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Dental Hygienist Overview

A person’s smile is an important feature. Those who help protect it are equally important. Earn your dental hygienist degree at CVTC. This program allows you to gain hands-on experience in the CVTC Dental Clinic as well as classroom instruction. As a dental hygienist, you will work as a member of a dental health team, focusing on the assessment, diagnosis, treatment planning, implementation, evaluation, and documentation of dental disease as well as prevention of dental disease.

You will learn how to:

  • Maintain patient records in a professional and confidential manner.
  • Assess patients for signs, symptoms, and risk factors for oral disease.
  • Diagnose dental hygiene problems.
  • Provide direct dental hygiene patient care.
  • Educate the patients on their oral health.
  • Expose x-rays for diagnoses of oral disease and collaborate with other dental professionals.
  • Utilize dental office management software.

This program is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association, and prepares you to take the national, regional, and state practical exams required for your dental hygienist license.

  Dental Program Accreditation

The Dental Hygienist program at Chippewa Valley Technical College is accredited by the American Dental Association Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA), a specialized accrediting body recognized by the Council of Post-Secondary Accreditation and the United States Department of Education.

Notice to File Complaint View all accreditation information
 

NOTICE OF OPPORTUNITY TO FILE COMPLAINTS:

In accordance with the U.S. Department of Education's Criteria and Procedures for Recognition of Accrediting Agencies, the Commission requires accredited programs to notify students of an opportunity to file complaints with the Commission.

A complaint is defined by the Commission on Dental Accreditation as one alleging that the Commission – accredited educational program, a program which has an application for initial accreditation pending, or the Commission may not be in substantial compliance with the Commission Standards or required accreditation procedures. Standards can be found here. 

Read how to file a complaint here.

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Career Opportunities

Dental Hygienist

Graduate Employers

Hillside Dental

Midwest Dental

Oakwood Dental

Purdy Family Dentistry

Regis Court Dental

Smiles in Motion Pediatric Dentistry

Just the Facts

Dental Hygienist
70 Credit Associate Degree

Length of Program //
Two Years

Delivery Method //

Program Location //
Eau Claire

Program Location //
August

Start Months //
August

Start Dates //
August

Bloodborne Pathogens
Students in this program should be aware of the risks associated with bloodborne pathogens. Learn more.

 

Bloodborne Pathogens

Students entering health programs at CVTC should understand the risk of exposure to bloodborne pathogens, including Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, and HIV/AIDs, through saliva and blood with direct patient care as part of their education.

This exposure can be minimized or eliminated using a combination of engineering and work practice controls, personal protective clothing and equipment, training, medical surveillance, Hepatitis B vaccination, signs and labels, and other provisions.

All programs at CVTC comply with local, state, and federal infection control policies, including the use of standard precautions as stipulated by current CDC guidelines. Written policies and instructions on infection control protocol to minimize the risk of disease transmission is provided throughout the courses in the curriculum. Compliance of safety practices is evaluated throughout the students' clinical experiences to ensure a safe educational environment.

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Financial Aid Eligible

 

 

Non-Traditional Occupation

Estimated Program Cost 

Term 1

$

640

Term 2

$

3,585

Term 3

$

2,819

Term 4

$

2,497

Term 5

$

3,016

Tools/Materials

$

2,432

Books

$

1,917

 Estimated Total: $16,906

View Admission Details

  Earn credit for prior learning! Do you have previous educational or work experience in the field? You could be eligible to receive credit for prior learning. Explore your options today!

Program Courses

These are a few of the courses you can take in the Dental Hygienist program.

Dental Radiography
Prepares dental auxiliary students to operate x-ray units and expose bitewing, periapical, extral oral, and occlusal radiographs.

Dental Pharmacology
Prepares student dental hygienists to select safe and effective patient premedication, local anesthetic, chemo therapeutic, and antimicrobial agents within the scope of dental hygiene practice.

Periodontology
Students learn the current diagnoses and classification of periodontal diseases and the epidemiology and risk factors as well as the oral systemic link between oral health and the body. Students will learn how to plan treatment and provide non-surgical therapy to clinical patients.

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Dental Hygienist Outcomes

CVTC graduates are ready for the workforce. Each year, we send our graduates the Graduate Follow-Up Survey asking where they are working, whether it is in their degree field, and several other questions related to employment. Below are the program outcomes and job data.

// Program Outcomes
 

85%
Employed

85% of our recent Dental Hygienist graduates got a job in the industry.

 

$58K
Yearly Salary

Our recent Dental Hygienist graduates reported an average starting salary of $57,684.

 

34
Regional Jobs

There are 34 job openings in the CVTC district for the Dental Hygienist industry.

 

Transfer
Credits to Other Institutions

Transfer your CVTC credits to another institution to continue your education. Explore transfer agreements.

Focus On Student Success

Best dental hygiene program and instructors in the state!

–Dental Hygienist Graduate

Related Programs & Certificates

Whether you're looking to continue your learning to another program or to gain continuing education credit, CVTC offers a variety of learning opportunities for students.
 

Degrees & Diplomas

Dental Assistant, Technical Diploma

Continue Your Learning

CVTC can help you achieve your learning goals whether you are looking to advance your career or enrich your personal life.

// Explore Continuing Ed Opportunities

  Unsure of which program you'd like to go into? Learn more about our Career Assessment to help narrow down your options.

A Program You Can Trust

Program Accreditation

CODA Accreditation Logo

The Dental Hygiene Program at CVTC is Accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) which is part of the American Dental Association. View accreditation information.