Dental Hygienist Schools in California

Dental Hygienist Schools in California

Located on the west coast of the country, California is the most populous state in the country, with 38 million residents. With eight of the nation’s most populous cities (Oakland, Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego, San Jose, Fresno, Long Beach and Sacramento), California is larger, with a higher population density, than many countries.

Residents often brag that California is the best state because you can go to the north of the state for snow-capped mountains and ski resorts, then head down to the southern region for year round sunshine. With so many different location options, you’re very likely to find a California city that has everything you’re looking for.

The varying densities and climates also lead to a variety of living costs. You have the option to live in or near a major city, regardless of your region within the state of California. Understanding that the cost of living will increase the closer you live to a city center, you can pick a destination that fits your economic desire specifically.

California Dental Hygiene Programs

US map of states; California highlighted in red

As mentioned above, in the state of California, you must graduate from an accredited college after studying dental hygiene program. California has a vast variety of opportunities for higher education. Below are some of the best schools available that offer dental hygiene programs.

InstituteAddressWebsiteProgram
Cabrillo College6500 Soquel Drive
Aptos, CA 95003
www.cabrillo.eduAS
Carrington College-Sacramento Campus8909 Folsom Blvd.
Sacramento, CA 95826
carrington.eduAS
Carrington College California - San Jose Campus5883 Rue Ferrari
San Jose, CA 95138
carrington.eduAS
Cerritos CollegeProgram 11110 E. Alondra Blvd. Norwalk, CA 90650www.cerritos.eduAA-DH
Chabot College25555 Hesperian Blvd., Building 2200
Hayward, CA 94545
www.chabotcollege.eduAA
Concorde Career College – Garden Grove12951 Euclid Street, Suite 101
Garden Grove, CA 92840
www.concorde.eduAS
Concorde Career College – San Bernardino201 East Airport Drive
San Bernardino, CA 92408
www.concorde.eduAS
Concorde Career College – San Diego4393 Imperial Avenue
San Diego, CA 92113
www.concorde.eduAS
Cypress College9200 Valley View St.
Cypress, CA 90630
www.cypresscollege.eduAS
Diablo Valley College321 Golf Club Road
Pleasant Hill, CA 94523
www.dvc.eduAS
Foothill College12345 El Monte Road
Los Altos Hills, CA 94022
www.foothill.fhda.eduBS
Fresno City College1101 E. University Avenue Fresno, CA 93741www.fresnocitycollege.eduAS
Loma Linda University11092 Anderson Street Loma Linda, CA 92350www.dentistry.llu.eduBS
Moreno Valley College16130 Lasselle Street
Moreno Valley, CA 92551
www.mvc.eduAS
Oxnard College4000 S. Rose Ave.
Oxnard, CA 93033
www.oxnardcollege.eduAS
Pasadena City College1570 East Colorado Blvd.
Pasadena, CA 91106
www.pasadena.eduAS
Sacramento City College3835 Freeport Blvd.
Sacramento, CA 95822
www.scc.losrios.eduAS
San Joaquin Valley College - Vialia8344 W. Mineral King
Visalia, CA 93291
www.sjvc.eduAS
San Joaquin Valley College - Ontario4580 Ontario Mills Parkway Ontario, CA 91764www.sjvc.eduAS
Santa Rosa Junior College1501 Mendocino Ave.
Santa Rosa, CA 94501
dentalprograms.santarosa.eduAS
Shasta College1400 Market Street
Redding, CA 96001
www.shastacollege.eduAS
Southwestern College880 National City Blvd.
National City, CA 91950
www.swccd.eduAS
Taft College29 Emmons Park Dr.
Taft, CA 93306
www.taftcollege.eduAS
University of Southern California925 West 34th Street, DEN 4330
Los Angeles, CA 90089
dentistry.usc.eduBS-DH
University of the Pacific3601 Pacific Avenue
Stockton, CA 95211
www.pacific.eduBS
West Coast University1477 South Manchester Avenue Anaheim, CA 92802www.westcoastuniversity.eduBS-DH
West Los Angeles College9000 Overland Ave.
Culver City, CA 90230
www.wlac.eduBS-DH

License Requirements

State flag of California

To be considered for a dental hygienist license in California, you must submit an application and meet the following requirements:

  • If you have been a licensed dental hygienist in a state outside of California for five years or more, you can gain licensure by way of credentials, rather than examination.
  • Graduation from an American Dental Association Accredited dental hygiene program; with your instructor completing a specific question on your application for verification. A transcript as well as a copy of your diploma is necessary for your application.
  • Must pass both clinical and written examinations in ethics and California dental law.
  • Successful completion of the National Board of Dental Examiner’s examination for dental hygienists at least 30 days prior to clinical examination.
  • Verification of completion of California Board-approved courses.
  • Must submit fingerprints along with application for examination.
  • Radiation Safety Certification is required.
  • Must undergo a criminal history investigation.
  • Must include certification of license status by all other states in which licensed, regardless of the status of the license.

Dental Hygienist Salary in California

Salaries for dental hygienists in the state of California
Collage created in Canva

Oral health concerns have become increasingly urgent over the past decade, with more scientific research proving how vital it is to overall health and well being. As dental hygienists are responsible for this care, there is obviously a high demand in their career field. With a projected 20% growth rate over the next seven years, dental hygienists demand is much higher than the average for other career fields.

The average annual salary in 2018 for dental hygienists in California was $100,830, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The counties with the highest annual salary included Solano County, Sonoma County, Santa Cruz County, Los Angeles County and Santa Clara County.

More than half of dental hygienists work as part time professionals, so it is important to note that salaries are often calculated into hourly rates. In the state of California, the average hourly rate for a dental hygienist was $48.48, in 2018. In addition to the salary packages, most dental hygienist professionals also receive benefit packages that include healthcare, retirement plan, pension, disability and time off options.

Area NameEmploymentHourly mean wageAnnual mean wage
Bakersfield
390
$45.25
$94,110
Chico
220
$45.04
$93,690
Eastern Sierra, Mother Lode Region of California
100
$46.71
$97,160
Fresno340
$43.65
$90,790
Hanford, Corcoran
50
$38.72
$80,550
Los Angeles, Long Beach, Anaheim
6610
$47.42
$98,640
Madera
-
$38.99
$81,100
Merced
70
$39.39
$81,920
Modesto310
$51.54
$107,210
Napa
190
$50.63
$105,310

Schools in neighboring States

California has an enormous selection of dental hygiene programs. However, many places in California are also very expensive to live. You may find it more affordable to study in a neighboring state. California is bounded by the U.S. state of Oregon to the north, by the states of Nevada and Arizona to the east.

About Ansar Ullah

My dream was always to become a medical doctor. However, I could not afford to study medicine so I became a writer.
Here I write about dentistry and careers in the wider field of dentistry. I love to research about educational topics and what it takes to be come a dental hygienist or a dental assistant. I also love to learn more about other specializations in the field of oral science.