A solid career in dentistry begins with knowing the best dental hygiene schools in Texas to study. In the best school, dentistry will be worth the while.
Being a dental hygienist is one of the best career options for someone who wants to assist people and promote excellent health, and this is particularly true in Texas. Hundreds of dental hygienists are in the state, and the vast majority are incredibly good with their work.
When you decide to pursue a career as a dental hygienist, you will earn a fantastic wage and have better-than-average job stability. The choice of the school where you will receive the training necessary to function as a dental hygienist is the most crucial choice you will make.
To assist you in making wise choices regarding your future education and career, the best dental hygiene programs in Texas are below, along with information about the job outlook.
Are there Dental Hygiene Schools in Texas?
Yes. There are dental hygiene schools in Texas offering different degrees. These include:
- Tarrant County College
- Midwestern State University
- Texas A&M University
- Concorde Career College
- Texas Woman’s University
- Texas State Technical College
- Del Mar College
- El Paso Community College
- Amarillo College
- Pima Medical Institute
- The University of Texas Health Science Center
- Coastal Bend College
- Lamar Institute of Technology
- Howard College
- Lone Star College
How Much Do Dental Hygiene Schools Cost in Texas?
The cost of dental hygiene schools in Texas depends on the program you decide to enrol in. Texas dental hygiene schools offer bachelor’s, associate’s, and master’s programs.
Furthermore, as an applicant, you should already have a particular degree program in mind that you would want to enrol in. Depending on your educational path, costs can total anywhere from $3450 to close to $150,000.
A Bachelor’s Degree would also cost between $16,390-$71,850, a Master’s Degree would cost between $21,360-$65,960, and an Associate’s Degree would cost roughly $3,540-$39,280.
You can also read – Best Dental Hygiene Schools in Florida | Cost, Requirements, How to Apply
What are the Requirements for Dental Hygiene Schools in Texas?
As an applicant seeking to enrol in one of the best dental hygiene schools in texas, you should get good information about the school’s requirements. This prepares you ahead in making your application process easier.
Some of the requirements for dental hygiene schools in Texas are:
- A minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5
- Transcripts from high school/colleges attended
- Completed Dental Hygiene Program Application
- Application fee
- Passport
- TOEFL is a requirement if the applicant did not attend high school in the United States.
Also read – Best Dental Hygiene Schools in New York | Cost, Requirements, How to Apply
What are the Best Dental Hygiene Schools in Texas?
1. Texas A&M University
The dentistry school at Texas A&M University provides students with numerous possibilities to enjoy the local environment and network with students from other universities because it is in the heart of the Dallas-Fort Worth area’s entertainment, cultural, and educational hub. Due to the size of the dentistry school, students also gain from learning when they work with peers from various disciplines.
A two-year dental hygiene bachelor’s degree is available from the college. For students who have additional obligations, the program is still available as a full-time alternative; however, the college offers a part-time schedule in the first year, extending it by one more year.
2. Midwestern State University
At its Gaines Clinic, Midwestern State University teaches dental hygiene. Here, you get valuable hands-on experience while working with various patients.
You can obtain a bachelor’s degree from the college in two years. You can finish the basic and important core courses needed before beginning your two-year dental hygiene study at Midwestern or any other approved college of your choosing. Each year, 18 students get access into this program. They begin their studies in the fall and complete it over the course of two years.
3. Concorde Career College
Dental hygiene students at Concorde Career College receive high-quality training that prepares them for employment following graduation. Students receive clinical training at several connected sites to develop job-ready skills.
A fast associate degree in dental hygiene can also be earned in Texas in as little as 17 months. The program covers biological, behavioural, and social sciences elements and dental hygiene classes. This gives you a well-rounded education and improves your communication, critical thinking, and decision-making abilities, which will help you give patients competent treatment.
4. Tarrant County College
Every dental hygiene student at Tarrant County College has a supportive environment that encourages them to pursue their particular professional goals.
Its committed staff creates a curriculum that covers a wide range of subjects, producing knowledgeable graduates who are equipped to handle problems in the real world.
A GPA of 3.5 is advised to improve your chances of admission because they are competitive. You will be qualified to sit for the federal and state licensing examinations once you have successfully completed the 68-credit program.
5. Texas Woman’s University
Graduates of the dental hygiene program at Texas Woman’s University are prepared for various careers in patient care, public health, research, education, and entrepreneurship.
Several customizable program options are also available at this Texas dental hygiene school.
6. Pima Medical Institute
Dental hygiene training that will get you hired is available from Pima Medical Institute to help you prepare for this demanding vocation. A chance for an externship in a variety of settings, including hospitals and dental clinics, is included in the program.
Moreover, as you work with professionals, develop work ethics, and expand your professional network, this learning experience is beneficial.
The college also offers a two-year associate degree program that provides you with the skills and information necessary to perform entry-level tasks in several settings, including patient assessment and evaluation, cleaning and polishing teeth, dental radiography, and patient management. The Online Bachelor of Science in Health Care Administration degree program, which prepares you for leadership roles in the healthcare industry, can be entered through this program.
7. El Paso Community College
Dental hygiene students at El Paso Community College can pursue their own academic and professional goals by taking advantage of the college’s favourable learning atmosphere, cutting-edge facilities, and intimate class sizes.
The college’s dental hygiene program is an associate degree program that can be finished in two years. Dental hygiene classes and biological and dental sciences are also included in the curriculum. You will learn, therefore, how to give patients preventative oral care, including teaching them about proper diet and oral hygiene, cleaning their teeth and removing plaque, using fluoride and sealants to prevent tooth decay, and processing and analyzing dental x-rays.
8. Amarillo College
Amarillo College’s state-of-the-art Jones Hall facility houses a top-notch dental hygiene program. Ten months out of every year, the on-campus dentistry clinic treats patients from the neighbourhood. The opportunity to practice on actual patients helps students develop their professional skills.
After being accepted into the program, you will finish classes in oral anatomy and histology, nutrition, dental materials, dental pharmacology, oral and general pathology, dental radiology, and community dentistry.
9. Del Mar College
With the intensive lab and clinical training students receive at Del Mar College, dental hygiene graduates acquire skills that are marketable in the workforce. The faculty works hard to keep the curriculum and instructional methods current with the evolving dentistry industry trends.
The dental hygiene programme at the college lasts four semesters to finish. You may enhance oral health and cleanliness by using the entry-level skills taught in this well-rounded curriculum. Students must hone their professional abilities on dental mannequins and their classmates during the first year. Students at Del Mar College’s free dental clinic perform dental hygiene operations on patients after receiving adequate practice.
10. Texas State Technical College
Texas State Technical College has a dental hygiene program at its Harlingen location. The instructors and staff here work hard to equip students with employable skills and launch programs for their personal and professional growth where they are encouraged to engage and pick up crucial knowledge.
Texas offers a two-year Associate of Applied Science program in dental hygiene. After enrolling, you will finish the dental hygiene curriculum, which will educate you on the technical and clinical abilities necessary to provide oral hygiene services to the general population. You will be qualified to work as a dental hygienist at entry-level in various settings, including dental offices, hospitals, and community health centres, once you graduate.
11. Lone Star College
Clinical experience is emphasized in the dental hygiene curriculum at Lone Star College, allowing students to polish their technical and clinical abilities before beginning their first job. Thanks to cutting-edge facilities, students may easily use digital radiography, office management software, and ultrasound technologies.
Along with that, Lone Star collaborates with Texas Woman’s University to offer a dual enrollment program. It enables dental hygiene students to complete their associate degree at Lone Star while taking online courses through TWU to acquire a bachelor’s degree in dental hygiene. In this manner, you will graduate after two years with two degrees.
12. Lamar Institute of Technology
Lamar Institute of Technology provides high-quality dental hygiene education with its skilled and devoted staff. Students can hone their clinical abilities in a secure setting with state-of-the-art lab facilities provided by the college.
Additionally, students are given the chance to give back to the community by providing discounted dental services through the school’s on-campus dental clinic. An associate’s degree in dental hygiene is available from the institution, preparing you for employment in dental offices, hospitals, public health departments, and schools as well as state and federal licensure exams.
13. Howard College
The dental hygiene faculty support each student’s academic and career aspirations at Howard College. The college’s associate degree program in dental hygiene can be finished in roughly two years.
It is advised that you finish the general education and science courses before beginning the intense oral hygiene portion of the curriculum. Oral anatomy, dental radiology, dental nutrition, preventative dental hygiene, dental materials, periodontology, community dentistry, and dental pharmacology are a few of the courses you take.
14. Coastal Bend College
Coastal Bend College prepares many students to work as competent healthcare providers. It is commonly known that dental hygiene program graduates did exceptionally well on their national and state licensing exams.
To keep the curriculum current, the faculty communicates with dental specialists regularly. Before the first semester begins, students can allocate more time for the dental hygiene coursework and typically succeed academically if they finish the general education and science requirements. Once you have completed this program, you will be qualified to work as an entry-level dental hygienist in various job environments.
15. University of Texas Health Science Center
The cutting-edge Texas Medical Center at the University of Texas Health Science Center is home to a vibrant faculty. Students of dental hygiene gain knowledge from discussions with undergraduate and graduate students in other dental specialties. Those who desire to pursue a profession in dental hygiene have a variety of alternatives at the University of Texas Health Science Center.
Best Paying Dental Hygiene Jobs in Texas with Salary
The more experience you have working as a dental hygienist within the state of Texas, the more you can earn. You also need to remember that as a dental hygienist in Texas, your salary will be higher if you have a bachelor’s or master’s degree than an associate’s degree.
These are some of the best-paying dental hygiene jobs in Texas with their respective salary:
- Temporary Dentist with an annual salary of $125,325
- Dental Orthodontist with an annual salary of $123,517
- Family Dentist with an annual salary of $117,198
- Cosmetic Dentist with an annual salary of $104,341
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Conclusion
Although Texas is a large state with numerous dental hygiene programs, not all of them offer the high-quality training that will best prepare you for your future. It’s critical to select a school that provides you with all the resources you want to succeed, including online course access, clinical sites close to your residence, flexible scheduling options, and more.
You would have access to many opportunities in the medical industry as a dental hygienist, and your employees as one would expose you to many various aspects of the field. When deciding which Texas dental school is best for you, it is crucial to take extra care. Best of luck.
You can also read – Best Dental Hygiene Schools in Utah | Cost, Requirements, How to Apply
Frequently Asked Questions
Dental hygienists and registered nurses both make good money. Registered nurses make an average yearly salary of $75,330, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. In contrast, the US’s median yearly compensation for dental hygienists is $77,090. The place you work may also have a bearing on your salary.
With an associate, bachelor’s, or master’s degree, you can work as a dental hygienist, and each one offers advantages and disadvantages. You will put in at least 20 months of study time, and depending on the degree, you could put in up to six.
Many dental hygienists opt to work three to four days a week for eight hours each. A dental hygienist typically sees eight patients per workday, or one each hour.
In Texas, more than 13,230 dental hygienists are currently licensed.
References
- careercrawlers.com – 17 Best Dental Hygiene Schools In Texas – Admission, Tuition, and More
- nursingprocess.org – Best Dental Hygiene Schools in Texas – 2022