Admission

Pre-Admission Information Sessions

Interested in the Dental Hygiene program? Listen to a recorded Dental Hygiene Program Information Session below. After reviewing the Information Session recording, please contact your Enrollment Advisor or Program Advisor for more information. These sessions provide important information about program eligibility, requirements, costs and more.

• Dental Hygiene Information Session 

Applying for Program Admission

This degree program requires a special program application.  Please read all of the information on this page carefully.

The Pima Community College Dental Hygiene Program is currently not accepting applications. The program is moving to an annual application cycle beginning in the Fall of 2024. Students who applied prior to 11/20/2023 will have their seats honored for upcoming cohorts. Check back for updates about the application process.

• Program prerequisites must be completed (with grades posted) as described in Program Requirements before applying to the program.
• Once prerequisite coursework is complete, students can access the online HRP Program Application on the MyPima Academics tab in the Academic Planning section.
• Upon receipt of an eligible online HRP Program Application request, PCC transcripts will be evaluated to determine if program admission requirements have been met. If met, a program application, applicable program policies and a placement date will be mailed to the student's mailing address as listed in MyPima. The program application must be completed and returned for final processing.  It is important to check your MyPima email account regularly as program information will be communicated to you via this account.

Program Pre-Admission Requirements

• New and transfer students are required to complete the program admissions application
• Complete assessment tests for math, reading and writing.
• Transfer courses earned from another regionally accredited institution are not valid until they have been officially evaluated & grades have been posted on PCC transcripts.  An official (sealed) transcript and Student Request for Transcript Evaluation form must be submitted to PCC Admissions Office 
• If grades and/or assessment scores are not posted on PCC transcripts at the time of program application, application requests will be denied. 
• It is advisable to complete support courses prior to starting any HRP core curriculum.

Program Admissions and Course Information 

• Vaccinations required for entering/continuing in the Dental Hygiene program: The Dental Hygiene program works with hospitals and agencies that require the Varicella, Hepatitis B vaccination (series of three vaccinations), Tdap, COVID-19 (Recommended, not required) and an annual flu vaccination. All students who are enrolled or entering the Dental Hygiene program must provide documentation of a positive titer/proof of vaccination to all of these immunizations. Please be aware that the hepatitis B vaccination is a series of three shots with 1-2 months between the first and second shot and four months between the second and third shot. All students must get these vaccinations and/or titers prior to entering the program. Students who do not provide proof of a positive titer when entering the Dental Hygiene program will have to reapply to the program. The hospitals and agencies that PCC works with strictly enforce these requirements. Additional vaccination requirements for the clinical portion of the program are listed in the next section of this page.
• Present proof of immunization and/or immunity for MMR/Varicella/TB, TDaP, and COVID-19 (vaccination is recommended, not required).
• The Dental Hygiene Program admits 30 qualified students each fall semester dependent on availability. A wait period of up to four (4) years from admission date may exist. Advanced placement opportunities are based on space availability.
• Attend the DHE orientation session.
• Completion time for the DHE program is based on compass assessment results, completion of program admission requirements, support courses and/or completion of 4 semesters of DHE core courses.
• Must receive a C grade or better in all core courses to progress to the next semester.
• DHE program curriculum is offered only on a full-time basis at PCC West Campus.
• Core courses are scheduled by the Dental Hygiene program.
• Students who become pregnant before or during DHE 208, Pain and Anxiety Control for Dental Hygiene, may not be eligible to participate in their state board examination for local anesthesia and nitrous oxide/oxygen inhalation therapy. Completion of the nitrous oxide/oxygen inhalation therapy portion of DHE 208 may be delayed for up to one year. Students must notify the Dental Hygiene program of the knowledge of pregnancy as soon as the condition is known. Physician approval may be required to participate in the local anesthesia component of DHE 208.
• Students who opt to leave the dental hygiene program may re-enter the program one time without need to repeat mandatory course work, if they re-enter within one (1) year, based on space availability.

To participate in the Dental Hygiene program, students must:

• Provide and maintain an Arizona Department of Public Safety (DPS) Fingerprint Clearance Card.  Failure to receive and maintain an Arizona DPS card can jeopardize formal entry and/or continued enrollment in the Dental Hygiene program. You must immediately inform the Dental Hygiene program of any change in status regarding your DPS card. 
• Pass a urine toxicology screening exam.
• Be able to perform a number of physical activities in the clinical portion of the program.  At a minimum, students will be required to lift patients, stand for several hours at a time and perform bending activities. The dental experience also places students under considerable mental and emotional stress as they undertake responsibilities and duties impacting patients’ lives.  Students must be able to demonstrate rational and appropriate behavior under stressful conditions, assess and gather information regarding the physical status of patients, communicate effectively with patients and health care team and synthesize data to critically evaluate and make emergency decisions. Individuals should give careful consideration to the mental and physical demands of the program prior to submitting an application.
• Serve as a dental patient to classmates. Students may receive various types of dental treatments that may include local anesthesia and nitrous oxide/oxygen inhalation therapy. All dental hygiene care is supervised by a licensed dentist and licensed dental hygienists and is based upon standard of care for the profession of dentistry and the Rules and Statues of the Arizona Dental Practice Act.
• Be aware of and practice the Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) and Centers for Disease Control & Prevention Standard Precautions and Post Exposure Guidelines for disease/injury control and prevention. Students may be exposed to infectious diseases and bloodborne pathogens during patient care.
• Be flexible and able to balance employment, personal and academic schedules and responsibilities.
• Provide own transportation from the college campus to clinical sites.
• Present proof of immunization and/or immunity for MMR/Varicella/TB, TDaP, and COVID-19.
• Show proof of negative TB skin test or negative chest x-ray for TB.
• Maintain health insurance throughout enrollment in the program.

Important Information on Licensure

Students should be aware that the state/national license exams or certification applications may include a personal history section in which prospective applicants must report and may have to provide a detailed explanation of legal situations. An investigative process must be completed before a license is issued.  Students with a misdemeanor or felony conviction must apply for and receive an Arizona Depart of Public Safety (DPS) card to enter the Dental Hygiene Education program. Failure to receive and maintain a DPS card is grounds for dismissal from the Dental Hygiene program.  Examples of situations which may prohibit licensure or certification include, but are not limited to: felony or misdemeanor convictions, substance abuse, conviction of an offense involving immoral behavior, or being guilty of acts which deceive, defraud or cause harm to the public in any way.

Fingerprinting may be a part of many state and federal licensing and certification processes. If there is any question about eligibility for licensure or certification, it is the responsibility of the applicant to contact the state and/or federal agency responsible for licensure or certification. For licensure eligibility inquires, contact the State of Arizona Board of Dental Examiners, (602) 242-1492 or state dental licensing boards of the state(s) in which you wish to practice. All applicants applying or renewing a license must also demonstrate U.S. citizenship or lawful presence in the U.S. A statement of Citizenship form with the documents identified in the Evidence of Citizenship attachment must accompany all license applications and renewals.