6 Tips How to Get Into Dental Hygiene Program

Wondering how to get into a dental hygiene program? To improve your chances of getting accepted into dental hygiene school, start by researching accredited programs, completing prerequisite courses with strong grades, gaining dental-related experience, securing strong recommendation letters, writing a polished personal essay, and submitting a complete application before each school’s deadline. Getting accepted can be competitive, especially when a program has limited enrollment. In years past, it wasn’t unheard of for well over a hundred applicants to compete for just 24 or 30 openings in a class.

If you’re a prospective student planning a career in dental hygiene, knowing what schools look for can help you avoid common mistakes and build a stronger application from the start. While acceptance rates and admission requirements vary between schools and institutions, nobody is guaranteed admission to a dental hygiene program. Most programs begin in the fall and admit one group of students each year.

Below, you’ll learn how to compare degree options, research program requirements, strengthen your application, prepare for interviews, request recommendation letters, submit your materials on time, and decide what to do if you’re not accepted on your first try.

Before You Apply to a Dental Hygiene Program

Becoming a competitive applicant starts well before you submit your application. The earlier you start planning your dental hygiene education, the better.

Many dental hygiene programs use a point-based system to rank applicants and determine who is admitted. Points may be awarded based on your GPA, prerequisite grades, entrance exam scores, healthcare experience, interviews, and other program-specific criteria.

Being prepared can help you achieve as many points as possible when you apply.

Before choosing a school, make sure the program has appropriate dental accreditation and meets the educational requirements needed to pursue licensure in your state. Graduation from an accredited program and successful completion of the required licensing examinations are typically necessary before you can become a licensed dental hygienist.

Understanding Dental Hygiene Degree Options

Dental hygiene education can follow several different paths.

Many students begin with an associate degree in dental hygiene, which is one of the most common routes into clinical practice. Other institutions offer a baccalaureate degree, also called a bachelor's degree or bachelor degree, in dental hygiene.

Licensed hygienists who already possess an associate degree may later choose degree completion programs to earn a bachelor's degree. A degree completion program can help hygienists advance into areas such as education, management, research, or public health.

Some professionals eventually pursue a master's degree if they are interested in teaching, leadership, research, or other advanced roles.

Your degree requirements, coursework, and length of completion will vary depending on the school and program you attend.

6 Tips for Getting Accepted Into a Dental Hygiene Program

As a general rule, admission to an RDH program can be competitive because there are fewer dental hygiene programs than many other healthcare programs.

Knowing that upfront means it's important to have a strong application from the beginning.

Even if you're only starting to consider dental hygiene as a career, it's not too early to begin researching the admission process. Dental hygiene is typically not a program you simply enter directly after high school without additional preparation. There are specific prerequisites, courses, and milestones you'll need to satisfy before enrollment.

1. Research the Program Requirements

Every dental hygiene school has its own program requirements and admission requirements.

Start by identifying accredited dental hygiene programs you're interested in attending. Then visit each school's website and create a schedule showing:

• Application dates
• Admission deadlines
• Required prerequisite courses
• Minimum GPA requirements
• Entrance exams
• Required observation or shadowing hours
• Interview requirements
• Required documents
• Estimated enrollment dates

Pay especially close attention to the required prerequisite courses.

Common prerequisites may include:

• Biology
• Anatomy and physiology
• Microbiology
• Chemistry
• Psychology
• Sociology
• English
• Speech or communication
• College-level mathematics or statistics

The exact coursework will vary by institution.

Try to complete as many prerequisite classes as possible before the application deadline. At the very least, your final prerequisites should usually be in progress.

For example, if it's the spring semester and you're currently taking microbiology as your final prerequisite, you may be able to indicate that the course will be completed before the dental hygiene program begins in the fall.

However, classes that are still in progress may not always be factored into your application score.

This can be especially important with science coursework. If an admissions committee doesn't have a final grade, it may be unable to calculate your complete science GPA or award the maximum number of admission points.

Some programs also establish a minimum grade that students must achieve in prerequisite courses. A school might require a C or better, while a more competitive program may award additional points for A's and B's.

You should also determine whether older science courses are still considered valid. Some institutions require science prerequisites to have been completed within a specific number of years.

If you completed coursework at another college, ask whether the course is considered equivalent and will fulfill the school's prerequisites.

Don't assume that two classes with similar names automatically satisfy the same requirement.

Entrance Exams and Admission Requirements

Some programs require an entrance examination before admission, and some schools specify standardized tests such as TEAS or HESI A2. Testing may only be offered on specific dates, so students may need to register well in advance, and passing any required exam is part of meeting admissions criteria.

• Depending on the school, applicants may also need to submit:
• Official transcripts
• Test scores
• Letters of recommendation
• Personal essays
• Proof of observation hours
• CPR certification
• Health records
• Background checks
• Immunization records

Because dental hygiene students work directly with patients, programs often have healthcare-related requirements that must be completed before clinical enrollment.

When you apply to dental hygiene school, you're often applying directly to the dental hygiene department. This may be a separate process from general admission to the college or university.

That means you may need to apply to the school itself and submit a separate dental hygiene program application.

For additional information, contact the program directly or visit its official admissions page. Never rely entirely on admission requirements from another school because requirements can vary significantly.

2. Be Able to Explain Why You Want to Be a Dental Hygienist

Some programs require applicants to write a personal essay, participate in a virtual interview, or meet with dental hygiene faculty before admission.

You need to be able to explain why you want to become a dental hygienist.

Maybe you've had a positive experience with dentistry. Perhaps you've shadowed dental hygienists and love what they do. Maybe you've worked as a dental assistant and want to advance your career.

Or perhaps you're interested in oral healthcare but are also considering continuing your education or eventually applying to dental school.

There isn't one perfect answer.

Admissions faculty generally want to see that you understand the profession and have put serious thought into your career choice.

You should be prepared to discuss your interest in:

• Helping patients improve their oral health
• Preventive healthcare
• Patient education
• Working within a healthcare team
• Serving your community
• Building a long-term healthcare career
• Continuing your education

Try not to make salary or scheduling flexibility the primary reason you present for entering the profession.

Yes, the median salary for dental hygienists can make the career financially attractive, and demand for hygienists may be strong in many communities. But admissions committees usually want to hear that your interest in dental hygiene extends beyond compensation.

If you're writing an essay, run a spelling and grammar check and have at least two or three people review it before you submit it.

Ask them whether your essay clearly communicates your goals and whether your interest in dental hygiene feels genuine.

3. Get Some Hands-On Dental Experience

One of the best ways to demonstrate your interest in dental hygiene is to gain actual dental experience before applying.

Hands-on exposure allows you to understand what dental hygienists actually do and gives you real experiences to discuss during an essay or interview.

Here are a few ways to get started:

• Shadow hygienists in two or three dental offices.
• Observe different settings such as general dentistry, pediatrics, periodontics, or public health.
• Work or volunteer in a dental clinic.
• Learn basic office or clinical responsibilities such as sterilization, taking vital signs, patient records, or inventory.
• Volunteer with a community dental clinic or school-based oral health program.
• Join a pre-dental or healthcare organization at your school.
• Attend a dental hygiene program information session.
• Ask to tour the dental hygiene department at schools you're considering.
• Consider training to become a dental assistant.

Some dental assisting programs can be completed in roughly a semester, although requirements vary by state and school. Dental assisting experience can give you useful knowledge of terminology, patient care, infection control, and dental procedures before you enroll in hygiene school.

The better you know dental professionals through shadowing or service opportunities, the more likely you are to develop relationships with people who can later provide strong letters of recommendation.

4. Prepare for the Interview

Some dental hygiene programs require interviews before making their final admission decisions.

An interview gives the faculty an opportunity to learn more about you and determine whether you're prepared for the demanding coursework and clinical requirements of the program.

Make sure you're well-groomed, dress professionally, and prepare for common questions such as:

• “Tell me about yourself.”
• “Why did you apply to our dental hygiene program?”
• “Why do you want to become a dental hygienist?”
• “What do you know about our program?”
• “How will you manage the demands of your coursework?”
• “How do you plan to spend your time outside of class?”
• “What is your greatest strength?”
• “What is your greatest weakness?”
• “Where do you see yourself after graduation?”

You may also be presented with situational questions involving communication, teamwork, stress, ethics, or patient care.

It's normal to be nervous.

Instead of memorizing a script, practice explaining your experiences naturally. The goal is to show that you're prepared, interested, and able to communicate professionally.

5. Obtain Strong Letters of Recommendation

After you've worked hard to become a competitive dental hygiene applicant, it's helpful to have other people speak on your behalf.

Hopefully, through shadowing, volunteering, employment, or community service, you've developed a professional relationship with one or two dental professionals.

Ask whether they would be comfortable writing a letter of recommendation for you.

A professor or instructor can also provide an academic recommendation. A recommendation from someone who taught one of your science courses can be particularly valuable, but it doesn't necessarily have to come from a science professor unless the school specifies otherwise.

Since writing a strong recommendation takes time, don't wait until the last minute.

Give each person at least two or three weeks to complete and submit their recommendation.

Depending on the school, recommendation letters may need to be uploaded electronically or mailed in a sealed envelope.

Always follow the individual program's instructions.

6. Submit a Polished Application

Check, check, and triple-check your application.

Before submitting it, make sure you have fulfilled every requirement.

Ask yourself:

• Have I submitted my official transcripts?
• Does my transcript show courses currently in progress?
• Have I completed the required prerequisite coursework?
• Do my grades satisfy the minimum GPA requirements?
• Have I attached my proofread essay?
• Have my recommendation letters been submitted?
• Have I included required test scores?
• Have I documented any required shadowing hours?
• Have I completed both the college admission application and dental hygiene application?

Your application should be specific to the individual program.

Incomplete or inaccurate applications may not move forward because staff members may not have time to contact every applicant about missing information.

Finally, submit your application on time—and preferably early.

If the application window opens in January and closes in March, don't assume waiting until the final day gives you an advantage. Have everything ready so that you can submit as soon as you're confident the application is complete.

What Happens After You're Accepted?

Once you're accepted and officially admitted, the program will provide instructions for enrollment and any remaining requirements.

Students may need to:

• Enroll in specific courses
• Submit health documentation
• Complete CPR training
• Purchase instruments or uniforms
• Attend orientation
• Complete background checks
• Meet additional clinical requirements

Dental hygiene coursework typically combines classroom education, laboratory training, and direct clinical treatment of patients.

Subjects may include dental anatomy, radiology, periodontology, pharmacology, pathology, dental materials, nutrition, community dentistry, and clinical dental hygiene.

Students must successfully progress through both academic and clinical requirements to graduate.

After program completion, graduates generally must pass the appropriate written and clinical examinations and satisfy their state's requirements for licensure before practicing as a dental hygienist. Effective January 1, 2024, some states may waive the regional exam depending on current state rules, and boards may also review legal or professional history.

Depending on the institution, graduates may be awarded an associate degree, bachelor's degree, or another approved degree or certificate.

What If You Don't Get Accepted the First Time?

Because enrollment is limited, qualified students sometimes don't get admitted on their first attempt.

If that happens, review your application and identify areas where you can improve.

You might:

• Retake a prerequisite to improve your grade.
• Increase your GPA.
• Complete additional science coursework.
• Gain more dental experience.
• Add volunteer or community service experience.
• Improve your entrance exam score.
• Strengthen your personal essay.
• Apply to additional accredited programs.

Some programs maintain a waiting list, and spots can become available if an admitted student decides not to enroll.

You can also contact the dental hygiene department and ask whether faculty can provide additional information about ways to make your next application more competitive.

Recap: How to Get Into a Dental Hygiene Program

Plan, plan, plan.

The more prepared you are before applying to dental hygiene school, the better your chances of gaining admission.

Start by researching each school's prerequisites, GPA expectations, dental accreditation status, application deadlines, and program requirements. Complete as much of your required coursework as possible and aim to earn strong grades, particularly in biology, chemistry, microbiology, and other science courses.

Gain firsthand experience by shadowing licensed dental hygienists, volunteering in your community, or working in a dental office. Prepare a thoughtful personal statement, practice for potential interviews, and ask for strong letters of recommendation well before the deadline.

And don't feel like you have to limit yourself to one school. If you're serious about pursuing a dental hygiene career, consider applying to two or three accredited programs whose requirements you fulfill.

If you aren't admitted the first time, continue making progress and apply again. Dental hygiene programs have limited space, and plenty of successful hygienists weren't accepted on their first attempt.

Once you graduate, earn your license, and begin treating patients, you can continue developing your career through clinical practice, public health, education, bachelor's degree completion programs, or even master's-level education.

Getting into dental hygiene school takes preparation, but if you're willing to put in the work, it's absolutely achievable.