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Faculty: Monica L Hospenthal, R.D.H., M. Ed., Program Director; Kathy Bassett, R.D.H., M.Ed.; Mary Galagan, R.D.H., M.H.A., Carolyn Roberton, R.D.H., B.S. (FS)

The need for Registered Dental Hygienists (RDH) continues to grow within Washington state, nationwide and globally. An RDH is dedicated to the prevention and non-surgical treatment of oral diseases. Bachelor of Applied Science in Dental Hygiene (BASDH) dental hygienists are able to work as clinicians, educators, advocates, leaders, etc. in private, business and public health settings. The profession attracts individuals interested in a licensed oral health profession that provides direct patient care. Students earn eligibility for dental hygiene licensure through successfully graduating from an accredited dental hygiene program and passing all licensing examinations. Pierce College’s Dental Hygiene program enables graduates to take both written and practical examinations for licensure in this jurisdiction and in other jurisdictions within the United States (U.S.).

Acceptance into Pierce’s program occurs once a year in summer quarter. The application deadline occurs in January every year. Pierce accepts 20 students each year at the Fort Steilacoom campus. Applicants to the program must not only meet the general entrance requirements of Pierce College, but all prerequisite dental hygiene program requirements to be eligible for acceptance consideration. Please see the department website for the exact application deadline and current dental hygiene program requirements: www.pierce.ctc.edu/dept/denthyg/.

The BASDH prepares the student for graduate school in dental hygiene or other discipline where courses and credits apply. Several graduate programs exist in dental hygiene. Please visit the American Dental Hygienists’ Association website at: www.adha.org/dental-hygiene-programs. Within Washington State, the Pierce College BASDH is accepted for entrance into the University of Washington’s MS (Dental Hygiene) in Oral Biology.

Professional/technical program competencies can be found at www.pierce.ctc.edu/dept/denthyg

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