Waukesha County Technical College
Dental Hygienist

Dental Hygienist

Program Information

Degree Type

69-credit Associate of Applied Science Degree

Program Code

10-508-1

Time to Degree

More than 2 years

Start Date

August

How You'll Learn

On Campus

Daytime

Program OverviewApplication DeadlinesProgram Cost

Dental hygienists educate patients on good oral hygiene, and they perform preventive dental care, such as teeth cleaning to remove tartar, stains and plaque; apply sealants and fluoride treatments; and develop x-rays. In this program, learn to provide therapeutic/preventive services with a dentist and become involved in dental health counseling.

Please note: Health programs require multiple vaccinations, including COVID-19 and flu shots. Deadlines vary by program.

Deadlines To Know*

Fall 2023 Start

  • Submit application by October 24, 2022
  • Complete checklist items by February 13, 2023

Spring 2023 Start

  • This program cannot be started in spring.

Summer 2023 Start

  • This program cannot be started in summer.

* Application deadlines are subject to change based on program demand.

Tuition Costs

The cost of your degree depends on a number of factors, including where you live, how your program is delivered, how long it takes to finish your program and the financial aid you receive. Explore current tuition and fees.

Additional Estimated Costs

  • Dental Hygiene Kit: $2,600+
  • Scrubs/Shoes: $75
  • Drug Screen: $55
  • Immunizations: up to $850
  • BLS for the Healthcare Provider: $50-$85
  • Caregiver criminal background check: $10
  • Dental exam/cleaning: price varies

How To Apply

  • Apply online and pay the $30 application fee.
  • Submit a copy of one of the following to demonstrate your reading and writing skills:
      • High school GPA of 2.60 or above. Transcript must include completed coursework through the 11th grade.*
      • ACT, ACCUPLACER® or GED - 2014 Series (165 or higher).*
      • Prior college coursework may meet this requirement in whole or in part. Courses must be in the specific area(s), and you must have earned a grade of C or better (2.0 on a 4.0 scale) in the courses.*
      • If none of the above apply, sign up for the ACCUPLACER® placement test.

*Unofficial copies of these documents can be sent to info@wctc.edu.

Questions on the application process? Visit the Admissions page or contact an Enrollment Counselor.

1

Apply and Become Admitted to the Dental Hygiene Program

  • Follow the "How to Apply" steps outlined above. Be sure to complete these steps by the date listed in the "Application Deadlines" tab.
  • During the month of October, applications are accepted from WCTC district residents only. Due to the high demand of this program, applications for out-of-district residents will not be accepted for the fall 2023 semester.
  • Admission to the Dental Hygiene program does not guarantee seats in our core or clinical courses.
2

Complete General Studies Courses

3

Petition to the Program

After successfully completing these steps and being awarded a seat through the petitioning process, you can begin your core courses. In order to begin core courses, you will need to successfully:

4

After the Program

Upon graduating, you will be prepared to take the National Board Dental Hygiene written exam and Central Regional Dental Testing Service practical exam.

Program Details

Questions? We'd love to help! Connect with our Enrollment team by filling out our online form or by email at enroll@wctc.edu.

If you have a passion for dental care, are patient and possess good communication skills, dental hygiene may be the field for you. Dental hygienists are comfortable putting people at ease, have the dexterity to handle precision tools and possess physical stamina along with the ability to work in tight spaces.

  • Dental Hygienist
  • Registered Dental Hygienist

The students enrolled in the Dental Hygienist program should be able to meet the established technical standards identified below with or without reasonable accommodation. The technical standards for the Dental Hygienist program are representative of those found in the Dental Hygienist profession.

Review the Dental Hygienist Technical Standards.

This program is open to qualified high school applicants. Learn more >

$64,000 – $91,700 annually

Salary range estimates based on wages for related occupations in Waukesha County as reported by Economic Modeling Specialists International (EMSI). Individual wages may vary based on experience, industry, location and specific job requirements.

Check the WCTC Graduate Success Report to view our graduates’ entry wages.

As a program student, you are eligible to receive:

  • Financial aid loans
  • Scholarships
  • Other forms of assistance

Learn more about financial aid.

All programs at WCTC comply with local, state, and federal infection control policies, including the use of standard precautions as stipulated by current CDC guidelines. Written policies and instructions on infection control protocol to minimize the risk of disease transmission is provided throughout the courses in the curriculum. Compliance of safety practices is evaluated throughout your clinical experiences to ensure a safe educational environment.

Please note that some clinical sites require compliance with various COVID-19 safety protocols and measures as a condition to placement. Required protocols and measures may include, but are not limited to, receipt of COVID-19 vaccination and/or testing for COVID-19. Students may individually address clinical placement requirements with Jenny Clausen, Clinical Placement Specialist.

Reasonable accommodations may be available for students with documented disabilities and/or sincerely held religious beliefs. Students seeking accommodation due to documented disability should contact the Student Accessibility Office. Students seeking accommodation due to a sincerely held religious belief should contact Jonathan Pedraza in the Student Life Office.

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Program Courses

Student Studying
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Program PDF

What Makes This Program Unique?

1

Program graduates consistently achieve outstanding pass rates on exams - most recently 100 percent on both the National Board Dental Hygiene written exam and Central Regional Dental Testing Service practical exam.

2

WCTC's Dental Hygiene Clinic provides comprehensive dental hygiene care to the community in an educational setting. Student dental hygienists complete procedures under the supervision of a licensed dentist and registered hygienist.

3

Involvement with the Dental Hygiene Club (SADHA) reinforces the importance of the dental hygienist's role in community service efforts and continuing education.

Launch Experience

Accreditation

WCTC’s Dental Hygienist program is accredited by the American Dental Association Commission on Dental Accreditation.

Similar Programs

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More Credit Opportunities

High School Dual Credit

Dual enrollment offers high school students an opportunity to get a head start in high-demand fields while earning college credits.

Learn More

Credit for Prior Learning

You may have the opportunity to obtain credit for the college-level skills and knowledge you've already acquired through prior coursework, work experience and more.

Learn More

Transfer Opportunities After WCTC

WCTC has credit transfer agreements with many four-year institutions that allow our degree graduates to transfer credits into a baccalaureate program, often at junior-level standing.

College Program Name Credit Awards
Marian UniversityBS Dental Hygieneup to 70, 10% tuition discount
UW-MilwaukeeBS Biomedical Sciences42-69
College Program Name Credit Awards
Bellevue UniversityAny Bachelors Degreeup to 60, tuition discount
Franklin UniversityAny Bachelors DegreeJunior Standing
Grand Canyon UniversityAny Bachelors10% tuition discount
Lakeland UniversityAny Bachelors DegreeJunior Standing, Credits Vary, 20% tuition discount
Mount Mary UniversityBachelor DegreeJunior Standing
Ottawa UniversityBachelor of Arts or Sciencesup to 80, and 20%+ tuition discount for WCTC grads
UW-Green BayOrganizational Leadership - Bachelor of Applied StudiesBlock of 60 credits
UW-StoutBS Management (100% online)up to 60
UW-StoutBS Career, Technical Education & Training (100% online)up to 60
UW-WhitewaterBA Arts and Sciences60+
Wisconsin Lutheran CollegeBachelor of Science in Business Management & Leadership50-70

 

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