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Dental Hygiene

Bachelor of Applied Science, Allied Health

Four-year Degree

180 Units

The Dental Hygiene program prepares students for a rewarding, high-demand career as a dental hygienist. Develop the applied knowledge and technical expertise needed to excel in the healthcare industry, and gain hands-on experience with professional equipment as you care for patients in the Dental Education Clinic under instructor supervision. Students will complete 195 units of coursework, earning a Bachelor of Applied Science in Allied Health: Dental Hygiene track. Completing this program prepares graduates for quick job placement in a competitive field and qualifies them for Washington state Registered Dental Hygienist licensure examinations. This program is full-time only. We don’t offer a part-time option.

Get Started

College Application Steps

Visit our Enroll Now page to learn more about how to apply (the application is always free).

Additional Program Specific Steps

  • Students must have a ctcLink (student) ID to apply to the Dental Hygiene BAS program.
    • Students without a ctcLink ID should follow the Enroll Now > New Student steps. You will receive an email from Seattle Central College with your ctcLink ID after submitting an application at the Washington State Board of Community and Technical Colleges Online Admissions Application Portal.
  • Attend an information session (expand the next collapsible).
  • Download and read our program information packet (PDF 2197 KB).
  • Use your ctcLink ID to apply to the Dental Hygiene BAS program.
  • Students should meet with an Academic Advisor for academic planning, including degree requirements, prerequisite planning and transfer credits.

The Dental Programs office does not provide individual academic planning or transcript evaluations. Students are responsible for connecting with Academic Advising to ensure they are meeting all applicable college degree requirements. 

Important Dates

  • Phase I of application process:
    • September 15, 2026: Dental Hygiene online application opens 
    • January 17, 2027: DH online application deadline 
  • Phase II of application process 
    • February 5, 2027: In-person essay appointments (by invitation only) 
    • March 5, 2027: In-person interview session (by invitation only) 
  • March 10, 2027: Admissions letters sent 
  • April 9, 2027: Mandatory on-site orientation session 
  • July 2027 (specific date TBD): Classes begin

Live Information Sessions

  • September 18, 2026, 10 AM, In-person
  • November 13, 2026, 10 AM, In-person
  • January 8, 2027, 10 AM, In-person
  • March 12, 2027, 10 AM, In-person
  • May 14, 2027, 10 AM, In-person
  • July 16, 2027, 10 AM, In-person

Please contact DentalPrograms@seattlecolleges.edu for further information.

Recorded Information Session

Can't attend an in-person session? Our recorded Information Session is available for you to watch at your convenience. The video covers all three Seattle Central College Dental Programs and serves as a great introduction to each pathway. For detailed admissions and program information, please review the information packet for your specific program of interest. If you have any questions after watching the recording, please email us at dentalprograms@seattlecolleges.edu. Updated April 2026.

College Tuition

Learn more about the tuition and fees to attend college.

Save money at Central. Tuition and fees at a two-year college are significantly lower than a four-year college or university.

Program Fees

There are program-specific fees and costs required of all dental programs students. Please see program information packet or contact DentalPrograms@seattlecolleges.edu for further information.

Financial Aid

It's time to apply for Financial Aid for next year by completing either the FAFSA or the WASFA.

Need help paying for college?

To apply for financial aid, including grants and scholarships you don’t have to pay back, visit our Paying for College page for details. Part-time and full-time students can qualify for financial aid funds.

Workforce Funding

This academic plan may be eligible for additional funding through Workforce Education. Students in this program may be eligible for:

  • Worker Retraining
  • Opportunity Grant

This is a cohort-based program which currently begins in the Summer Quarter.

Program Information

The Dental Hygiene pathway can lead to various career opportunities.

Examples include:

Career titles and data are supplied by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). For current employment and wage estimates, please visit O*NET OnLine.

A Bachelor's degree or higher may be required for some careers listed above.

Graduates of the Dental Hygiene program may continue their education through transfer pathways or advanced degrees. Some students choose to pursue graduate programs to further enhance their credentials.

To be eligible to apply to the Seattle Central College Dental Hygiene Program, all requirements must be completed by the application deadline. No exceptions will be made.

Applicants must meet all of the following requirements:

  1. Complete all prerequisite courses before submitting the application, with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 in all prerequisite courses.
  2. Complete all math and science prerequisite courses within five years of the Dental Hygiene Program start date.
  3. Submit a transcript evaluation for all coursework completed outside Seattle Central College. Coursework completed at North Seattle College and South Seattle College also requires transcript evaluation.
  4. Complete a minimum of 80 documented community service hours within the most recent three years.
  5. Complete the Admission Test for Dental Hygiene (ATDH) with a minimum score of 300.
  6. Applicants who meet the minimum eligibility requirements and submit a complete online application will advance to Phase II of the admission process, which includes:
    1. An on-site essay assessment
    2. An on-site, in-person interview

Both components are required for admission eligibility.

Admission to the Seattle Central College Dental Hygiene Program is open to all qualified students regardless of economic or social status and without discrimination based on race, color, sex, marital status, beliefs, age, national origin, or disability.

MATH& 146 or higher

ENGL& 101 or higher

180 Units

Prerequisites

Click course row to read description.
Course Course Title Units
BIOL& 160 or BIOL& 211 Choose a course 5
CHEM& 121 or CHEM& 161 Choose a course 6
CHEM& 122 or CHEM& 131 Choose a course 5
HUM 105 or CMST 205 Choose a course 5
Visual, Literary and Performing Arts (VLPA) 5
Math Statistics Choose a course 5

General Education

Minimum 2.5 GPA required.

Click course row to read description.
Course Course Title Units
BIOL& 241 Human Anatomy and Physiology 1 W/ Lab 5
BIOL& 242 Human Anatomy and Physiology 2 W/ Lab 5
BIOL& 260 Microbiology W/ Lab 5
ENGL& 101 English Composition I 5
ENGL& 102 Composition II 5
NUTR& 101 Nutrition 5
PSYC& 100 General Psychology 5

AAS-T Technical Courses

Minimum 2.0 grade.

Click course row to read description.
Course Course Title Units
AHE 128 Introduction to Healthcare Practice 4
AHE 129 Introduction to Healthcare Appplied Practice 1
DHY 250 Oral Biology 2
DHY 251 Human Pathophysiology 3
DHY 252 Fundamentals of Dental Hygiene I 3
DHY 253 Clinical Dental Hygiene I 3
DHY 254 Health Promotion 2
DHY 255 Dental Radiology I 2
DHY 256 Dental Radiology I Practice 2
DHY 257 Head and Neck Anatomy 2
DHY 258 Dental Anatomy & Morphology (Didactic) 2
DHY 259 Dental Anatomy & Morphology (Lab) 1
DHY 260 Emergency Management 1
DHY 261 Preventive Dentistry 2

BAS Technical Courses

Click course row to read description.
Course Course Title Units
DHY 300 Clinical Dental Hygiene II 4
DHY 303 Fundamentals of Dental Hygiene II 3
DHY 306 Restorative Practice & Materials I (Didactic) 2
DHY 307 Restorative Practice & Materials I (Lab) 1
DHY 313 Periodontology I 3
DHY 314 Dental Radiology II 2
DHY 315 Dental Radiology II Practice 1
DHY 311 Pain Control Anesthesia 2
AHE 401 Principles of Research 5
DHY 301 Clinical Dental Hygiene III 4
DHY 304 Fundamentals of Dental Hygiene III 2
DHY 308 Restorative Practice & Materials Theory II 2
DHY 309 Restorative Practice & Materials II 1
DHY 312 Pain Control Anesthesia Practice 2
DHY 323 Pharmacology 3
DHY 302 Clinical Dental Hygiene IV 8
DHY 305 Fundamentals of Dental Hygiene IV 2
DHY 310 Advanced Restorative Practice I 2
DHY 413 Periodontology II 2
DHY 391 Community Dental Health I 2
DHY 400 Advanced Practicum In Dental Hygiene I 8
DHY 404 Principles of Dental Hygiene Practice I 3
DHY 407 Strategies of Capstone Project 1
DHY 410 Advanced Restorative Practice II 2
DHY 318 Oral Pathology 2
DHY 401 Advanced Practicum In Dental Hygiene II 8
DHY 405 Principles of Dental Hygiene Practice II 2
DHY 409 Ethics and Jurisprudence 2
DHY 411 Advanced Restorative Practice III 2
DHY 414 Selective Populations 1
DHY 415 Selective Populations Practice 1
DHY 419 Community Dental Health II 2
DHY 402 Advanced Practicum In Dental Hygiene III 8
DHY 406 Principles of Dental Hygiene Practice III 1
DHY 408 Capstone 1
DHY 412 Advanced Restorative Practice IV 2
DHY 416 Professional Issues 1

Units

The sample schedule and quarterly to-do list below will help you explore courses and complete tasks on time. The sample schedule assumes a fall quarter start. Please work with your advisor to create a customized education plan that meets your goals.

Before you begin:

Quarter 1, 18 Units

Click course row to read description.
Course Course Title Units
DHY 300 Clinical Dental Hygiene II 4
DHY 303 Fundamentals of Dental Hygiene II 3
DHY 306 Restorative Practice & Materials I (Didactic) 2
DHY 307 Restorative Practice & Materials I (Lab) 1
DHY 313 Periodontology I 3
DHY 314 Dental Radiology II 2
DHY 315 Dental Radiology II Practice 1
DHY 311 Pain Control Anesthesia 2

Quarter 2, 19 Units

Click course row to read description.
Course Course Title Units
AHE 401 Principles of Research 5
DHY 301 Clinical Dental Hygiene III 4
DHY 304 Fundamentals of Dental Hygiene III 2
DHY 308 Restorative Practice & Materials Theory II 2
DHY 309 Restorative Practice & Materials II 1
DHY 312 Pain Control Anesthesia Practice 2
DHY 323 Pharmacology 3

Quarter 3, 14 Units

Click course row to read description.
Course Course Title Units
DHY 302 Clinical Dental Hygiene IV 8
DHY 305 Fundamentals of Dental Hygiene IV 2
DHY 310 Advanced Restorative Practice I 2
DHY 413 Periodontology II 2

Quarter 4, 18 Units

Click course row to read description.
Course Course Title Units
DHY 391 Community Dental Health I 2
DHY 400 Advanced Practicum In Dental Hygiene I 8
DHY 404 Principles of Dental Hygiene Practice I 3
DHY 407 Strategies of Capstone Project 1
DHY 410 Advanced Restorative Practice II 2
DHY 318 Oral Pathology 2

Quarter 5, 18 Units

Click course row to read description.
Course Course Title Units
DHY 401 Advanced Practicum In Dental Hygiene II 8
DHY 405 Principles of Dental Hygiene Practice II 2
DHY 409 Ethics and Jurisprudence 2
DHY 411 Advanced Restorative Practice III 2
DHY 414 Selective Populations 1
DHY 415 Selective Populations Practice 1
DHY 419 Community Dental Health II 2

Quarter 6, 13 Units

Click course row to read description.
Course Course Title Units
DHY 402 Advanced Practicum In Dental Hygiene III 8
DHY 406 Principles of Dental Hygiene Practice III 1
DHY 408 Capstone 1
DHY 412 Advanced Restorative Practice IV 2
DHY 416 Professional Issues 1
  1. Demonstrate the ethics, knowledge, values, and skills required in all aspects of the dental hygiene profession.
  2. Provide evidence-based dental hygiene care, including expanded functions, as a member of the oral healthcare team.
  3. Assess, plan, implement, and evaluate community-based programs that prevent disease and promote health.
  4. Value the scientific method, self-assessment, and lifelong learning as essential components of professional growth and development.
  5. Achieve personal and professional goals in diverse settings while demonstrating Seattle Central College learning outcomes.

The following examples describe the essential functions and physical demands commonly associated with participation in the Dental Hygiene Program and the practice of dental hygiene. Qualified students with disabilities may be eligible for reasonable accommodation. Requests for accommodations are reviewed on an individual basis through the Seattle Central College Accessibility Resource Center.

Essential Functions and Technical Standards for Dental Hygiene Students

  • The dental hygiene profession is physically demanding and requires fine motor skills, precision, stamina, and the ability to work in a variety of clinical environments.
  • If you experience difficulty in any of the areas listed below, we strongly encourage you to discuss how these challenges may affect a career in dental hygiene with your physician. If you continue to have concerns, you may schedule an appointment with the Director of Dental Programs to discuss additional options.
  • Students are also encouraged to contact the Accessibility Support Services Office to determine whether reasonable accommodations are available to support their success in the program.

Visual Acuity
Applicants should be able to:

  • Read small printed labels on medications.
  • Read small numbers and markings on dental instruments.
  • Distinguish fine details within the oral cavity under clinical lighting.

Hearing Acuity
Applicants should be able to:

  • Hear and understand speech when it is muffled by a face mask.
  • Hear blood pressure and heart sounds using a stethoscope.
  • Respond to auditory alarms and patient communications in the clinical setting

Speaking Ability
Applicants should be able to:

  • Clearly pronounce dental terminology while wearing a face mask.
  • Communicate thoughts clearly and effectively with patients, faculty, staff, and peers.
  • Provide verbal instructions and patient education in a clear and professional manner.

Digital Dexterity
Applicants should be able to:

  • Handle dental instruments with either hand as needed.
  • Bend and move at the wrist and elbow to perform clinical procedures.
  • Demonstrate the fine motor coordination necessary to safely perform clinical procedures.

Physical Stamina and Mobility
Applicants should be able to:

  • Stand for extended periods during laboratory and clinical activities.
  • Sit for prolonged periods while providing patient care or participating in classroom and laboratory instruction.
  • Maintain appropriate clinical posture while performing patient care.
  • Reach, bend, twist, and move safely around the clinical environment.
  • Lift, carry, push, or pull equipment and supplies weighing up to 25 pounds.
  • Move quickly and safely in response to patient or clinical emergencies.

Professionalism
Applicants should be able to:

  • Perform required tasks and functions under stressful conditions.
  • Work independently and demonstrate self-direction.
  • Interact professionally with all members of the dental team.
  • Maintain patient confidentiality and exercise sound professional judgment.

Dental Education Clinic

Dental care services are available to the public at the new Dental Education Clinic on the fourth floor of Seattle Central College’s Health Education Center in the historic Pacific Tower. The Dental Education Clinic operates under a dual education and service model, the first of its kind in the nation.

Through a groundbreaking partnership with Delta Dental and Neighborcare Health, the Dental Education Clinic offers preventive and restorative dental services performed by a licensed dentist with the support of Dental Hygiene, Dental Assistant, and Expanded Function Dental Auxiliary (EFDA) students.

The clinic is fully accredited by the American Dental Association (ADA), and offers pricing models to serve low-income patients.

Learn more about Neighborcare Health at Pacific Tower.

Commitment

The Dental Hygiene Program is academically challenging and requires a significant commitment of time and effort. Success in the program depends on effective time management, consistent study habits, and the ability to balance coursework, clinical responsibilities, and personal obligations.

Classes and coursework are generally scheduled Monday through Friday, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Some courses may also meet on Saturdays. In addition, students may be required to arrive on campus earlier or remain later than scheduled class hours for certain courses and program activities.

Studying outside of class is both required and essential for success. Seattle Central College estimates that students should spend approximately 2–3 hours studying outside of class for every course credit. Because Dental Hygiene Program quarters typically range from 12–19 credits, students should expect to spend up to 30–40 hours per week on studying and coursework outside of scheduled class time.

Working more than 20 hours per week is strongly discouraged due to the program's time demands. Students should have strong time-management skills, reliable transportation, and a plan for balancing program requirements with personal, family, and employment commitments.

Seattle Central College's Dental Hygiene program is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation.

The Commission on Dental Accreditation will review complaints that relate to a program's compliance with the accreditation standards. The Commission is interested in the sustained quality and continued improvement of dental and dental-related education programs but does not intervene on behalf of individuals or act as a court of appeal for treatment received by patients or individuals in matters of admission, appointment, promotion or dismissal of faculty, staff or students.

A copy of the appropriate accreditation standards and/or the Commission's policy and procedure for submission of complaints may be obtained by contacting the Commission at 211 East Chicago Avenue, Chicago, IL 60611-2678 or by calling 1-800-621-8099 extension 4653.

Graduates will qualify to take national and regional examinations for Washington licensure as well as other states as outlined in their laws.

Seattle Central College's Dental Hygiene program is intended to meet the educational requirements for licensing/certification in the State of Washington only. Seattle Central College has not determined if the Dental Hygiene curriculum meets the educational requirements for licensing/certification in any other state. Additional information about licensure/certification concerns can be found on the NC-SARA webpage. Please contact eLearning with any questions at eLearning@seattlecolleges.edu.

Notice of opportunity to file complaints process

The Commission currently publishes, in its accredited lists of programs, the year of the next site visit for each program it accredits. In addition, the Commission posts its spring and fall site visit announcements on the Site Visit Process and Schedule area of the Commission’s website for those programs being site visited in the current and next year. Special site visits and initial accreditation site visits for developing programs may be scheduled after the posting on the Commission’s website; thus, the specific dates of these site visits may not be available for publication. Parties interested in these specific dates (should they be established) are encouraged to contact the Commission office. The Commission will request written comments from interested parties on the CODA website.

The United States Department of Education (USDE) procedures require accrediting agencies to provide an opportunity for third-party comment, either in writing or at a public hearing (at the accrediting agencies’ discretion) with respect to institutions or programs scheduled for review. All comments must relate to accreditation standards for the discipline and required accreditation policies. In order to comply with the Department’s requirement on the use of third-party comment regarding program’s qualifications for accreditation or initial accreditation, the following procedures have been developed.

Those programs scheduled for regular review must solicit third-party comments through appropriate notification of communities of interest and the public such as faculty, students, program administrators, dental-related organizations, patients, and consumers at least ninety (90) days prior to their site visit. The notice should indicate the deadline of sixty (60) days for receipt of third-party comments in the Commission office and should stipulate that signed or unsigned comments will be accepted, that names and/or signatures will be removed from comments prior to forwarding them to the program, and that comments must pertain only to the standards for the particular program or policies and procedures used in the Commission’s accreditation process. The announcement may include language to indicate that a copy of the appropriate accreditation standards and/or the Commission’s policy on third-party comments may be obtained by contacting the Commission by calling 1-312-440-4653 or by email.

All comments submitted must pertain only to the standards relative to the particular program being reviewed or policies and procedures used in the accreditation process. Comments will be screened by Commission staff for relevancy. Signed or unsigned comments will be considered. For comments not relevant to these issues, the individual will be notified that the comment is not related to accreditation and, where appropriate, referred to the appropriate agency.

All relevant comments will have names and/or signatures removed and will then be referred to the program at least fifty (50) days prior to the site visit for review and response. A written response from the program should be provided to the Commission office and the visiting committee fifteen (15) days prior to the site visit. Adjustments may be necessary in the site visit schedule to allow discussion of comments with proper personnel. Negative comments received after the established deadline of sixty (60) days prior to the site visit will be handled as a complaint. Any unresolved issues related to the program’s compliance with the accreditation standards will be reviewed by the visiting committee while on-site.

Programs with the status of initial accreditation, and programs seeking initial accreditation must solicit comment through appropriate notification of communities of interest and the public such as faculty, students, program administrators, dental-related organizations, patients, and consumers utilizing the procedures noted above.

On occasion, programs may be scheduled for special focused or special comprehensive site visits and because of the urgency of the visit, solicitation of third-party comments within the ninety (90) day time-frame may not be possible. However, third party comments must be solicited at the time the program is notified of the Commission’s planned site visit, typically sixty (60) days in advance of the visit. In this case, the timeframe for solicitation of third-party comments will be shortened. The notice should indicate the deadline of thirty (30) days for receipt of third-party comments in the Commission office and should stipulate that signed or unsigned comments will be accepted, that names and/or signatures will be removed from comments prior to forwarding them to the program, and that comments must pertain only to the standards for the particular program or policies and procedures used in the Commission’s accreditation process. All relevant comments will have names and/or signatures removed and will then be referred to the program at least twenty (20) days prior to the site visit for review and response. A written response from the program should be provided to the Commission office and the visiting committee ten (10) days prior to the site visit. Adjustments may be necessary in the site visit schedule to allow discussion of comments with proper personnel. Any unresolved issues related to the program’s compliance with the accreditation standards will be reviewed by the visiting committee while on-site. Negative comments received after the established deadline of thirty (30) days prior to the site visit will be handled as a complaint.

Individuals who are interested in submitting third-party comments, may contact the Commission office for submission guidance. Third-party comments should be emailed to the appropriate Commission staff; comments should not be sent to the Commission office via the US Postal Service.

  • Revised: 2/22; 8/19; 8/18; 2/18; 2/16; 2/15; 8/13; 8/12, 8/11, 7/09, 8/02, 1/97;
  • Reaffirmed: 8/13; 8/10, 1/03;
  • Adopted: 7/95
  • Institution: Seattle Central College
  • Program(s) to be reviewed: Dental Hygiene & Dental Assisting
  • Site visit date: November 8-10, 2022
  • 60-day deadline for receipt of comments in the commission office. Please email comments to the appropriate CODA staff.

Graduates will qualify to take national and regional examinations for Washington licensure as well as other states as outlined in their laws. 

Seattle Central College's Dental Hygiene program is intended to meet the educational requirements for licensing/certification in the State of Washington only. Seattle Central College has not determined if the Dental Hygiene curriculum meets the educational requirements for licensing/certification in any other state. Additional information about licensure/certification concerns can be found on the NC-SARA webpage. Please contact eLearning with any questions at eLearning@seattlecolleges.edu

Program data from ctcLink:

  • Academic Plan: HSAAHBAS
  • Sub Plan: BAS_AHDNH
  • Degree: BAS_AlliedHealth
  • Plan Transcript Description: Bachelor of Applied Science - Allied Health
  • Academic Plan Currently Offered: Yes
  • Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP): 51.0000

To update degree or certificate information please start with how to make edits to academic program data.