Discover a rewarding career as a Dental Hygienist.
Our dental hygiene program provides the hands-on training you need to start making a difference helping others. Earn your associate degree in under 2 years.
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What Is a Dental Hygienist?
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.
Students in the Dental Hygiene associate degree 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 college and dental hygiene program 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.
The Dental Hygiene program is offered at the following campuses:*
Arizona
Phoenix
New Mexico
Albuquerque
Texas
Houston
San Antonio
Washington
Seattle
*Not all programs are offered at all campuses
FAQs
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
What is the job outlook for dental hygienists?
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 increase 8% from 2025 to 2035, much faster than the average for all occupations.*
*Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Dental Hygienists, https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/dental-hygienists.htm (visited September 9, 2026).
What are the steps to become a dental hygienist?
If you’re wondering how to become a dental hygienist, here’s what the path typically looks like:
- Earn your high school diploma or GED. This is the baseline requirement for entry into most dental hygiene programs.
- Enroll in an accredited dental hygiene program, like the Dental Hygiene associate degree program offered here at Pima Medical Institute. This dental hygienist program builds a strong clinical and academic foundation to pursue a career as a dental hygienist.
- Complete your coursework and hands-on clinical training, including supervised patient care throughout your dental hygienist schooling.
- Apply to sit for the required licensure exams, including the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination (NBDHE) and any state or regional clinical exams. Graduates of this dental hygienist program are eligible to apply to take the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination (NBDHE) and other board examinations as required for state licensure.
- With your associate degree and licensure in hand, you are ready to pursue your career as a dental hygienist and work in private dental offices, corporate dental offices, community health clinics, public health facilities and more!
Is the Dental Hygiene program accredited?
Accreditation varies by campus location:
Albuquerque, Houston and Seattle
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.”*
Phoenix & San Antonio
The Dental Hygiene program in Phoenix and San Antonio is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation and has been granted the accreditation status of “initial accreditation.”*
*The Commission is a specialized accrediting body recognized by the United States Department of Education. The Commission on Dental Accreditation can be contacted at (800) 232-6108 or at 401 North Michigan Avenue, Suite 3300, Chicago, IL 60611-4250. The Commission’s web address is https://coda.ada.org
Is Pima Medical accredited?
Yes. Pima Medical Institute is nationally accredited by the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES).
What kind of financial aid is available?
There are a variety of financial aid options for those who qualify, including federal grants, loans and scholarships. Our dedicated financial services team is here to help guide you through the entire process.
How does Pima Medical help with job placement after graduation?
Our Career Services team is dedicated to helping students from enrollment all the way through graduation and beyond. Through resources like resume building, interview preparation, job search strategies and employer connections, we want to help you be successful. We have strong relationships with many of the major healthcare organizations across our markets.
What is the application process?
It’s as simple as filling out a form on the website or giving one of our admissions support specialists a call. From there, our team will assist you as you complete an application, schedule an admissions meeting, tour the campus (in-person or virtually) and take any required entrance assessments. From there, your Medical Career Specialist will walk you through enrollment, and the financial services team will walk you through financial aid options.
