ALL COURSES MUST BE A MINIMUM OF 5 QUARTER CREDITS OR 3 SEMESTER CREDITS
The following courses must be completed with a B (3.0) or higher in each course:
Dental Hygiene
Dental Hygiene - AAS-T
Bellingham Technical College Dental Hygiene Program is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) and has been granted the accreditation status of “approval without reporting requirements”. The Commission is a specialized accrediting body recognized by the United States Department of Education.
The Commission on Dental Accreditation can be contacted at (312) 440-4653 or at 211 East Chicago Avenue, Chicago, IL 60611. The Commission’s web address is: https://www.avma.org/coda
If you are interested in pursuing a career in the health care industry as a dental hygienist, then look into BTC’s Dental Hygiene program. You’ll learn the clinical skills and core professional values needed to launch a rewarding dental hygiene career in private and public settings, such as dental offices and public health clinics. The Dental Hygiene Program is designed for students interested in pursuing an education for entry into the profession of Dental Hygiene. A cohort of 10 students will be accepted into the Dental Hygiene Program each application year.
The Dental Hygiene Program at Bellingham Technical College is designed as a sequence of didactic, laboratory and clinical courses that fulfill the educational objectives established by the American Dental Association (ADA) Commission on Dental Accreditation. The Program is 7 consecutive quarters in length. BTC Dental Hygiene students learn under the supervision of licensed dentists and dental hygienists on state-of-the-art equipment in BTC’s on-campus dental clinic. Upon successful completion, students are awarded an Associates Degree in Applied Science-Transfer (AAS-T) and are eligible for licensure as a Dental Hygienist in WA State. Program graduates are well-positioned for employment in the dental industry, with the hands-on clinical experience employers need today.
Licensure Eligibility Requirements
To practice as a dental hygienist in the state of Washington (WA), you must be licensed through the Washington State Department of Health. The Revised Code of Washington (RCW) 18.29 and the Washington Administrative Code, Chapter 246-815 (WAC) outline the practice, act, and licensure criteria for dental hygienists. Specifically, the Department of Health - Dental Hygiene Licensure site details the licensure requirements. In addition to earning your AAS-T degree from the Bellingham Technical College Dental Hygiene Program, you will also be required to successfully pass the National Dental Hygiene Board Examination, the WA State Drug and Law exam, the WA state approved local anesthesia written and practical exams, a WA state approved restorative practical exam, and a WA state approved dental hygiene practical exam.
Note: BTC has not made a determination that the Dental Hygiene curriculum meets educational requirements for licensure/certification outside of Washington State. We encourage students who plan to work out-of-state to check relevant local licensure/certification requirements.
Employment Information
Data are provided on a program (not credential) level
92% BTC graduate placement rate1
$98,675 starting annual wage2
$99.944 average annual wage2
$124,426 potential annual wage2
Estimated Program Costs
Entry Information
When Can I Start?
Students interested in the Dental Hygiene program should apply to the college and contact Admissions at 360.752.8345 or at admissions@btc.edu for assistance with getting started at BTC. A college application and your score on assessment testing and/or previous transcripts will determine where you begin your course sequence.
Dental Hygiene Admissions Checklist
Dental Hygiene FAQ
All seats for the 2023-2024 academic year have been filled, however the Dental Hygiene Application Portal will remain open until July 11, 2023. At this time applications are still being accepted to populate a program waitlist. This waitlist will expire when Fall Quarter starts. Students who have a complete application and are not offered a seat will need to re-apply next year and will receive an extra point for having applied the year prior. If you have questions about applying to any program, please contact your College Navigator or email admissions@btc.edu to schedule an appointment.
Students will be required to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19. To be considered fully vaccinated, two weeks must have passed since the date of the second dose or first dose for the one-dose vaccine. The program’s clinical partner agencies will not accept any exemption to full COVID-19 vaccination.
What are the Minimum Entry Requirements?
ATI Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS)
Applicants must score at the "PROFICIENT" level or higher in each of the four areas on one transcript. See the Test of Essential Academic Skills- ATI TEAS Handout for more information about this entrance assessment.
Students can take the TEAS through the BTC Assessment Center or remotely through ATI.
Registration Directions for TEAS at ATI
Healthcare Experience
Applicants must submit a Healthcare Experience Verification Form for prior approval.
Early Program Course Requirements
Prior to applying to the program students complete all prerequisite courses at BTC or complete the transcript evaluation process for courses taken at another institution.
- General Biology W/ Lab (BIOL& 160)
- Human A & P 1 (BIOL& 241)
- Human A & P 2 (BIOL& 242)
- Microbiology (BIOL& 260)
- Introduction to Chemistry (CHEM& 121) OR General Chemistry w/ Lab I (CHEM& 161)
- Intro to Organic/Bio-Chemistry (CHEM& 131)
- Interpersonal Communications (CMST& 210) OR Public Speaking (CMST& 220)
- English Composition I (ENGL& 101)
- English Composition II (ENGL& 102)
- Math in Society (MATH& 107) OR higher
- Nutrition (NUTR& 101)
- General Psychology (PSYC& 100)
- Introduction to Sociology (SOC& 101)
Physical Requirements
AFTER admissions acceptance into the program and prior to beginning program classes students must submit proof of all Clinical Placement Requirements.
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This program requires a criminal history background check prior to attending the clinic practicum. Criminal History Background Check Information Sheet
Notice About Marijuana Usage
Students who test positive for THC (marijuana, including prescription marijuana) will not be allowed entrance to Nursing and Allied Health programs with clinical components. Drug screening is a requirement of our clinical partner agencies. Although private recreational and medical use of marijuana is legal in Washington state, our clinical partner agencies are governed by federal laws, and marijuana is a prohibited substance at the federal level. If your final drug test results are positive, you will be ineligible to participate in the program that year and will be allowed to reapply to the program 12 months from the date of the positive test.
What are My Next Steps?
1. Apply to BTC and Financial Aid
2. Assess Your Starting Point
3. Take an Advising & Registration Session
4. Prepare to Attend
Other Program Information
Classes
Total Program Credits: 124
Quarter 1
DHYG 112 Dental Hygiene Clinical Practice I 5 CR DHYG 114 Principles of Dental Hygiene I 3 CR DHYG 115 Oral & Dental Anatomy 2 CR DHYG 116 Oral Radiology I 4 CR DHYG 128 General Pathology 4 CR HLTH 154 HealthCare Provider First Aid and CPR 1 CR Quarter 2
DHYG 122 Dental Hygiene Clinical Practice II 5 CR DHYG 124 Principles of Dental Hygiene II 3 CR DHYG 126 Oral Radiology II 2 CR DHYG 113 Dental Materials 4 CR DHYG 125 Medical Emergencies 3 CR DHYG 137 Pharmacology 3 CR Quarter 3
DHYG 131 Restorative Dentistry I 4 CR DHYG 132 Dental Hygiene Clinical Practice III 5 CR DHYG 134 Principles of Dental Hygiene III 3 CR DHYG 138 Periodontology 3 CR DHYG 118 HISTOLOGY & EMBRYOLOGY 2 CR Quarter 4
DHYG 141 Restorative Dentistry II 1 CR DHYG 142 Hygiene Clinical Practice IV 5 CR DHYG 144 Principles of Dental Hygiene IV 3 CR DHYG 149 Pain Management 4 CR Quarter 5
DHYG 211 Restorative Dentistry III 2 CR DHYG 212 Dental Hygiene Clinical Practice V 8 CR DHYG 214 Principles of Dental Hygiene V 3 CR DHYG 216 Community Oral Health I 4 CR DHYG 219 Oral Pathology 3 CR Quarter 6
DHYG 221 RESTORATIVE DENTISTRY IV 2 CR DHYG 222 Dental Hygiene Clinical Practice VI 8 CR DHYG 224 Principles of Dental Hygiene VI 3 CR DHYG 226 Community Oral Health II 4 CR DHYG 228 Oral Therapy 3 CR DHYG 229 Dental Hygiene Seminar 1 CR Quarter 7
DHYG 231 Restorative Dentistry V 1 CR DHYG 232 Dental Hygiene Clinical Practice VII 8 CR DHYG 234 Principles of Dental Hygiene VII 3 CR DHYG 236 Community Oral Health III 2 CR
Online Asynchronous
Online Synchronous
Hybrid Asynchronous
Hybrid Synchronous
Self-SupportProgram Outcomes
After successful completion of the Dental Hygiene program, students will be able to:
- Demonstrate positive work ethics, team skills and professional values integral the profession of Dental Hygiene.
- Utilize wellness, health determinants, & characteristics of various patient populations to promote oral health and reduce health risks in a variety of settings.
- Apply current dental hygiene techniques, instruments, and materials to provide preventive and therapeutic services in accordance with all safety and health standards.
- Assess, plan, implement & evaluate community based health promotion and prevention programs and activities to benefit the general population
- Demonstrate cognitive retention of dental terminology, theory, and science.
- Identify and access opportunities for professional growth and development.
- Apply the principles of evidence based research and decision making in the planning and implementation of dental hygiene care.
- Qualify for all national and regional examinations required to practice as a Registered Dental Hygienist in the State of Washington.
- Manage medical emergencies and provide appropriate life support measures using professional judgement.
Employment Outlook
Dental hygienists are in high demand and the outlook is that the demand for hygienists is expected to grow. About 87% of BTC Dental Hygiene students are employed within nine months of graduation. The average annual wage in this field is $94,037, with an earning potential of about $102,835 per year.*
Criminal convictions may restrict or prevent student participation with internships and employment in this industry.
Dental hygienists in dental offices and clinics.
Faculty & Support
Nicole Baker
Alisa Wollens
Alisa began working as a dental assistant in 1989 and continued working as a dental assistant continuously until she started the dental hygiene program at Loma Linda University. She graduated with a BS in dental hygiene in 2002 and worked full time as a dental hygienist until she transitioned to education in 2010. As a full time dental assisting instructor, she taught every aspect of the dental assisting program and in 2014 became the program director of the dental assisting program while still teaching full time. In 2018 Alisa took over as program director for both the dental hygiene and dental assisting programs. She still teaches several courses in the dental hygiene program but spends the majority of her time on program administration including managing our on-campus dental clinic.
Catherine Beebe
Catherine Beebe has been an instructor with the Dental Hygiene department since 2009. She has 28 years of experience in the dental field as a Certified Dental Assistant, Dental Receptionist and a Dental Hygienist. She spent 12 years as an Expanded Functions Dental Hygienist before coming to BTC full time. Catherine is a graduate of Bellingham Technical College’s Dental Assisting program and obtained her AAS in Dental Hygiene at Lake Washington Technical College. She holds a liberal arts degree from Western Washington University with a concentration in Audio Recording, and a Masters in Dental Hygiene with an emphasis in education from Idaho State University. Catherine has a special interest in using educational technology to create new and engaging methods of course delivery for her students. Her thesis research “Educational Technology for Millennial Dental Hygiene Students: A Survey of U.S. Dental Hygiene Programs” was published in the June 2014 issue of the Journal of Dental Education.
Nina Karhinen
Nina Karhinen has 27 years of experience as a clinical dental hygienist both in private practice and community health. She was an adjunct instructor for 11 years in the Dental Hygiene Program at Bellingham Technical College until transitioning into a full-time faculty role in 2021 as second year lead instructor. Nina’s special interests include clinical practice, public health, special populations, and research. She holds a Bachelors in Dental Hygiene with an emphasis in education from Oregon Institute of Technology and a Masters in Dental Hygiene with an emphasis in education from Idaho State University. Her thesis was entitled “Oral Health Life Skills Education for Foster Youth in Transition: An Exploratory Evaluation Study". Her article entitled “Update on Tuberculosis” was published in the Dimensions of Dental Hygiene journal.