Dental Hygiene

Congratulations! The Dental Hygiene Faculty welcomes you and anticipates your success in earning your Associate in Dental Hygiene degree!

Directions:

Step 1:

Pay your $100.00 Non-refundable Advanced Tuition Deposit by the date required AND return the form verifying that you have accepted a place for the entering fall class.

Step 2:

Submit your official transcripts by each deadline as you complete your Pre-dental Hygiene courses*, if applicable, to the Admissions Office. Please see Application Checklist for exact address.

• Deadline One: Official Transcript with Winter quarter grades received by Pierce College Admissions by the SECOND FRIDAY IN APRIL.
• Deadline Two: Official Transcript with Spring quarter grades received by Pierce College Admissions by the SECOND FRIDAY IN JULY.

*NOTE: Remember that all Pre-dental Hygiene courses, including the computer courses, must be completed by the end of Spring quarter to maintain your offer of acceptance into the Dental Hygiene Program for Fall quarter. You must earn a 2.5 GPA in each remaining Pre-dental Hygiene course with the exception of the computer courses which must earn a 2.0 GPA minimum. However, you must also maintain a minimum 3.3 cumulative GPA for the total Pre-dental Hygiene courses, including the computer courses!

Step 3:

Ensure that you have completed all health related requirements as listed below.

• Physical Examination (within six months of entering the Program):
  Evaluating general and musculo-skeletal health to include previous and current injuries and conditions to hands and arms (i.e. carpal tunnel, tendonitis, fractures, etc.), shoulders, neck and back (including muscles, tendons, bones, and/or nerves). In addition, this physical examination must include laboratory tests and update of immunizations as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) or your health care provider. Guidelines for immunizations, set by the CDC, are provided at the end of this section.
• PPD/mantoux screening test for Mycobacterium tuberculosis:
  Required at the time of acceptance into the Program and thereafter on an annual basis. This is not an immunization, but a test of exposure to Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Documentation of a prior positive TB skin test and negative chest x-ray may substitute for TB testing.
• Vision/Eye Examination that includes an evaluation of depth perception (within one year of entering the program):
  Students will be required to wear safety glasses (glasses with side shields) during the performance of all lab and clinical activities/procedures. Students who wear prescription glasses should consult with the clinical coordinator for acceptable eyewear options as some frame designs create difficulty in adding side shields to the frame.
• Dental Examination within the past 12 months. However, no cleaning after July 1 prior to entry into the Program:
  Students will receive an oral prophylaxis cleaning in January their first year in the Program. If you normally have your teeth cleaned more often than every 6 months, please discuss your schedule and needs with the Junior-year Clinic Coordinator.
• Comprehensive current medical insurance for duration of Program enrollment.

Step 4:

Prepare to attend the Meet & Greet in July and be prepared to complete preliminary preparation/homework prior to the September week-long, mandatory orientation session occurring one week prior to the official start of Fall quarter.

Step 5:

Plan to pay for your Pre-study Packet by July 15th.