The Dental Hygiene (DH) program prepares students for entry into the dental hygiene profession as a 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 Board Dental Hygiene 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 Board of Dentistry in the states in which they wish to practice for individual state 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.
- All prerequisites must be completed by the spring semester for fall enrollment.
- Candidates transferring credits to CEI from another institution must be admitted as a CEI matriculated student and have all prerequisite credits submitted to CEI one month prior to the application deadline to be eligible to apply for fall admission. In-progress courses at outside institutions will require an approved petition before applying and courses must be completed by spring semester’s end.
Professional Program Application Requirements:
- Minimum grade of a C+ (77%) or higher in all prerequisite courses.
- Application requirements will be released on the CEI webpage after we receive initial accreditation. Anticipated time frame is spring/summer 2025.
- Dental Hygiene is a competitive entry program and applicants undergo a selection process. Submission of a Dental Hygiene professional application does not guarantee acceptance into the program. There is no waitlist for this program. Applicants must reapply each year.
Additional Information
- All Dental Hygiene students must maintain a C+ or higher in all Dental Hygiene courses in order to progress in the program.
- One cohort of 10 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 regulations and CDC guidlines.
- 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 $16,000 in books, uniforms, supplies, national/state licensure exams and miscellaneous fees.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of the Dental Hygiene program, a student will be able to:
- Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of Dental Hygiene practice.
- Demonstrate clinical competence by developing patient treatment plans to provide comprehensive oral hygiene care.
- Learn and develop leadership and organizational skills to facilitate community-based service.
- 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.
- Foster team building, communication and Integrity necessary to contribute to clinical employment settings.
- Prepare for successful completion of the National Board Dental Hygiene Exam and the ADEX Dental Hygiene Exam administered by CDCA-WREB-CITA.
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