Dental hygienists do far more than “clean teeth.” In Collin College’s two-year Dental Hygiene Program, you will gain the knowledge and skills to perform clinical procedures, conduct oral cancer screenings, provide nutritional counseling, and recognize potential health concerns. The program also emphasizes understanding the physical and clinical aspects of care, preparing you to treat the whole patient-not just their smile.
The Dental Hygiene Program prepares you to become a licensed health care professional specializing in non-surgical periodontal therapy and oral health education. You will train with advanced technologies such as intraoral cameras and digital radiography, while gaining hands-on experience in the college’s dental clinic by providing care to community members seeking affordable services. Combining cutting-edge clinical training with a strong foundation in the biological sciences, humanities, and dental sciences, the program equips you to enter private practice or community settings as a valued member of the dental health care team.
Enrollment is limited and admission is competitive.
Licensure Notice
Students who have been involved with the criminal system, please be advised that your background could keep you from being licensed by the State of Texas. If you have a question about your background and licensure, please speak with your faculty member or the department chair. You also have the right to request a criminal history evaluation letter from the applicable licensing agency.
Dental Hygiene students must meet eligibility requirements for licensure as established by the State Board of Dental Examiners (http://www.tsbde.texas.gov/) in the State of Texas. If a student has reason to believe he/she is ineligible for licensure, he/she should contact the Board regarding their specific concerns prior to entrance into the program.
A drug screening, background check and American Heart Association Basic Life Support CPR certification for health professionals will be required upon acceptance into the program. Requirements for Dental Hygiene licensure as set by the Texas State Board of Dental Examiners (TSBDE) define that individuals be “of good moral character.” All individuals accepted into the program must meet licensure eligibility requirements. Information received from the background check or drug screening may result in dismissal from the program.
The applicant must be in good health and emotionally stable and must furnish physical, dental and eye examination records. Forms will be provided by the Dental Hygiene department. In addition, the state of Texas requires the applicant to provide proof of all immunizations required by the state as defined in the Texas Administrative Code. *Other requirements include Hepatitis B vaccine and titer, MMR titer, TDap vaccine, annual Influenza vaccine, and Pre-entry Tuberculosis (TB) test.
Applicants who believe they are at an increased risk of contracting an infectious disease should seek testing and counseling prior to making an application to the Dental Hygiene Program. All students accepted into the program are expected to follow standard precautions and are financially responsible for any necessary testing/treatment resulting from an occupational incident and/or communicable disease exposure. No student is allowed to deliver patient care in any setting until he/she has mastered material on safety/standard precautions with satisfactory accuracy.
The student is awarded an AAS degree upon successful completion of the program. The graduate is eligible for national and regional examinations.
Students planning to transfer to a college or university should check with Collin College academic advisors. Also check the degree requirement of the intended transfer college prior to beginning this program to verify course degree applicability.
Functional Abilities/Core Performance Standards Statement
After initial acceptance to this program, all students are required to meet specific functional abilities with or without accommodations for successful completion of the program and to function safely and effectively in the variety of the profession’s settings. The specific functional requirements are found in “Functional Abilities/Core Performance Standards” documents provided in the program information and application packets. Students who think they may not be able to meet the functional standards and need accommodation are encouraged to contact the college ACCESS department as soon as this program is of interest.
Accreditation
Collin College’s Dental Hygiene Program is accredited by the American Dental Association’s Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) and has been granted the accreditation status of approval without reporting requirements. The council is a specialized accrediting body recognized by the Department of Education.
Special Admission Requirements
Admission to this program is selective. Admission to the college does not guarantee admission to the Dental Hygiene Program. Registration is by permission only. Information and applications may be obtained from the Dental Hygiene Program Director or Dental Hygiene website at http://www.collin.edu/dentalhygiene/.
- Complete pre-entrance course requirements with a minimum 2.5 GPA
- Earn a grade of “C” or better in all courses applicable to the Dental Hygiene Program
- Submit official copies of all college transcripts
- Complete the HESI exam with satisfactory results
- Complete the health, eye and dentals exams with a satisfactory result
- Completion of immunizations and testing required by the Texas Department of State Health Services (TDSHS) *.
- Submit two reference forms: one from an employer and one from an educator
- Completion of an Observation Form: Observation of a Registered Dental Hygienist in a dental office
- Completion of an interview with the Program Director and Dental Hygiene Applicant Interview Committee. Applicants will receive an invitation for an interview; the interview does not guarantee acceptance.
* It is important to note that one of the required vaccinations, Hepatitis B, consists of a three dose series, and a Hepatitis B titer is required, which can take up to 7 months to complete. All immunizations/titers must be completed before the first clinical course.
Department Website
http://www.collin.edu/dentalhygiene/
Return to: