Program at a glance
Credential
Diploma
Area of Study
Health Sciences
Study options
Full-time
Work experience
Clinical/fieldwork placement
Open to International
Yes
Length
2 years
At a glance image

Champions of health
September Intake!
Dental hygienists provide specialized health care in the dynamic field of dentistry. Dental hygiene blends the arts of health advocacy, technology, science, psychology and direct patient care. Join our team and be at the forefront of a career in health promotion! The Dental Hygiene program is fully accredited nationally and graduates historically have performed extremely well on the national board exam.
DHYG Online Information Session Slides
Find out more about upcoming networking and information sessions occurring at Camosun.
HHS Student Handbook
Current information for School of Health and Human Services students and DHYG program specific handbook.
In demand
As a dental hygienist, you’ll be part of an oral health care team that provides professional treatment and advice to help people prevent or halt existing dental diseases and support total wellness. This full-time, two-year program prepares you to be a health promotion specialist on an oral health care team as well as a competent clinician and community health advocate (accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of Canada).
Over the last two years, 95% of Camosun's Dental Hygiene program graduates were employed in a job related to their program.
Hands-on learning
In a small classroom environment and within the live clinic environment, you’ll acquire the knowledge and skills needed to provide preventative, educational and therapeutic dental hygiene services. You’ll also learn to evaluate research, communicate professionally and practice collaboratively with dentists and other health care professionals.
Our faculty is made up of talented and dedicated professionals with advanced degrees in education or dental hygiene.
We’ll help you succeed
The Diploma in Dental Hygiene provides the educational foundation you’ll need to succeed in the increasingly complex field of oral health. Dental hygienists work in a number of settings including general and specialty dental offices, dental hygiene clinics, residential care facilities, hospitals, community health agencies and educational institutions. Dental hygienists also work within the dental industry as educators and sales representatives.
The two-year Dental Hygiene program follows a foundational year of university transfer courses.
Community learning
You’ll have opportunities to provide education and care to local community groups. On a broader scale, you’ll also make connections with dental hygiene students from other countries who visit our Dental Hygiene program. There are also opportunities to travel within BC and abroad in order to study and provide care and education.
Transfer opportunities
Continuing your education is easy as the diploma program transfers directly into two degree programs. You can complete a Baccalaureate Degree of Science in Dental Hygiene in one year at the University of British Columbia or the University of Alberta or obtain a Bachelor of Health Sciences at Thompson Rivers University.
To find out more about the dental hygiene profession, check out the British Columbia Dental Hygienists Association.
An Investment in Your Career
Invest in yourself! Two years at Camosun can prepare you for a career in dental health care. As a Dental Hygienist you will be set to enter an in-demand field that is both financially-rewarding and personally satisfying.
Estimated tuition
Effective from September 1, 2021 to August 31, 2022.
$16,383 (domestic)
$57,400 (international)
What to expect
Located at our Lansdowne campus, this program is 2 years in length (September to early May). Classes and clinical sessions are scheduled for 29 to 31 hours per week and include some evening clinics. Study and preparation outside of class and clinic time generally requires 3-4 hours per day, but varies.
Our facilities
Dental Hygiene students practice in our modern on-site dental clinic and provide actual dental hygiene services to members of the community. The dental clinic is spacious and includes:
- 24 dental chairs
- Dispensary/sterilization centre
- Four radiography rooms
- Computers for student learning (dental software)
- Dental reception office
- Client reception area
Year 2 (entry into program)
Year 2 courses include microbiology, dental anatomy, patho-physiology, radiology and your first two dental hygiene clinical theory and practice courses. Guided by experienced faculty, you will begin providing dental hygiene services to public clients by the end of your first term in the program.
Year 3
In year 3, you’ll build on your foundation knowledge of oral science, clinical care and professional practice. You’ll study pharmacology and nutrition and have a variety of opportunities to provide care and education within the Camosun Dental Clinic, out in the local community and beyond.
Field School Opporutnities
Students enjoy many opportunities to integrate theory and practice through simulated and community experiences, the provision of comprehensive dental hygiene care to the public in the Camosun College Dental Hygiene Clinic, and participation in international field schools.
Curriculum & courses
Admission Requirements
Entry to the Dental Hygiene program is in second year.
When you apply you will need to submit proof that you meet the following admission requirements.
Requirements for first-year courses include:
- Submission of proof of completion of the following with a minimum grade of C+ or higher in each Camosun course or an equivalent course from another post-secondary institution:
Human Anatomy and Physiology
One pair of:
- C+ in BIOL 143 and BIOL 144
- C+ in BIOL 150 and BIOL 151
- C+ in BIOL 152 and BIOL 153
Chemistry
Two of:
- C+ in CHEM 110
- C+ in CHEM 112
- C+ in CHEM 120
- C+ in CHEM 121
English
Two of:
- C+ in ENGL 151 *
- C+ in ENGL 161
- C+ in ENGL 163
- C+ in ENGL 164
- C+ in ENGL 251 *
Psychology
Two of:
- C+ in PSYC 110 *
- C+ in PSYC 120
- C+ in PSYC 130
- C+ in PSYC 154 *
- C+ in PSYC 160
- C+ in PSYC 164
- C+ in PSYC 171
Elementary Statistics for Social Sciences
One of:
- C+ in STAT 116
- C+ in STAT 216
- C+ in STAT 218
- C+ in BUS 230
UT Elective:
- C+ in a university transferable 100 level or higher elective
*Denotes highly recommended
For more detailed information about this program and specific admission requirements, see the Academic Calendar.
Missing admission requirements?
Take an assessment or upgrade with us.
Teaching Staff
Camosun College is fiercely proud of the excellent quality of its instruction. Our teaching staff are experienced, inspiring and supportive of our students’ individual journeys.
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Faculty/staff profile

Mandy Hayre
Chair of Dental Programs
Faculty/staff profile

Liz Morch
Program Leader, Instructor
Faculty/staff profile

Tika Brown
Instructor
Faculty/staff profile

Amber Chamut
Instructor
Faculty/staff profile

Donna Ferguson
Instructor
Faculty/staff profile

Michelle Meunier
Instructor
Faculty/staff profile

Margit Strobl
Instructor
Faculty/staff profile

Leta Zaleski
Instructor

Learn more
Find a full list of courses and specific admission requirements.
Contact information
Dental Assistant & Hygiene Department
Campus location
School of Health and Human Services (HHS)
Camosun College Lansdowne
Dental Health Centre
3100 Foul Bay Road
Victoria, BC V8P 5J2
International Admissions
International students please contact International Admissions