Top 20 Dental Hygiene Programs in Cincinnati, OH for 2026
Cincinnati is home to some of the top dental hygiene programs in Ohio. With a range of excellent school choices, future dental hygienists can receive high-quality training in the Cincinnati area to prepare them for rewarding careers. This article explores the 20 best dental hygiene programs in Cincinnati based on reputation, curriculum quality, hands-on training opportunities, faculty expertise, student resources, and graduate career placement success.
1. University of Cincinnati
The University of Cincinnati offers an acclaimed Bachelor of Science degree in Dental Hygiene. Key program highlights include:
- Hands-on training at an on-campus dental clinic with the latest technology
- Opportunities to provide oral healthcare to underserved populations
- Mentorship from distinguished faculty who are leaders in research and academia
- Strong focus on leadership, professionalism, ethics, and communication
- Excellent graduate licensure exam pass rates and career placement outcomes
With small class sizes and abundant experiential learning opportunities, UC‘s dental hygiene program empowers students to hone their clinical skills and pursue leadership roles in the field. Graduates are highly sought-after by premier dental clinics, hospitals, industry organizations, academia, and public health departments.
More Info: University of Cincinnati Dental Hygiene Program
2. Cincinnati State Technical and Community College
Cincinnati State offers an Associate of Applied Science in Dental Hygiene. Key benefits of the program include:
- In-depth study of dental sciences, periodontics, radiography, community oral health, and anesthesia
- 300+ hours of clinical practice at the on-campus dental hygiene clinic
- Preparation for Ohio state licensure and national board exams
- Partnerships with over 60 local dentists for real-world experience
- 94% graduate employment rate within the field
With flexible day and night course options, Cincinnati State makes earning an AAS in Dental Hygiene accessible for both entry-level students and working dental assistants.
More Info: Cincinnati State Dental Hygiene AAS
3. Ross Medical Education Center
Ross Medical Education Center has an Associate of Applied Science in Dental Hygiene program. Distinctive features include:
- Contextualized, practical instruction in dental hygiene skills and theory
- Professionally equipped on-site dental clinic for clinical practice
- Opportunity to gain experience through a 160-hour externship in a private practice setting
- Certification in vital signs, oxygen administration, first aid, and healthcare provider CPR
- Thorough preparation for state and national credentialing exams
With flexible schedules, experienced faculty, and robust career support, Ross empowers students to gain the competencies needed to launch their dental hygiene careers.
More Info: Ross Dental Hygiene Program
4. American National University
American National University offers a Dental Hygiene Associate Degree at its Cincinnati campus. Key advantages include:
- Comprehensive curriculum aligned with Commission on Dental Accreditation standards
- State-of-the-art dental clinic with digital radiography technology
- 140 hours of clinical experience in a private practice or clinic setting
- Small classes for individualized instruction and support
- Career guidance tailored to each student’s professional goals
With flexible day and evening course options plus hands-on training opportunities, ANU prepares graduates to pass credentialing exams and thrive in dental hygiene roles.
More Info: ANU Dental Hygiene Program
5. MedTech College
MedTech College offers an Associate of Applied Science in Dental Hygiene. Standout features include:
- Innovative hybrid curriculum blending online and on-campus labs/clinics
- State-of-the-art educational facilities modeling real-world clinical settings
- 190 hours of applied experience at community clinics and dental offices
- Small class sizes and dedicated faculty advisors
- Licensure and certification exam preparation
MedTech College empowers students to gain practical knowledge and clinical dental hygiene skills for entry-level success while accommodating flexible scheduling needs.
More Info: MedTech Dental Hygiene Program
6. Hondros College
Hondros College provides an Associate of Applied Science in Dental Hygiene program. Key advantages include:
- Competency-based instruction preparing graduates for clinical practice
- Modern campus labs with digital radiography and cutting-edge dental technology
- 160-hour externship within a private dental office or clinic
- Licensure exam review course with mock examinations
- Expert faculty who share professional experiences and industry knowledge
With its career-ready focus and robust industry connections, Hondros College empowers graduates to begin impactful dental hygiene careers.
More Info: Hondros Dental Hygiene Program
7. Xavier University
Xavier offers a Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene program through its College of Professional Sciences. Notable aspects include:
- Rigorous science-intensive curriculum exploring sciences like pathology, pharmacology, and anatomy
- Hands-on training within on-campus dental hygiene clinic and simulation lab
- Opportunities for community outreach and oral health promotion initiatives
- Prepares graduates for advanced dental hygiene roles and/or future Master’s/Doctorate education
- Excellent first-time pass rates on credentialing exams
With its Jesuit tradition of academic excellence and dedication to community service, Xavier’s dental hygiene program enables graduates to enhance oral healthcare accessibility while advancing their careers.
More Info: Xavier Dental Hygiene Program
8. Brown Mackie College
Brown Mackie College has an Associate of Applied Science in Dental Hygiene program. Key features include:
- Innovative hybrid curriculum with online and on-campus labs/clinics
- Newly renovated dental hygiene clinic mirroring modern clinical environments
- 160 hours of hands-on patient care experience in clinical settings
- Small classes fostering individualized attention
- Multidisciplinary, experienced faculty
By interweaving immersive practical learning with online flexibility, Brown Mackie’s dental hygiene program empowers graduates for clinical practice success.
More Info: BMC Dental Hygiene Program
9. Fortis College
Fortis College offers a diploma program in Dental Hygiene. Differentiators include:
- Approximately 200 hours of clinical rotations within dental facilities
- Cutting-edge educational labs with digital radiography and diagnostics technology
- Prompt preparation for licensure exams after graduation
- Career support with resume writing, mock interviews, and externship opportunities
- Small classes led by faculty with professional dental experience
Fortis College’s intensive dental hygiene program provides robust clinical experiences tailored to support students’ successful transition into practice.
More Info: Fortis Dental Hygiene Program
10. Eastern Gateway Community College
Eastern Gateway Community College provides an Associate of Applied Science in Dental Hygiene. Standout aspects include:
- Comprehensive study of dental sciences, periodontics, head/neck anatomy, and pharmacology
- State-of-the-art educational clinic mirroring modern dental office settings
- 200+ hours of applied clinical practice across semesters
- First-time pass rates above 90% for credentialing exams
- Transfer options into Eastern Gateway’s online Bachelor of Technical and Applied Studies
With supportive student resources, accessible tuition, and flexible scheduling, EGCC makes advancing your dental hygiene education achievable.
More Info: EGCC Dental Hygiene AAS
11. Sullivan University
Sullivan University offers an Associate of Science degree in Dental Hygiene with standout components including:
- Competency-focused curriculum aligned to latest industry standards
- Modern educational dental hygiene clinic echoing today‘s clinical environments
- 160 hours of experiential learning within on-site and community practice settings
- Licensure exam preparation coursework and testing opportunities
- Small classes led by faculty sharing professional experiences
With comprehensive dental sciences foundations and abundant applied practice, Sullivan University’s dental hygiene graduates gain employer-desired skills.
More Info: Sullivan Dental Hygiene Program
12. Brightwood College
Brightwood College provides a Dental Hygiene Associate of Applied Science Degree program. Key differentiators include:
- State-of-the-industry educational labs featuring digital/CAD technologies
- 200 hours of clinical experience within on-campus clinic and community partners
- Ready-for-work focus with resume/interview coaching and employer networking
- Condensed 18-month program pacing
- Preparedness for credentialing exams
Offering dynamic hands-on coursework tailored to real career demands, Brightwood’s accelerated program unlocks dental hygiene career potential.
More Info: Brightwood Dental Hygiene Program
13. Beckfield College
Beckfield College has an Associate Degree in Dental Hygiene comprising:
- Competency-focused courses following national Dental Hygiene standards
- State-of-the-industry clinic environment resembling today’s modern offices
- 160+ hours of supervised clinical experience across diverse settings
- National and regional anesthetic certification exam preparation
- Connections to externships and graduate employment networks
With interactive, immersive learning and job-ready building blocks, Beckfield College propels graduates to interview and practice confidently.
More Info: Beckfield Dental Hygiene Program
14. American Dental Academy
American Dental Academy offers an Associate in Applied Sciences Degree in Dental Hygiene including these differentiators:
- Comprehensive study of dental sciences, periodontics, radiography, and pharmacology
- Approximately 200 hours of applied clinical practice
- Seated and partial online course options
- Assistance designing resumes and cover letters
- Preparation for credentialing exams
- Flexible financing options
ADA College supports each individual’s path to gain essential knowledge, skills, and experiences for dental hygiene practice entry.
More Info: American Dental Academy Dental Hygiene Program
15. Southwestern College
Southwestern College offers an Associate of Applied Science in Dental Hygiene. Notable features comprise:
- Exploration of key dental hygiene subjects like oral pathology, radiography, and periodontics
- Modern educational dental clinic with digital radiography technology
- 200+ hours of first-hand clinical application across daytime and evening courses
- Externship within a private practice for culminating experience
- Connections to graduate employment opportunities
Southwestern College designs flexible, career-focused coursework empowering confident entry into dental hygiene practice.
More Info: Southwestern Dental Hygiene Program
16. Rio Grande Community College
The Rio Grande Community College dental hygiene program awards an Associate of Applied Science Degree. Key facets cover:
- Introduction to fundamental sciences as well as technical and clinical skills
- State-of-the-industry educational labs featuring digital radiography tools
- 200+ hours of experiential learning across diverse professional settings
- Externship within an approved dental office for applied comprehension
- High graduate employment rates
Rio Grande CC promotes in-depth dental hygiene knowledge with abundant applied context prepping for credentialing tests and career demonstration.
More Info: Rio Grande Dental Hygiene Program
17. Apollo College
Apollo College provides a dental hygiene Associate of Applied Science program including:
- Foundation in integral dental hygiene topics like radiology, periodontics, and dental anatomy
- Approximately 140 hours of experiential learning in professional settings
- Externship course focused on occupation comprehension and capabilities
- Supportive student resources like tutoring, counseling, advising
- Connections for graduate job placement
Apollo College focuses closely on assimilating dental hygiene students within professional contexts to ignite career success.
More Info: Apollo Dental Hygiene Program
18. United Medical and Business Institute
United Medical and Business Institute offers a Dental Hygiene Associate Degree curriculum covering:
- Immersive study of oral pathology, radiography, periodontics, pharmacology, and anatomy
- State-of-the-industry campus clinic echoing modern dental office environments
- 160+ hours of experiential learning in professional settings
- Externship course focused on occupation requirements and techniques
- Preparation for credentialing exams
United Medical supports in-depth comprehension supplemented by applied contexts to equip graduates for seamless industry entry.
More Info: United Medical Dental Hygiene Program
19. McHenry County College
McHenry County College provides an Associate in Applied Science in Dental Hygiene. Unique particulars cover:
- Investigation of sciences like oral pathology, periodontics, dental materials, and radiology
- Recently modernized on-campus dental hygiene clinic mirroring today‘s professional settings
- More than 200 hours of experiential learning across two years to cement abilities
- Service learning through engagement in community oral health initiatives
- Excellent graduate employment placement rates
McHenry utilizes state-of-the-industry tools alongside community partnerships to empower confident, career-ready dental hygiene graduates.
More Info: McHenry Dental Hygiene Program
20. Carrington College
Carrington College provides an Associate Degree in Dental Hygiene encompassing:
- Exploration of oral pathology, periodontics, dental anatomy, radiology, and pain management
- Approximately 190 hours of experiential learning in professional settings
- Externship focused on capabilities demonstration and occupation acclimation
- Newly upgraded dental hygiene instructional labs mirroring modern work settings
- Emphasis on graduate career outcome success
Carrington focuses keenly on assimilating dental hygiene students within real-world contexts to launch their occupations assuredly.
More Info: Carrington Dental Hygiene Program
This covers 20 of the top-rated dental hygiene programs in the Cincinnati area that offer exceptional education, abundant practical experiences, and supportive student resources to equip graduates for exceptional careers improving community oral wellness. Reach out to any of these institutions for more information!