Registered Dental Hygienist
CurriculumDirect to Work
Offered in the Classroom
- AAS Associate of Applied Science Degree | 65 Credits
Dental Hygiene
About Our Program
Located at our Lowry location, CCD offers one of the most respected dental hygiene programs in the state. It is also one of only three community colleges in Colorado offering an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in dental hygiene.
Advising Open House
Interested in learning more about our dental hygiene program? Currently taking prerequisite classes for dental hygiene? Ready to apply? If you answered "yes" to any of these questions, join us for our advising open house on Tuesday, April 2, 2019, 4:00 p.m. RESERVE YOUR SPOT - RSVP HERE.Become a Registered Dental Hygienist
After you have completed the dental hygiene program at CCD (65 credits) along with the required prerequisites (28 credits), you will earn an associate degree and will be ready to take the licensure exams to become a registered dental hygienist. In that role, you will be a preventive oral health professional, providing educational, clinical, and therapeutic services to dental patients. This opens the door for you to work in a private dental practice, community dental health clinic, public school, clinical or basic science research laboratory, state or federal health facility, or in a management position with an entry wage of $35 to $45 per hour.
Accreditation
This program is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation.
Course & Program Fees
You should begin planning early with the financial aid to meet your educational goals and needs. The program utilizes a variety of online resources in order to limit costs that are passed to you. The following serves as an estimate of the expenses associated with the dental hygiene program.
Course Fees
The fees listed here are estimated and may change at any time. Please contact your advisor with any questions. This program has additional fees for the following courses:
| Course | Description | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| DEH 100, DEH 101, DEH 102, DEH 103, DEH 104, DEH 111, DEH 116, DEH 122, DEH 123, DEH 126, DEH 132, DEH 133, DEH 138 , DEH 150, DEH 153, DEH 170, DEH 171, DEH 204, DEH 213, DEH 221, DEH 225, DEH 242, DEH 268, DEH 270, DEH 271, DEH 282, DEH 285 |
High-cost course fee | $7.21 (per credit hour) |
| DEH 101 | Dental Kits | $3,500.00 (flat) |
| DEH 102, DEH 170, DEH 171, DEH 270, DEH 271 | Dental Hygiene/Lab Use Fee | $53.00 (flat) |
| DEH 102, DEH 270 | Malpractice Insurance Non-EMT | $8.50 (flat) |
Program Costs
Costs are subject to change without notice. The fees listed are estimates only. Variations may occur without being posted on this website. This information is meant for planning purposes only.
| FULL-TIME TUITION | Review tuition and basic fees. | |
|---|---|---|
| SUPPLIES | Books | $700 |
| Magnifying Loupes (estimate only) | $1,200 - $1,500 | |
| Student Kit* | $3,500 | |
| OTHER | Clinic Usage Fee, Malpractice Insurance (estimated fall/spring semester) | $400 |
| Student Chapter of the American Dental Hygienists' Association (SCADHA) | $65 | |
| Background Check, Drug Testing | $63 | |
| Uniforms (scrubs, lab coats, stethoscope, and other related items) | $300 |
*The student kit and scrubs will be ordered during spring orientation. Do not purchase these on your own as the dental hygiene program has already made the necessary arrangements. The student kit and clinic scrubs should last throughout the course of study.
| FULL-TIME TUITION | Review tuition and basic fees. | |
|---|---|---|
| SUPPLIES | Books | $350 |
| OTHER | Clinic Usage Fee, Malpractice Insurance (estimated summer/fall/spring semester charge) | $800 |
| Student Chapter of the American Dental Hygienists' Association (SCADHA) | $65 | |
| Cavitron (optional) | $650 | |
| Board Fees: National and Regional | $1,600 |
Financial Aid Eligibility
This program is eligible for federal financial aid.
Your first step is to connect with the Financial Aid office to discover how you can afford college. Our dedicated staff and support services help you wade through all the legal language and get you past the first hurdle to completing your educational goals.
In addition, CCD has $1,000,000 available in scholarships. Apply at CCD.edu/Scholarships.
Stop by the financial aid office on the first floor of the Confluence Building for help with the federal application for financial aid. Walk-in hours are offered every Wednesday from 12:30 – 4:30 p.m. in the Confluence Building, room 118.
Four-Year Transfer Agreements
After completing the A.A.S. at CCD, you can begin the degree completion program to become a licensed dental hygienst with our B.A.S. program.
Internships & Service Learning Opportunities
As a student in the A.A.S. dental hygiene program, you will go on rotations to community sites like SALUD, Dental Aid, Denver Health, and more locations in Denver and the surrounding area.
Job Outlook & Salary Information
What Can I Do with My Major?
Dental hygienists are licensed preventive oral health professionals who provide educational, clinical, and therapeutic services in dentistry. Dental hygienists perform procedures such as oral prophylaxis, application of preventive agents, and exposure of dental radiographs, patient education, and nutritional counseling. Career opportunities for hygienists are available in a variety of settings, including
- private dental practices,
- community dental health clinics,
- public schools,
- clinical and basic science research laboratories,
- state and federal health facilities, and
- management positions.
Licensure by national and state examination is required. Learn more by contacting our office.
Learn more about this career path by visiting CCD's Career and Transfer Center.
How Much Can I Expect to Earn?
After you have completed the dental hygiene program at CCD (65 credits) along with the required prerequisites (28 credits), you will earn an associate degree and will be ready to take the licensure exams to become a registered dental hygienist.
In that role, you will be a preventive oral health professional, providing educational, clinical, and therapeutic services to dental patients. This opens the door for you to work in a private dental practice, community dental health clinic, public school, clinical or basic science research laboratory, state or federal health facility, or in a management position with an entry wage of $35 to $45 per hour.
The median annual wage for dental hygienists was $74,070 in May 2017.
The information provided here is by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook.
Stackable
The A.A.S. degree seamlessly transfers to the B.A.S. program. Learn more here.