Application Directions

1. Download the Pacific Northwest Dental Hygiene Institute Application (PNWDHI)

2. Complete the PNWDHI Application.

Make sure you choose the year and course(s) you wish to attend. Course offerings each year are dependent upon the number of interested applicants and dental hygiene program calendar; there is no guarantee of course offerings in any given year.

3. Collect the required documents below.

Required Documents

  1. Proof of Graduation from an accredited U.S. or Canadian Dental Hygiene program.
    • Option 1: If you are currently licensed in another US state or Canadian Province, please provide one of the following:
      1. A notarized copy of your Dental Hygiene degree/diploma, OR 
      2. An official transcript showing course taken and the awarding of a Dental Hygiene degree, sent directly from your school. Unofficial copies will not be accepted.
    • Option 2: If you have graduated from an accredited U.S. or Canadian Dental Hygiene program however do not currently hold an active license in another US state or Canadian Province, please complete Option 1 (a or b).
    • Option 3: If you are currently a Dental Hygiene Student (in the U.S. or Canada), and anticipate graduating in the same year as attending the PNWDHI, please provide a signed letter from the Program Director/Chair/Dean (on official letterhead with school seal) of the dental hygiene program you currently attending. This letter must attest to:
      1. Verification of accreditation of the dental hygiene or dental program by the Commission on Dental Accreditation in the U.S. (CODA), or equivalent international credentials;  
      2. Anticipated date of graduation no later than June 30; and 
      3. Expectation this applicant will compete their education program in good standing and on schedule. 
        Note: any fees paid as part of this application may not be refunded if the student applicant fails to graduate as expected. 
      4. If you are currently an International Student enrolled in a US or Canadian accredited dental hygiene program, you may apply based on your currently approved international student status at your home institution. If you are not a US citizen, please contact: Brandon Pearson, International Education Admissions and Registration Specialist at 253-912-3611 or email at BPearson@pierce.ctc.edu to submit an International Student application and receive your ID number. Include this number on the Application Form for our reference.
  2. Proof of Vaccinations/Immunizations, as well as one-step PPD (TB) test, current within six (6) months
  3. Current CPR Certification (provide copy of card). Must be current for dates on-site. Online courses accepted
  4. If applicable: Copy of current Local Anesthesia Certification (license, endorsement, certificate, etc.), or verification of passing a recent CDCA-WREB-CITA or CRDTS Local Anesthesia Board Examination. 

4. In one packet, submit your completed application andall required documents by the posted due date to:

Pierce College Dental Hygiene
Pacific Northwest Dental Hygiene Institute
Attn: Director Tammy Sanderson, MSDH, RDH
9401 Farwest Dr. S.W.
Lakewood WA 98498
Course Application Due Date
Restorative for Dental Hygienists May 15
Local Anesthesia December 15 for March and May 15 for August
Nitrous Oxide Psychosedation December 15 for March and May 15 for August

Verification, Registration, and Payment

  • Once your application is received, we will review it to determine if it is complete and verify your eligibility to attend the course.
    • If you are eligible, you will be emailed the register and payment information for the full course fee.
      • Full payment is expected six weeks before the start of the online portion of the courses.
        • The Tuition Installment Plan, two or three total payments, may be utilized rather than paying the entire amount in one payment.
      • Financial aid, grants, scholarships, etc. may be an option for funding; please check with Financial Aid at 253-964-6544 or financialaid@pierce.ctc.edu.
    • If it is not complete or you are not eligible, you will be sent an email telling you either it is not complete and what is missing, or you are ineligible for the course.
    • In the event that the course is full, we will send you an email telling you where you are on the waitlist and asking if you wish to remain on the list for a last-minute cancellation.
  • You will have a maximum of five business days, after the six week deadline for payment, to register and pay for the course after we notify you. Failure to pay within this timeframe may forfeit your right to participate for this course offering.
  • Please do not complete an admissions application to the institution, Pierce College. You do not need to be admitted to the college to take this course.
  • We cannot hold positions for you to secure funding.
  • The courses are first come, first serve.
  • The courses are highly competitive and each year we turn away several people due to the limits in maximum participants.

Refund Policy

  • Payment is expected in full six weeks before the start of the online course.
  • In the event that we cancel the course, you will be contacted no later than four weeks before the start of the online portion of the course, and be fully refunded.
  • If you withdraw from the course after the six week deadline for full payment, you will forfeit the full payment.

We highly encourage you to submit the application and supporting documentation, even if the courses are filled to capacity. There are times when students must cancel and if your application is in and you are on the waitlist for the course(s), you may be offered a last minute opportunity to attend.