The Best Online Dental Hygiene Schools: 2024

Explore top schools, review online courses, curriculum, financing options, and the licensing you’ll need to get your career started. Take your first steps toward a degree in dental hygiene today.

When you enroll in an online dental hygiene program, you need to be confident you’re going to receive the training necessary to land a job after graduation. Because it can be difficult to know which school to choose, EduMed has put together the best and most affordable online dental hygiene schools around the country for students to review. With data and information that’s updated frequently, future dental hygienists get the most up-to-date info on schools that we have vetted for cost, quality, and flexibility. See who’s making a difference for 2024.

#	School Name	Type	Tuition	Online Programs	School Information	Online Students	Academic Counseling	Career Placement	Students w/Institutional Aid
1	Ohio State University-Main CampusColumbus, OH	Public	$$	2	The Dental Hygiene Baccalaureate Degree Completion Program from Ohio State University is designed for currently licensed dental hygienists. The 100% online curriculum will cover more theoretical dental hygiene topics, such as research methods, finance, management, and employment concerns. The classes are offered asynchronously, meaning students can attend class from anywhere and at any time. This also allows for self-paced learning so students can complete the four semesters of coursework in as little as one year or as many as five. Program Highlights: RDH to Bachelor of Science, Dental Hygiene Credits: 55 Length: 4 semesters Cost: $405.88/credit Mode: Fully online Accreditation: CODA	Academic CounselingYes	Career PlacementYes	Student/ Faculty Ratio18/1	Online Student %77%
2	University of New Mexico-Main CampusAlbuquerque, NM	Public	$	2	The University of New Mexico's Master of Science in Dental Hygiene program is ideal for practicing dental hygienists who want to shift into the academic and research realms. Most incoming students will want to continue working while taking classes so there are no in-person requirements and the curriculum can be completed at an accelerated pace. Each class lasts just eight weeks, so they're easier to fit into busy schedules. To apply, individuals must have a current dental hygiene license, bachelor's degree, and an undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0. Program Highlights: MS in Dental Hygiene Credits: 30 Length: About 1-2 years Cost: $428.12/credit hour Mode: Fully online Accreditation: CODA	Academic CounselingYes	Career PlacementYes	Student/ Faculty Ratio13/1	Online Student %53%
3	St Petersburg CollegeSt. Petersburg, FL	Public	$	2	St. Petersburg College's Bachelor of Applied Science in Dental Hygiene program is unique in several ways. It's the only bachelor's-level dental hygiene program in the state. All coursework is fully online; the only in-person requirement comes from completing a capstone course where students will apply their knowledge in a real-world setting. Students can choose to enroll in the traditional bachelor's degree pathway or begin this program while also completing their associate degree in dental hygiene. And finally, students progress as a cohort and complete classes one at a time, with each class lasting six to eight weeks. Program Highlights: BAS in Dental Hygiene Credits: 120 Length: Varies Cost: $111.75/credit (resident, lower division), $122.70/credit (resident, upper division), $386.90/credit (non-resident, lower division), and $425.79 (non-resident, upper division) Mode: Partially online Accreditation: CODA	Academic CounselingYes	Career PlacementYes	Student/ Faculty Ratio22/1	Online Student %76%
4	Old Dominion UniversityNorfolk, VA	Public	$$	2		Academic CounselingYes	Career PlacementYes	Student/ Faculty Ratio16/1	Online Student %76%
5	Pennsylvania College of TechnologyWilliamsport, PA	Public	$$$	2		Academic CounselingYes	Career PlacementYes	Student/ Faculty Ratio14/1	Online Student %47%
6	University of Michigan-Ann ArborAnn Arbor, MI	Public	$$$$	2		Academic CounselingYes	Career PlacementYes	Student/ Faculty Ratio12/1	Online Student %34%
7	Texas Woman’s UniversityDenton, TX	Public	$	1		Academic CounselingYes	Career PlacementYes	Student/ Faculty Ratio17/1	Online Student %78%
8	Idaho State UniversityPocatello, ID	Public	$	1		Academic CounselingYes	Career PlacementYes	Student/ Faculty Ratio13/1	Online Student %59%
9	University of Missouri-Kansas CityKansas City, MO	Public	$	2		Academic CounselingYes	Career PlacementYes	Student/ Faculty Ratio14/1	Online Student %44%
10	Utah Valley UniversityOrem, UT	Public	$	2		Academic CounselingYes	Career PlacementYes	Student/ Faculty Ratio25/1	Online Student %56%
11	Vermont Technical CollegeRandolph, VT	Public	$$	2		Academic CounselingYes	Career PlacementYes	Student/ Faculty Ratio8/1	Online Student %41%
12	Farmingdale State CollegeFarmingdale, NY	Public	$	1		Academic CounselingYes	Career PlacementYes	Student/ Faculty Ratio17/1	Online Student %64%
13	East Tennessee State UniversityJohnson City, TN	Public	$	1		Academic CounselingYes	Career PlacementYes	Student/ Faculty Ratio15/1	Online Student %61%
14	Eastern Washington UniversityCheney, WA	Public	$$	1		Academic CounselingYes	Career PlacementYes	Student/ Faculty Ratio20/1	Online Student %55%
15	Northern Arizona UniversityFlagstaff, AZ	Public	$$	1		Academic CounselingYes	Career PlacementYes	Student/ Faculty Ratio21/1	Online Student %55%
16	Plaza CollegeForest Hills, NY	Private for-profit	$$	1		Academic CounselingYes	Career PlacementYes	Student/ Faculty Ratio28/1	Online Student %100%
17	Southern Illinois University-CarbondaleCarbondale, IL	Public	$	1		Academic CounselingYes	Career PlacementYes	Student/ Faculty Ratio10/1	Online Student %40%
18	Herzing University-MinneapolisSt. Louis Park, MN	Private not-for-profit	$$	1		Academic CounselingYes	Career PlacementYes	Student/ Faculty Ratio13/1	Online Student %71%
19	Ferris State UniversityBig Rapids, MI	Public	$$	1		Academic CounselingYes	Career PlacementYes	Student/ Faculty Ratio15/1	Online Student %46%
20	Wichita State UniversityWichita, KS	Public	$	1		Academic CounselingYes	Career PlacementYes	Student/ Faculty Ratio19/1	Online Student %57%
21	Oregon Institute of TechnologyKlamath Falls, OR	Public	$$	1		Academic CounselingYes	Career PlacementYes	Student/ Faculty Ratio15/1	Online Student %31%
22	The University of Texas Health Science Center at San AntonioSan Antonio, TX	Public	$	2		Academic CounselingYes	Career PlacementYes	Student/ Faculty Ratio5/1	Online Student %4%
23	Minnesota State University-MankatoMankato, MN	Public	$	1		Academic CounselingYes	Career PlacementYes	Student/ Faculty Ratio21/1	Online Student %53%

#	School Name	Type	Tuition	Online Programs	More Details	School Information	Online Students	Academic Counseling	Career Placement	Students w/Institutional Aid	Median Earnings 10yrs After Entry	Accreditation
1	Mt Hood Community CollegeGresham, OR	Public	$	1		Learners interested in becoming a dental hygienist should consider the two year associate degree from Mount Hood Community College. In this program, students take courses in dental anatomy, dental hygiene clinical theory, and oral radiology. The course curriculum is preset and full of courses that qualify students for the National and Regional Board exams. For added flexibility, all courses are offered online. By the time students graduate, they are prepared to be licensed dental hygienists. Program Highlights: Associate of Applied Science, Dental Hygiene Credits: 89 Length: About 2 years Cost: $122/credit in-state \| $247/credit out-of-state Mode: Hybrid Accreditation: Commission on Dental Accreditation	Academic CounselingYes	Career PlacementYes	Student/ Faculty Ratio17/1	Online Student %40%

#

School Name

Type

Tuition

Online Programs

More Details

School Information

Online Students

Academic Counseling

Career Placement

Students w/Institutional Aid

Median Earnings 10yrs After Entry

Accreditation

1

Mt Hood Community CollegeGresham, OR

Public

$

1

Learners interested in becoming a dental hygienist should consider the two year associate degree from Mount Hood Community College. In this program, students take courses in dental anatomy, dental hygiene clinical theory, and oral radiology. The course curriculum is preset and full of courses that qualify students for the National and Regional Board exams. For added flexibility, all courses are offered online. By the time students graduate, they are prepared to be licensed dental hygienists.

Program Highlights:

Associate of Applied Science, Dental Hygiene

Credits: 89
Length: About 2 years
Cost: $122/credit in-state | $247/credit out-of-state
Mode: Hybrid
Accreditation: Commission on Dental Accreditation

Academic
CounselingYes

Career
PlacementYes

Student/
Faculty Ratio17/1

Online
Student %40%

Profiling an Online Dental Hygiene Program

Finding the right program is never easy. You can look at the data and read reviews, but the devil is in the details. To help aspiring dental hygienists narrow down their options, we’ve thoroughly researched three online dental hygiene programs, looking for curriculum goals, cost structures, admissions requirements, and more. Get the inside scoop on one of today’s most popular dental hygiene programs with courses available online.

Lone Star College

Lone Star College offers an associate’s degree program that is designed to help future dental hygienists enter the workforce quickly. The school provides small class sizes so students get the individualized attention they need from instructors to get the most out of the program. In addition, the school has state-of-the-art equipment for the hands-on training part of the program, including ultrasonic and radiographic technologies. Armed with these tools, students take coursework in community dentistry, dental materials, periodontology, and medical microbiology to get the intensive training they need to enter the field.

In order to gain admission into Lone Star College’s program, prospective students must complete prerequisite classes in chemistry, anatomy, physiology, and sociology. In addition, applicants must have an overall minimum grade point average of 2.0 and they are required to attend an information session at the school during the application process. After being formally admitted, students are required to undergo a background check and earn a CPR certification.

As of early 2020, the tuition to attend Lone Star College’s dental hygiene program is about $800 per semester. Students are able to get assistance to help defray the cost with grants and loans, as well as work-study and book advances.

What Dental Hygiene Programs Are Fully Online?

Those who have completed entry-level education in dental hygiene have the option to enroll in a fully online degree program. This is a convenient alternative for those who may be working full-time jobs or raising families, and they get the same quality education that their on-campus counterparts receive. The following are examples of some of these fully online dental hygiene programs.

Degree Completion Program

Degree completion programs are for licensed dental hygienists who have already completed a certificate or associate degree program and want to get further training that opens more doors for them in their career. In order to be admitted into these programs, students are generally required to have an active license in the state, a minimum grade point average of 2.5, and relevant work experience.

These programs, which can take about two years to complete, build on dental hygienists’ prior knowledge and skills by offering coursework in advanced industry science and practices. Through this combination of evidence-based theories and advanced techniques, students leave the program with stronger decision-making, communication, and leadership skills that can help them qualify for higher-level jobs and command larger salaries. As a result, students can get employment in a variety of settings including dentists’ offices, hospitals, public health agencies, or private companies after graduation.

Master’s Degree

Many professionals who grow into their role as dental hygienists eventually desire to take on more responsibilities—even beyond the one’s they learned on the bachelor’s degree level. For these people, a master’s degree program can prepare them for leadership roles in the field—whether they want to teach the next generation of dental hygienists, perform research that improves clinical practices, or take a managerial role in a health care facility. In order to be admitted into a graduate-level program, prospective students are required to have a dental hygiene bachelor’s degree, a 3.0 minimum grade point average, a current license, and a certain minimum score on the GRE or TOEFL. Also, schools may require applicants to have a certain amount of clinical experience.

Students in master’s degree programs learn advanced concepts related to oral microbiology and pathology, periodontics, immunology, and histology. In addition, they will obtain skills that allow them to move up in their careers, such as research, leadership, teaching, and written and verbal communication skills. After taking two years of coursework, students may be required to complete a thesis based on their own independent research.

Resources:

Entry-level Dental Hygiene Courses with Online Components

In order to prepare to take the licensing exam and find employment, future dental hygienists should enroll in entry-level programs that gives them clinical experience and teach them the basic theories of the field. These programs are often attractive to those who want to start a new career, so they are offered in the online and hybrid formats that allow them to conveniently fit their classwork into their work schedules.

Those who enroll in programs that are conducted completely online can take all of their classes through their school’s learning management system. As a result, they can watch lectures, collaborate with professors and peers, access course material, hand in assignments, and take tests online. However, in order to get the clinical experience they need to put the ideas they learned into practice, they will be required to participate in laboratory work on campus, as well as internships in a dental office. On the other hand, students who enroll in partially online dental hygiene programs complete most of their work on campus, but they do have the opportunity to complete some of their classwork online.

The following are examples of the different degree levels that train dental hygienists.

Certificate

Through a combination of clinical experiences and academic instruction, students who enroll in certificate programs can prepare for a dental hygiene career in about two to three years. These programs can be competitive, so schools expect students to demonstrate high academic performance, as well as a strong desire to work in a dental office to help the community, in order to be admitted. Some of the admissions requirements may include earning a CPR certification, completing a high school diploma or its equivalent, and participating in a criminal background check. In addition, students may be expected to complete prerequisite classes in microbiology, chemistry, and anatomy before they can be officially admitted into the program.

Although these programs are not as common as associate degrees, dental hygiene certificates are a good choice for those who want intensive training. After they complete their certificate, graduates can go on to work in general dental practices, nursing homes, hospitals, and public health clinics.

Associate

Like certificate programs, associate degree programs are designed to train students to earn their license and land entry-level jobs by teaching basic patient care skills. In order to be admitted, students should also have a high school diploma and CPR certification, as well as a background check.

Although the dental hygiene curriculum is similar to certificates, associate’s degree programs also have additional general education requirements in areas like sociology, mathematics, and psychology. Students in these programs are also expected to complete a certain number of clinical hours that include in-class simulations and real-world experiences in a doctor’s office.

Bachelor’s

Dental hygiene bachelor’s degrees are generally for those who want to train for career advancement, although in some cases, programs accept students who don’t have previous experience. These programs, which take four years to complete, allow people with an active dental hygiene license to get more advanced skills than they learned in their associate’s degree program, as well as help those who have never studied this discipline develop the capabilities they need to enter the field.

Resources:

Core Dental Hygiene Classes

The exact curriculum of a dental hygiene program can vary from school to school, however, they are all designed to teach students the skills they need to pass their licensing examination and have a successful career. In addition, students on different levels will find different types of classes available. The following are examples of some of the coursework that can be found in these programs.

Oral Anatomy: This course is designed to lay the foundational knowledge of all the services students will provide to their patients. The curriculum covers parts of the oral cavity, as well as the neck and head, and instructs students on how to navigate tools in these areas. In some cases, this course may have classroom and laboratory components.

Pharmacology: Pharmacology classes focus on the medications used to treat dental problems. Students learn the different types of medications found in a dental practice, how medications are administered, and the positive and negative effects of these drugs. The course may also discuss controlled substances and addiction in order for students to get a full understanding of the ramifications of using certain types of drugs.

Periodontology: Students who take this class learn about periodontal anatomy and physiology, and how to identify diseases that are in this area of the body. They also get experience performing assessments, treating periodontal problems, and educating patients about disease management.

Research Principles: This class covers the principles and methods of conducting evidence-based research. The curriculum addresses how to craft a hypothesis, plan and design a study, execute the research, and analyze and present data. Students may also learn about the ethics associated with conducting original research, as well as the technology tools researchers use during the course of a study.

Restorative Dentistry: The principles, procedures, and tools of restorative dentistry are covered in this course. Students get hands-on experience of restorative dentistry practices, including how to select and prepare materials that are used on patients.

Community Dentistry: Students who want to work in a public health setting can take this class to learn about the role that community dentistry can play in a specific location. The course covers how public health programs are developed and implemented from start to finish. In addition, the class may cover how to perform a statistical analysis of community dental health data.

Other courses include:

Dental Ethics
Oral Radiology
Emergency Medicine
Dental Materials
Dental Office Practice
Patients With Special Needs
Biochemistry
Patient Records
Dental Specialties
Clinical Practice

How to Finance an Online Dental Hygiene Program

Like students in other types of academic programs, those enrolled in dental hygiene schools have the opportunity to obtain financial aid for their education—such as loans, grants, and scholarships. In some cases, funding may be available directly from a student’s school: For example, the University of Hawaii, the University of South Dakota, and the University of Missouri-Kansas City are among the schools that offer scholarships to its dental hygiene students. In addition, professional organizations for members of the field may also offer funding to support the next generation of dental hygienists. For example, the American Dental Hygienists Association Institute for Oral Health has scholarships, fellowships, and grants available. Students who need additional funding may be able to receive federal subsidized or unsubsidized loans.

Dental Hygiene Scholarships & Grants

There are several sources of education funding available to those studying dental hygiene. The following are some examples of scholarships and grants students may be eligible to receive.

For more information on funding options, check out our full guide on financial aid for medical and healthcare students.

Getting Your Dental Hygienist License

Dental hygiene professionals are required to obtain a license before they can legally hold down a job in the field. In order to do this, people are required to complete a program that has been accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation and pass the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination. Individual states may also have additional requirements, such as passing a state examination.

Step 1: Complete an Accredited Dental Hygiene Program

The Commission on Dental Accreditation, or CODA, is the only agency that accredits dental hygiene programs. Accreditation is important because it certifies the quality of a degree program, so in order to do this, the organization evaluates schools based on their curriculum, academic policies, and facilities for hands-on training.

Step 2: Pass the NBDHE Exam

The National Board Dental Hygiene Examination is a two-part multiple choice test, which is made up of 350 questions, designed to gauge students’ understanding of the concepts and techniques they learned in their degree program. The first section of the test includes 200 questions that cover community health and research, dental hygiene science, and clinical services. In the second part of the test, students are presented with case studies that describe challenges dental hygienists face and are asked how to handle these scenarios.

Step 3: Pass Regional or State Clinical Exam

In addition to the NBDHE, prospective dental hygienists are required to pass a clinical examination in order to demonstrate their understanding of the hands-on training they received. Some states have their own test, while others use tests that are provided by the Southern Regional Testing Agency (SRTA), the North East Regional Board (NERB) of Dental Examiners, the Council of Interstate Testing Agencies (CITA), the Western Regional Examining Board (WREB), or the Central Regional Dental Testing Services (CRDTS).

Step 4 (Varies): Fulfill Additional State Requirements

Individual states may have additional dental hygienist licensure requirements, such as obtaining a Basic Life Support certification, passing a jurisprudence exam, or completing infection control training. Professionals may also be expected to undergo criminal background checks and child abuse clearance.

Dental Hygienist Career Outlook & Salary Potential

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, jobs for dental hygienists are expected to grow by 20 percent between 2016 and 2026, which amounts to 40,900 additional positions for students to land after graduation. The agency reports that this job growth can be attributed to older people being more likely to keep their natural teeth than previous generations.

Other medical support professions will also experience growth during this time period. For example, dental assistants will see a 19 percent increase in jobs, medical assistants will have 29 percent more positions, and the growth for physician assistants will be 37 percent.

How Much Can You Make as a Dental Hygienist?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, as of May 2016, the median annual salary for dental hygienists is $72,910. In addition, the top 10 percent of earners made $100,170, while the bottom 10 percent earn $50,870.