University’s Dental Hygiene Program Ranked Among Best in the Country

When she was a dental hygiene student at the University of New Haven, Victoria White ’14 A.S., ’15 enjoyed the opportunities she had to work with patients of diverse backgrounds. One of her most memorable experiences was completing an externship at the Navajo Reservation near Flagstaff, Arizona.

“Dental treatment is patient based, and factors such as culture, diet, and education all contribute to executing successful treatment plans,” said White, who was also involved with Project Dental Africa, helping to provide dental healthcare education and supplies to people in Africa. “There were high standards in every aspect of the program, which, along with the focus on teaching strong morals and ethics, set me apart from other dental hygienists.”

The experience of White and her fellow students played a significant role in the University of New Haven being recognized by both TheBestColleges.org and GradReports.com among the top dental hygienist schools in the country.

TheBestColleges.org, which provides information about schools to prospective students, rating schools on criteria such as tuition, retention rate, and median starting salary, ranked the University eleventh on its list of the top 50 dental hygienist programs across the country.

The University was one of only two in New England to appear on the GradReports.com list that ranked the highest median salaries for dental hygiene alumni one year after graduation. The University came in at #24 with a median salary of more than $55,000 for dental hygiene graduates one year after graduation.

"There were high standards in every aspect of the program, which, along with the focus on teaching strong morals and ethics, set me apart from other dental hygienists."Victoria White ’14 A.S., ’15

“Our dental hygiene program is one of the nation’s best because of the high-quality, student-focused approach we take,” said Summer McGee, Ph.D., dean of the University’s School of Health Sciences. “Our faculty mentor our students each step of the way and are 100 percent focused on student success. We provide students one-of-a-kind learning experiences through study abroad opportunities in Italy and a study away program in Arizona that no other program in the country can match.”

TheBestColleges.org’s ranking noted that, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment opportunities for dental hygienists are expected to increase by more than ten percent from 2018 to 2028.

The organization commended the availability of online courses offered at the University, as well as the freedom for students to proceed at their own pace. It also mentioned the opportunities that program graduates have had, including work in private practices, community health centers, higher education, and even pharmaceutical sales – a field in which White now works.

After practicing dental hygiene full-time for about five years, White is now an account manager for a dental pharmaceutical company, and she continues to practice dental hygiene part time. She enjoys educating dental providers on the importance of comprehensive hygiene treatment and patient education.

“I am able to empower other dental hygienists and give them the confidence to be the best clinicians they can be,” she said. “The University of New Haven’s Dental Hygiene Program has instilled in me my passion for dentistry.”