Top Dental Hygiene Programs in Virginia Beach, VA

Proper oral hygiene is critical for overall health and wellness. As awareness grows regarding links between poor dental care and conditions like heart disease and diabetes, demand for qualified dental hygienists continues rising exponentially. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects employment of dental hygienists to surge 11% through 2031, much faster than average across all occupations.

The Virginia Beach metropolitan area mirrors this trend, driven by population growth and greater insurance coverage for preventive services. Recently, the American Dental Hygienists‘ Association (ADHA) ranked Virginia Beach #9 on its list of best metro locations for dental hygienists when weighing factors like cost of living, job availability, and average salaries.

To help meet urgent oral health needs in underserved communities, some states now permit dental therapists and advanced practice dental hygienists to work under less supervision. The ADHA supports establishing a midlevel dental provider role nationwide to reduce barriers and expand access. These ongoing reforms promise to transform career trajectories for dental hygiene graduates in Virginia Beach and beyond.

This article explores top dental hygiene programs available in Virginia Beach, outlining key differences in degree levels, formats, technology integration, global experiences, and more to help prospective students select the best fit. Expert insights from school faculty and directors shed light on how curriculums adapt to policy shifts while ensuring graduates excel as patient advocates and proactive health partners.

Tidewater Community College

Tidewater Community College (TCC) offers an excellent associate degree program in dental hygiene through its Health Professions Division. Established in 1968, TCC’s was Virginia’s first public community college. Today, it serves over 40,000 students annually across four campuses.

TCC‘s dental hygiene curriculum spans five semesters, blending general education with specialized courses. All graduates become eligible for licensure and well-prepared to pass board examinations. The Commission on Dental Accreditation granted the program approval until 2025.

Students complete approximately 79 credit hours gaining extensive hands-on experience through labs and clinical rotations. Subject areas encompass dental sciences, head and neck anatomy, histology, pharmacology, radiology, periodontology, community health education models, ethics, and practice management.

The program emphasizes evidence-based patient care, with additional training in nutrition counseling and tobacco cessation techniques. Enrollees also apply emerging innovations, incorporating teledentistry and intraoral imaging in patient assessments.

TCC launched the Hampton Roads Dental Hygiene Society student chapter, allowing members to network with practicing clinicians. These mentor relationships offer insight into varied career pathways from public health to pediatric offices and hospital dental centers.

In 2021, 100% of TCC dental hygiene graduates passed the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination on first attempt. This feat earned the college ADHA‘s prestigious 100% Club Merit Award. TCC also holds the distinction of chapter advisor for Virginia‘s Alpha Beta Nu Dental Hygiene Honor Society.

"We aim to foster daring leadership paired with high ethical standards," explains Program Director Anya Henderson, RDH, MSEd. "Our students graduate ready to advance policies expanding access alongside technology."

Old Dominion University

Old Dominion University (ODU) offers an acclaimed four-year Bachelor of Science degree program in dental hygiene, blending online and hands-on learning. ODU is the largest public research university in the state and a national leader in distance education.

The rigorous curriculum encompasses biological sciences, psychology, sociology, research methods, healthcare management, and advanced clinical practice. Students gain expertise through state-of-the-art facilities like the university’s dental hygiene clinic and simulation lab.

Unique course components include interprofessional education with nursing, counseling, and medical students to enable collaborative practice. Students also participate in service learning, partnering with over 50 Hampton Roads organizations to deliver oral health education and preventive care.

ODU dental hygiene undergraduates produce award-winning research and often earn recognition from the National Collegiate Honors Society. Between 2018-2022, 100% of ODU test takers passed the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination on first attempt.

In 2022, the university launched the Jean C. Talmage Dental Hygiene International Service Learning program fund. "We strive to develop culturally sensitive clinicians ready to tackle oral health crises globally," explains Dr. Gayle McCombs, Department Chair. "Our graduates make impact working abroad with refugees or vulnerable populations here in Virginia.”

Centura College

Centura College operates eight campuses in Virginia and North Carolina, including Chesapeake, VA near Virginia Beach. The college offers an Associate degree in Occupational Science with a Dental Hygiene major integrating online and in-person instruction.

Students gain intensive hands-on training in state-of-the-art campus labs featuring cutting-edge manikins and equipment. Additional clinical experience takes place through patient care rotations at affiliate dental clinics.

The 83-credit curriculum spans eight quarters, covering topics like dental materials, head and neck anatomy, radiology, periodontology, pain management, and community health concepts. Faculty experts provide coaching and mentorship focused on clinical excellence and preparation for board examinations.

Centura College is institutionally accredited by the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools, and the dental hygiene program earned approval from the Commission on Dental Accreditation through 2026.

An accelerated track helps trained dental assistants build on existing expertise to transition into hygiene roles, saving time and money. The program‘s convenient two-days-per-week schedule also appeals to working professionals seeking a career change.

"We empower all graduates with skills needed to improve access and reform outdated regulations,” explains Chesapeake Campus Dean Amanda Smith. “They champion innovation around telehealth, mobile clinics, and alternative practice models to reach disadvantaged groups."

Bryant & Stratton College

Bryant & Stratton College offers an Associate of Applied Science degree in Dental Hygiene across three Virginia locations, including the Virginia Beach campus on Greenwich Road. Founded in 1854, Bryant & Stratton College currently serves over 13,000 students in person and online.

This intensive AAS program spans just five consecutive semesters, progressing from lectures and labs to clinical work treating community patients. The modern Hampton Roads Dental Clinic facility and the high faculty-to-student ratio foster impactful hands-on learning.

The rigorous 125 credit-hour curriculum aligns to requirements for licensure and entry-level dental hygiene careers. Courses encompass Oral Anatomy, Histology, Periodontology, Radiography, Pain Management, Ethics, and Community Dental Health.

Students also complete 300 hours of supervised preclinical and clinical experience across four semesters. This external training takes place under licensed dentists and dental hygienists across an extensive network of partner clinics.

Unique experiential components include options for domestic or international medical mission trip participation. "We believe graduating globally-minded clinicians who understand different cultural approaches and health disparities is essential,” notes Campus President Dr. Shawn Hershey.

Between 2017-2021, 100% of Bryant & Stratton VA dental hygiene graduates secured employment. Licensure exam pass rates also consistently surpass national averages.

Key Factors to Consider When Researching Programs

Prospective students researching dental hygiene programs should start by reflecting on their career aspirations in terms of desired practice settings, advancement pathways, earning potential, and lifestyle factors.

• Consider whether you aim to work clinically under a dentist, pursue teaching credentials, apply public health training, or seek roles in a specialty area like oral surgery offices. These aims help determine optimal degree levels and specializations.

• Compare base tuition rates, lab fees, equipment cost estimates, and availability of financial assistance across programs. Bachelor’s completion programs for associate degree hygienists often prove cost-effective long-term.

• Evaluate program lengths, session start dates, class schedules, attendance requirements, and possibility for accelerated tracks. Consider how these factors fit with your work/life commitments and target graduation timeline.

• Ensure that National Board Dental Hygiene Examination pass rates meet your expectations. Programs excelling in this domain often indicate strong clinical preparation and curriculum quality.

• Prioritize schools offering ample hands-on patient care through on-campus clinics or community dental partner rotations. This experiential training proves invaluable for skills development.

These key differentiators play a significant role in determining which institution best fits your academic objectives and position goals after graduation.

Choosing the Best Pathway

After researching various programs available, here are key next steps for selecting the optimal dental hygiene school for your needs:

• Schedule campus visits – Tour facilities in-person and meet with current students and faculty if possible. Experiencing the on-site dental clinics and classrooms firsthand proves invaluable.

• Thoroughly review licensure processes – Ensure you understand all testing components, hands-on patient care hour rules, credentialing fees, continuing education mandates, and eligibility conditions for the state(s) you may want to practice in eventually.

• Talk to practicing hygienists – Network at professional association meetings and shadow roles of interest to clarify day-to-day realities before committing to a particular program path.

• Apply to multiple programs – Boost chances for acceptance by submitting several strong applications showcasing your passions, relevant experience, communication abilities, and commitment to the field.

Virginia Beach offers top-tier dental hygiene education pathways blending scientific knowledge and clinical skills development. At schools like Tidewater Community College, Old Dominion University, Centura College, and Bryant & Stratton College, students gain expertise to deliver exceptional patient care while catalyzing ongoing policy transformations around oral health access and prevention.