The demand for qualified dental hygienists continues to grow rapidly across the United States. According to projections from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), employment opportunities for dental hygienists are expected to increase by 11% between 2020-2030, a rate much faster than average across all occupations. This excellent job outlook combined with competitive salaries makes dental hygiene an appealing career choice for those interested in healthcare.
What is a Dental Hygienist?
Dental hygienists are licensed preventive oral health professionals who provide a wide range of services to patients in dental offices and clinics. Their primary duties include:
- Cleaning teeth and examining patients for signs of oral diseases such as gingivitis
- Educating patients on proper oral hygiene techniques and nutrition
- Applying preventive materials such as fluorides and sealants
- Documenting dental health history and vital signs
- Assisting dentists during complex procedures
To become licensed dental hygienists, individuals must complete accredited training programs and pass written and clinical licensing exams. The majority of hygienists hold an Associate‘s Degree in Dental Hygiene.
Why Enroll in a Boston Dental Hygiene Program?
There are several excellent dental hygiene programs offered across the Boston metro area. Graduating from one of these programs allows students to tap into the sizable dental industry network in and around the city.
Benefits of attending a Boston dental hygiene school include:
State-of-the-Art Facilities – Many schools operate on-campus dental hygiene clinics using the latest dental technology. This hands-on training with industry-standard tools better prepares students for professional practice.
Strong Industry Partnerships – Program partnerships with major dental providers across Boston allow students access to premier internships and externships. These experiences facilitate networking and may lead directly to job opportunities after licensing.
Excellent Job Prospects – With dental practices actively hiring across Massachusetts, graduates have an excellent chance of securing a local job aligned with their training, interests and skills.
Engaged Faculty – Students learn from highly educated and experienced faculty with years of professional dental hygiene experience. Small class sizes allow for mentoring relationships between students and faculty.
When researching Boston dental hygiene schools, it‘s important to closely examine each program‘s curriculum design, clinical training approach, available specializations, faculty credentials, career support services and licensing exam pass rates.
This guide profiles some of the top accredited dental hygiene programs in the greater Boston area. Each offers excellent training to prepare graduates for professional licensure and satisfying careers in dental hygiene.
Springfield Technical Community College
Location: Springfield, MA
Program Length: 3 years
Degree Awarded: Associate of Applied Science in Dental Hygiene
The dental hygiene program at Springfield Technical Community College (STCC) is one of the most reputable in Massachusetts. Established in 1967, graduates have passed the national licensing exam at exceptionally high rates over the decades.
This full-time program immerses students in rigorous coursework and intensive clinical experiences over six semesters. In addition to general education topics, the curriculum explores areas such as:
- Oral anatomy and physiology
- Hygiene care procedures
- Dental radiography
- Periodontology
- Pathology and disease recognition
- Pain management
- Ethics and jurisprudence
The state-of-the-art, on-campus dental hygiene clinic serves around 200 patients weekly, providing students real-world experience in patient and procedure management.
Upon completion, graduates are immediately eligible to take the National Board Dental Hygiene Exam and local anesthesia exam. STCC has an excellent track record with graduates passing these critical licensing exams.
Mount Wachusett Community College
Location: Gardner, MA
Program Length: 2 years
Degree Awarded: Associate of Science in Dental Hygiene
The Mount Wachusett Community College (MWCC) dental hygiene program confers an Associate of Science degree after four semesters of intensive study.
Students gain considerable hands-on experience across the two years by treating patients at the on-campus dental hygiene clinic and through off-site clinical rotations. By graduation, they will have delivered care to 55-75 child, adolescent, adult, geriatric and special needs patients under faculty supervision and feedback.
Topics covered over the course of the program include:
- Oral health education
- Clinical dental hygiene
- Radiology
- Periodontology
- Pharmacology
- Pain control
- Infection control
MWCC graduates consistently score higher than state and national averages on the National Board Dental Hygiene Exam. The program also maintains excellent job placement rates with graduates securing dental hygiene roles across New England.
Quinsigamond Community College
Location: Worcester, MA
Program Length: 2 years
Degree Awarded: Associate in Science – Dental Hygiene
Quinsigamond Community College (QCC) confers an Associate in Science degree in Dental Hygiene through its two-year, full-time program.
QCC students prepare for professional careers through coursework, lab instruction and extensive clinical experiences focused on core skills like:
- Preventive oral healthcare
- Patient screening procedures
- Developing dental hygiene care plans
- Radiography
- Infection control
- managing medically compromised patients
Small classes of just 20-25 students facilitate close engagement with expert faculty members. Students also gain hands-on experiences at the on-campus dental hygiene clinic which serves over 200 patients annually.
QCC graduates have achieved a 100% pass rate on the national board exam over the past decade and consistently secure dental hygiene jobs across the region.
Finding the Best Program Fit
When researching dental hygiene schools, it‘s wise to create a shortlist of top contenders based on individual academic and career ambitions. Useful criteria for comparison may include location, costs, program length, areas of specialization, clinical hours, and post-graduation job prospects.
It‘s also extremely valuable to schedule campus visits and meetings at each prospective school. Speaking directly with program coordinators, faculty and current students can provide one-of-one insight to finalize your selection.
With excellent training, strong professional connections and the drive to help patients maintain healthy smiles, graduates of Boston dental hygiene schools have access to a wealth of rewarding career pathways across the greater metro region and beyond.