Carrington College

Dental Hygiene

Sacramento
Associate Degree
Dental Hygiene
Accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC).
On-campus — classroom, laboratory, and supervised clinical practice in the dental-hygiene clinic.
$83,370 total program cost — all-inclusive (tuition, eBook, textbooks, iPad, instruments, and STRF where required).
64-80 weeks; 62-83 semester credits
No application fee is charged.
Participates in all six federal aid programs (Pell, FSEOG, Federal Work-Study, Direct Subsidized/Unsubsidized & PLUS loans); VA/GI Bill & Yellow Ribbon; private loans.

Dental Hygiene is an Associate Degree program (Hybrid) offered by Carrington College in Sacramento, CA. The program takes 64-80 weeks; 62-83 semester credits to complete, with a total cost, including fees, of $83,370.

Program Overview

Dental hygienists are licensed dental health specialists who provide preventive, educational, and therapeutic services for the promotion of oral health and control of oral diseases. They observe and record abnormalities in patients' mouths, take oral x-rays, and apply fluoride and fissure sealants. Other tasks include providing periodontal therapies like root planing and removal of plaque, calculus, and stains from teeth. Utilizing the Dental Hygiene (DH) process of care, students will learn to devise and deliver patients with personalized oral care.

Students in the Dental Hygiene program gain the skills and knowledge to provide comprehensive dental hygiene care. Instruction helps students develop professional communication skills with patients, colleagues, and the public, as well as knowledge of ethical standards and professional behavior. Students learn to analyze and apply advances in research to dental hygiene care and are encouraged to participate in and provide leadership in community activities that promote optimal oral health. The program culminates in an Associate of Science degree in Dental Hygiene. Graduates are prepared to take the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination (NBDHE), as well as state or regional clinical licensing examinations. Licensure qualifications vary by state.

Offered to new students at: Boise, Mesa, Ontario, Sacramento, San Jose, and Visalia.

What Sets This Program Apart

Program Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the Dental Hygiene program, graduates will be able to:

  • Deliver comprehensive dental hygiene care to a diverse population of patients according to the Dental Hygiene process of care.
  • Practice in a safe and ethical manner in accordance with the Dental Hygiene Standard of Care, infection control standards, state and national governance, and the Core Values of the ADHA Code of Ethics.
  • Justify the use of evidence-based treatment modalities in relation to the delivery of oral health care.

Admission Requirements

  • High school diploma or equivalent
    Be a graduate of an approved high school or hold a GED / High School Equivalency credential.
  • Admissions assessment
    Pass the Wonderlic SLE with the minimum score designated by the selected program, where applicable.
  • Minimum age
    Meet the minimum age defined by the state in which you attend Carrington College.
  • Enrollment documentation
    Complete all required enrollment documentation.
  • Immunizations (Nevada & Oregon campuses)
    Students attending on-campus coursework in Nevada or Oregon must provide proof of immunization before starting on-campus classes.
  • Background check & drug screening
    Entry to this field may require a criminal background check and drug/alcohol testing prior to clinical rotations — for licensure, certification, or employment.

Application Process

  1. 1
    Request Information
    Submit the Request Information form and an Enrollment Services Representative will reach out to discuss the program, schedule, and your goals.
  2. 2
    Interview & Requirements
    Meet with an Enrollment Services Associate, confirm you meet the admission requirements, and complete the admissions assessment.
  3. 3
    Financial Aid
    Complete the FAFSA and meet with the financial aid office to review Pell Grants, federal loans, Work-Study, and VA/GI Bill options.
    FAFSA Code for Sacramento: 009748
    Fill Out the FAFSA
  4. 4
    Enroll
    Sign your Enrollment Agreement, register for classes, and attend orientation to begin the program.

Cost of Attendance and Financial Aid Information

Total Program Cost
≈ $83,370
FAFSA Code
Net Price Calculator

Program Schedule

Approximate time to complete degree program: 64 weeks (Sacramento/San Jose and Ontario/Visalia); 80 weeks (Boise and Mesa), not including breaks. Campus-based.

Curriculum

Technical courses (Sacramento and San Jose):

  • DH10 Introduction to Clinical Dental Hygiene; DH100.1 Introduction to Clinical Dental Hygiene Lab
  • DH11 Oral Radiology; DH110 Oral Radiology Lab
  • DH12 Oral Biology; DH13 Head and Neck Anatomy; DH14.1 Dental Morphology; DH15 Preventive Dentistry
  • DH20.1 Clinical Dental Hygiene Seminar; DH200 Clinical Dental Hygiene Care; DH21.1 Local Anesthesia
  • DH22 General and Oral Pathology; DH23 Periodontics; DH24 Dental Hygiene Care for Patients with Special Needs; DH25 Behavioral Foundations of Dental Hygiene Care
  • DH30 Advanced Clinical Dental Hygiene Seminar; DH300 Advanced Clinical Dental Hygiene Care; DH31 Dental Materials; DH310 Dental Materials Lab; DH32 Pharmacology; DH33 Community Oral Health; DH34 Dental Specialties
  • DH40 Advanced Clinical Dental Hygiene Seminar; DH400 Advanced Clinical Dental Hygiene Care; DH41.1 Community Oral Health Practicum; DH42 Scientific Methods; DH43 Ethics, Jurisprudence, and Dental Hygiene Practice; DH44 Dental Hygiene Review

Total for Degree: 62 semester credits.

Cost of Attendance & Financial Aid

The total program cost for the Dental Hygiene associate degree at Carrington's California campuses is $83,370. This all-inclusive price covers tuition, your eBook and physical textbooks, an iPad, instruments/supplies, and the Student Tuition Recovery Fund (STRF) where required. Additional screening fees (Live Scan, drug/health, and background check) may apply, and actual cost can vary with transfer credits accepted and any course repeats. Use the Net Price Calculator to estimate your personalized cost after aid.

Carrington College complies with all applicable state and federal equal credit opportunity laws; however, Carrington College does not guarantee financial assistance or credit to any student.

Federal Student Aid Programs

There are three categories of federal financial assistance: grants, loans, and Federal Work-Study. To help students pay for post-secondary education, the U.S. Department of Education offers six primary federal financial aid programs, and Carrington College is eligible to participate in all six.

  • Federal Pell Grants help fund post-secondary education for undergraduate students who have not previously earned bachelor's degrees. Grants are need-based and do not require repayment if the student remains in school during that term.
  • Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (FSEOG) provide supplemental funds to Federal Pell Grant-eligible undergraduate students who demonstrate exceptional need.
  • Federal Work-Study (FWS) enables students who demonstrate financial need to earn wages to assist with paying for their education expenses through part-time education-related or community-service employment.
  • Federal Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loans are obtained from the U.S. Department of Education and must be repaid, typically once students have graduated or stopped attending school at least half the time.
  • Federal Direct PLUS Loans (Parent Loans) allow parents of dependent students to borrow a maximum of educational costs less financial aid per academic year.

Many lenders also offer non-federal (private) loans to supplement federal financial aid.

Veterans Benefits

Students who may qualify for veteran's education benefits should notify their Carrington College Enrollment Services Associate and Financial Services Advisor as far in advance of their scheduled class start date as possible. Benefits may be awarded under the GI Bill, including the Montgomery GI Bill (Chapter 30), Montgomery GI Bill-Selected Reserve, Dependent's Education Assistance (Chapter 35), and Post-9/11 (Chapter 33). Carrington College participates in the federal Yellow Ribbon program for students using Chapter 33 benefits (not available at all locations).

Financial Services

Services are available to assist all students with loan repayment options, deferments, debt management, and financial literacy.

Total program tuition is $83,370 (tuition only; any fees billed separately).

What to Expect as a Student at Carrington College

Student Advising

We provide assistance and support to students who experience academic or personal issues during the course of their education. Staff are ready to assist you with developing a course of action designed to address your particular challenge.

Academic Support

Instructors are your first point of contact for support. All ground campus instructors have office hours and contact information posted in the course syllabus, and students are encouraged to use this time for one-on-one tutoring and identifying suggestions for improving study techniques and habits. The College Library subscribes to many databases containing current, full-text articles from periodicals, including peer-reviewed scholarly journals, and access to multimedia and electronic books available 24/7.

Tutoring, Mentors & Peer Support

Ground campus instructors are your first point of contact when requesting tutoring. Ground campuses also have student mentors who are the second point of contact for tutoring services, and students are encouraged to form study groups.

Student Success Center

Student Success Centers are spaces on campus where students can go to find additional resources and support, including information related to their program of study as well as general information and guidance on student success strategies.

Personal Resources

The College may provide assistance with transportation, childcare, counseling, food, utilities, and prevention programs. The Dean can connect students with these resources and provide referrals to appropriate outside agencies. Resources will vary by location.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is dental hygiene school?
Carrington's Dental Hygiene associate degree is typically completed in about 19–24 months of full-time study, depending on campus and schedule.
Do dental hygienists need to be licensed?
Yes. To practice as a Registered Dental Hygienist (RDH) you must pass national and state/regional board exams and obtain a license from your state dental board. The program is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA).
Will I get hands-on clinical training?
Yes. The program combines classroom and laboratory instruction with supervised clinical experience treating patients in the campus dental-hygiene clinic.
What does a dental hygienist do?
Dental hygienists provide preventive oral care — cleanings, x-rays, screenings, and patient education — working alongside dentists in dental practices and clinics.
What are common admission requirements for the Dental Hygiene program?
Beyond Carrington's standard admission requirements, applicants complete an entrance assessment and an interview; some prerequisite science coursework may be required. See the Admission Requirements section above.

School Information

Carrington College
carrington.edu
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Location

Sacramento
8909 Folsom Blvd
Sacramento, CA 95826

Accreditation & Approvals

Institutional Accreditation

Carrington College is accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges, 428 J Street, Suite 400, Sacramento, CA 95814; 415 506 0234, an institutional accrediting body recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation and the U.S. Department of Education. Additional information about accreditation, including the filing of complaints against member institutions, can be found at http://www.accjc.org/.

Programmatic Accreditation

The Dental Hygiene programs at the Boise, Mesa, Ontario, Sacramento, San Jose, and Visalia campuses are accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation, a specialized accrediting body recognized by the United States Department of Education.

The Physical Therapist Assistant programs at the Las Vegas and Pleasant Hill campuses are accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE).

The Associate Degree in Nursing programs at the Albuquerque (NM), Phoenix (AZ), Mesa (AZ), Reno (NV), and Tucson (AZ) campuses are accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN), with the most recent decision being Continuing Accreditation; the Las Vegas (NV) program is a candidate for initial accreditation by ACEN effective April 23, 2025.

The Nursing Bridge program at the Boise, Idaho campus is accredited by ACEN (Continuing Accreditation). The Practical Nursing program at the Boise, Idaho campus is accredited by ACEN (Continuing Accreditation); the Albuquerque, New Mexico Practical Nursing program is a candidate for initial accreditation by ACEN effective September 5, 2024 (candidacy expires September 5, 2026).

The Bachelor of Science in Nursing program offered through the Sacramento campus is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).

The Respiratory Therapy Associate of Science degree programs at the Bakersfield, Las Vegas, Ontario, Phoenix, Pleasant Hill, Rancho Cordova, Temecula, and Visalia campuses are accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC).

The Surgical Technology programs at the Bakersfield, Fresno, Phoenix, Rancho Cordova, San Jose, and Temecula campuses are accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) upon the recommendation of the Accreditation Review Council on Education in Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting.

The Veterinary Technology programs at the Pleasant Hill, Sacramento, San Jose, San Leandro, and Stockton campuses are accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). AVMA accreditation for the Veterinary Technology program in Ontario is currently assigned to San Joaquin Valley College and will transfer to Carrington-Ontario 30 days before the next scheduled start date.

The most current information on accreditation and approvals can be found at https://carrington.edu/accreditation-and-approvals/.

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Dental Hygiene