Dental Schools
15 Best Dental Hygiene Schools in South Carolina |Cost, Requirements, How to Apply
There are top colleges that offer degrees in Dental Hygiene in South Carolina. Choosing the right and best dental hygiene schools in South Carolina that are right for you is very important.
Finishing a dentistry program in any Dental Hygiene School in South Carolina effectively positions you strategically to enter the expanding medical services industry.
The patient’s oral health is the dental hygienist’s main concern. They perform X-rays, clean patients’ teeth, and offer other preventive dental services like education. They also examine patients for signs of oral diseases such as gingivitis.
The American Dental Association (ADA) recognizes institutions that offer dental hygiene programs as maintaining a high standard of instruction. The Commission accredits these institutions on Dental Accreditation (CODA). The Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) of the American Dental Association approved dental hygiene programs throughout the country.
All dental hygiene curricula cover basic sciences like biology, physiology, pharmacology, and anatomy. Nevertheless, some programs provide specific courses in topics including dental pharmacology, dental materials, and pain management.
In the same vein, only a select few programs might offer skill labs in anaesthetic and X-ray techniques, even if all programs teach fundamental hygienist skills like removing plaque and tartar from teeth.
These should be considered when searching for Dental Hygiene Schools in South Carolina.
Are there Dental Hygiene Schools in South Carolina?
Various schools in South Carolina offer Dental Hygiene in their School. Ranging from technical colleges to universities, and private or public institutions.
Check out the list of South Carolina colleges providing recognized programs below if you’re ready to begin your studies to become a dental hygienist there.
Also read – Best Dental Hygiene Schools in New York | Cost, Requirements, How to Apply
How Much Does Dental Hygiene Schools Cost in South Carolina?
Education choices are typically predicated on two considerations: How long do you want to stay in school (duration), and the most important one, how much do you want to spend? These also apply to Dental Hygiene programs.
The cost of Dental Hygiene Schools in South Carolina varies according to the length of the program; whether it is a public university or private university also determined the amount to be paid. To become a dental hygienist, there are three educational options:
- You can earn an associate degree at a community or technical college. This will cost you between $5,782 and $46,900 to do so. The duration of this degree is usually between 20 to 30 months.
- A growing number of four-year colleges and universities are also providing dental hygiene programs. If you attend a state-funded institution, your tuition may be as low as $24,600, while attending a private university may cost you up to $97,850.
- Finally, a master’s degree may be something you wish to pursue if you want to do research or teach other aspiring dental hygienists. You will need between one and two years to complete a master’s degree, and you will end up paying between $32,100 and $82,400 for it.
Books and materials, lodging and meals, transportation, personal expenses, health insurance, and the rental or purchase of oral hygiene equipment are all potential extra costs.
What are the Requirements for Dental Hygiene Schools in South Carolina?
You must complete a recognized dental hygiene program from one of the Dental Hygiene Schools in South Carolina if you want to pursue a career as a dental hygienist there.
A high school diploma or its equivalent is required for enrollment into Dental Hygiene Schools in South Carolina. Depending on the institution, you might also need to pass entrance exams and enter an interview. Obtaining legal and medical authorization may also be necessary.
What are the Best Dental Hygiene Schools in South Carolina?
This list of best Dental Hygiene schools in South Carolina consists of various technical colleges and universities, both private and public institutions, that offer associate degree programs, bachelor’s degree programs and master’s degree programs in dental hygiene.
1. Greenville Technical College, Greenville.
Greenville’s associate degree program in dental hygiene includes two phases. You must first complete phase I general education courses, before applying for phase II, the dental hygiene courses.
At the school’s dental hygiene clinic, where students work with patients under the guidance of professors, the program culminates in practical, real-world experience.
2. Tridents Technical College
Each year’s fall semester marks the start of the dental hygiene program.
Both general education and professional dental courses are offered in the dental hygiene department at Trident Technical College. The dentistry clinic on Main Campus offers students practical instruction.
The Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association has approved this curriculum. Graduates in dental hygiene are qualified to take the national board test for dental hygiene and specific state board exams for licensure.
3. Fortis College Columbia, South Carolina.
Fortis College was founded in South Carolina to provide career education and training in the medical industry.
Students who enrol in the dental assisting and training programs at Fortis Colleges and Institutes get the knowledge and abilities required to prove their proficiency, obtain the required licensing, and launch a new career.
4. York Technical College, Rock Hill.
A two-year associate’s degree program in dental health is also available to students in York.
It’s crucial to plan and make sure you meet admissions requirements because admittance is competitive, and there are a lot of students on the waitlist, with an average wait period of two years.
5. James B. Edwards College Of Dental Medicine School
The dental program of the Medical University of South Carolina is known as the College of Dental Medicine. It is situated in the American state of South Carolina’s capital city of Charleston.
One of the country’s newest and most technologically advanced dental clinic buildings is the James B. Edwards Dental Clinics Building. This facility has been a prominent example for many dental schools now constructing new clinical facilities thanks to its striking design and avant-garde architecture.
For a class with 70 seats, about 900 applications have been received. Around 15 of the seats are set aside for out-of-state students, and the remaining 55 are only available to people who live in South Carolina.
6. Florence Darlington Technical College, Florence, South Carolina
There is only one-degree program in dental hygiene/hygiene offered at Florence-Darlington Technical College. A little suburb is home to this public, two-year college.
14 dental hygiene/hygienist students graduated in 2020, and 14 of them received Associate’s degrees.
7. Horry-Georgetown Technical College
In Conway, South Carolina, near Myrtle Beach, there is a public university called Horry-Georgetown Tech.
By legal requirements, holders of an Associate in Applied Science in Dental Hygiene degree are prepared to work directly with patients to detect and prevent oral diseases.
8. College of Charleston, South Carolina.
The College is a top university in the country for value, academic excellence, and student life. Students from all over the US and the world are drawn to the school because of its stunning historical architecture, modern amenities, and innovative programs like dental hygiene.
9. Midlands Technical College, Columbia.
Students at Midlands can finish the pre-dental hygiene program in the first phase, followed by the career-related courses in the second phase of the associate’s degree program in dental hygiene. Clinical work experience is part of the curriculum.
10. Aiken Technical College
Aiken Technical College was established as a two-year, all-inclusive, open-door public institution of higher learning to provide education and workforce development.
To satisfy these diverse demands, they offer a Diploma in Applied Science with a Major in Expanded-Duty Dental Assisting curriculum that instructs students in both dental care and office administration.
11. Accelerated Dental Assisting Academy, Seven Oaks, South Carolina.
Accelerated Dental’s 10-week dental assisting course is proud to give students real-world exposure in a working dental practice.
Their curriculum equips students with the skills and confidence they need to start a fulfilling career in the dental industry.
12. Lake Wylie School of Dental Assisting, South Carolina
A career in dental assisting education, dental product sales, or other related sectors may be launched by taking a dental assisting course in addition to being accepted at a dental hygiene school.
All students at Lake Wylie School of Dental Assisting participate in internships where they can obtain practical experience and even start a career. coursework combined with clinical instruction.
13. Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry of USC
Since 1897, the Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry at USC has offered students one-of-a-kind, in-depth clinical experiences utilizing the most cutting-edge methods and tools available.
The teachers at the school are its best asset. They provide students with the rigorous clinical education they need to become outstanding oral health practitioners thanks to their internationally acclaimed experience and cutting-edge curricula.
Accepted students must show proof of good health and adhere to the school’s health criteria before enrolment.
The program leading to the Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene admits between 30 and 40 students yearly.
14. Palmetto School of Career Development, Irmo, South Carolina.
The Dental Assisting Chairside course at Palmetto School of Career Development is created to give students the most practical training possible in the shortest amount of time so they can start their new jobs immediately.
The best technology is used in training along with the most recent methodologies. This course emphasizes individual engagement extensively and is engaging and fast-paced.
In the dentist’s office, dental chairside assistants carry out a range of crucial duties. In general, they assist the dentist during treatments by handing instruments, getting patients ready, and performing crucial tasks like taking dental X-rays.
The course lasts 18 weeks and comprises 140 hours of lectures and practical training in a real dental workplace.
Saturdays 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (1-hour break for lunch). Morning lectures are followed by afternoon clinical instruction.
15. Piedmont Technical College – Lex Walters Campus, Greenwood, South Carolina.
A one-year diploma degree in dental assisting equips graduates to work as a member of the dental office team.
In contrast, the two-year Central Piedmont Dental Hygiene program leads to an associate degree for its graduates.
There are different prerequisites for each program.
How Much Do Dental Hygienists Make in South Carolina?
Employment and salary have increased significantly for licensed dental hygienists in South Carolina. Given the demand for qualified individuals, finding a job shouldn’t be too challenging.
The Projections Managing Partnership (PMP) in South Carolina has published data from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics that shows job growth in the sector is expected to be higher than 13% between 2018 and 2028, which is substantially faster than the average increase for all jobs.
In South Carolina, dental hygienist salaries are competitive and reflect the necessary training and credentials. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that dental hygienists in South Carolina made an average of $29.56 per hour and $61,490 per year in 2020.
South Carolina’s highest-paid hygienists earned more than $81,180 per year. Your local conditions could be different.
You can also read: The Best dental Schools in the US, Costs & Benefits
How Do I Become a Dental Hygienist in South Carolina?
In South Carolina, obtaining a state license and completing at least two years of study is necessary to work as a dental hygienist.
You should be prepared to complete the remaining criteria for a South Carolina license once you have graduated from an accredited dental hygiene program. The South Carolina Board of Dentistry lists the following requirements, along with examples of each, that must be met before applying for a license:
- Upon successful completion of a recognized dental hygiene program.
- A score that qualifies for passing the National Board Exam.
- Either a passing grade on a clinical exam that the Board has approved, an active license and three years of practice in another state, or a license that is no older than two years from now from a state with exam criteria comparable to those of South Carolina.
- Answers to any questions from a personal history questionnaire that raise problems that need to be explained to establish a person’s moral integrity.
- Three letters of recommendation from dentists with a license.
Once the application and money have been turned in, the state’s jurisprudence test must be taken. To pass, you must receive a score of at least 70. You must complete seven credits of continuing education every year after getting your license, though you are exempt from this requirement until your initial renewal.
Best Paying Dental Hygiene Jobs in South Carolina with Salary
South Carolina ranks high nationwide for Dental Hygienist job salaries.
Below are top companies and their salaries for Dental Hygienists in South Carolina:
- Dental Connections
$61.51 per hour
- Fox Creek Family Dental
$60.32 per hour
- Western Dental Services
$58.99 per hour
- Advanced Dentistry
$54.46 per hour
- Jefferson Dental & Orthodontics
$53.30 per hour
- Ideal Dental
$53.22 per hour
- Dental Connections
$51.52 per hour
- Dental Health Associates
$51.28 per hour
- Onsite Dental
$50.04 per hour
- Willamette Dental
$49.01 per hour
- Hale Dentistry and Oral wellness, Aiken, South Carolina.
$36 per hour
- Tempted
Greenville, South Carolina.
$48 per hour
Frequently Ask Questions
An associate degree is awarded to graduates of the two-year dental hygiene program. On the other hand, the Central Piedmont Dental Assisting program is a one-year diploma program that equips graduates to work as a member of the dental office team.
No. Although it’s not necessary for your post-secondary degree to be in the dentistry industry, you’ll need a four-year certification to apply to dental school.
Most dental hygienists work in dentist offices:
 general dental care.
community dental care.
dental public health.
hospital dental care​
armed forces dentists.
A career as a dental hygienist allows you to provide a vital service to patients while working closely with dentists. You’ll evaluate patients, take x-rays, give teeth and gums preventative care, and keep patient records while working.
You may do a portion of your dental hygienist education online at some colleges, but you’ll still need to complete some clinical training. You can hone your abilities while working in a lab or clinical setting by inspecting patients, cleaning their teeth, and explaining treatments to them.
Conclusion
Check out the list of authorized schools in South Carolina that are offering programs if you’re prepared to begin your studies to become a dental hygienist there.
References
- Dentalassistantedu.org – Dental Hygienist Schools in South Carolina.
- Beststudyabroadcountries.com – 12 best Dental Hygienist Schools in South Carolina.
- Niche.com – 2023 top colleges for an associate degree in dental hygiene in South Carolina
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