The Loma Linda University dental hygiene program is part of LLU’s School of Dentistry. The LLU dental hygiene program is a Bachelor’s Degree undergrad program. Loma Linda University is a private college, one of the few private colleges in California that offers a dental hygiene program. Because of this, the program prerequisites are different than the California Community College system. The standard science and general education prerequisites apply, but there are also some additional requirements: At least 20 hours of shadowing/observing, and letters of references from an employer, a science professor, and a religious leader. On top of all that, the school also requires an interview, which is by invitation only!
Also, although not a prerequisite, experience as a dental assistant is “highly recommended”. Loma Linda University is affiliated with the Seventh Day Adventists. The school doesn’t accept applications directly; rather the prospective student has to apply online at the DHCAS (Dental Hygiene Centralized Application Service).
Like most of the dental hygiene schools in California, there is no waitlist in place. LLU does have some recommendations for increasing a prospective student’s chances of being accepted into their two year dental hygiene program: the higher your GPA, the better. In all of your standard science prerequisites, you must have at least a 3.0. You can retake classes in order to increase your GPA. Because the dental hygiene program at LLU recommends dental assistant experience, it may be a good idea to get as much work experience as possible. As a Seventh Day Adventist Institution, LLU also requires a letter from your spiritual adviser, so it would be beneficial to ensure that you have a religious leader who is willing to write a letter of reference on your behalf.
Wow!! As you read information for the majority of dental hygiene programs in California, they look pricey, right? Maybe close to $20,000 for the dental hygiene programs at the California Community College system. That’s a lot of money, but it’s worth it for such a great career. The dental hygiene program at Loma Linda University is a two year program. The difference is, LLU awards a Bachelor’s degree, based on the fact that two years will be prerequisites, and then the program itself. The annual tuition and fees at LLU is $35,500. Books and supplies are estimated at $8,000, and clinical fees are $55.00. So the average cost of a degree from LLU is $44,000 PER YEAR! And that doesn’t include any living expenses. So, you’re looking at paying 6 figures for the dental hygiene program at Loma Linda University. OUCH! Of course, there are always programs such as grants, scholarships, and the dreaded student loans.
Loma Linda University 909-558-4000 24851 Circle Dr Loma Linda, CA 92354
Dental Hygienists have one of the most challenging and versatile jobs in the field of dentistry. While each State has it’s own specific regulations and each different office gives dental hygienists different duties depending on the needs of the office and the hygienists experience, some of the duties that may be included in a dental hygienists job description includes:
Office Procedures: The Dental hygienist job description may also include taking care of such office procedures as making appointments, taking patient information, and billing.
The education required to become a dental hygienist is rigorous. The tuition costs, although expensive on its face, is affordable relative to the career possibilities once the student has graduated from the program. In most cases, once a dental hygienist has completed their training, and earned their professional licensure, they begin to apply jobs. Once hired, the hygienist will be given her/his responsibilities by the employer. In most cases, hygienists will be given a certain amount of tasks and as they master these and are ready to take on more responsibilities they will be given more.
The dental hygienist salary typically grows as their responsibilities grow. So, the more you are willing to take on added responsibilities and do them well the more you are likely to get paid. Using your first months on the job to learn as much as you can about how the dentist office runs and how you can make the dentists job easier the more valuable you will be as an employee. Overall, this career is considered on of the very best when it comes to job security and potential salary growth. So, take every opportunity you can to get the experience you need so that you can perform every task that is in the job description for the particular dental office you are hired to work in.