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Program Information
Degree Awarded
Bachelor of Applied Science in Dental Hygiene (BASDH). We do not offer an associate's degree in dental hygiene.
Length of Program
The Bachelor of Applied Science in Dental Hygiene degree involves eight consecutive quarters starting in summer quarter.
School Hours/Working While in Program
Anticipate a typical schedule from 7:30 a.m. until 5:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. On clinic days, anticipate a 7 a.m. start time for morning sessions. However, quarterly schedules may vary, with some days being only a few hours in class. The average number of weekly class hours is approximately 25–30. Study time varies per individual student, but averages between 20–30 hours per week, as is standard for professional programs. Our current didactic instruction may be online, synchronous or asynchronous. Labs and clinic are in-person.
Occasional evenings and weekends are necessary for professional and inter-professional activities. Specific hours vary each quarter and mostly occur in the last few quarters of the program.
Due to the intensity of learning in a professional course of study, we recommend that students do not work while enrolled in the program.
Number of Yearly Accepted Students
Twenty (20) students are accepted each year in summer quarter at the Pierce College Fort Steilacoom campus located in Lakewood, WA. We do not have an online or distance campus option for our entry-level BASDH program.
We do not use a wait list. Applicants may apply as many times as they want, but must meet the current year's requirements for application.
Due to the highly competitive nature of the application process, students who have been previously dismissed from the program have demonstrated a failure to progress in the profession of dental hygiene. Therefore, an offer of acceptance into the program may be denied.
Ranking Rubric
Prerequisite GPA = 60%
Admission Test for Dental Hygiene (ATDH) = 40%
Average GPA and Test Scores of Accepted Students
- Prerequisite GPA: 3.8/4.0
- Cumulative Pre-Dental Hygiene GPA: 3.91/4.0
- ATDH Comprehensive Score: 386 points out of 500