Dental Hygiene (A.A.S.)

Help patients achieve healthier smiles. Learn preventive care, oral health education and patient treatment while developing skills in dental cleanings, X-rays and clinical patient care.

Central piedmont dental hygiene student
Associate Degree
Outcome
Two Years
Duration
On-Campus
Learning Format
Central Campus
Location

Statistics

Student success

100% Clinical Licensure Pass rate and 93% National Board Exam success prepares graduates for careers.

Hands-on clinical training

Get patient care experience in supervised clinical settings.

Qualified faculty

Our faculty are licensed dental hygienists and dentists with advanced credentials.

Community service

Students engage in service-learning projects that expand access to oral health care across the community.

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About the programs

About the Dental Hygiene program

The Dental Hygiene program prepares you to provide preventive and therapeutic oral health care for individuals and communities. You will develop clinical, technical, and critical-thinking skills through hands-on learning with modern dental technology. The program emphasizes ethical decision-making, patient-centered care, and collaboration with other healthcare professionals. Graduates are eligible to take the required national, state, or regional licensure exams to practice as dental hygienists.

Career Outlook for Dental Hygiene (A.A.S.)

This Career Outlook combines extensive labor market data to help you evaluate the careers that match your strengths and interests, and where those careers are thriving. Please explore the national, state, and regional data, as you compare the careers related to Dental Hygiene (A.A.S.).

Geographic Region

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Region CHARLOTTE, NC
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Occupations

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Frequently asked questions

You will gain clinical experience by working directly with patients in supervised on-campus dental clinics and through community-based learning opportunities.

Yes. Admission is competitive and is based on required coursework and some additional criteria. Meeting minimum requirements does not guarantee acceptance. Please read the specifics for your program on the requirements page.

Yes. In addition to applying to the college, healthcare programs have a few extra steps. Learn what to do on the apply to a healthcare program page.

When you graduate, you’ll be eligible to take required national, state or regional licensure exams to practice as a dental hygienist.

ItemDescriptionIn State StudentsOut of State Students
TuitionWith General Education Courses (refer to note 1)$5,624$19,832
TuitionWithout General Education Courses (refer to note 1)$3,648$12,864
BooksWith General Education Courses$2,910$2,910
BooksWithout General Education Courses$1,830$1,830
Activity FeePaid each semester at registration - $26/semester if taking 8 credit hours or less; $35/semester if taking 9 credit hours or more$201$201
Tech FeePaid each semester at registration - $48/semester$288$288
CAPS FeeCampus Parking - $80/semester if taking 8 credit hours or less; $107/semester if taking 9 credit hours or more$584$584
Lab FeeIncluded in Course Registration - $27/lab hr. or $216 max/semester$567$567
Accident InsuranceRequired for program - $1.60/semester$8$8
Liability InsuranceRequired for program - $8.70/semester$44$44
Professional Dues$60/year$120$120
UniformsRequired for program$375$375
InstrumentsInstruments to use in program training$2,939$2,939
CPR/First AidOne time feevariablevariable
Physical Exam and ImmunizationsOne time upon admission to program - See Note 2. Immunizations as requiredvariablevariable
Criminal Background Check and Drug ScreeningOne time - required for clinicals$95$95
AHEC Nitrous Oxide Certification CourseOne time - spring semester$200$200
Graduation FeeOne time fee$20$20
Pinning FeeOne time fee$30$30
Professional TestingCertification exam$1,900$1,900
TotalWith General Education Courses$15,351$29,559
TotalWithout General Education Courses$12,295$21,511

Notes

  1. Learn more about tuition and payments.
  2. The Central Piedmont student price for a physical exam is $49 at our on-campus Community Based Virtual Clinic.
  3. Tuition, books, some fees, accident insurance, and liability insurance may be eligible for coverage with financial aid.
  4. All costs have been rounded to the nearest dollar.
  5. All costs are estimates and are subject to change.

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