Education

Educational Pathways for Dental Hygienists

Dental hygienists have many options to advance their education and expand career opportunities. Whether you are completing a bachelor’s degree, pursuing graduate education in dental hygiene, or exploring community oral health and public health pathways, the programs below offer a variety of options.

Bachelor’s Degree Completion Programs

If you already hold a dental hygiene license and an associate degree, degree completion programs allow you to earn a bachelor’s degree while building leadership, education, research, and public health skills.

• Baccalaureate in Dental Hygiene Degree Completion Programs (ADEA)
  National directory of accredited bachelor’s degree completion programs for dental hygienists.

Graduate Programs in Dental Hygiene & Related Disciplines

Graduate education prepares dental hygienists for advanced roles in education, administration, research, advocacy, public health, and leadership.

• Master of Science in Dental Hygiene (MSDH) & Related Graduate Degrees (ADEA)
  National listing of master’s programs in dental hygiene and related disciplines.

California-Based Graduate Programs (Dental & Oral Health Focus)

• USC Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry – Community Oral Health (Certificate & MS)
  Online programs designed for dental hygienists, dentists, and other health professionals focused on community-based oral health, education, and advocacy.
• UCSF – Dental Public Health Postgraduate Program
  Advanced training in population-based oral health, policy, and public health leadership.
• UCSF – PhD in Oral and Craniofacial Sciences
  Research-focused doctoral program for careers in academia, research, and public health.
• UCLA – Master of Science in Oral Biology
  Graduate-level scientific training applicable to education, research, and academic pathways.

Public Health (MPH) Programs in California Relevant to Dental Hygienists

Many dental hygienists pursue a Master of Public Health (MPH) to expand their impact in population health, community education, health policy, program administration, and advocacy. These programs are commonly pursued by oral health professionals in California.

University of California (UC)

• UC Berkeley – Interdisciplinary Master of Public Health
• UCLA Fielding School of Public Health – Master of Public Health
• UC Davis – Master of Public Health
• UC Irvine – Master of Public Health
• UC San Diego – Master of Public Health

California State University (CSU)

• San Diego State University – Master of Public Health
• San José State University – Master of Public Health
• CSU Northridge – Master of Public Health
• CSU Los Angeles – Master of Public Health (Urban Community Health)
• San Francisco State University – Master of Public Health
• Fresno State – Master of Public Health

Program availability and admissions requirements may change. Please visit each institution’s website for the most current information.