Dental Hygiene (DH)

Pima Medical Institute's Dental Hygiene Associate Degree Program prepares students to become competent entry-level dental hygienists through didactic instruction, hands-on laboratory practice, and clinical experience. The curriculum builds the interpersonal and professional skills needed to deliver comprehensive preventive oral healthcare across diverse patient populations, covering anatomy and physiology, periodontology, pharmacology, radiology, oral pathology, dental practice management, dental hygiene law and ethics, and public health dentistry. Emphasizing critical thinking, evidence-based practice, and patient-centered care, the program prepares graduates to function as effective members of a professional dental care team and pursue lifelong learning in the field.

Graduates earn an Associate of Applied Science Degree and are eligible to apply for the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination (NBDHE) and other board examinations required for state licensure.

Program objective. The Dental Hygiene program prepares students to become competent entry-level dental hygienists through a combination of didactic instruction, hands-on laboratory practice, and clinical experiences. The curriculum develops intrapersonal and professional skills essential for delivering comprehensive oral healthcare and promoting oral and systemic health in diverse populations. Students acquire knowledge and skills in areas such as anatomy and physiology, periodontology, dental practice management, dental hygiene law and ethics, general and oral pathology, patient management, pharmacology, public health dentistry, and radiology. Emphasizing critical thinking, evidence-based practices, and professional values, the program prepares graduates to function as effective members of a professional dental care team, advocate for patient-centered care, and engage in lifelong learning.

Graduates earn an Associate of Applied Science Degree and are eligible to apply for the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination (NBDHE) and other board examinations required for state licensure.

Core skills you’ll develop.

• Clinical: Scaling, root planing, polishing, and comprehensive dental hygiene procedures
• Patient Care: Patient assessment, oral health education, and communication across diverse populations
• Science: Anatomy and physiology, periodontology, pharmacology, and oral and general pathology
• Compliance: Dental hygiene law and ethics, infection control, and radiologic health and safety
• Technology: Dental radiography, electronic health records, and dental practice management systems

Continuing your education. Graduating with an associate degree is a vital pathway toward pursuing higher education later on. Interested in breaking into leadership or healthcare administration? At Pima Medical Institute, we offer an online Bachelor of Science in Health Care Administration that will give you the skills needed to move up within the healthcare industry, all with the flexibility of virtual instruction.

About Pima Medical Institute. Pima Medical Institute started changing lives in 1972, when Richard L. Luebke, Sr., and his wife, JoAnn, opened the first campus in Tucson, Arizona. Over 175,000 graduates have since advanced their education, and many are serving their communities through meaningful health care careers. The school’s mission is to improve the quality of people’s lives by providing the best value in medical career education.

Eligibility requirements.

• Possess a high school diploma or recognized equivalency
• Additional requirements may apply by campus

Program-specific requirements. In addition to the Admissions requirements listed in the Prospective Students section of the catalog, a portfolio and an interview with the program director and/or faculty is required. Refer to the program specific Prospective Student Handout for more information.

High school verification. Proof of valid high school completion or equivalent must be submitted (high school diploma or transcript, GED report and certificate, or an official associate or bachelor’s degree transcript). Pima Medical Institute does not enroll ability-to-benefit students, and applicants under the legal age must have written approval of a parent or legal guardian.

Entrance exams. Applicants for degree programs, excluding Nursing, are required to take the Wonderlic SLE and receive a minimum score of 20. Applicants for associate degree programs are also required to take a math admission test and receive a minimum of 80% (24 out of 30 correct); a calculator is allowed, the time limit is 45 minutes, and the test can be taken up to 3 times. The exam may be waived for applicants who submit official transcripts that document completion of an associate degree or higher.

Background check, drug testing and vaccinations. Depending on the program, a background check and/or drug screening may be required prior to enrollment, during the program, and/or prior to externship/clinical training; the cost of the background check/drug screen is an out-of-pocket expense. The cost of required vaccinations and titers is also an out-of-pocket expense, and students are required to follow all clinical experience vaccination requests and policies.

At a glance. Course length: 18 or 23 months* (approximate); Total credits: 81.5-121.5; Lab hours: 150-315; Class hours: 930-962; Externship hours: 510-780. Accreditation status varies by campus. Albuquerque, Houston and Seattle hold "approval without reporting requirements." Phoenix and San Antonio hold "initial accreditation." All statuses are granted by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA), a specialized accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Hybrid education options not available at all campuses. Albuquerque, Houston and Seattle approx. 23 months; Phoenix and San Antonio approx. 18 months.

Houston campus. The 2026 tuition price list shows 83 semester credits and 1,776 clock hours over 90 weeks, including 17 externship credits (666 hours).

Houston class times. Morning classes 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM, late morning classes 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM and afternoon classes 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday; night classes 5:50 PM - 10:10 PM. Medical Assistant, Pharmacy Technician, Dental Assistant, Veterinary Assistant, Veterinary Technology and Diagnostic Medical Sonography externships are 40 hours per week.

Hybrid learning options. For students who need more flexibility in their schedules, hybrid learning options are available at select campuses. Hybrid learning combines in-person instruction with online learning. Students can engage with course materials at times and in environments that suit their individual circumstances, such as balancing employment, family responsibilities or geographic constraints. However, externship hours must be completed entirely in person because hands-on clinical experience is essential for developing the practical skills and confidence needed for real-world patient care.

• Certification: Graduates are eligible to apply to sit for the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination (NBDHE), governed by the Joint Commission on National Dental Examinations (JCNDE). Students take RDH 226 or DHYG 2130, a dedicated 45-50 hour exam review course.*
• Entry-level roles: Dental hygienist, pediatric dental hygienist, periodontal dental hygienist, public health dental hygienist or geriatric dental hygienist.
• Career advancement: With experience, dental hygienists can move into lead hygienist, dental office coordinator, or dental hygiene educator roles, or specialize further in areas such as periodontics or public health.

Certification and state registration requirements vary.

Careers. The Dental Hygiene Associate Degree Program prepares students to apply for roles and other related career opportunities including:

• Dental hygienist: providing preventive oral healthcare services including cleanings, screenings, and patient education in dental offices and clinics
• Public health dental hygienist: delivering oral health education and preventive services in community, school, and public health settings
• Clinical dental hygiene educator: supporting the training of future dental hygienists in academic or clinical settings
• Dental office coordinator: managing scheduling, patient records, and administrative operations alongside clinical duties
• Periodontal hygienist: delivering specialized hygiene services in periodontal and specialty dental practices

These roles exist across private dental offices, group dental practices, specialty clinics, community health centers, public health agencies, hospital dental departments and educational institutions.

Job outlook. 8% Growth — The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects this occupation to grow faster than average over the next 10 years with a median pay of $98,100 per year. Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Dental Hygienists, at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/dental-hygienists.htm (visited September 22, 2026).

Career Services. When you’re a Pima Medical Institute student, you get access to our Career Services team—here for you when you need extra help with finding the right job opportunities, building a resume, strengthening your interview skills or just looking for general guidance.

Clinical externships. At Pima Medical Institute, most programs allow students to work in their field through clinical externships—a chance to be mentored by full-time professionals and interface with real patients.

In addition to real-world experience, clinical externships offer students resume-worthy opportunities, letters of recommendation from supervisors and sometimes job placement directly after graduation.

Student Services. Our team of student service professionals are on hand to see students through the challenges they might face during their academic career. We offer guidance and resources to ultimately help build employable medical professionals.

Application process.

• Submit the form below. A few quick details so we can get to know you before we connect.
• Chat with our team. They'll ask about your goals, your background, and what's drawing you to healthcare. From there, they'll help you find the right program and campus for where you are in life right now.
• Attend your campus tour. Experience Pima Medical in person and picture yourself in a career that matters. We'll walk you through programs and what to expect.
• We help you complete your application. Our team guides you through every step, including enrollment and financial services, so nothing stands between you and getting started.