7 Best Online Dental Hygiene Programs

Are you interested in earning a degree in dental hygiene?

A degree in dental hygiene can lead to various career paths such as leadership and management, education, public health, and more.

Perhaps you are certain this is the career path you’d like to go down but aren’t sure where to start.

Fortunately, there are several options for online programs that you can take from the comfort of your home.

This enables you to continue working and taking care of other responsibilities all while earning your degree.

This guide will list the best online schools that offer programs to earn your degree in dental hygiene.

Best Online Dental Hygiene Training Programs

1. University of Michigan-Ann Arbor

The University of Michigan-Ann Arbor is one of the best schools that offers a dental hygiene program.

The school has been known for being the center for excellence when it comes to professional achievement, research, and academics since 1817.

This program costs $4,566 per semester for in-state students and $13,890 for out-of-state students.

Additionally, fees and books cost $300 per semester.

All students will need 36 credits to graduate over a total of 12 courses.

This program will earn students a bachelor’s degree in dental hygiene.

It’s a part-time program where students have the opportunity to take just one class at a time.

It is perfect for licensed dental hygienists who are looking to earn a degree in leadership roles while continuing to work.

Coursework in this program is skill-based and focuses on public health programming, patient care, research, and teaching.

Students will learn how to work in various settings, identify community resources for easy access to care, and much more.

Students can complete the program in as little as two years.

Students can enroll in this program at any time of the year.

Upon completion of this program, students will have gained the knowledge and skills to access evidence-based information that will enable them to make decisions throughout their careers.

2. MCPHS University

Next on the list is MCPHS University.

It is a wonderful school that offers a dental hygiene program online for students to take advantage of.

Students interested in this program will pay $850 per credit. Students will need a total of 36 credits to graduate.

In-state and out-of-state students will pay a total of $34,700 for the year.

With this program, students will earn a bachelor’s degree.

However, students will need to have an associate’s degree, and preferably work as a hygienist.

This enables students to work and study part-time.

Furthermore, students will need to participate in orientation on campus just one time before enrollment.

This program covers general healthcare, dental hygiene practice, oral health, and more.

Students also have the opportunity to transfer up to 44 credits for either arts or science courses.

Some courses that are required and must be completed during your time enrolled in this program include:

• Oral Health Research Methods
• Statistics
• Writing for Health Science Professionals
• Oral Health in Special Care Populations
• Dental Hygiene Program Electives

Students who apply to this program must have graduated previously from an accredited dental hygiene program, earned at least a cumulative GPA of 2.5 in dental hygiene courses, and completed at least one year of work experience in the healthcare field.

3. Ohio State University-Main Campus

Another option for students wishing to earn a degree in dental hygiene online is through Ohio State University.

The cost for the dental hygiene program offered here at Ohio State University is $515 per credit.

Students in-state will pay a total of $11,550 while out-of-state students will pay $37,512.

Students will earn a bachelor’s in dental hygiene.

This program offers 100% asynchronous online learning and is perfect for licensed dental hygienists looking to further their careers.

Many students who enter this program have an associate’s degree or certificate in the dental field.

Graduates will then have the opportunity to venture into business, dental hygiene administration, research, and management.

Students can complete all four semesters between 1–5 years, depending on the pace they’d like to work at.

Some of the courses that students will take during this program include:

• Research Methods & Interpretation
• Practice Management
• Periodontal Therapy

4. University of Missouri-Kansas City

The University of Missouri-Kansas City also offers an online dental hygiene program where students can earn a bachelor’s degree.

For in-state residents, the cost is $465 per credit.

The costs can vary between $625 and $1,050 for out-of-state students.

Students will need a total of 36 credits to graduate.

The dental hygiene program offered here at The University of Missouri is a combination of asynchronous and synchronous courses.

If you’re a registered dental hygienist, this program is ideal for you, as you can study part-time all while working on furthering your education.

Graduates can advance their skills and knowledge in various areas, including program administration, public health and research, and clinical practice.

The curriculum focuses on clinical sciences, and biomedical, and is behavioral-based.

Students will also have the opportunity to connect with employer networks, labs, and oral health libraries through school.

Students interested in applying for this program must have previously graduated from an accredited dental hygiene program, submit their board exam results, have earned at least a GPA of 2.75, have a current dental hygiene state license, and provide official transcripts of all previous academic work.

Students must also submit a supplemental application.

5. Northern Arizona University

Students can also enroll in Northern Arizona University’s dental hygiene online program.

The total cost for this program is $11,352 per year.

Out-of-state students must pay a total of $16,600.

Students will need 30 credits to graduate, but it will vary depending on any transfer credits.

The program offered at Northern Arizona University is a bachelor’s degree program that accepts applications from students who are currently enrolled at the school or on the wait list through the School of Dental Hygiene.

It is ideal for registered dental hygienists as well.

The program is 100% online and takes about two years to complete.

There are no set schedules, campus visits, or clinical requirements for this program.

Students can transfer up to 90 credits to Northern Arizona University or 26 non-traditional credits from a dental program.

Students may be required to complete additional courses depending on their academic background.

This ensures that students can fulfill certain requirements at the university.

In addition to the above requirements, students will need to complete 21 dental hygiene courses, 3 dental hygiene electives, 3 prerequisites, and additional upper-division courses.

Northern Arizona University is the only school in the state of Arizona to offer an online dental hygiene bachelor’s degree program.

The school has a reputation for educational dental professionals since 1973.

You can feel confident knowing that the program offers high-quality education and is specifically designed for those who already have an associate’s degree or dental hygiene certificate.

6. Old Dominion University

Old Dominion University opened its doors in 1930.

They are located in Norfolk, Virginia, and have a 96% student satisfaction rate.

They have more than 13,600 scholars and are ranked as the 210th best university and 63rd in top online bachelor’s degree programs.

For just $9,480, Old Dominion University offers a 100% online bachelor of science in dental hygiene program for dental hygienists who are experienced.

The program is transfer-friendly and requires just 30 credits.

Students applying for this program will already have training and experience.

This program will help students advance their careers in the dental world.

For the duration of the program, students will gain the necessary skills and knowledge to prepare them for a variety of employment opportunities.

The good news is that this program contains no clinicals since it is intended for licensed dental hygienists.

The program at Old Dominion University is accredited by CODA, otherwise known as the Commission on Dental Accreditation.

Furthermore, undergraduates can advance their BSDH post-licensure program to the school’s master of science program.

This can be done by applying up to 12 graduate hours that will go towards both degrees.

Students can conveniently access all the course materials they need for this program from any location.

Most classes do not have a scheduled meeting time, which means that you can fit them into your busy life with ease.

However, exams and certain assignments may be scheduled ahead of time by the instructor.

7. Ferris State University

Finally, Ferris State University located in Michigan offers an online dental hygiene program where students can earn a bachelor’s degree.

Ferris State University is the ninth-largest public institution in the state of Michigan.

There are more than 14,700 students enrolled both in person and online.

This program has been recognized as the 76th-best online bachelor’s degree.

Ferris State University is accredited by CODA.

The program is ideal for dental hygienists who currently hold an associate’s degree.

The program takes about two years to complete.

Students will take various courses including public health, dental assessment, health promotion, gerontology, and more.

The cost for this program is $10,970 per year.

Students will engage in various learning activities all while they further their knowledge in various areas of critical thinking.

The program at Ferris State University supports the American Dental Hygienists’ Association’s expectations.

Students will be prepared soon after they graduate through the program’s diverse curriculum.

Students will be ready to face challenges and will be given access to dental care.

Fortunately, there is an increased need for hygienists to enter into roles as administrators, advocates, educators, and more which can be fulfilled through this program.

Schools Offering Online Dental Training Program

What Courses Are in an Online Dental Training Program?

Online dental training programs can include various courses covering a wide range of topics, including:

• Dental equipment
• Dental anatomy
• Dental endodontics
• Dental procedures
• Dental Insurance
• Dental office procedures
• Dental bleaching
• Dental radiology
• Dental endodontics
• Infection control
• Communication skills
• Hazardous materials Oral pathology
• Ethics for dental assistant
• Caring for exceptional patients

Can You Earn a Dental Hygiene Certification Completely Online?

Typically, you cannot completely earn a dental hygiene certificate online because you will still need to undergo hands-on training.

However, if you have an associate’s degree in dental hygiene, you can complete the bachelor’s degree program 100% online.

Some schools offer dental hygiene programs online, where students can earn their certificate in person and complete any remaining courses online.

How Long Does it Take to Earn a Dental Hygiene Training Certificate Online?

Typically, most online dental hygiene programs differ in the time to complete.

It depends on the number of credits for the program.

Mostly, students can complete an online dental hygiene degree in as little as two years.

However, the majority of programs allow you up to four years to complete the program if you are also working full-time.

How Much Does an Online Dental Hygiene Certification Cost?

According to the American Dental Education Association, the average cost for online dental hygiene programs, including tuition and fees, is $22,692 for an associate’s degree.

For a bachelor’s degree, the average cost is $38,140, and $366,382 for a master’s degree.

Students should also take into consideration other costs including books, supplies, medical insurance, personal expenses, and dental hygiene equipment.

Additionally, students have the option to apply for scholarships and grants to assist in paying for their tuition.

Summary

Current dental hygienists who hold an associate’s degree and are interested in furthering their education can enter into various exclusive online programs to earn a bachelor’s in dental hygiene.

Several schools in states across the country provide these programs.

Students will take courses in dental bleaching, dental radiology, periodontal therapy, practice management, research methods and interpretation, and more.

Depending on the school itself, students may be required to attend in-person clinicals, while other online programs contain no clinicals.

Tuition can range anywhere from $9480 and up, depending on the school and whether students are in-state or out-of-state residents.

The majority of these programs require students to have prior experience to hold a dental hygiene license along with a minimum cumulative GPA.

With most programs, it takes about two years to complete, which students can then enter into the dental world and branch off into management, public health, education, and more.