• A number of schools in Oregon offer programs in dental hygiene.Teeth and Mouth image by Sujit Mahapatra from Fotolia.com
  
  A number of schools in Oregon offer programs in dental hygiene, a field the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts will grow by 36 percent from 2008 through 2018. These schools carry the approval of the American Dental Association, allowing graduates to qualify to take the Oregon State Board of Dentistry licensing examination in dental hygiene. The dental hygienist schools in Oregon range from four-year private universities to large, two-year public colleges.
  
  

Pacific University

• Founded in 1849 by the United Church of Christ, Pacific University is in Forest Grove, a suburban area approximately 25 miles west of Portland. The college is home to more than 1,400 students, around half of which are from out of state, reports the 2009 Barron's Profiles of American Colleges. Before starting the Bachelor of Science in dental hygiene program at the university, students must undergo an interview and then complete prerequisite coursework in natural sciences, communications, psychology, sociology, the arts, humanities, nutrition, medical terminology and Spanish. One laboratory clinical session is required for graduation from the program and students have the option to participate in additional internships for course credit throughout the program.
  
  Pacific University
  2043 College Way
  Forest Grove, OR 97116
  800-677-6712
  pacificu.edu
  
  

Oregon Institute of Technology

• The Oregon Institute of Technology (OIT) is a public four-year institution. The school has more than 3,200 undergraduate students. The school's associate and bachelor's programs in dental hygiene are offered not only at the school's main campus in Kalamath Falls, but also at the satellite branches in La Grande and Salem. The school also offers an entirely online bachelor's degree completion program for students who already have an associate degree in the field. The Klamath Falls branch has its own public dental hygiene clinic, where students gain experience working with patients.
  
  Oregon Institute of Technology
  3201 Campus Drive
  Klamath Falls, OR 97601
  541-885-1336
  oit.edu
  
  

Apollo College Portland

• Apollo College is a private institution with 10 locations throughout the western United States. The school's Portland branch has more than 1,200 students and offers an associate degree in dental hygiene. Apollo College offers open enrollment and will accept any student who has a high school diploma or the equivalent into its programs. In addition to learning the core concepts of teeth cleaning and dental health, students in the school's program study and practice dental x-ray methods. The program requires roughly 24 months of full-time study to complete.
  
  Apollo College Portland
  2004 Lloyd Center
  Portland, OR 97232
  877-205-3435
  apollocollege.edu
  
  

Lane Community College

• Located in Eugene, Lane Community College is a public, two-year institution. Since its opening in 1964, Lane Community College has grown to become the third largest of the 17 community colleges in Eugene with an enrollment of around 36,000 students, reports the college's website. The school only admits 20 students to its Associate of Applied Science dental hygiene program per year and students must take courses in anatomy, chemistry, English, sociology, nutrition, math, communications, public speaking and psychology. Students participate in four clinical practice rotations and laboratory classes and take classes in anesthesia and periodontology.
  
  Lane Community College
  4000 E. 30th Ave.
  Eugene, OR 97405
  541-463-5616
  lanecc.edu