Dental students pursuing a career in dental hygiene may want to consider Southwestern College's two-year program, with classes held in suburban National City. Those wanting to start their career in dentistry as a dental assistant can choose from several programs in the San Diego metro area. One community college campus offering a dental assisting program is Mesa College as is Concorde Career College in San Diego. Dental students can also review the dental assisting certificate program at Pima Medical Institute in Chula Vista.
Jobs for general practice dentists are expected to increase by an average of 16 openings per year in San Diego County, from 2,310 dentists in 2002 to 2,470 countywide in 2012, according to the California Employment Development Department. Projections for dental hygienists in the county look good for graduates, with a 30.8% increase in jobs expected in the same ten-year period, from 130 to 170 openings. Dental assistants can expect a 23.5% increase, from 4,210 to 5,200 jobs.
Dental Schools, Programs & Courses
in San Diego
Subjects listed are highlights of programs
and/or courses offered.
San Diego seems to have it all: sunny weather, beautiful beaches, and for those who would like to pursue a dental career, many excellent dental schools. Some of those schools are affiliated with branches of the U.S. Armed Forces, with San Diego often referred to as “the largest military base in the free world.” Degree and certificate programs exist to help dentistry students on their way to a rewarding career as a registered dental hygienist or a registered dental assistant, while those seeking a DDS program will have to look to universities elsewhere in the state. The San Diego County Dental Hygienists' Society offers an employment referral service and is active in the greater San Diego County community; dental hygiene students who join the SDCDHS can help the group promote oral health, participate in local health fairs and distribute dental care packages to the needy.
Other Resources for Dental Education and Careers in San Diego
Dental students pursuing a career in dental hygiene may want to consider Southwestern College's two-year program, with classes held in suburban National City. Those wanting to start their career in dentistry as a dental assistant can choose from several programs in the San Diego metro area. One community college campus offering a dental assisting program is Mesa College as is Concorde Career College in San Diego. Dental students can also review the dental assisting certificate program at Pima Medical Institute in Chula Vista.
