6 Best Dental Hygiene Schools in Colorado-Tuition & Programs

Searching for the best dental hygiene schools in Colorado? In the upcoming years, Colorado’s demand for dental hygienists is anticipated to expand significantly.

Oral hygienists are crucial and knowledgeable members of the dental health team that provide preventative care and therapeutic services to a wide spectrum of patients.

According to Colorado’s Department of Labor and Employment, employment in the field of dental hygiene will increase by 21% from 2008 to 2028.

There were 4,590 people working as hygienists in 2018.

Other occupations in this state are growing more slowly than in Colorado, which is quicker than the national average.

For details on Colorado dental assistant schools, prerequisites, salary, and other information, visit this page.

Requirements to Become A Dental Hygienist in Colorado

The Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies, Division of Professions and Occupations issues licenses to dental hygienists.

Professionals must pass the national licensure examinations, a clinical exam administered by one of the regional testing services or a state exam, and a recognized dental hygiene school of at least two years’ duration.

The National Board Dental Hygiene Examination is the name of the national board examination (NBDHE).

For dental hygiene specialists who want to deliver local anesthetic, there are different requirements.

Among them are having current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification for healthcare professionals and completing training at a dental school accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation, which includes 12 hours of didactic instruction in anatomy, pharmacology, techniques, physiology, and medical emergencies, as well as 12 hours of clinical instruction involving the delivery of at least 6 infiltrations and 6 block injections.

The U.S. Department of Education has granted recognition to the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA), a specialized accrediting organization.

How Much Does a Dental Hygienist Make in Colorado

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average annual wage for dental hygienists in Colorado in 2018 was $89,640, or $43.10 an hour.

Approximately 4,590 dental hygienist jobs are now available in Colorado, with approximately 60% of these positions located in the Denver-Aurora-Lakewood region and 25% in the Colorado Springs region.

Denver pays dental hygienists more than the state average.

Area	Total Employed	Mean Hourly Wage	Mean Annual Salary
Boulder, CO	370	$39.12	$81,360
Colorado Springs, CO	350	$36.50	$75,920
Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO	2,760	$39.84	$82,870
Fort Collins, CO	310	$38.75	$80,600
Grand Junction, CO	70	$29.88	$62,160
Greeley, CO	210	$37.51	$78,010
Pueblo, CO	140	$34.80	$72,370

Dental Hygienist Salaries in Colorado

The List of Dental Hygiene Schools in Colorado

Community College of Denver (CCD)

Colorado Northwestern Community College

Pueblo Community College

Concorde Career College-Aurora

Arapahoe Community College, Littleton

In Colorado, there are four dental hygiene programs, three of which are offered by public community colleges with CODA accreditation.

Consider visiting CollegeTimes.co or StudentsReview.com to get student evaluations of these dental hygiene programs. For information on possible financial aid, get in touch with the colleges.

Anatomy and physiology, dental materials, patient data collection, infection control, prophylaxis, nutrition, and nutritional counseling, oral pathology, pharmacology, the administration of local anesthesia, including nitrous oxide, fluoride treatment, sealant applications, radiography and radiographic examination, therapeutic procedures, and treatment planning are typically covered in dental hygiene programs.

Students may be educated for the treatment of periodontally involved patients as well as institutionalized, disabled, and other medically impaired patients in the extended function of the dental hygienist.

Community College of Denver (CCD)

Acceptance Rate: 100%
In-State Tuition: $4,750
Out-of-State Tuition: $15,830 (2018-2019)
Student-Faculty Ratio: 21-to-1
No Application FeeSchool Address: 1111 W. COLFAX AVE.DENVER, CO 80204

Community College of Denver (CCD) provides dental hygiene degrees in both the Associate (AAS) and Bachelor of Applied Science (BAS) levels at its Lowry Campus. A minimum GPA of 2.5 in general education courses and a minimum GPA of 3.0 in science education courses are requirements for the AAS degree program.

The RDH (Registered Dental Hygienist) to BAS track is part of the bachelor’s degree. Admission to the BAS program requires either an AA, AAS, or Certificate in Dental Hygiene from a CODA-accredited DH program from which CCD will accept transfer credits.

Public health or education are the two educational options available to BAS students. A dental assisting program is also run by CCD.

Colorado Northwestern Community College

Acceptance Rate: 100%
In-State Tuition: $4,018
Out of State Tuition: $6,401
Student-Faculty Ratio: 21-to-1
No Application Fee
School Address: 500 KENNEDY DRIVE RANGELY, CO 81648

Colorado Northwestern Community College is situated near Rangely, close to the boundary of the State with Utah. It offers a recognized five-semester dental hygiene program that leads to an Associate of Applied Science Degree.

A minimum GPA of 2.8 and passing grades in all preparatory courses and general education courses are requirements for the program.

Additionally, CNCC offers three pathways into the Dental Hygiene curriculum through its Pre-Dental Hygiene program.

Pueblo Community College

Acceptance Rate: 100%
In-State Tuition: $5,179
Out of State Tuition: $16,262
Student-Faculty Ratio: 19-to-1
No Application Fee
School Address: 900 W ORMAN AVE PUEBLO, CO 81004

Pueblo Community College an RDH to BASDH program is available. Students who already hold a Dental Hygienist license are the target audience for their Bachelor of Science degree.

The goal is to educate them on a wider range of professional options, such as those in public health, program administration, education, or research.

The faculty members have a great deal of experience addressing the requirements of a wide range of patient populations.

Concorde Career College, Aurora

Acceptance Rate: 94%
No Application Fee
Average Tuition and Fees: $15,955
Student-Faculty Ratio: 41-to-1
School Address: 111 N. HAVANA STREET AURORA, CO 80010

Concorde CareerCollege is one of the dental hygiene schools in Colorado that has no application fee. This college is also less selective when it comes admission process.

It is a small private for-profit institution situated in Aurora, Colorado. The college also has an enrollment of 329 undergraduates and 778 in total enrollment.

They offer associate degree programs. They offer Dental Assisting & Dental Assistant, Dental Assistant, and Dental Hygiene Associate Degree Programs.

Arapahoe Community College, Littleton

Acceptance Rate: 100%
In-State Tuition: $3,918
Out of State Tuition: $15,006
Student-Faculty Ratio: 23-to-1
No Application Fee

Arapahoe Community College, Littleton is one of the small-sized dental hygiene schools in Colorado that has no application fee and is less selective in its admission process.

The college has an enrollment of 329 undergraduates and 778 in total enrollment. They offer Dental Assisting & Dental Assistant, Dental Assistant, and Dental Hygiene Associate Degree Program