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Dental Hygiene Associate Degree Program

San Diego, CA

Train for a career that gets smiles with Concorde in San Diego. Our CODA-accredited 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.

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22

Months

105.5

Credit Hours

385

Lab Hours

640

Clinical Hours

Help Others Keep Their Smiles Healthy

  • Complete your associate degree in as few as 22 months. 
  • Learn to provide cleanings, take x-rays, and promote oral health.
  • Program accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA).

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.

Students pursuing the dental hygiene associate degree program may be able to earn their degree in as few as 22 months. 

Further Your Education

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. 

Take the Next Step Now

Think you’d love to become a dental hygienist? Contact  Concorde San Diego  today to learn if our dental hygiene degree 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.

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Curriculum

  • 385

    Lab Hours

    Practice On-Campus

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

  • 640

    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).

  • 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. 

The dental hygiene associate degree program at Concorde's San Diego 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 22-months of study,  including board certification exam review. 

Associate of Science Coursework Includes:

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

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

California State Licensure Requirements:

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

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. 

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

  2. The Online  Dental Hygiene bachelor's degree completion program is only available to licensed dental hygienists with an associate degree from an accredited institution. The fully online post-licensure program can be completed in as few as 18-months however the average time to complete is approximately 24 months. Completion of the Concorde associate dental hygiene program does not guarantee admittance or graduation for the bachelor's completion degree program.

Career Outlook

Where Can a Dental Hygienist Work?

Dental hygienist job openings should grow as more people seek dental services.

Private & Group Practices

Specialty Practices

Public Health

Hospital Dental Clinics

9%

National Employment Demand (2023-2033) 

National Job Growth Projected 9% 

Address and Hours

San Diego Campus

Campus Hours of Operation

  • Monday - Thursday 8 am - 7 pm
  • Friday 8 am - 5 pm
  • Saturday By Appointment
  • Sunday Closed
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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.

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Financial Aid

Get financial support for your education with our dedicated financial aid team by your side.

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Scholarships

Find the perfect scholarship for your health care goals based on your background, programs or other criteria.

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Institutional Accreditation and Licensure

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: Approval without Reporting Requirements

    The Dental Hygiene program is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation and has been granted the accreditation status of “approval without reporting requirements.” 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/.

Frequently Asked Questions

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Dental Assistantsprovide both clinical and administrative support in a dental office through tasks such as managing patient charts, scheduling appointments, taking X-rays, sterilizing equipment, and many other responsibilities. Dental hygienists perform cleanings and educate patients regarding general oral care and individualized dental health plans.

The Dental Hygiene program at Concorde can be completed in as little as 18 months. However, this varies by location. Please check with an admissions advisor for program length information.

Call us to find out when the Dental Hygiene program starts at a Concorde campus location near you. Program start dates can also be found in the campus catalog located at www.Concorde.edu.

According to BLS.gov, the dental hygienist job field is projected to grow 6 percent through 2029. Dental care is a necessity to have proper oral health and to keep healthy overall. Therefore, the demand for dental services is expected to rise as the population ages.

Becoming a Dental Hygenist comes with many perks as well as being able to promote oral health and overall body health. As a Dental Hygenist, you'll work in a dental office, educating patients about oral hygiene, interacting with a range of patients, providing routine preventive care and early gum disease management, and much more. Dental Hygenists can enjoy a flexible work schedule and have the opportunity for career advancements.

Concorde incorporates real-world training and off-site clinical experiences in our programs.

For program-specific tuition information, please see the campus catalog.

The Dental Hygiene (Associate Of Applied Science) program at Concorde can be completed in as little as 18 months. However, this varies by location. Please check with an admissions advisor for program length information.

Call us to find out when the Dental Hygiene (Associate of Applied Science) program starts at a Concorde campus location near you. Program start dates can also be found in the campus catalog located at www.Concorde.edu.

For program-specific tuition information, please see the campus catalog.

Students who enroll in the BSDH program are licensed hygienists and will transfer in block credit of 60 hours, earning another 60 hours with Concorde. There are two options for this program, Full-Time (70 weeks) and Part-Time (100 weeks).

This varies by state.

Because this is a degree completion program, Concorde does require a candidate to hold a current hygienist license.

This is specific by state.

Our BSDH takes a typical 24 month degree and allows students to earn their bachelor degree in 70 weeks for Full-Time and 100 weeks for Part-Time.
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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.