Program Details

Associate of Applied Science Degree in Dental Hygiene

Associate of Applied Science

Virginia Western Community College

The Dental Hygiene Program prepares students for a career in preventive oral health. Graduates will be eligible to take board exams leading to licensure as registered dental hygienists.

Program Overview & Guidance

Program Web Page

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Delivery Mode

In-Person

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Delivery Mode

Online

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Delivery Mode

Hybrid

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Program Guidance Element	What You Need to Know
Considerations for Selecting Degree	Did you know that Dental Hygiene at Virginia Western Community College prepares you to work in a number of settings such as private practice, hospitals, universities, and community clinics? Other career opportunities include public health, research, and teaching. Begin your journey today to a career that offers a good income, flexibility, and fulfillment.
Considerations When Selecting Courses	There are many program specific requirements for admission to the Dental Hygiene Program at Virginia Western Community College. Students interested in applying to this program should consult their academic advisor for specific guidance on courses to take for this program. Create a schedule for all required courses, pay attention to prerequisites and when courses are offered, complete your first math and English courses in your first year Connect with an advisor at your community college and Virginia Western Community College within your first year via College Connect
Program Requirements Beyond Specific Courses	In addition to the traditional classroom setting, this program requires hours in a clinical setting. Students accepted into the Dental Hygiene program will be required to have a clear criminal background check, drug screening and other requirements established by the clinical agencies. Please be aware that any felony conviction or positive drug screen for illegal drug use will prevent the student from attending the hospital clinical sites and completing the program. Students will be required to travel to clinical sites and are responsible for their own transportation. There are additional costs for this program such as uniforms, student instrument kits, license requirements, physical examinations and certification exams that are the responsibility of the individual student.
Doing More With Your Degree	This curriculum is designed to prepare selected students to perform the responsibilities of an entry-level dental hygienist. Upon completion, graduates will be eligible to apply to take the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination (NBDHE) and regional clinical examination leading to certification as a registered Dental Hygienist (RDH). While not designed for transfer, students interested in transferring should verify program requirements with specific four-year institutions.
Program Successes & Highlights	To be eligible for licensure as a dental hygienist requires graduation from an accredited program, successful completion of the written National Board Dental Hygiene Examination (NBDHE) and successful completion of a regional clinical examination. The six-year average pass rate for the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination for the VWCC program on the first attempt is 96.06%. The six-year average pass rate for the Dental Hygiene Regional Clinical Examination on the first attempt is 98.31%.

Related Programs & Certifications

Credential That Prepares You For This Program

Credential

Career Studies Certificate in Health Professions: Introduction to Dental Hygiene

Link

Program Credit Requirements

What If I Have An Associate Degree Or Credit For Prior Learning?

Transfer Guidance Element	What You Need to Know
Associate Transfer Degree Completion	To discuss how your previous degree can be incorporated into your new long term goals, please meet with an advisor. BIO 141, BIO 142 and BIO 150 must be completed with a "C" or better and within five years of beginning the program. The required CPR certification is American Heart Association Healthcare Provider CPR which includes hands-on training with infant, child, adult and AED.
Completion of Associate Degree Concurrent with High School	To discuss how your previous degree can be incorporated into your new long term goals, please meet with an advisor.
Credit for Prior Learning	Yes
Did You Know That...	Completing your Associate transfer degree post-high school satisfies all lower division general education requirements and increases the chance of completing your bachelor's degree? Exceeding 3 years or 90 credits at your community college means you may have exhausted your financial aid at that college and have limited your future financial aid at: Virginia Western Community College

College Level Information

Transfer Center

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External Link

Transfer Admission Application

Transfer Students - Apply Here

External Link

Transfer Student Aid

Financial Aid for Transfer Students

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Number of Transfer Students

519

College Fit Guidance	What You Need to Know
Is This College Right For Me?	Virginia Western Community College's service region includes the cities of Roanoke and Salem, along with Roanoke County, Craig County, Franklin County, and southern Botetourt County. Virginia Western was the first college established in the Virginia Community College System, in 1966, and has grown from an initial enrollment of 1,352 to its current annual enrollment of more than 8,500 students in credit courses and more than 1,200 enrollments in accelerated career training and continuing education courses.
Transfer Student Catalog Year	A student's catalog year is determined by their first semester of attendance in the major.
First Year Student Catalog Year	A student's catalog year is determined by their first semester of attendance in the major.
Applying for Guaranteed Admissions	https://www.virginiawestern.edu/transfer/transfer-agreements/

Where Can This Degree Transfer

This section displays VCCS degrees most closely related to this program and to which you may be able to most efficiently transfer your current course work. So, you can use this list to find a degree you can complete in your major. Please click the degree name to visit that program page.

If you are interested in transferring to a four-year degree view this degree on the Transfer Virginia site to explore degrees aligned with this program at Virginia's 4-year institutions.

Institution	Title	Degree	Award Name	Award Level	Delivery Mode
Northern Virginia Community College	Dental Hygiene, A.A.S.	Associate	Associate of Applied Science	2-Year	In-Person, Hybrid
Wytheville Community College	Associate of Applied Science Degree in Dental Hygiene	Associate	Associate of Applied Science	2-Year	In-Person, Hybrid

Careers Where This Degree Applies

O*Net Code	Name	Description	Parent
31-9091.00	Dental Assistants	Perform limited clinical duties under the direction of a dentist. Clinical duties may include equipment preparation and sterilization, preparing patients for treatment, assisting the dentist during treatment, and providing patients with instructions for oral healthcare procedures. May perform administrative duties such as scheduling appointments, maintaining medical records, billing, and coding information for insurance purposes.	Healthcare Support Occupations
25-1071.00	Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary	Teach courses in health specialties, in fields such as dentistry, laboratory technology, medicine, pharmacy, public health, therapy, and veterinary medicine.	Educational Instruction and Library Occupations

Cost To Complete

This section provides you with a very high-level estimate of your costs and is purely intended as a guide. You should consult the institution via College Connect to get a more detailed estimate based on the totality of your circumstances. The selections below are based on information gathered from your Profile and the estimated costs are calculated based on the 72 credits remaining to be completed

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Estimated Cost for the Associate of Applied Science Degree in Dental Hygiene at Virginia Western Community College These costs are based on an estimated 5 semesters or 2.5 years remaining to complete this degree (assuming a full-time load of 16 hours per semester)
Category	Cost	Basis	Cost (To You)	Estimated Benefits	Net Cost	Notes
Tuition	$161	Per Credit	$11,592	$0	$11,592	Includes Dual Enrollment
Fees
Fees	$15	Per Credit	$1,080	0	$1,080

*Please note that the above estimated costs do not include all Federal, State or other financial aid, grants, scholarships, etc. for which you may qualify. All such aid could substantially reduce these costs.

Other Financial Aid to Pay for College:

You may be eligible for additional financial aid from Federal, State, and Local sources. Military education benefits are not considered in determining eligibility for federal financial aid. Everyone is therefore encouraged to apply for federal financial aid by submitting the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), because many will qualify for additional educational funds like Pell Grants, worth over $5,500/yr.

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