How do you find the best dental hygienist schools in South Carolina to apply to?
The answer depends on what part of the state you live in, and whether you are interested in going to school online or attending classes on campus.
This is because they are many dental hygienist schools in SC to choose from, with a variety of programs and many of them are well-known and respected throughout the country.
So finding employment after graduation will be easy. There are also dental hygienist schools across the state.
For example, there are dental hygienist schools in North Dakota and even reputable dental hygienist schools in New Hampshire for interested students.
So read on to find out all you need to get into any of these schools, we listed their contact details and also answered some related questions people ask about them.
What is a Dental Hygienist School?
A dental hygienist school is an academic institution where a healthcare professional majors in the practice of dealing with the full maintenance and care of oral health study.
Oral health is therefore a terminology used in describing teeth, gums, mouth, and surrounding craniofacial structures.
When students attend and complete related programs from any of the described schools, they are referred to as dental hygienists and can apply for a state license to start operating officially.
How do I become a dental hygienist in South Carolina?
We know that you are interested in becoming a dental hygienist in South Carolina, but most people really do not know their way about it.
To become a licensed dental hygienist in South Carolina, you need to;
- Attend a school that offers dentistry programs and complete the program
- Apply for a license through the South Carolina Board of Dentistry.
Many dental hygiene schools in South Carolina are two-year programs that prepare students to take state board exams and earn a license to work in any state with minimal on-the-job training.
South Carolina Dental Hygienist License Requirements?
Here are some of the requirements to become a licensed dental hygienist in South Carolina;
- The applicant must be at least 21 years of age.
- Must be found worthy in Character and must present evidence for it.
- The Applicant must possess documents showing that they have graduated from any of the accredited dental hygienist schools in South Carolina.
- The Applicant must complete the application to practice dentistry in South Carolina.
- The applicant must pay the prescribed board fees.
To get the complete requirements, click here to download.
What are the best Dental Hygienist Schools in South Carolina?
Here are some of the best dental hygiene schools in SC for you to make a more informed decision;
- James B. Edwards College Of Dental Medicine School
- Accelerated Dental Assisting Academy
- Horry-Georgetown Technical College
- Greenville Technical College
- Florence-Darlington Technical College
- Midlands Technical College
- Trident Technical College
- York Technical College, Rock Hill
- Aiken Technical College
- Lake Wylie School of Dental Assisting
- Palmetto School of Career Development
- Fortis College
James B. Edwards College Of Dental Medicine School
James B. Edwards College of Dental Medicine School is one of the best dental hygienist schools in SC, located at 173 Ashley Ave, Charleston, SC 29425.
The school offers a variety of programs such as;
- Pre-doctorate
- Residency
- Post-doctorate
- A dual degree, and
- Summer programs.
This institution through academic excellence and a commitment to serving patients with the highest level of care is changing the narrative in dental education in South Carolina.
Accelerated Dental Assisting Academy
Accelerated Dental Assisting Academy (ADAA) is one of the dental hygienist schools in SC that provides dental assisting education to students in Columbia, SC.
As the name implies, the school offers accelerated dental assisting courses, it takes about 10-12 weeks to complete the hands-on programs here.
The program gives students the confidence and knowledge they need to begin a rewarding career in the dental field.
Horry-Georgetown Technical College
Horry-Georgetown Technical College is one of the top dental hygienist schools in South Carolina that offers an associate in applied science in dental hygiene.
This degree prepares students to provide direct patient care in the detection and prevention of oral diseases under the supervision of a dentist, as required by law.
Graduates of this program will be qualified to do the following things;
- Evaluate patient medical histories
- Take and record blood pressure
- Chart conditions of periodontal disease and decay for diagnosis by the dentist
- Conduct oral-cancer screening examinations
- Educate the patient on the latest techniques of oral home care, and
- Perform a thorough cleaning of the patients’ teeth.
Greenville Technical College
Greenville Technical College is one of the recognized dental hygienist schools in SC that offers programs that prepare the individual to be a dental hygienist.
The dental hygiene student will perform procedures that include but are not limited to;
- Exposing radiographs
- Applying caries-preventive agents
- Providing oral health education
- Administrating local anesthetics and antimicrobial agents, and
- Performing oral prophylaxis, periodontal therapy, and risk assessments.
Graduates of this program will receive an Associate Degree in Applied Science and will be eligible to take national, regional, and state licensing examinations.
Florence-Darlington Technical College
Florence-Darlington Technical College has on many occasions been ranked as one of the top dental hygienist schools in SC.
This school offers an Associate’s degree in dental hygiene that is five semesters in length and is comprised of didactic, clinical, and laboratory courses.
The program courses include:
- Dental anatomy
- Microbiology
- Pathology
- Dental hygiene theory and techniques, etc.
The program trains students to give high-quality patient care, it also opens up opportunities for the students so they can put their skills into practice while they’re still studying.
Midlands Technical College
Midlands Technical College is one of the best dental assisting schools in South Carolina that offers a number of programs that lead to careers in health care.
Including an Associate of Applied Science degree and certificate programs for dental hygiene assistants, dental hygienists, and nursing aides.
The dental hygiene program is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association.
Trident Technical College
Located in Charleston, SC, Trident Technical College is one of the dental hygienist schools in SC.
This institution offers a dental hygienist program that is fully accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation.
The dental hygiene program teaches students professional techniques and skills through a variety of hands-on training experiences.
Graduates from this institution are eligible to sit for the Dental Hygiene National Board Exam and individual state board examinations for licensure.
York Technical College, Rock Hill
The dental programs at York Technical College prepare the student to become an essential member of the health care team.
By providing much-needed and focused training, you can quickly grasp what is needed to become a professional dental hygienist here.
As one of the best dental hygienist schools in South Carolina, the program offered here is accredited by the American Dental Association, Commission on Dental Accreditation.
Aiken Technical College
Aiken Technical College is one of the dental assisting schools in SC that offers dental assisting programs to students who are interested in dental hygiene.
This diploma prepares students for various careers in dental assisting and hygiene with coursework in both dental care and office management.
It is also worth noting that the program is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation.
Lake Wylie School of Dental Assisting
Lake Wylie is one of the top dental assisting schools in South Carolina that offers valuable hands-on participation even during the academic lecture course time.
The program here includes:
- Handling dental instruments for restorative dental work/extractions
- Taking impressions for whitening trays as well as making whitening trays and in-office nightguards
- Making temporaries, and
- Taking x-rays along with interpreting the quality of them.
Palmetto School of Career Development
Palmetto School of Career Development is one of the dental assistant schools in South Carolina that offers carefully designed chairside courses.
These courses will provide students with the needed hands-on training, within the shortest time frame, so they can begin their new careers immediately.
The Palmetto School of Career Development’s course length is about 18 weeks including 140 hours of lecture and hands-on clinical training in an actual dentist’s office.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some of the related questions about this topic;
What is a Dental Hygienist’s salary in South Carolina?
According to Dental Post, the average Dental Hygienist salary in South Carolina is $61,360.
But the range typically falls between $53,370 and $72,080.
How long does it take to become a Dental Hygienist in South Carolina?
Most dental hygienists need an associate’s degree and then earn certification through a state-administered national board exam;
It’s a two-year program that includes classroom instruction, lab work, clinical hours, and hands-on experience with patients.
It’s important to note that not all states require dental hygienists to be licensed.
Some require only registration—so make sure you check with your state’s licensing agency if you have questions about your future career path.
Conclusion.
The number of dental hygienist schools and universities offering programs in South Carolina has increased over recent years.
And there are now multiple programs such as dental assisting available across the states.
The options can be confusing, which is why it’s important to research each program before making a final decision about where to attend classes.
This is what we have done for you in this article, we did the research for you to make your decisions.
We hope this article met your immediate needs! And do not fail to contact us and send in your reviews or suggestions if you have any.
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