Requirements
Dental Hygiene
High school students preparing for this program will need the following courses to enter university and take the requiste courses:Admission requirements
When you apply you'll need:
- Completion of first-year university-transfer courses with proof of a letter grade of “C+” or higher in each of:
- Human Anatomy and Physiology (two semesters with regular labs*);
- Chemistry (two semesters with weekly labs);
- Elementary Statistics for Social Sciences** (one semester);
- English (two semesters, writing courses preferred);
- Psychology (two semesters); and,
- One (1) elective (one semester).
*Camosun’s BIOL 150 & BIOL 151 would satisfy this requirement. Applicants are cautioned that equivalents at other institutions must be two semesters of Human Anatomy and Physiology with regular labs.
**Camosun’s MATH 116 would satisfy the requirement for Elementary Statistics.
Prior Learning Assessment is not available for the Dental Hygiene Program. If you have taken equivalent courses to the pre-requisites recently, these may be considered. Contact Academic Advising for more information.
You should be prepared for 25-27 hours per week of class time and approximately 3-4 hours per day of homework.
Admission selection
You will be considered for admission when you have completed the pre-requisites and submitted the required documents. Once an application is complete it is assigned an admission number. Candidates are offered seats in the order in which they qualify. If you apply before your requirements are completed, your file must be complete within the year or another complete application is required.
Once accepted, your name goes on the Program Applicant List. Please keep your contact information current. Seat offers are mailed out during the previous year, with a one month reply period. If you do not respond, your name is removed from the Applicant List. There is no interview, no lottery, and no entry examination.
We cannot accurately estimate when you will be given the opportunity to study Dental Hygiene at Camosun. Some people drop off the list or defer acceptance for one year and therefore the numbers may be misleading. Contact Admissions at 250–370–3550 or Toll Free in Canada 877–554–7555 to confirm your number on the Program Applicant List.
Participation requirements
On the first day of class you're required to:
- Submit a completed, current, Standard First Aid certificate. It is your responsibility to ensure that the CPR C portion of this certificate does not expire before the completion of the program. (if you have been given only 3 weeks notice for entering the program you have until November 1 to take this training.)
- You must have a Criminal Record Check done prior to the Practicum. Any Criminal Record Checks done outside of the College will NOT be accepted and will result in additional cost to the student. The process of applying for the appropriate Criminal Record Checks will be explained during your Program orientation period (usually within the first 2 weeks). The College will then supply you with a reference number for the check to be done and will advise you on which forms to complete.
- Attend the orientation. Not attending could cause you to lose your seat in the program.
A TB test, Hepatitis and flu vaccination are highly recommended and are available at your local health clinic or through your physician.
The work environment in which you'll be employed requires extensive hand washing and sitting for long periods of time. If you have serious skin disorders such as psoriasis, eczema and dermatitis or latex allergy you should consider carefully before making an application to this program. For the same reasons, if you have back, arm or neck problems or significant health challenges you are encouraged to consult with the Program Chair prior to accepting a seat in the program.
You're advised to have current general immunization, especially for Hepatitis B and influenza .Universal precautions are used as barriers to communicable diseases.
During the program you will be assigned to practice sessions where you will receive a variety of dental hygiene treatments and procedures, including local anaesthesia.
Clinical placement practicums are compulsory components of this program. You'll be required to participate in practicums that may include day and evening shifts.
Completion Requirements
You must achieve a minimum of 70% ("B-") in all Dental Hygiene courses in order to proceed within the program and to graduate with a Diploma in Dental Hygiene.
Accreditation
The Commission on Dental Accreditation of Canada (CDAC) was established in 1988 by the Canadian Dental Association as an autonomous body responsible for accrediting dental, dental hygiene and dental assisting education programs in Canada.
Accreditation is a non-governmental, peer review process that measures education programs and hospital dental services against predetermined national requirements or standards, respectively. CDAC acts as a partner with the profession, educational institutions and health facilities to protect and further the public interest through the accreditation process.
Certified Dental Assistant
Taking the the Certified Dental Assistant program does not give an advantage when applying to the Dental Hygiene program. Having basic knowledge of the field of dentistry is an advantage with respect to orientation to dental hygiene. Having worked as a certified dental assistant will acquaint you with many facets of the working environment of dentistry.
Certified Dental Assistants may challenge the first level of Radiography. If you're successful, you'll receive credit for the first level of Radiography (theory and pre-clinical). Contact Academic Advising for more information.
