If you want to become a dental hygienist, you must be trained in any accredited school with well-defined programs. Colorado is no different.
Students who want to study and become dental hygienists in Colorado will have to study at accredited colleges in the state to be equipped, educated, and able to pass their license exams.
In Colorado, programs in dental hygiene schools will lead you to acquire either an associate’s or bachelor’s degree at an undergraduate level.
But the not-so-good news about studying dental hygiene in Colorado is that only a few schools offer such.
Some of these programs are for entry-level students, while others are designed for existing dental hygienists who want to upgrade their certificates.
In this piece, you will get to find the top-rated schools that will train you to become a dental hygienist.
Also, we have ensured to only include schools with accredited programs in dental hygiene in Colorado.
These schools were also listed based on the level of academic excellence, the state of accreditation, the presence of up-to-date, state-of-the-art facilities, and the presence of expert teachers who will guide you on a journey to becoming a dental hygienist.
To help you make the best choice, we have also included the factors you must consider before settling for a dental hygiene school in Colorado.
For students who want to stay and work as dental hygienists in Colorado, you will find relevant career information about the profession.
Let’s get started!!!
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Table of Contents
Are there Schools of Dental Hygiene in Colorado?
Yes, there are dental hygienist schools in Colorado equipped with the facilities and tutors that train students in dental hygiene.
By design, these colleges help students gain practical skills through clinical experiences and theory for the profession.
As per the rule of law, students enrolling in Colorado’s dental hygienist programs must complete prerequisite courses and pass a drug and background screening before being considered.
When the students graduate, they’re ready for entry-level jobs after passing the state, national, and regional Licensure exams.
What Programs are Offered in Colorado Dental Hygiene Schools?
Colorado colleges offer an associate’s or bachelor’s degree at an undergraduate level like any other dental hygiene school in different cities.
Here are the undergraduate programs available in dental hygienist schools in Colorado and the schools of higher learning that offer them;
- Associate Degree: Technical and Community Colleges.
- Bachelor’s Degree: Universities.
- RDH-BSDH Degree: Universities
The RDH-BSDH degree program is for hygienists who have an associate degree and want to take their careers further.
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What Courses Will I Study in Dental Hygienist Schools in Colorado?
To be able to carry out your task as a dental hygienist, students will undertake courses in different semesters in the number of years they will spend in school.
These courses cover both theory and clinical practice; they include;
- Anatomy
- Pathology.
- Oral health.
- Microbiology
- Pharmacology.
- Public speaking
- Periodontology
- Dental materials
- Dental radiography
- General Psychology
- Preventive dentistry
- Dental Instrumentation
- Community dental health
- Patient Communication
- Anxiety and Pain Control
- Dental practice management and leadership.
However, before you’re enrolled in such, you must complete prerequisite courses such as;
- Biology.
- Anatomy
- Physiology
- Chemistry.
The knowledge of these courses forms a strong basic science for the courses and skills in your Dental Hygiene Program.
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What factors to consider when choosing a Dental Hygiene School in Colorado?
Here are the factors to consider when choosing the best dental hygiene school. There are important factors you must consider before enrolling.
For instance, your school choice should be based on the school’s ability to fulfill your academic needs.
These factors will help you checkmate that:
#1. Is the School Academically Sound?
You don’t want to enroll in a college without proof of academic achievements, progress, or results.
Before enrolling in any dental school, you must determine your academic excellence level.
Well, Seasoned education is what makes you ready for the dental hygiene jobs out there.
To decipher this, you should check out Alumni reviews on the university’s website or ask one yourself.
#2. Is the Study Program Flexible?
How busy is your schedule?
Does the school calendar accommodate your plans?
Can you study on weekends?
Are there online options?
Are there night programs?
Now, these questions are a must-ask if you’re going to study in that school.
Also, it will help you access the flexibility of the dental hygiene schools in Colorado on your list.
Therefore, you have to ensure that the dental hygienist programs you’re enrolling in at any of the Colorado colleges are flexible.
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#3. What is the Duration of Dental Hygienist Programs in Your School of Choice?
Ideally, dental hygiene programs take between 30 Months to 4 years to complete.
Considering this factor makes you know how long you will spend in school.
Also, this factor helps you determine how much you get to spend on tuition through the years.
#4. What Kind of Dental Hygiene Program does the School Offer?
Does the school offer just an associate’s or bachelor’s degree in dental hygiene?
Do they have a master’s program?
Is there an RDH-BSDH degree program?
If yes, what are you going for, and what schools offer it?
#5. What’s the Tuition Cost in the Dental Hygiene Schools In Colorado, You’re Opting For?
Another factor to consider when choosing a school from the list of dental hygienist schools in Colorado is the tuition cost.
Are you looking for something affordable?
How much is your budget for dental hygiene school?
Therefore, you have to find out how much you get to pay for a dental hygiene program in your school of choice.
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What is the Duration of Dental Hygiene Programs in Colorado?
Opting for an associate degree in dental hygiene in Colorado will take 20–30 months to complete.
On the other hand, a bachelor’s degree takes 4 years to complete if it is full-time.
A Master’s degree will take 2 additional years to complete.
How Much are Tuition Fees in Dental Hygiene Schools In Colorado?
How much you will get to pay for tuition in dental hygiene schools and colleges will vary based on factors such as
- School.
- Dental program.
- Location of school.
Although there is no exact tuition cost of dental hygiene programs in Colorado due to the factors stated above, here are the estimated average;
- Associate degree: $5,190 – $57,590.
- Bachelor’s degree: $24,030 – $105,340 (Public schools) $105,340 (private schools)
- Master’s level: $31,320 – $96,710
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List of Best Dental Hygiene Schools in Colorado
After thorough research, reviews, rankings, and value offers, we have curated a list of Colorado’s best dental hygiene schools.
In Colorado, there are just four schools of dental hygiene.
Below is a list of the programs they offer, tuition, and the requirements to apply;
- Colorado Northwestern Community College
- Community College of Denver
- Concorde Career College-Aurora
- Pueblo Community College
#1. Colorado Northwestern Community College
- School Status: Public
- Location: Rangely, CO.
- Dental Program Duration: 2 Years
- Dental Hygiene Programs: Associate Degree
- Tuition Cost: $4,018 in-state,$6,401 out-of-state
Colorado Northwestern Community College offers one of the best associate degrees in dental hygiene, but it is highly selective.
Due to its highly selective admission process, getting into Colorado Northwestern Community College is very difficult.
To improve your chances of getting accepted, you should enroll in the college’s pre-dental hygiene program.
Once accepted for the dental hygienist program, your coursework will cut across the scourses and clinical studies for dental hygienists.
Students also participate in dental clinical practice sessions.
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#2. Community College of Denver
- School Status: Public
- Location: Denver, CO.
- Dental Program Duration: 2 Years
- Dental Hygiene Programs: Associate Degree
- Tuition Cost: $4,750 in-state, $15,830 out-of-state
The Community College of Denver requires students to complete 28 units worth of prerequisite courses before getting accepted.
On entrance, they are expected to complete 67 units of coursework in dental courses, clinical studies, and other additional courses.
Another peculiar characteristic of the Community College of Denver is the opportunity for students to take national board review classes to prepare for licensing exams.
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#3. Concorde Career College-Aurora
- School Status: Private
- Location: Aurora, CO.
- Dental Program Duration: 17 Months
- Dental Hygiene Programs: Associate Degree
- Tuition Cost: $68,676 for a total program
Concorde Career College-Aurora is a private school that offers an associate degree program in dental hygiene.
In a short duration, students can complete courses that will train them to take a patient’s dental history, perform dental examinations, take X-rays and perform additional dental office duties.
Also, students can take a national board review course and participate in clinical experiences.
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#4. Pueblo Community College
- School Status: Public
- Location: Rangely, CO.
- Dental Program Duration: 2 Years
- Dental Hygiene Programs: Associate Degree
- Tuition Cost: $5,179 in-state, $16,262 out-of-state
As per the rule of law, students must complete the general education courses and prerequisites before enrollment.
Once admitted, students will take up courses in dental hygiene that will equip them for the profession.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Dental Hygiene Schools In Colorado.
Where do Dental Hygienists work in Colorado?
You will find a dental hygienist working inÂ
Doctors offices
Nursing Homes.
Pediatric Homes.
Offices of Physicians.
Head Start program
Community clinics.Â
Mobile community clinics
Public and private schools
Local, state, or federal government agencies.
Dentists’ offices are both private and shared practices.Â
How Many Dental Hygienist Schools Are in Colorado?
There are just 4 schools of dental hygiene in Colorado.
What is the Salary of Dental Hygienists in Colorado?
The 2019 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics report indicated that the median pay per year for a dental hygienist in Colorado was between $74,544.Â
However, based on the years of experience, annual salaries for dental hygienists will differ.
Also, how much you make as a dental hygienist will also depend on your location and workplace facility.
Must I Be Licensed To Practice Dental Hygiene in Colorado?
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that dental hygienists in Colorado must be licensed by the Colorado Division of Professions and Occupations Office of Licensing.
Also, those who want to administer local anesthesia must complete a different licensing requirement.Â
What Are the Requirements To Apply To Dental Hygienist Schools in Colorado?
Many schools will only accept students who meet a minimum set of criteria.
The criteria will include the following:
A minimum GPA
A CPR certification
High school diploma or GED
A minimum in a variety of subjects
Is Being A Dental Hygienist Hard?
Dental hygiene can be a demanding career physically, and if we do not look after our bodies, all that scaling can begin to take a toll.Â
Remember to do some stretching and muscle strengthening to help with your posture.
Are Dental Hygienist Schools in Colorado Accredited?
Yes, the schools we have listed above are accredited by the American Dental Association.Â
What Cities Pay Dental Hygienists Higher in Colorado?
Aurora
Denver   Â
Pueblo   Â
Boulder   Â
Arvada
Greeley
Thornton
Fort Collins  Â
Westminster
Colorado Springs
Conclusion
We hope you found this article very enlightening
Any of these dental hygiene schools in Colorado that we have listed above have programs accredited to train you to become a dental hygienist.
Upon graduation, you can get your appropriate license and start practicing.
Remember, your choice of school should be based on your educational needs.
Ensure you visit the school website to find out the requirements for applying.
Good luck!!!