Dental Hygiene Associate Degree Program
Program Type
Associate Degree
Delivery Method
On Campus
Course Length
Approximately
23 months
Program Objective
A dental hygienist works under a dentist’s supervision and provides preventative oral care. They work directly with a variety of patients and help them properly care for their oral health.
Day-to-day responsibilities of dental hygienists include cleaning and polishing teeth, taking X-rays and molds and performing administrative duties such as updating charts and recording patient dental histories.
Students in the Dental Hygiene associate program will take courses in communication, anatomy and physiology, radiography, oral pathology, patient management, special needs patients, dental materials and periodontics. Students at the Seattle campus will also take three classes in restorative dentistry.
Taught by experienced instructors, labs that mirror real-world settings and clinical training give students the educational experience and confidence to create molds, take X-rays and interact with patients. Pima Medical Institute allows students to work in on-site clinics with equipment found in dental offices and work with real patients under supervision while in school. From the very first semester, students get unmatched hands-on experience so they are ready to enter the field right after graduation.
Dental hygienists are required to be licensed in the state where they practice. Nearly all states require that dental hygienists graduate from an accredited dental hygiene school and pass national and regional written and clinical examinations administered by the American Dental Association’s Joint Commission on National Dental Examinations and by state or regional testing agencies.
Graduates of the program from this school are eligible to apply to take the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination (NBDHE) and other board examinations as required for state licensure.
Locations Near Me
Careers in Dental Hygiene
What Are My Career Opportunities as a Dental Hygienist?
What Are My Career Opportunities as a Dental Hygienist?
This associate degree program will prepare graduates for a successful career in dental hygiene. In some states, dental hygienists can also administer anesthetics, place/carve filling materials and periodontal dressings and remove sutures. There are many places dental hygienists can work in including:
- Private dental offices
- Corporate dental offices
- Community health clinics
- Public health facilities
- Educational settings
- In some states, you can start your own dental hygiene practice
Job Outlook
Job Outlook
The demand for dental services will increase as the population ages and as research continues to link oral health to overall health.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the employment of dental hygienists is projected to grow faster than the average for all occupations from 2020 to 2030.
Continued Education
Continued Education
Graduating with an associate degree is a vital pathway toward pursuing higher education later on. Interested in breaking into leadership or healthcare administration? At Pima Medical Institute, we offer an online Bachelor of Science in Health Care Administration that will give you the skills needed to move up within the healthcare industry, all with the flexibility of virtual instruction. Work on your degree anywhere, anytime.Online B.S. in Health Care Administration
When you’re a Pima Medical Institute student, you get access to our Career Services team—here for you when you need extra help with finding the right job opportunities, building a resume, strengthening your interview skills or just looking for general guidance.
Program Outline
Learn more about the courses in this program.
Program Outline for Albuquerque
Semester l
Semester II
Semester III
Semester IV
Semester V
Semester VI
Program Outline for Houston and Seattle
Semester I
Semester II
Semester III
Semester IV
Semester V
Semester VI
*Represents the Seattle program
Interested In Starting This Program?
Find out more about our Admissions Requirements or view our How to Apply page.
Success Is Within Reach
We are truly invested in making sure our students succeed.
“After 12 years as a dental assistant, I knew there was more for me in the dental profession. When I heard Pima Medical was offering a Dental Hygiene program, I jumped at the opportunity. I am a 35-year-old parent of two boys and the thought of quitting my job to attend school was quite daunting, but I forged ahead and was committed. The Dental Hygiene program was an accelerated, challenging opportunity and despite the sweat, tears, countless study sessions, long nights of studying and many other sacrifices, I completed the program and became a Board Certified Registered Dental Hygienist!”
Monica Candelaria-Wright, Dental Hygiene Graduate
Pima Medical Blog
Three Reasons Dental Hygiene is a Good Career
Dental Hygienists rank as the #5 best Healthcare Support job and #32 on the list of top 100 jobs by U.S. News and World Report. Being ranked…
The Top 5 Skills of a Dental Hygienist
Dental hygienists are highly valued members of the dental care team. They interact directly with patients, helping them properly care for their oral health. Melissa…
Houston Instructors Earn Prestigious Awards from Career Colleges and Schools of Texas (CCST)
Our Houston Campus recently attended the annual conference for the Career Colleges and Schools of Texas (CCST.) At the conference, Dr. John Puryear and the…
Disclosures And Accreditations
State Licensure Determination Disclosure
The Dental Hygiene program is offered via on-ground and hybrid delivery methods. The program is available to New Mexico, Texas, and Washington residents and meets applicable licensure requirements in those states. While there may be online components, completion of this program requires on-ground attendance at the campus at which the student is enrolled and cannot be completed solely via distance education. Prospective students and enrolled students should understand that moving out of the state in which they enrolled may adversely impact a student’s ability to complete the program. If a student is planning to relocate outside of their state of enrollment, they are required to discuss this with the Student Services Coordinator and/or Program Director.
In compliance with 34 CFR 668.43, Pima Medical Institute has made a reasonable effort to determine graduate eligibility for licensure in all states for programs designed and advertised as leading to licensure. The document below lists Pima Medical Institute programs and states where the curriculum meets licensure requirements, states where the curriculum does not meet licensure requirements, and states in which Pima Medical Institute has been unable to determine if the curriculum meets state licensure requirements. All consumers should be advised that due to the frequent changes to state statutes, rules, and regulations Pima Medical Institute cannot guarantee licensure based on the lists below.
Accreditation and Program Information
The program in Dental Hygiene is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation and has been granted the accreditation status of “approval without reporting requirements”. The Commission is a specialized accrediting body recognized by the United States Department of Education. The Commission on Dental Accreditation can be contacted at (312) 440-4653 or at 211 East Chicago Avenue, Chicago, IL 60611-2678. The Commission’s web address is http://www.ada.org/en/coda.
View accreditation information for all programs by campus
Safety Hazards Related To The Dental Hygiene Profession
View program costs, additional disclosures and outcomes for this program (if applicable)
Start Your Future as a Dental Hygienist
Request more information below and our team will be in touch with you as soon as possible. Or give us a call at 1-800-477-7462 to speak with someone right away.