Dental Hygiene Associate Degree Program

Portland, OR

Learn to Help Others Smile More

Train for a career that gets smiles with Concorde in our Associate of Science in Dental Hygiene program offers you the foundation of science, professional knowledge and clinical skills you need to help others preserve their oral (and overall) health.

Dental Hygiene Associate Degree Program Overview

The dental hygiene program is an Associate of Science degree program. The curriculum is designed to blend theory with hands-on application in both lab and clinical settings. You will learn to work within dental practices to provide cleanings, perform screenings and take x-rays. Your training will also prepare you to provide education on at-home care to patients, as well as act as an important source of information for the dentist, alerting them to problems or changes in a patients’ dental health.

  • The Portland program has received initial accreditation by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA). 
  • Students pursuing the dental hygiene associate degree program may be able to earn their degree in as few as 17-months. 

Further Your Education with a Bachelor's Degree

Graduates of the dental hygiene associate degree program may also, be eligible to further their education and pursue a Dental Hygiene bachelor's degree through Concorde's online degree completion program. The online bachelor's degree completion program requires that applicants have earned an associate degree in dental hygiene from an accredited institution and are a licensed dental hygienist. Concorde graduates may also be eligible for a Concorde Alumni Grant to help with tuition. 

Now Enrolling for Portland Campus' Dental Hygiene Degree Program

Concorde's Portland campus is seeking dedicated students who want to:

  • Learn to provide cleanings, take x-rays, and promote oral health.
  • Prepare for career opportunities in private practices, clinics, cosmetic dentistry, and more
  • Complete the diploma in as few as 17-months 

Get started by scheduling an in-person or virtual Career Planning Session, tour the campus and explore if the dental hygiene program is right for you!

  1. **Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics 2023-2033 projected job demand https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/dental-hygienists.htm Projections are national. Local job market demand may vary.

  2. Financial aid is available to those who qualify. Concorde does not guarantee eligibility or award amount. Please speak with your campus' financial aid specialist. 

  3. The program in dental hygiene 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 (312) 440-4653 or at 211 East Chicago Avenue, Chicago, IL 60611. The Commission’s web address is www.coda.ada.org

17

Months

9%

National Employment Demand (2023-2033)

91.5

Credit Hours

210

Lab Hours

550

Clinical Hours

Get Started

Curriculum

Dental Hygiene Program Coursework

The dental hygiene associate degree program at Concorde's Portland campus covers general education, dental science and practical skills. Thanks to our on-site dental clinic, you can also gain supervised clinical experience treating patients and serving the local community while you learn. You can complete this program in as few as 17-months of study,  including board certification exam review. 

  • Anatomy and Physiology
  • Dental Materials
  • Dental Office Management
  • Dental Radiography
  • Periodontology
  • Dental Public Health
  • Dental Law and Ethics

On-Campus Dental Hygiene Clinics

Open to the public, Concorde offers low-cost dental hygiene treatments through its on-campus dental hygiene clinic. Concorde dental hygiene students, as part of their program work under the supervision of the program director and a licensed dentist to deliver affordable oral care to visiting patients. 

The clinical experience provides Concorde graduates with a variety of cases and medical professional interactions - helping you better prepare for a career as a dental hygienist. 

210

Lab Hours

Practice On-Campus

Students will complete on-campus labs including simulations and patient care settings. 

550

Clinical Hours

Real-World Application

Taking what you've learned in the classroom and practiced in a lab will culminate with real-world application through on-campus public clinical rotation(s).

Dental Hygiene Licensure & Certification

When you graduate, you’ll be eligible to sit for the National Board Dental Hygiene  Examination. 

Licensure Requirements:

  • Graduate from a Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA)-accredited Dental Hygiene program.
  • Undergo a criminal history investigation.
  • Pass a written Dental Law & Ethics Examination.
  • Pass the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination.
  • Pass the state clinical board or an authorized regional clinical board.

The cost for your certification exam as well as pre-certification exam prep coursework is covered by Concorde.

Tuition fee for the program of study includes the cost for an eligible graduate's first attempt to sit for professional certification.

Concorde expects all students to complete pre-certification exam prep training through the campus resources at no additional cost to the student. 

Continuing Education to Earn a Bachelor's Degree

Looking to further your education beyond an associate degree, then consider Concorde's online  Dental Hygiene bachelor's degree completion program. Available to licensed dental hygienists with an associate degree. The fully online post-licensure program can be completed in as few as 18-months. 

Third Party Call for Comments

  1. Prep does not guarantee certification, employment or subsequent salary.

 

Career Outlook

Demand for Dental Hygienists

Dental hygienists are licensed oral health professionals who work directly with patients, in collaboration with a dentist. Hygienists will with patients through cleanings, procedures and education that includes repeat visits; developing a long-term trusting relationship. 

Whether in a private practice or through community healthy providers, dental hygienists are important part of a patient's oral care experience.

9%

Projected national job demand for dental hygienists from 2023-2033 

Where do Dental Hygienists Work

  • Private & Group Practices
  • Specialty Practices
  • Public Health
  • Hospital Dental Clinics 

Address and Hours

Portland Campus

1425 NE Irving St.
Portland, Oregon 97232

PH: (971) 229-4551
FX: (503) 281-6739

Campus Hours of Operation

  • Monday - Thursday 8 am - 8 pm
  • Friday 8 am - 5 pm
  • Saturday By Appointment
  • Sunday Closed
Schedule A Tour

Financial Aid

As part of our commitment to your success, Concorde ensures that you have access to comprehensive information and guidance in navigating the financial aid process. Concorde offers financial aid and scholarship programs to those who qualify.

Accreditation

Accreditation and licensure are an important part of an academic institution’s operation. Visit our Accreditations and Licensure page for more details about our accreditations and licensure.

CODA: Initial Accreditation

The Dental Hygiene program is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation and has been granted the accreditation status of “initial accreditation”. CODA is a specialized accrediting body recognized by the United States Department of Education. Commission on Dental Accreditation: 211 East Chicago Avenue, Chicago, IL 60611; 312-440-4653; https://coda.ada.org/

CODA logo

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  1. Program length may be subject to change dependent on transfer credits and course load. Please refer to current course catalog for more information. Concorde does not guarantee admittance, graduation, subsequent employment or salary amount.

  2. Professional certification is not a requirement for graduation, may not be a requirement for employment nor does it guarantee employment.

  3. Financial aid is available to those who qualify but may not be available for all programs. Concorde does not guarantee financial aid or scholarship awards or amounts.

  4. Clinical hour requirements and delivery may vary by campus location and may be subject to change. Concorde does not guarantee clinical site assignments based upon student preference or geographic convenience; nor do clinical experiences guarantee graduation, post-clinical employment or salary outcomes.

  5. Registration and certification requirements for taking and passing these examinations are not controlled by Concorde, but by outside agencies, and are subject to change by the agency without notice. Therefore, Concorde cannot guarantee that graduates will be eligible to take these exams, at all or at any specific time, regardless of their eligibility status upon enrollment.

  6. Externships are a non-paid in-person learning experience, whose length and location may be subject to change. Concorde does not guarantee externship placement, graduation, post-externship employment or salary outcomes.