Earning an associate’s or bachelor’s degree could prepare you to work as a dental hygienist. The associate’s program requires two years of study and includes general education classes. Bachelor’s degrees also have general education requirements, and they take four years to complete.

The requirements needed to get into schools of dentistry in Virginia and dental hygiene schools in Virginia are quite easy. There are some dental schools in Virginia that do dental work but you should also know dental schools Virginia teaches you not only how to become a dentist but how to be the best there is.

Dental care is a rapidly changing career with increasing demand as the overall population ages, cosmetic dentistry options increase in popularity and access to health insurance opens. According to the American Dental Education Association, dentists evaluate the overall health of their patients; perform clinical procedures such as exams, fillings, crowns, implants, extractions and corrective surgeries; and perform general dentistry or practices in one of nine dental specialties.

If your career goal is to become a dentist, then our list of dental schools in Virginia is a good place to begin your journey of studying dentistry. Our dental schools in Virginia list will guide you through in discovering some of the best dental schools in Virginia that you can consider for your next career. you can complete your dental training in about four years. Additional specialty training is also available at Virginia dental schools.

Dental School Admissions Requirements and Programs

Applicants to dental school generally must have a bachelor’s degree with an emphasis in the sciences, including biology, chemistry, biochemistry, microbiology, physics and other related premedical school courses. They must also have maintained a minimum grade point average (GPA) to be considered for admittance to a dental program. Dental students are also required to perform clinical rotations as part of their curriculum. The programs below offer dental education in various specialty areas, including but not limited to:
• Endodontics
• Operative Dentistry
• Orthodontics
• Pediatric Dentistry
• Periodontics
• General Dentistry
• Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery

Prerequisites

Students should contact individual dental schools for specific prerequisite information. Required courses generally include:

• 8 hours Biology with lab
• 8 hours Physics
• 8 hours English
• 8 hours General Chemistry with lab
• 8 hours Organic Chemistry with lab

Majoring in science is not a must, but completion of predental science requirements is necessary.

A college undergraduate degree is recommended in preparation for dental school. Most dental students have completed four years of college.

Dental Admissions Test (DAT)

Take the DAT at least a year prior to seeking admission to dental school. This computerized test measures general academic ability, comprehension of scientific information and perceptual ability. Completion of at least one year of college level courses in biology and general and organic chemistry is recommended before taking the DAT.

Applying

Apply for admission at least one year prior to the scheduled date of enrollment. Many dental schools participate in the Application Service to Associated American Dental Schools (AADSAS). Students may subscribe to this program for a fee and fill in a single application to register for multiple dental schools.

Admissions committees review credentials such as college qualifications, results of the Dental Admissions Test (DAT), grade point average ( GPA), recommendation letters, personal interviews and shadowing experiences in the dental offices. Requirements for admission may vary from school to school.

Some dental schools require personal interviews with students to determine characteristics such as willingness to support others, self-confidence, ability to overcome obstacles, ability to get along with individuals and ability to work independently. The personal interview also provides an opportunity to ask about the school.

Dental Associate’s Degree Programs in Virginia (2-year Degree)

Northern Virginia Community College

Located near Washington D.C., Northern Virginia Community College offers a dental hygienist associate’s degree program that’s designed to prepare you for licensure as a Registered Dental Hygienist (RDH). Courses include oral anatomy, periodontics, dental hygiene, nutrition, management of pain and anxiety, public health and ethics.

Prerequisites: 2 specific health science courses (minimum grade of ‘B’), composition and orientation to health care (at least a ‘C’) must be completed at this school before admission to the program

Program: Associate of Applied Science in Dental Hygiene

Program Length: 2 years (5 semesters)

Tuition and Fees: Northern Virginia Community College tuition is $5,412 per year for in-state residents. The school charges an additional fees of $198 in addition to tuition bringing the total effective in-state tuition to $5,610. The total tuition and living expense budget for in-state Virginia residents to go to Northern Virginia Community College is $22,220 for the 2018/2019 academic year. Out-of-state students who don’t have Virginia residence can expect a one year cost of $27,598. Students residing at home with parents providing food and housing should budget a total cost of $14,370.

Requirements: Attend an information session and have legal status in the U.S.; consult with the assistant dean if you’ve been found guilty of a felony or misdemeanor

School Type: 2-year, public

Virginia Western Community College

Located in a small city in western Virginia, this school’s program would make you eligible for state, regional and national board examinations leading to licensure as an RDH. Your coursework would include college composition, college success skills, dental hygiene, oral radiography, pharmacology and microbiology.

Prerequisites: High school or equivalent college courses in algebra I and II, biology and chemistry (minimum ‘C’ grades), additional college biology courses

Program: Associate of Applied Science in Dental Hygiene

Program Length: 2 years (5 semesters)

Tuition and Fees: The in-state tuition and fees for 2018-2019 were $5,355, and out-of-state tuition and fees were $11,283. There is no application fee.

Requirements: Minimum 2.5 grade point average (GPA), academic record, interviews, essay, 2 letters of recommendation, Health Occupation Basic Entrance Test (HOBET) reading comprehension results

School Type: 2-year, public

Dental Bachelor’s Degree Programs in Virginia (4-year Degree)

Old Dominion University

This school is located in a midsize city near the Chesapeake Bay. The last two years of the program cover dental hygiene theory and practice, dental sciences, community oral health, teaching strategies and research methodology. After completing this program, you’d be eligible to take state and regional board examinations and the Dental Hygiene National Board Examination to become licensed as a dental hygienist.

Prerequisites: General education and prerequisite courses (will be completed in your first two years)

Program: Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene

Program Length: 4 years

Tuition and Fees: $9,480 per year for in-state students; $26,220 per year for out-of-state students excluding housing and other miscellaneous.

Requirements: Dental hygiene information session, current cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) certification, hepatitis vaccine is recommended

School Type: 4-year, public

Virginia Commonwealth University

Located in a midsize city in eastern Virginia, this university’s dental hygienist program can qualify you for regional, state and national board licensing examinations. After completing the first two years of prerequisites, your second two years would focus on basic and dental sciences, community health, dental hygiene and preclinic/clinical experiences. You’d be required to provide your own transportation to off-campus clinical sites.

Prerequisites: First 2 years of the program include prerequisite liberal arts courses (60 semester hours and minimum ‘C’ grades required)

Program: Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene

Program Length: 4 years

Tuition and Fees: $12,772 per year for in-state students; $31,464 per year for out-of-state students 

Requirements: Transcripts, 2 references, personal statement, possible interview, criminal background check

School Type: 4-year, public

Doctor of Dental Surgery Program in Virginia

Virginia Commonwealth University

This general dentistry program emphasizes study in behavioral, biomedical and clinical sciences. Additionally, you’ll complete clinical and laboratory experiences in all 4 years of this program. This is the only ADA-accredited DDS program in Virginia; the state has no accredited Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD) programs.

Prerequisites: Minimum 3 years/90 hours of academic study, including specified courses in biology, chemistry, physics and biochemistry (minimum grade of ‘C’ required); completion of a 4-year academic program is recommended

Program: Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS)

Program Length: 4 years

Tuition and Fees: $23,197-$25,564 per year for in-state students; $36,829-$39,196 per year for out-of-state students (tuition varies depending on your year in dental school)

Requirements: Dental Admissions Test (DAT), application through the American Association of Dental Schools Application Service (AADSAS), transcripts, 3 letters of recommendation, criminal background check

School Type: 4-year, public

Advanced and Specialty Dental Education Programs in Virginia

Virginia Commonwealth University

This program is designed to give you an advanced understanding of dental care. It’s meant to improve both your confidence as a dentist and your technical abilities. As a dental resident, you’ll engage in hands-on clinical experiences in addition to studying dentistry scientifically. Clinical experiences comprise about 85% of the program and are mostly accomplished onsite.

In addition to the general dentistry residency, VCU offers AEP programs in subjects like oral and maxillofacial surgery, dental medicine, orthodontics, periodontics and endodontics. The prerequisites, requirements and program lengths for these residency programs vary based on area of study. Some programs result in a master’s degree; these include endodontics, pediatric dentistry, orthodontics and periodontics. The school also offers a postgraduate anesthesia training program.

Prerequisites: Graduation from an accredited dental program, licensure or eligibility for licensure in Virginia

Program Name: Advanced Education Program (AEP) in General Dentistry

Program Length: 12 months

Tuition and Fees: $3,747 per year 

Requirements: Successful completion of Part I and Part II of the National Dental Board Examination

School Type: 4-year, public

In summary, several colleges in Virginia offer a variety of degrees, including an associate’s degree, bachelor’s degree, DDS, or an Advanced Education Program in General Dentistry, to students who are interested in oral health care.