Associate of Science Degree in Dental Hygiene in Seattle, Washington
Higher Education Articles February 18, 2013There are about four schools offering dental hygiene programs in the Seattle area. Learn about the program requirements, admission information, and degree programs for three of these colleges to make an informed academic decision.
Dental Hygiene College Options Comparison
Students who live in the Seattle area and want to complete an associate degree program in dental hygiene have some exceptional options in the Seattle, Washington area, such as Lake Washington Institute of Technology, a public school located on the outskirts of Seattle. Students can also walk or cycle down to Seattle Central Community College that is located in downtown Seattle to enroll into their associate degree programs. Some dental hygiene programs are also offered at Shoreline Community College, in Shoreline, Washington located within drivable distance of downtown Seattle. The school has three programs approved by the American Dental Association’s Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) that take two years or seven quarters to complete. Note: program and examination fees are usually charged separately from basic tuition fees in most dental hygiene programs.
|
Colleges |
Shoreline Community College |
Seattle Central Community College |
Lake Washington Institute of Technology |
|
Distance from Downtown |
11.5 miles |
Located Downtown |
15.4 miles |
|
Relevant Facilities |
Dental Clinic (On-campus) |
Dental Clinic (In-district) – Available at Seattle Vocational Institute |
Dental Clinic (On-campus) |
|
Graduation Rate |
37% |
32% |
21% |
|
Retention Rate |
46% (Part-time), 64% (Full-time) |
43% (Part-time), 56% (Full-time) |
49% (Part-time), 58% (Full-time) |
|
Financial Assistance Percentage |
49% |
60% |
64% |
|
Tuition and Fees |
$6,259 (out-of-state), $3,612 (in-state) |
$8,683 (out-of-state), $3,493 (in-state) |
$8,651 (out-of-state), $3,461 (in-state) |
|
Campus Setting |
Large Suburb |
Large City |
Large Suburb |
|
Total Enrollment |
6,115 |
7,186 |
4,151 |
|
School Type |
Public, two-year |
Public, four-year |
Public, four-year |
|
Related Programs Offered |
N/A |
Expanded Function Dental Auxiliary Certification |
Certificate of Proficiency in Dental Assisting, Associate of Applied Science in Dental Assisting |
|
Dental Hygiene Degrees |
Associate of Applied Arts and Science in Dental Hygiene |
Associate of Applied Science in Dental Hygiene |
Associate of Applied Science in Dental Hygiene |
Lake Washington Institute of Technology Degrees
By enrolling in this program, students can gain hands-on experience in an on-campus clinic setting along with other various venues in the Seattle area. Students in the program will receive classroom instruction from twelve part-time and two full-time faculty members.
Dental Hygiene – Associate of Applied Science
Admission criteria include passing the Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) and completion of fifty-seven credit hours of specific coursework. Enrolled students have to complete core dental hygiene coursework in subject areas such as pain control, radiology, periodontology, and preventative and restorative dentistry. Continuing education is facilitated by allowing program graduates to transfer credits to a bachelor degree program in dental hygiene. While Eastern Washington University awards this degree, students are allowed to complete their enrolled program at LWIT.
Seattle Central Community College Degrees
In addition to nineteen part-time and full-time faculty members, the dental hygiene program features clinical facilities at the nearby Seattle Vocational Institute that is part of the Seattle Community College District. Students who are enrolled in this program will be able to complete their clinical rotations at extended-care facilities, dental clinics, and the University of Washington – School of Dentistry.
Dental Hygiene – Associate of Applied Science
Admission criteria include sixty credit hours in subject areas such as anatomy, chemistry and microbiology. Enrolled students have to complete 122 credit hours of core dental hygiene coursework that is transferable to a four-year program. The courses cover topics such as caring for patients, processing x-rays and methods for prevention of dental diseases.
Shoreline Community College Degrees
This school has fifteen faculty members and restricts admissions to twenty-six enrollments annually. Before graduation, aspiring dental hygienists can gain experience at nearby community clinics and the college’s dental hygiene clinic.
Dental Hygiene – Associate of Applied Arts and Science
Before taking part in an admission interview at this extremely competitive program, applicants need to complete sixty to sixty-five credit hours of prerequisite course. The college recommends students to gain some work experience in the dental field. Core curriculum covers one hundred sixteen credit hours of coursework in topics such as periodontology, pharmacology, pain control techniques, radiographic technology, patient examination procedures, head and neck anatomy.
Additional School Options
An associate degree in dental hygiene that is accredited by CODA and spanning seven quarters is offered by Pierce College, which is located about an hour away from downtown Seattle.
