The best dental hygiene schools and programs in Colorado Springs offer a variety of dental hygiene programs, from associate to other program levels.
Dental hygiene programs are offered at various community colleges in Colorado on a full-time basis. Programs are completed within two years, and all participants are awarded an Associate in Dental Hygienist degree.
Coursework in the dental hygiene schools in Colorado Springs includes courses in preventive dentistry, anatomy, periodontology, pharmacology, and more.
Dental hygienist schools in Colorado offer associate degree programs designed to nurture and build the best careers for students in the field of dental health.
Are There Dental Hygiene Schools In Colorado Springs?
There are four dental hygiene programs in Colorado, three of which are offered by CODA-accredited public colleges.
Anatomy and physiology, dental materials, patient data collection, infection control, prevention, nutrition and nutritional counseling, oral pathology, pharmacology, and use of local anesthesia.
Students may be trained to treat patients with periodontal disease, as well as inpatients, patients with disabilities, and patients with other health conditions in an expanded role as a dental hygienist.
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How Much Do Dental Hygiene Schools Cost In Colorado Springs?
You can earn an associate’s degree from either a community college or a technical college; you can earn your degree in 20-30 months and you will spend between $5,310 and $58,970.
A growing number of four-year colleges and universities also offer dental hygiene education; if you live in Colorado Springs and attend a public school, your tuition may cost as little as $24,600, while attending a private university may cost you $107,850.
Finally, if you want to do research or teach other aspiring dental hygienists, you can get a master’s degree. Earning a master’s degree will take one to two years and will cost you between $32,060 and $99,020.
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What Are The Requirements For Dental Hygiene Schools In Colorado Springs?
Colleges and vocational schools that offer dental assisting programs set standards that must be met for admission. Admission requirements may vary slightly from one school to another, but in general you can expect to follow these standards.
- Have a high school diploma or equivalent
- Some schools require you to get a passing score on exams
The first courses you take in a dental assistant program teach you the basic concepts you need to succeed in the field, such as terminology for different parts of the mouth, common oral diseases, and the tools dentists use.
Your coursework will also cover the correct steps to follow to disinfect equipment and dental treatment areas. During your schooling, you will also learn how to perform dental office tasks, such as how to schedule appointments and check on patients.
Some programs also teach advanced skills, such as how to apply local anesthetic to patients before the dentist begins treatment.
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What Are The Best Dental Hygiene Schools In Colorado Springs?
Aspiring dental hygienists can earn an associate degree in this field. Generally, applicants must complete a certain number of required courses in areas such as psychology, anatomy and physiology, microbiology, and biochemistry.
Clinical experience is integrated into all programs discussed in this article. In addition, all the schools described in this article are accredited by the American Dental Association. Students should note that Concorde Career College in Aurora is a for-profit school; the rest of the schools are government colleges.
#1. Community College of Denver (CCD)
Community College of Denver (CCD) offers dental hygiene degrees at both the Associate (AAS) and Bachelor of Applied Science (BAS) levels at its Lowry campus.
A minimum GPA of 2.5 in general education courses and a minimum GPA of 3.0 in science courses are requirements for the AAS degree program.
The RDH (Registered Dental Hygienist) to BAS track is part of the BA degree. Admission to the BAS program requires either an AA, AAS, or dental hygiene certificate from a CODA-accredited DH program from which CCD will accept transfer credits.
Health or Education are the two education options available to BAS students. The dental care program is also run by CCD.
#2. Colorado Northwestern College
Northwest Colorado Community College is located near Rangeley, near the state border with Utah. It offers a recognized five-semester dental hygiene program leading to an Associate of Applied Science degree.
A minimum GPA of 2.8 and passing grades in all preparatory and general education courses are program requirements.
In addition, CNCC offers three pathways to a dental hygiene curriculum through its Pre-Dental Hygiene program.
#3. Concorde Career College, Aurora
Concorde CareerCollege is one of the dental hygiene schools in Colorado that does not charge an application fee. This college is also less selective when it comes to the admissions process.
It is a small private for-profit institution located in Aurora, Colorado. The college also has an enrollment of 329 students and a total enrollment of 778.
They offer associate degree programs. They offer dental assisting and dental assistant, dental assistant and dental hygiene graduate programs.
#4. Arapahoe Community College
Arapahoe Community College, Littleton is one of the few dental hygiene schools in Colorado that does not charge an application fee and is less selective in its admissions process.
The college has 329 students and a total enrollment of 778. They offer Dental Assisting and Dental Assistant, Dental Assistant and Dental Hygiene Associate Degree program
Pueblo Community College
This college’s Pueblo campus has a 2-year program for future dental hygienists. Students must complete general education courses and prerequisites before enrolling in the dental hygiene program.
Previous courses include psychology, chemistry, human anatomy and physiology, biochemistry, and English composition.
#5. Colorado School of Dental Assisting
With one of the shortest programs in the industry, lasting just eight weeks, students can jumpstart their new careers by completing the Colorado School of Dental Assisting program.
This eight-week course includes a 40-hour externship after the eight weeks. The program also includes dental x-ray certification and training, as well as CPR certification.
#6. Denver Dental Assistant School
Denver Dental Assistant School is a local vocational school that teaches students all the information necessary to pass the certification exam.
There are three tuition options: $4,000 full payment, $220 weekly payment with $1,490 deposit, or $290 weekly payment plan with $690 deposit.
With these tuition fees, students learn sterilization and infection control, moisture control, radiology, charting, proper oral hygiene, dental instruments, CPR, and more.
#7. Emily Griffith Technical College
Emily Griffith Technical College Dental Assistant graduates can use their certificate to work as a dental supply representative, work for a dental insurance company, become a dental laboratory assistant, work in a dental office, or be a dental assistant.
This program lasts seven months and costs about $8,000, excluding book fees and other fees.
#8. Pikes Peak Community College
At Pikes Peak Community College, beginning dental assistants can earn an Associate of Applied Science degree in Dental Assisting, which prepares students to work in a variety of clinical settings.
Students are provided with all the knowledge they need to take the CDA exam.
The curriculum includes dentistry, infection control, introduction to advanced functions, clinical internship and more. It takes about two years to get a specialist degree.
#9. Vail Valley School of Dental Assisting
With a program that lasts only 13 weeks, Vail Valley School of Dental Assisting offers hands-on training and the option to attend evening classes for added flexibility.
For just under $1,300, Vail Valley offers small classes, 50 hours of practicum at a local dental practice, 81 hours of lab and lecture, and certification preparation at one-third the cost of most other programs.
How Much Do Dental Hygienists In Colorado Springs Make?
The estimated total salary for a dental hygienist is $136,596 per year in Colorado Springs, Colorado, with an average salary of $106,648 per year.
These numbers represent the median, which is the middle of the ranges in our own Total Salary Estimate Model and is based on salaries received from our users. The estimated additional payment is $29,948 per year.
Additional compensation may include cash bonus, commission, gratuity and profit sharing. The “Most Likely Range” represents values that lie between the 25th and 75th percentiles of all salary data available for this role.
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How Do I Become Dental Hygienists In Colorado Springs?
To become licensed as a dental hygienist in Colorado, you must complete a dental hygiene training program at an accredited dental hygiene school or college that lasts at least two years.
The program must be accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association (CODA).
There are currently 4 CODA-accredited dental hygiene programs in Colorado, although a number of online institutions now offer CODA-accredited programs through distance education programs.
Although the minimum requirement for dental hygienist licensure in Colorado is an associate’s degree (Associate of Science, Associate of Applied Science, or Associate of Arts), CODA-accredited programs may also be designed as baccalaureate (Bachelor of Science) programs.
Associate and Bachelor of Dental Hygiene programs consist of general education, dental hygiene, and general science courses, and most programs include a clinical rotation in a dental office setting.
The American Dental Hygienists Association recognizes entry-level programs as both associate and baccalaureate programs. It is also common for individuals seeking careers in dental hygiene teaching, administration, or research to complete a master’s degree.
Master’s degrees in dental hygiene are not widely available; therefore, dental hygienists can obtain relevant degrees in allied and medical sciences.
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Best Paying Dental Hygienists Jobs In Colorado Springs
The demand for dental hygienists in Colorado is expected to increase over the next few years. According to projections from the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment, dental hygiene employment will grow by 21% in just a few years to 2028.
In the ten years to 2028, there are about 4,590 dental hygienists working in the state of Colorado.
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Dental Hygiene Schools In Colorado Springs FAQs
Dental hygienists are licensed by the Colorado Department of Regulatory Affairs, Division of Professions and Trades. Professionals must complete an accredited dental hygiene program of at least two years and pass national licensing exams and a clinical exam from one of the regional testing services or a state exam. The National Board Examination is known as the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination (NBDHE).
There are specific requirements for dental hygienists who wish to administer local anesthesia. These include current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification for health care providers and full training at a school accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation, which includes 12 hours of didactic training in anatomy, pharmacology, technique, physiology, and emergency medicine, and 12 hours didactic training hours of clinical training, which includes the administration of a minimum of 6 infiltration and 6 block injections.
After earning a diploma in dental hygiene from a CODA-accredited program, you can take the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination (NBDHE) through the Joint Commission on National Dental Examinations (JCNDE), an independent agency of the American Dental Association (ADA).
The NBDHE contains 350 questions that are designed to assess a person’s knowledge of dental hygiene, the scientific basis of dental hygiene practice, public health principles, research principles, and dental hygiene clinical services. The second component of the NBDHE also requires students to answer 150 questions based on patient dental hygiene cases.
Your Colorado dental hygienist license must be renewed in February of every even-numbered year. You can renew your license online. Colorado has no continuing education requirements for dental hygienists.
Colorado Springs has a population of 465,101, and the entire metropolitan area has over 700,000 people. There will be plenty of job opportunities for graduates of dental assistant programs in the coming years.
Conclusion
Attending one of the best dental hygienist schools in Colorado is advisable to become a state dental hygienist. Another factor why you should become a dental hygienist in Colorado is the growth potential.
This article details the best dental hygienist schools in Colorado, including colleges and universities. If you are an international student aspiring to become a dental health professional and intend to study in the US, read this article as Colorado State may be the perfect dental hygiene school for you.
References
- educationplanetonline.com – 6 Best Dental Hygiene Schools in Colorado-Tuition & Programs
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