.
Community College of Denver also has a dental assisting program. If you would like to learn more about dental hygiene programs at the Community College of Denver, please visit the official website at the link.
2. Colorado Northwestern Community College, Rangely
- Acceptance rate: 100%
- In-state tuition: $4,018
- Out-of-state tuition: $6,401
- Student-to-faculty ratio: 21-to-1
- No application fee
- School Address: 500 KENNEDY DRIVE RANGELY, CO 81648
This is one of the small schools for dental hygienists in Colorado. Colorado Northeastern is located in Rangely Colorado and was founded in 1962 and is a small institution. The college has a total enrollment of 1,154 undergraduates and 431 graduate students.
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.
As one of the smallest colleges for dental hygienists 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 anesthesia, community dental health, preventive dentistry, practice management, and a dental emergency.
However, the courses required for the program require a minimum average of 2.8 and grades of "C" or higher.
For more information about dental hygiene programs at Colorado Northwestern Community College, click on 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 registration fee
- School address: 900 W ORMAN AVE PUEBLO, CO 81004
Pueblo Community College is one of the smaller colleges for dental hygienists in Colorado. A public institution for Hispanics in Pueblo, Colorado, which was founded in 1933. Pueblo is a small community college with only 1,598 undergraduate students and 6,197 as total enrollment.
The school operates a semester-based system and most of its popular programs are humanities and liberal arts, general studies and liberal arts, health professions and related programs, and precision manufacturing.
The degree program offered at Pueblo Community College is an associate degree. The program teaches in-depth about dental hygiene, and you can learn more about fluoride treatment, collecting patient data, and more.
To earn a degree in this program, you must complete a curriculum of courses in dental materials, periodontics, pharmacology, local anesthesia, oral and general pathology, community dental health and practice management.
If you can complete an additional 3 credit hours of coursework, you will receive a mini-certificate in local anesthesia and nitrous oxide.
If you'd like to learn more about dental hygiene programs at Pueblo Community College, you can find the school's official website at the following link.
4. Concorde vocational college, Aurora
- Acceptance rate: 94
- No registration 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 schools for dental hygienists in Colorado with no application fee and less selective in the admissions process. A small private, for-profit institution based in Aurora, Colorado, the college has 329 students and 778 total enrollment.
Concorde Career College offers an associate degree only.
Dental Assisting & Dental Assistant, Dental Assistant and Dental Hygiene Associate Degree Program, dental hygiene courses offered at Concorde Career College.
For more information on dental hygiene courses, visit the college's official website.
5. Arapahoe Community College, Littleton
- Acceptance rate: 100%
- In-state tuition: $3,918
- Out-of-state tuition: $ 15,006
- Student-to-faculty ratio: 23-to-1
- No registration fee
- School address:
Arapahoe Community College is one of the smaller colleges for dental hygienists in Colorado. The college doesn't actually offer a direct program leading to a dental hygienist degree, but you can get a related program that will get you on the right track in the dental hygiene field.
The college's highest degree is an associate degree and there are only 2,065 students enrolled.
Conclusion
Dental hygienists are essential health care professionals in the health care industry. The preventive oral care they offer patients is critical to best practices in dental health.
If you want to become a dental hygienist, Colorado dental hygiene schools are among the institutions where you can start your oral health career.