Why Choose Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College for Your Dental Hygiene Education
If you’re considering a career as a Registered Dental Hygienist, choosing the right program is one of the most important decisions you’ll make. Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College (A-B Tech) has built a dental hygiene program that checks every box — rigorous academics, hands-on clinical training, and an education that won’t saddle you with crippling debt before you’ve seen your first patient.
Accredited and Career-Ready
A-B Tech’s Dental Hygiene program holds full accreditation from the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA), the gold standard in dental education. That accreditation isn’t just a credential on paper — it means the curriculum, faculty qualifications, and clinical facilities have been held to the highest national standards. Graduates are fully prepared to sit for the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination (NBDHE) and regional clinical licensing exams, the critical milestones between graduation and practice.
Exceptional Value Without Compromise
Community college tuition often raises eyebrows — in the best way. A-B Tech delivers a genuinely high-quality dental hygiene education at a fraction of the cost of four-year institutions or private programs. For students entering a field with strong but defined salary ranges, graduating with minimal debt isn’t just a perk; it’s a meaningful financial advantage that shapes your early career.
Clinics, Technology, and Real Patients
Theory only takes you so far. A-B Tech’s on-campus dental clinic puts students in front of real patients, working under experienced faculty supervision, from early in the program. The facilities are equipped with modern dental technology and digital systems that reflect what students will encounter in contemporary practice — so there’s no steep learning curve once you enter the workforce.
Beyond the campus clinic, A-B Tech’s partnerships with local dental practices and community health centers extend students’ clinical exposure even further, offering a breadth of patient care experiences that many programs simply can’t match.
A Curriculum Built Around the Whole Patient
Modern dental hygiene education has moved well beyond scaling and polishing. A-B Tech’s curriculum reflects current evidence on the connection between oral health and systemic health, preparing graduates to think critically about each patient’s overall wellbeing. From periodontics and radiology to patient communication and community health, the program covers the full scope of what it means to practice at the top of the profession.
Faculty Who Have Been There
The instructors at A-B Tech bring genuine clinical experience into the classroom. They stay current with evolving research and techniques, and they’re invested in student outcomes — not just getting through the material. That combination of real-world background and a commitment to teaching makes a measurable difference in how prepared graduates feel when they step into their first position.
Support from Day One
Dental hygiene programs are demanding, and A-B Tech builds in the support structures students need to succeed. Academic advising, tutoring, and career counseling are available throughout the program, ensuring that students aren’t navigating the challenges of a rigorous curriculum alone.
The Asheville Advantage
There’s something worth saying about where you spend two years of intensive education and training. Asheville, North Carolina, consistently ranks among the most livable small cities in the country — an outdoor enthusiast’s haven surrounded by the Blue Ridge Mountains, with a thriving arts and food culture that makes life genuinely enjoyable outside of clinic hours. It also happens to offer a diverse patient population, exposing students to a wide range of demographics and oral health presentations that strengthen clinical readiness.
For aspiring RDHs who want a rigorous, accredited education with real clinical depth — without the financial weight of a university program — A-B Tech deserves a serious look. Reach out to the admissions office to learn more about the Dental Hygiene program and what it takes to apply.