Top 25 Dental Hygiene Schools In Texas (2026)

Texas offers a robust and well-regulated landscape for dental hygiene education, with programs approved by the Texas State Board of Dental Examiners and accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association . These schools prepare students for rewarding careers as licensed preventive oral health professionals, with a median annual salary for registered dental hygienists exceeding $94,000.

Programs are available at various levels, including associate degrees, bachelor’s degrees, and advanced certificates, with options for both traditional campus-based and flexible online study . Whether you are seeking an entry-level associate degree or an advanced bachelor’s program, Texas has a dental hygiene school to meet your career aspirations.

Top 25 Dental Hygiene Schools In Texas

1. Texas A&M College of Dentistry, Dallas

Texas A&M University’s Caruth School of Dental Hygiene is a prestigious program located in Dallas, offering a Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene that is one of the most sought-after in the state . The program has a long and distinguished history, having accepted its first students in 1955, and was one of the first to offer a bachelor’s degree in the field.

This two-year, full-time program is highly competitive, and applicants must have completed a minimum of 60 semester credit hours of prerequisite coursework before applying for admission to the professional dental hygiene curriculum. Graduates are eligible for licensure and prepared for a variety of clinical, educational, research, and public health roles within the dental profession.

2. UTHealth Houston School of Dentistry

The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston offers a Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene through its renowned School of Dentistry, located within the world-class Texas Medical Center. This is a dynamic program designed for students who have completed their prerequisite coursework, providing a two-year, full-time entry-level bachelor’s degree path.

The school also offers a post-degree certificate program for individuals who hold a bachelor’s or higher in another field and wish to become dental hygienists, providing an alternative pathway into the profession . For licensed dental hygienists, UTHealth Houston provides a convenient online RDH-to-BSDH degree completion program to help them advance their careers.

3. Texas Woman’s University, Denton

Texas Woman’s University (TWU) is one of the few universities in Texas to offer an accredited bachelor’s degree in dental hygiene, providing a high-quality, affordable education with a strong focus on experiential learning. The program has been consistently recognized as one of the best in Texas and a leader in online dental hygiene education . TWU offers a flexible entry-level Bachelor of Science program that can be completed in two years after finishing prerequisite courses, with small classes and supportive faculty.

In addition, TWU provides an online RDH-to-BSDH degree completion program and a master’s degree in health studies with a dental hygiene focus, offering a comprehensive range of educational options.

4. Texas State Technical College, Harlingen

Texas State Technical College (TSTC) offers a practical, career-focused associate degree program in dental hygiene at its Harlingen campus. This two-year Associate of Applied Science (AAS) program is designed to provide students with the job-ready skills and clinical experience needed to begin working as an entry-level dental hygienist immediately upon graduation.

The curriculum integrates didactic coursework with intensive hands-on clinical training, preparing students to provide preventive oral hygiene services in diverse settings such as private dental offices, community health centers, and hospitals . The program has a strong reputation for producing competent graduates who are ready to enter the workforce.

5. Pima Medical Institute, Houston

Pima Medical Institute in Houston offers a comprehensive associate degree program in dental hygiene that is designed to get students career-ready in a short timeframe. This two-year program is known for its strong emphasis on clinical training, which includes 780 clock hours of experiential learning, ensuring graduates have significant hands-on experience before they enter the workforce .

In addition to clinical skills, the curriculum is structured to strengthen communication and critical thinking, preparing students for the patient management and problem-solving demands of the role. The program also serves as a pathway to a bachelor’s degree in healthcare administration for those seeking leadership positions in the future.

6. Concorde Career College, Dallas & San Antonio

Concorde Career College offers a fast-track, accelerated associate degree program in dental hygiene that is designed to prepare students for employment in just 17 months. This intensive program features a well-rounded curriculum that covers biomedical sciences, behavioral sciences, and social sciences, in addition to core dental hygiene coursework, to ensure graduates are competent and well-prepared professionals.

The program includes clinical training at various affiliated sites, providing students with practical experience and exposure to different practice environments . Concorde has multiple campuses in Texas, including Dallas and San Antonio, offering convenient access for students in different regions of the state.

7. Midwestern State University, Wichita Falls

Midwestern State University (MSU) provides a Bachelor of Science in dental hygiene at its Gaines Clinic, where students gain valuable hands-on experience working with diverse patient populations . This two-year program is part of a 120-credit bachelor’s degree, with 55 credits typically completed as prerequisites before starting the professional dental hygiene coursework.

The program is known for its small cohort size, admitting approximately 18 students each year, which ensures a close-knit learning environment and personalized instruction . This student-focused approach helps foster strong professional relationships and provides a supportive academic community.

8. Amarillo College, Amarillo

Amarillo College offers an associate degree program in dental hygiene at its modern facility in Jones Hall, which features an on-campus dental clinic that serves the local community. This two-year program is designed for students who have completed the necessary prerequisite courses, including anatomy, physiology, and microbiology, and are ready to focus on their professional training. Students benefit from the experience of practicing on real patients in the college’s on-campus clinic, which provides services to the community for ten months of the year, allowing them to enhance their clinical skills in a supervised setting.

9. Lamar Institute of Technology, Beaumont

Lamar Institute of Technology (LIT) offers an associate degree in dental hygiene that is well-regarded for its quality education and modern lab facilities. The two-year program is designed to prepare students for the national and state licensing exams, as well as for immediate employment in dental offices, hospitals, public health departments, and schools . LIT features an on-campus dental clinic where students can sharpen their clinical skills while providing subsidized dental services to the community, creating a valuable learning environment and community service opportunity.

10. Coastal Bend College, Beeville

Coastal Bend College offers a respected associate degree in dental hygiene that requires the completion of 68 credits and is known for preparing students to perform well on the national and state licensing exams. To be eligible for the program, students must complete prerequisite courses in anatomy, physiology, and chemistry with a minimum grade of “C”. The college’s faculty regularly liaises with dental professionals to keep the curriculum updated with the latest practices and technologies, ensuring graduates are well-versed in the skills and knowledge needed for contemporary practice.

11. Howard College, Big Spring

Howard College offers a two-year associate degree in dental hygiene that focuses on enabling students to think critically and enter the workforce with confidence. The program features a comprehensive curriculum that includes courses in oral anatomy, and it is recommended that students complete their general education and science courses before beginning the intensive dental hygiene portion of the program. This structure allows students to focus fully on their professional training during the core years of the program, and the college’s dedicated faculty aim to help each student achieve their academic and career goals.

12. Austin Community College (ACC)

Austin Community College (ACC) offers a CODA-accredited dental hygiene program, a key assurance of quality for prospective students. ACC’s dental hygiene program provides a rigorous curriculum that prepares students for the state and national board exams required for licensure. The program is known for its excellent clinical training facilities, which offer services to the public at the ACC Eastview Campus Dental Clinic , giving students extensive hands-on experience in a real-world setting.

13. Blinn College

Blinn College’s District dental hygiene program is CODA-accredited and offers an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree, making it a strong option for students seeking a reliable, high-quality education . The program is designed to prepare graduates for entry-level clinical positions, with a curriculum that emphasizes both the theoretical and practical aspects of dental hygiene. Blinn also operates a dental clinic, giving students the opportunity to apply their skills in a supervised environment while serving the local community.

14. Dallas College

Dallas College offers a dental hygiene program as part of its comprehensive health sciences curriculum . Located in the Dallas area, the program provides students with a solid foundation in the skills and knowledge needed for a successful career as a dental hygienist. The program includes robust clinical training at the El Centro College Dental Clinic , which is part of Dallas College, where students can work with the public under the supervision of licensed professionals to build their clinical competencies.

15. Houston Community College System

Houston Community College (HCC) System offers a dental hygiene program that is CODA-accredited, through its Coleman College for Health Sciences. This program provides students with a comprehensive curriculum that combines didactic instruction with extensive clinical practice. The Coleman College for Health Sciences is located in the Texas Medical Center, affording students a unique opportunity to learn in a world-class healthcare environment and network with professionals from many disciplines.

16. Collin College

Collin College offers a dental hygiene program at its McKinney campus, providing a high-quality education to students in the North Texas area. The program is designed to prepare graduates for immediate entry into the dental hygiene profession. Collin College operates a dental clinic where students gain hands-on experience in a clinical setting, providing preventive dental care to the community while developing their professional skills.

17. El Paso Community College

El Paso Community College (EPCC) offers a dental hygiene program that serves the Paso del Norte region, preparing students for careers in the growing healthcare field  The program provides a rigorous course of study that leads to an associate degree, qualifying graduates to take the required licensing examinations. EPCC’s dental hygiene clinic offers services to the public, providing students with the opportunity for hands-on clinical education while helping to meet the dental needs of the community .

18. Lone Star College, Kingwood

Lone Star College offers a CODA-accredited dental hygiene program at its Kingwood campus, which is well-regarded for its commitment to student success. The program offers a comprehensive curriculum that includes both classroom and laboratory instruction, followed by extensive clinical training in a supervised setting. The Kingwood campus features a dental clinic that is open to the public, providing students with valuable opportunities to serve the community and build their clinical skills.

19. Tarrant County College

Tarrant County College (TCC) offers a dental hygiene program that is CODA-accredited and prepares students for the demanding but rewarding career of a dental hygienist. The program provides a rigorous curriculum that combines fundamental science courses with clinical and practical skills training. TCC operates a dental clinic on its Hurst campus, where students gain direct patient care experience under the supervision of licensed dental professionals.

20. Temple College

Temple College offers an associate degree program in dental hygiene, which is CODA-accredited, at its Health Sciences Center on the main East Campus. The program is designed to prepare students for successful careers by providing a solid foundation in the principles and practices of dental hygiene. Temple College features a state-of-the-art dental clinic at its Main East Campus, which serves as a primary training site for students and provides affordable care to the public.

21. Tyler Junior College

Tyler Junior College offers a dental hygiene program at its Robert M. Rogers Nursing and Health Sciences Building, providing a pathway to a career in this high-demand field. The program’s curriculum is designed to prepare students for the clinical and administrative aspects of a dental hygiene career. The college’s dental hygiene clinic serves as an educational facility where students provide preventive oral health services to the public under the guidance of licensed faculty.

22. University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio

UT Health San Antonio offers a dental hygiene program through its School of Health Professions, serving the region with a strong focus on clinical excellence. The program is located at the Center for Oral Health Care & Research, where students receive comprehensive clinical training. This facility provides advanced technology and a diverse patient population, ensuring students have a rich clinical experience to prepare them for their future careers.

23. Wharton County Junior College

Wharton County Junior College (WCJC) offers a dental hygiene program that is CODA-accredited and serves students in the south Texas region. The program provides a comprehensive associate degree curriculum that prepares graduates for the dental hygiene licensure examinations. WCJC operates a dental clinic where students apply their skills under the supervision of licensed professionals, providing valuable services to the community.

24. Palo Alto College

Palo Alto College offers a dental hygiene program as part of the Alamo Colleges District, providing a quality education in the San Antonio area. The program is designed for students who are interested in a career as a preventive oral health professional. Palo Alto College’s dental hygiene program is accredited, and its curriculum prepares students for the clinical and theoretical challenges of the field.

25. Del Mar College

Del Mar College offers a dental hygiene program in Corpus Christi, providing an opportunity for students in the Coastal Bend region to pursue this career. The program is designed to equip students with the necessary knowledge and clinical skills to become licensed dental hygienists. Del Mar College operates a dental clinic on its campus, allowing students to gain practical experience while serving the local community.

Comparison Table

Success Tips for Choosing a Dental Hygiene School

Start by verifying that the program is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA), which is a key requirement for licensure and a marker of program quality.

Consider your career goals and which program level is right for you; an associate degree typically leads directly to clinical practice, while a bachelor’s degree may open doors to roles in research, education, and public health.

Research each school’s prerequisite requirements carefully, as most programs require a specific set of college courses before you can even apply, particularly in the sciences.

Evaluate the cost and financial aid options, noting that public community colleges often offer the most affordable tuition for entry-level associate degrees, while public universities provide bachelor’s pathways at moderate rates.

Look for programs that offer extensive clinical training in their own on-campus clinics, as this provides a safe, supervised environment to build competence and confidence before entering the workforce.

Closing

Texas provides a comprehensive and high-quality network of dental hygiene schools, from the prestigious bachelor’s programs at Texas A&M and UTHealth Houston to the highly practical associate degrees at institutions like TSTC and Pima Medical Institute. These programs are designed to prepare students for the demanding and rewarding role of a licensed dental hygienist, with a strong emphasis on clinical competence, patient education, and professional ethics.

Whether you are a recent high school graduate or a professional seeking a career change, Texas offers a dental hygiene school to match your ambitions and set you on a path to a successful career in this growing healthcare field. Note that all information, including program details and costs, is subject to change, so it is essential to verify current details directly with each institution’s admissions office.