Dental care
Dental hygienist
Provide preventive oral care, assess dental health and teach patients how to care for their teeth.
BLS · May 2025
EDUCATION & ENTRY
Dental hygiene program + license
Associate and bachelor’s routes include clinical study. Check prerequisites, selection, examinations and Oregon licensing requirements. Dental hygiene is a different occupation from dental assisting.
The state’s typical entry education classification is “Associate's degree.” This describes the occupation broadly; employers, programs and licensing bodies set specific requirements.
CONNECT THE CAREER TO A PLACE TO LEARN
Oregon training options
These are related routes to investigate. Confirm the full preparation, current admissions and eligibility for your intended role with the provider.
Portland Community College
Dental Hygiene
A dental hygiene route with hands-on patient care.
Ask: What is the current total for instruments, exams, clinical fees and tuition?
Program page reviewed September 15, 2026
Oregon Tech
Dental Hygiene
A bachelor’s route offered at two Oregon locations.
Ask: Which campus fits my plans, and how long will prerequisites plus the clinical sequence take?
Program page reviewed September 15, 2026
Concorde Career College
Dental Hygiene
A private career college associate route in dental hygiene.
Ask: What is the full cost including clinical supplies, and what are the Oregon licensing steps?
Program page reviewed September 15, 2026
Mt. Hood Community College
Dental Hygiene
Combines oral anatomy, dental hygiene therapy, preventive care and supervised patient experience. The seven-term program is distinct from any preparation needed before selection.
Ask: Which preparation, timetable and complete budget apply to my Dental Hygiene plan?
Program page reviewed September 15, 2026
Take this question to a counselor.
Would I enjoy detailed, hands-on patient care in a dental setting?
Before choosing a program, ask for prerequisites, the complete timeline, class and placement schedules, and a full cost estimate including supplies, exams, travel and living expenses.
Build a working cost estimate →Understand the numbers.
The median is the midpoint of estimated wages for Oregon workers in this occupation. The hourly median is $58.69. These figures describe workers across experience levels; they are not starting pay or the earnings of graduates from the programs below.
Oregon projects employment moving from 3,662 jobs in 2024 to 4,117 in 2034. The projected 2,778 openings over the decade include growth and replacement needs as workers leave an occupation. Dividing that total by ten gives the rounded annual average shown above. These are projections, not today’s vacancies.
How to read wage information →