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.
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 This Program
Just the Facts
Dental Hygienist
70 Credit Associate Degree
Program Length
Two Years
Delivery Method
Face-to-Face
Program Location
Eau Claire
Start Months
August
Bloodborne Pathogens
Students in this program should be aware of the risks associated with bloodborne pathogens. Learn more.
Learn more about the cost of attendance.
Term 1
$ 667
Term 2
$ 4,700
Term 3
$ 2,820
Term 4
$ 2,607
Term 5
$ 3,101
Materials
$ 3,186
Books
$ 1,480
License, Certificate, or Credential
$ 1,725
What are estimated program costs? Estimated Total: $20,286
Career Opportunities
Dental Hygienist
Graduate Employers
Associated Dentists & Orthodontics
Gentle Dental Care
Menomonie Street Dental
Midwest Dental
Northwoods Dentistry
Oakwood Hills Family Dental
Program Outcomes
CVTC graduates are ready for the workforce. Each year, we send our graduates the Graduate Follow-Up Survey asking several questions related to employment. Here are the program outcomes and job data.
// Program Scorecard$65K Yearly Salary
Our recent Dental Hygienist graduates reported an average starting salary of $65,218.
89% Employed
89% of our recent Dental Hygienist graduates got a job in the industry.
26 Regional Jobs
There are 26 job openings in the CVTC district for the Dental Hygienist industry.
Transfer
Credits to Other Institutions
Should you choose to continue your education after you leave CVTC, we have agreements in place with several institutions to ensure an easy transfer.
Program Courses
These are a few of the courses you will take in this program. Courses and the recommended sequence change from year to year; once you are enrolled in a program at CVTC you will be given a recommended course sequence that outlines what courses you should take and the order in which to take them.
You may search for available courses. If you are ever unsure of what courses to take, talk to your academic advisor. If you are looking for course information for previous years, check out our past catalogs.
Here are a few of the courses you can take in the Dental Hygienist program.
Sample Courses
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.
Request More Information
Please provide your contact information and an Admissions Advisor will get back to you ASAP with more information about this program.
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Your future is waiting…Are you ready to get started?
Apply NowStudent Testimonial
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
Expanded Function Dental Auxiliary, Advanced Technical Certificate
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 OpportunitiesUnsure 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
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.
Additional Admissions Resources
Admission Requirements
Each program requires specific requirements a student must meet to be considered for admissions to this program.
// View Admission RequirementsAdvising Tips
We have compiled helpful tips and general information for students in this program.
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