Dental Hygiene, AAS

The Dental Hygiene (DH) program prepares students for entry into the dental hygiene profession as a licensed Registered Dental Hygienist - RDH. A dental hygienist is a licensed oral healthcare provider who focuses on preventing and treating oral diseases in order to promote optimal oral health. This career path opens a variety of professional opportunities including clinical, administrative, public health, government, education and research.

The Curriculum

Graduates earn an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree and are eligible to take the National Dental Hygiene Board Examination (NBDHE) and the regional and or state clinical and local anesthesia exams required for licensure. Acceptance or completion of the program does not guarantee licensure as a Dental Hygienist. Applicants are encouraged to contact the State Board of Dentistry in the states in which they wish to practice for individual licensing requirements. The Dental Hygiene program includes instruction in dental anatomy, microbiology and pathology; dental hygiene theory and techniques; dental materials; radiology; patient education and counseling; and office management and professional standards. Clinical education experiences are offered throughout the curriculum and offer students the opportunity to gain competency through practice each semester. Licensed dental hygienists and dentists supervise the clinical experience in an innovative on-site dental clinic.

The professional portion of the AAS Degree program (excludes prerequisite requirements) is a 4-semester program. The program requires full-time attendance, Monday through Friday. Students who graduate will accrue a minimum of 86 credits.

Entrance Requirements

• All applicants must be 18 years of age.
• Student must be a high school graduate or equivalent.
• Candidate must be admitted as a CEI matriculated student one month prior to the application deadline. Application deadline will be posted on the CEI Dental Hygiene webpage and in the application.
• For transfer credit, you must request official transcripts/documents to be sent directly from the college for all colleges where prerequisite coursework has been completed.

Dental Hygiene is a competitive entry program and applicants go through a selection process. Submission of a Dental Hygiene professional application does not guarantee acceptance into the program. There is no waiting list for this program. Applicants must reapply each year.

Professional Program Application Requirements:

• Minimum grade of a B or higher in all prerequisite courses
• Minimum prerequisite GPA of 3.0 or higher
• Complete and submit online Dental Hygiene Program application by deadline. Submit all required documentation with application which includes:
  • Dental Hygiene Observation form
  • Physical & Eye Exam
  • Dental Exam
  • Reference Letter
  • PreCheck Background Check
  • (Optional) Dental Assisting Work Verification Form
  • (If Applicable) Previous Program Statement

All forms are located on the CEI Dental Hygiene web page. After acceptance into the program, the following documentation is required:

• Immunization records - list of requirements located on the CEI Dental Hygiene web page
• BLS CPR certification
• Drug Screen - Done at random 

Additional Information

• All Dental Hygiene students must maintain a B or higher in all Dental Hygiene courses in order to progress in the program.
• One cohort of 12 students is admitted each year.
• The curriculum and course requirements may be academically rigorous.
• The nature of dental hygiene practice requires prolonged, sustained seated posture and repetitive arm and wrist movement.
• Student may come in contact with blood-borne pathogens and infectious diseases and all students in the Dental Hygiene program must follow proper OSHA and CDC procedures and practice standard precautions.
• Accepted students are required to attend mandatory orientation. 

Program Costs

In addition to the semester registration fees, a Dental Hygiene student may expect to spend an approximate total of $12,000 in books, uniforms, supplies, national/state proficiency exams and miscellaneous fees. 

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of the Dental Hygiene program, a student will be able to:

1. Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of Dental Hygiene practice.
2. Demonstrate clinical proficiency by developing patient treatment plans to provide comprehensive oral hygiene care.
3. Learn and develop leadership and organizational skills to facilitate community-based service.
4. Study research journals and analyze scientific methods to aid in the selection of appropriate therapies and educational methods, manage practice problems and apply advances in patient care.
5. Foster team building, communication and Integrity necessary to contribute to clinical employment settings.
6. Prepare for successful completion of the National Dental Hygiene Exam and the Western Regional Clinic Board Exam (WREB).

Accreditation and Program Start Date

CEI is in the process of seeking initial accreditation with the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA). Once we receive initial accreditation, we will admit our first cohort. Estimated start date is Fall 2025. This start dates is subject to change. Updates will be posted on the CEI Dental Hygiene webpage.

• Eighty-Six (86) Credits
• Financial Aid Eligible