6 Best Dental Hygiene Schools in BC-Tuition & FAQs

Visiting a dental hygienist is an important part of maintaining or improving oral and overall health.

In British Columbia, dental hygienists have various professional choices open to them. Registered Dental Hygienists who are highly educated, licensed, and regulated healthcare professionals are in high demand.

Dental hygiene is the 6th enormous regulated health profession in Canada with over 28,000 dental hygiene practitioners.

Become a Registered Dental Hygienist in British Columbia by enrolling in a two-year diploma in Dental Hygiene in one of the top dental hygiene schools in BC. We have compiled a list of these top dental hygiene schools in BC.

What is Dental Hygiene?

Dental Hygiene is a well-being calling practice that draws on biomedical, social, and behavioral sciences as well as the collection of dental cleanliness information. 

A dental hygienist is an oral health professional whose area of expertise focuses on preventative oral health care.

Key responsibilities of dental hygienists involve oral wellbeing advancement, clinical treatment, education, research, and even more.

The discipline of dental hygiene includes cooperation with clients, dental specialists, dental assistants, other health experts and society as well.

Why Seek a Dental Hygiene Degree?

Having a great certification in Dental Hygiene places you at the front of the Dental Hygiene profession and prompts exciting open doors.

Graduating with a dental hygiene degree gives access to advanced studies like Master’s and Doctoral levels which results in even more career opportunities.

Dental hygienists perform numerous client administrations, including scaling and root planing (cleaning teeth), oral care, setting sealants, and brightening teeth.

Characteristics And Traits Of A Dental Hygienist

As a Dental Hygienist, you will have the adaptability to work full or part-time in different settings.

Dental Hygienists offer types of assistance and projects to individuals of any age, resolving issues connected with oral wellbeing. Various duties of the dental hygienist include:

  • Patient evaluation.
  • The ID of patient wellbeing status and requirements.
  • Oral cleanliness Education.
  • Administration of local anesthetic.
  • Teeth Scaling.
  • Training and patient administration.
  • Accessing the results of patient care.
  • Clinical history taking.
  • Performing routine head and neck assessments.
  • Dental and periodontal assessments of dental pictures.
  • Protection fluoride applications.

To find true success as a dental hygienist expert, you require the following traits:

  • A mindful nature and interest in the well-being of others.

  • Amazing relational abilities.
  • Great time usage abilities / Time Management.

  •  Capacity to follow instructions carefully.

  • Ability to deal with a fast-paced, demanding, and stressful work environment.

  • Great vision, hearing, and dexterity. It is firmly suggested that students have an eye assessment and acquire restorative eyewear if necessary.

  • PC proficiency is particularly experienced with word handling and web.

  • Capacity to display the very standard of oral well-being that they encourage in their patients.

Dental Hygiene Careers

As a Dental Hygienist, you will work in different settings, for example;

  • Private dental facilities
  • Dental cleanliness practice centers
  • Public health offices/clinics
  • Educational institutions 
  • Instructive foundations
  • Dental research industry

The List of Top Dental Hygiene Schools In BC

Here is a list of top dental hygiene schools in British Columbia;

Vancouver College Of Dental Hygiene

The Vancouver College of Dental Hygiene Inc. provides a learning-centered environment enabling individuals to develop personal and professional success by offering high standards of current comprehensive dental education. 

This educational facility was founded by practicing dental professionals, including a dental hygienist and a dentist.

They commit themselves to achieving this by ensuring high levels of current dental education are delivered to our students.

VCDH’s teaching faculty is fully equipped with high-quality and up-to-date dental equipment.

Their goal is to promote a learning-centered environment and to encourage learning to be a life-long activity.

Students are provided with the skills and real-world training they need to excel in today’s dental industry.

See the program details.

The Vancouver College of Dental Hygiene is part of Canada’s largest private educational facility dedicated to the highest standards of dental hygiene education. 

Tom Lee College

Tom Lee College offers practical and high standards of dental education environments that enable students to enhance personal and professional success.

Their mission is to educate students who will be able to positively impact and contribute to the dental health care teams.

Tom Lee College’s (TLC) Dental Assisting Program offers academic, clinical courses and experiences which educate and prepare students for a career as a certified dental assistant

After completion of the program, graduates are eligible to become a candidate for the National Dental Assisting Board examination. 

Check out the program overview and tuition details.

University of British Columbia

The University of British Columbia is a global centre for teaching, learning and research, consistently ranked among the top 20 public universities in the world.

The UBC Faculty of Dentistry has been instrumental in these advances in the oral health sciences.

The Faculty of Dentistry is particularly well prepared to continue to make significant contributions through active faculty research, an outstanding curriculum and a technologically advanced dental clinic. 

UBC embraces innovation and transforms ideas into action. Since 1915, UBC has been opening doors of opportunity for people with the curiosity, drive, and vision to shape a better world.

Programs

The program is based on sound knowledge of the related biological sciences, strong clinical skills, and an understanding of the role of the dentist as a health professional and a leader in the community

College Of New Caledonia 

CNC had an outstanding reputation for educating skilled dental professionals.

The CNC dental hygiene program offers small class sizes to students in the clinical setting. Students are actively involved in a dental clinic providing patient-centered oral healthcare care services.

They offer a dental hygiene curriculum that also includes community-based student activities.

Students experience community service-learning and deliver education and oral health services to local community partners.

The Dental Hygiene program is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of Canada. When you graduate, you’re eligible to write Canadian and American national certification exams.

Click here to get the Programs / Program Brochure in full detail

Vancouver Island University 

Vancouver Island University offers a Dental Hygiene Diploma program. VIU’s two-year, full-time diploma program includes both academic study and clinical practice and prepares students to work in dental clinics.

The Dental Hygiene Diploma program at Vancouver Island University is a Commission on Dental Accreditation Canada (CDAC) accredited program.

The program provides education in the application of preventative and therapeutic methods of oral disease control and oral health promotion.

The concepts of health education, professionalism, critical thinking, life-long learning, and community service are strongly encouraged in the program curriculum.

Students have the opportunity to apply knowledge and gain practical experience in public dental clinics and dental health activities in the community. 

Upon successful completion of the program, students will be granted a diploma which makes them eligible to apply for registration and licensure with the College of Dental Hygienists of BC as a Registered Dental Hygienist (RDH).

Click here to know the admission requirements for VIU Or the fees schedule   

The Dental Hygiene program of VIU is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of Canada. Students are eligible to write Canadian and American national certification exams after graduation.

Camosun College 

Camosun College offers a Dental Hygiene Diploma program for prospective students. Reflective of aspirational health care practice, the program offers an empowering, collaborative, holistic, integrated practice model.

The program provides a challenging and dynamic curriculum that balances theory and practice to ensure a quality educational experience. 

The Camosun College Dental Hygiene (DHYG) Diploma program is designed to prepare individuals with the knowledge, skills, and values to provide safe and competent primary health care.

The program prepares students to aspire to the highest levels of professionalism.

Click here to view the Program / Handbook for more details.

The Camosun College Dental Hygiene Diploma program is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of Canada.

Graduates of the program must complete the National Dental Hygiene Certification Board Examination to be eligible for registration and licensure with the College of Dental Hygienists of British Columbia as Registered Dental hygienists.

FAQs

What Is The CDHBC?

The College of Dental Hygienists of British Columbia (CDHBC) is the regulatory body for dental hygiene in British Columbia. To practice dental hygiene in the Province, a person must be registered with the CDHBC.

The practice of dental hygiene is regulated under the Health Professions Act, 1995. The College of Dental Hygienists of British Columbia (CDHBC) was established as a self-regulating body on March 1, 1995, under the Health Professions Act (HPA).

CDHBC is responsible for establishing, monitoring, and enforcing standards that assure safe, ethical, and competent dental hygiene care.

This includes registration of all dental hygienists in British Columbia, setting standards of practice for dental hygienists, and investigating complaints against dental hygienists.

Dental hygienists in B.C. must practice safely and ethically, by the HPA, the Dental Hygienists Regulation, and CDHBC.

The mission of the College of Dental Hygienists of British Columbia (CDHBC) is to fulfil professional duties while protecting the public through regulatory excellence.

Visit the site to learn more about How to Become a Registered Dental Hygienist in British Columbia.

How do I get my dental hygienist license in BC?

To be licensed and legally entitled to practice dental hygiene in British Columbia, you must be registered with the College of Dental Hygienists of British Columbia. And registration in any position must be renewed annually, 

How much do hygienists make in BC?

The average salary for a dental hygienist is $51.09 per hour in British Columbia.

Is dental hygiene hard?

Dental hygiene can be a demanding career physically, and just like every medical field if we do not look after our bodies, all that scaling can begin to take a toll.

Remember to do some stretching and muscle strengthening to help with posture.

Can I study dentistry after dental hygiene?

Yes. However, hygienists first need to acquire a bachelor’s degree in dental hygiene and then apply for a four-year doctoral program to pursue a Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) or Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD).

What is a dental hygienist vs dentist?

A dentist is a doctor. A hygienist is not. But hygienists can still do more than an assistant.

The dentist examines and treats your teeth, the dental hygienist cleans your teeth and helps you prevent disease, and the dental assistant helps the dentist (and sometimes the hygienist.)

How long does it take to become a dental hygienist BC?

It takes at least one to three years. Dental hygienists are required to complete a college program ranging from one to three years, or other approved program in dental hygiene recognized by the governing board within the province or territory of residence

Conclusion

Dental hygienists are popular and with further education, a dental hygienist can take on more duties and obligations.

When a graduate registers with the College of Dental Hygienists of British Columbia (CDHBC), their abilities are very much compensated 

With a rewarding career in dental hygiene, you can help people live healthier lives while working in a people-oriented atmosphere.

Go through this article carefully and pick from one of the top Dental Hygiene schools in British Columbia.

We Also Recommend:

Was This Article Helpful? Tell Us What You Think.