3 Best Dental Hygiene Programs In San Jose, CA (2022 Updated)

I am a working registered dental hygienist who graduated from Carrington College back when they were at their previous location relatively close by on San Ignacio. I can't speak for the program now since alot has probably changed in terms of administration, but our program director Sherry Heaney, department of hygiene staff, and supervising doctors were all great and provided us with excellent, rigorous education. We had a very thorough clinical and classroom education there at Carrington which allowed my graduating class to pretty much all go through the program and pass our National and regional boards for hygiene. The cost for the programs I will admit is a bit pricey as it is a private tech school, but they do have loan options. I just recently paid off my student loans after working part time for 3-4 years as a dental hygienist. Also keep in mind that the program was only about 1.5 years full-time vs the 2 years you would expect to go through from one of the renown lottery local community college programs at foothill, Diablo, etc. By all means if you are lucky enough to get into those programs go there as you will save a ton of money, but education-wise my education was on par with those schools. After we graduated I received many phone calls checking up on me to ask if I had been employed yet, so they do seem to check up on how we were doing after going through the program. If you are coming into this clinic as a patient, understand that this isn't a dental practice. Carrington makes nothing from having you come in for their essentially free treatment. They don't "prey" on people without dental insurance because Carrington receives no benefit from you coming into the department for treatment, and rather it is more of a service to you and the local community. That being said, you will be treated by STUDENTS and their only gain from you will be clinical experience. Treatment planning and the amount of time you spend in the clinic will also be ALOT longer than it would be if you were to go to a dental office. I'm talking about a few days of you coming in for appointments vs an hour at a dental office. To Nichole's review, since I can't directly respond to your review: I am unaware of how your periodontal health was before treatment but most likely you had gum disease. If you are having gum recession after treatment that you didn't expect, then I am afraid maybe you didn't have enough patient education. That is something that just happens if you have gum disease and receive treatment for it. Your gums recede because they are swollen initially and you already have bone loss around your teeth. Once they firm up they will naturally recede to match your bone levels. As a practitioner it triggers me when the patient blames the doctor or staff for the patient's own negligence even though as practitioners we have the heart to basically do charity work for them. It is sad that you feel entitled to free treatment and then blame your healthcare provider. Just my two cents here.Unsullied Roarrior

Hi my name is Jessylynn I am from Philippines, migrated here USA 2009, I know in myself that my passion in Dentistry will stop but by year 2016 I met former student of Carrington College, she’s working a Dental Hygienists now. Thanks to her because she encourage me to go to go back to school and try to inquire. The staffs in Carrington College are friendly even the janitor and security guard and front desk. I remember the first day doing my inquiring in this school, I met Troy he was my enrollment advisor! He’s so nice, funny and cool! I like him! I like how he help me and my friend to get this in the program. He extends his arm to help you for what you need to get in the program and take note I don’t have money, nor credit score or anything financial. It’s true that the private school is so PRICEY! I can’t blame or complain about it because it’s private school and you’ll graduate in 1.5 years not including pre req. Troy explained everything about it, how you’ll pay and how much you’ll pay. Honestly, I didn’t know what I’m doing but with the help of Carrington College staff I would say I owe them from what I became now because they helping me to make my dream come true even you don’t have money for now, it’s like get your degree and pay later! I am now in Term 2 in Dental Hygienist Program! Carrington College of Dental Hygiene Program Department’s environment is peaceful. The faculty are very friendly. This the place where you can learn many things. I honestly can say, their way of teaching is not intimidating, they work harder just to make sure their student doing a good job especially in the clinic, your practice skills (oh, a lot of COMPETENCY, which is to test your skills, if you failed then they’ll teach you until you get it) and lecture. I love how they focus on your hand skills, your ergonomic (protecting your back, I don’t even know that!) BASIC is life! They teach you not only to learn how to treat patient but they care also for you to love the job so you’ll not injure your overall health! Mrs. Clark is the one who welcomed us in this Program, she’s so gentle when she talk and I love her teaching in Radiology subject and not only her you’ll love. All the DH department staff are friendly and funny that what’s make me go to school everyday and excited to LEARN. They’re all knowledgeable, professional, and they will not stop failing you until you get the PERFECT skills, they’re not judgmental they’re always asking “DO YOU HAVE QUESTION?”. One of our Instructor said “MISTAKE IS A OPPORTUNITY”. I realized being perfection is not what make you GREAT! I don’t wanna brag everything but their teaching reached my beyond expectation. I can’t wait to finish my Program and start to work!Jesselyn Berganio

This particular location has some very wicked women working in positions they’re obviously not qualified to work in. If you’re a woman of African descent, they work so hard to keep you down and out of the programs, if the salary will start at a healthy rate. Yet they’re pretty rude and condescending to EVERYONE! They try to intimidate the students for having questions. They’re very unsupportive and unprofessional. They will gang up on you, knit pick with you, hold unnecessary bully like meetings with you, etc. these women can’t handle the responsibility that their position Carrie’s . They’re old as Medusa and have the audacity to mock an older student. It’s a shame that after all that women have been through overtime , these women believe that it’s their job to try and hold another woman back. I had a heart issue due to a medication I had taken while I was a student there. I was admitted into the hospital, and still managed to attend my class the following day from my hospital bed. These women verbally attacked me in private the first day I returned to campus. I was still weak from being ill, which caused me not to be able to properly defend myself. Fortunately, I was able to record the second attack—all because I inquired about what the protocols would be in the event that students became ill with covid. They wanted to meet with me again privately, the meeting took approximately 1 hour, yet my question was never answered. Instead they brought up all kinds of other silly things, while gazing at me like I was an experiment. There’s a lot more I have to say about this campus and it’s Surgical Technology Director, Lab instructor, and the Director of Student Services. They behaved like pure monkey’s.Tara Newton-Bailey

I do not have to search another Dentist anymore!! Dr. Roy, Dr. Patel and the entire Foothill Square Dental team are simply brilliant!! They are honest with their treatment suggestions as well as their procedures. There have never been any surprises/hidden costs. Dr. Neha Roy is very gentle when handling her patients. She will explain and make you comfortable with the required details on a procedure and will answer any questions you have. She also always sends a text msg later in the evening to follow up on how the patient is doing after a procedure. This is just one of the ways how they go an extra step to show they value their patients and are available for them when need be. The office staff is very accomodating. Yes, they have a lot of patients and are busy, but they will still try their best to accomodate your schedule and urgency. I highly appreciate it!! I also would like to mention ‘Ivy’ who helped me with my dental clean up procedures. She is a wonderful person and always does a fantastic job!! I had some general concerns with my tooth that i spoke to her about during my clean up procedure and she made notes about those and helped me with some extra attention around cleaning that tooth on my following appointment as well. This shows they do not aim to just do a regular annual cleanup and be done with. They pay attention to what you say and what you need and actually care for your dental hygiene. Covid update : They take all necessary precautions and the clinic is maintained very clean at all times. I felt very safe and comfortable here. I 110% recommend this place!!Bhavna Lalvani

After chipping an older filling on a popcorn kernel one fateful evening, I knew I needed to get back to the dentist, as I was not only anxious about additional damage to the filling, but also because I was very overdue for a cleaning and examination. My plan was to find an office that was close and had good reviews – enter Foothill Square Dental Center near the top of my search. Setting an appointment up was very easy to do online, and within a day or two, I received a call confirming my dental needs. Today, I had my first appointment (cleaning and examination); I’m thoroughly impressed with the quality of service, efficiency, and overall atmosphere. The staff are all exceedingly friendly and, dare I say jovial. This is not just extended to the patients, but to one another; there’s something to be said about a workplace where everyone seems to remain as positive (though objective) as possible. It makes a HUGE difference in one’s perceptions of the establishment and creates a very welcoming atmosphere. I will be returning for the filling repair, as well as a couple other fillings, and I have no doubt they’ll do an exceptional job on these as they did today. It was a great experience all around.Kevin Galloway

Dr. Roy is awesome. I can't think of any other word to describe her and her office staff! I need (and have needed) a lot of treatment, as there is a ton of ongoing issues with my teeth. Dr. Roy has been there every step of the way–she is kind, patient, honest about treatment, clear about next steps and is just very good at what she does. Highly recommend her. My sister's dentist is Dr. Patel and she also stands up to the test of good, modern dentistry. Great practice all around. Whenever I call, they call me back right away. I was in pain all night and was able to text her and let her know what was going on–she responded right away, helped me manage the pain and prioritized me to help pull an infected tooth. I was originally supposed to go to a referred dentist to have the extraction, but had no choice since i was in severe pain and Had a work trip coming up the next week. She handled it like a pro. I have some anxiety around dental work (who doesn't) but they don't make you feel bad about being anxious (or make you feel like a drug addict!!) like some other dentists or doctors do–excellent customer service! Will continue my treatment with foothill with gratitude.Bijal Celaya