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://coda.ada.org/

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.

Dental Hygiene Scope of Practice

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

Data are provided on a program (not credential) level

100% BTC graduate placement rate1

$115,044 starting annual wage2
$132,329 average annual wage2
$137,384 potential annual wage2

  • Employment and Wage Data Sources

    1Employment data come from the Washington State Board for Community and Technical Colleges (SBCTC) and reflect three-year averages among BTC students employed in either Washington or Oregon. Students are included in the employment rate if they left with a credential. Rates are not shown for programs with fewer than 10 students meeting the above criteria.

    2Whatcom County and WA State wage data come from Washington State Employment Security Department (ESD) Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates. Wage data represent occupations that BTC faculty have identified as the most relevant career paths for program graduates. Note that these wages reflect employees with varying educational levels/credentials. For cases in which multiple occupations have been identified by faculty, a weighted percentile is calculated using each occupation’s percentile wage and employment size estimate. Wages are not shown for programs for which occupations do not meet the ESD’s minimum thresholds for publishing. If the program has wage data that involves shift work, these ESD wages reflect the same number of hours used in the annual wage calculation. Starting wage = 25th percentile, median wage = 50th percentile, wage potential = 75th percentile.

  • Estimated Program Costs

Tuition Fees and Rates overview page

Entry Information

When Can I Start?

How to Apply:

Please note that the application portal will close temporarily while final grades for Spring quarter are processed and published. It will close at 5:30pm on Wednesday June 25th and reopen at 9am on Wednesday July 2nd.

Please note all the available seats for the 2025-2026 cohort have been offered and accepted. Complete applicants will be notified that they are placed on the alternate list and will receive a point in the next admissions cycle for submitting a complete application the year prior.

Program ready students are encouraged to apply.

All applicants to the BTC Dental Hygiene program must be Program-Ready before they can apply online during the Application Window.

Students are considered Program-Ready once they have completed the following:

    • A current BTC application on file with Dental Hygiene listed as the program of intent.
    • All prerequisite foundation courses, either at BTC or another institution, with required minimum grades and number of credits.
      • The transcript evaluation process for all courses taken at another institution must be complete before applying to the program.
    • ATI Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) (see below under Minimum Entry Requirements)
    • Healthcare Experience (see below under Minimum Entry Requirements)
    • Pre-Application Self-Audit

      • Students are encouraged to conduct a self-audit before submitting their application to their intended program. These Self-Audit Instructions serve as a guide to ensure they meet all requirements and are fully prepared to apply.

The core program admissions process information can be found on the checklist and FAQ:
Dental Hygiene Admissions Checklist
Dental Hygiene FAQ

This program typically admits students into first quarter program core courses in the fall.

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.

The next application cycle, for a seat in the Fall 2026 cohort, will include an additional point for those who submitted complete applications in both 2024 and 2025. This means that an applicant who submitted a complete application in 2024 and again in 2025 can be awarded 2 additional points instead of only the 1 point that has traditionally been awarded to reapplicants. Effective January 2026, applicants will be awarded 1 point for each of the following:
  • Successful completion (minimum grade met) of 15 or more credits of dental hygiene prerequisite courses at BTC (does not include program/certificate credits; repeated courses only count once)
  • Successful completion (minimum grade met) of 30 or more credits of dental hygiene prerequisite courses at BTC (does not include program/certificate credits; repeated courses only count once)
  • Successful completion of an Allied Health degree or certificate program at BTC
  • Applied last academic year with a complete application
  • Applied the last 2 consecutive years with a complete application

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.

Dental Hygiene Healthcare Experience Verification Form

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.

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:

  • 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.

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?

Classes

Total Program Credits: 124

  • Current Students: Learn how to use this page to register for classes

  • Quarter 1

  • DHYG 112Dental Hygiene Clinical Practice I5 CR
  • DHYG 114Principles of Dental Hygiene I3 CR
  • DHYG 115Oral & Dental Anatomy2 CR
  • DHYG 116Oral Radiology I4 CR
  • DHYG 128General Pathology4 CR
  • HLTH 154HealthCare Provider First Aid and CPR1 CR

  • Quarter 2

  • DHYG 122Dental Hygiene Clinical Practice II5 CR
  • DHYG 124Principles of Dental Hygiene II3 CR
  • DHYG 126Oral Radiology II2 CR
  • DHYG 113Dental Materials4 CR
  • DHYG 125Medical Emergencies3 CR
  • DHYG 137Pharmacology3 CR

  • Quarter 3

  • DHYG 131Restorative Dentistry I4 CR
  • DHYG 132Dental Hygiene Clinical Practice III5 CR
  • DHYG 134Principles of Dental Hygiene III3 CR
  • DHYG 138Periodontology3 CR
  • DHYG 118HISTOLOGY & EMBRYOLOGY2 CR

  • Quarter 4

  • DHYG 141Restorative Dentistry II1 CR
  • DHYG 142Hygiene Clinical Practice IV5 CR
  • DHYG 144Principles of Dental Hygiene IV3 CR
  • DHYG 149Pain Management4 CR

  • Quarter 5

  • DHYG 211Restorative Dentistry III2 CR
  • DHYG 212Dental Hygiene Clinical Practice V8 CR
  • DHYG 214Principles of Dental Hygiene V3 CR
  • DHYG 216Community Oral Health I4 CR
  • DHYG 219Oral Pathology3 CR

  • Quarter 6

  • DHYG 221RESTORATIVE DENTISTRY IV2 CR
  • DHYG 222Dental Hygiene Clinical Practice VI8 CR
  • DHYG 224Principles of Dental Hygiene VI3 CR
  • DHYG 226Community Oral Health II4 CR
  • DHYG 228Oral Therapy3 CR
  • DHYG 229Dental Hygiene Seminar1 CR

  • Quarter 7

  • DHYG 231Restorative Dentistry V1 CR
  • DHYG 232Dental Hygiene Clinical Practice VII8 CR
  • DHYG 234Principles of Dental Hygiene VII3 CR
  • DHYG 236Community Oral Health III2 CR

Program 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. 

Criminal convictions may restrict or prevent student participation with internships and employment in this industry.

Faculty & Support

Photo of Nicole Baker
Nicole Baker
College Navigator
Photo of Alisa Wollens
Alisa Wollens
Dental Assisting & Dental Hygiene Programs Coordinator/Instructor
  • Personal Bio
    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.
  • Degrees and Credentials

    Registered Dental Assistant, Washington State

    Registered Dental Hygienist, Washington State

    Certified Dental Assistant, Dental Assisting National Board

    MBA, Healthcare Management, Western Governors University

    Certificate, Professional Technical Education, Washington State

    BS, Dental Hygiene, Loma Linda University

Photo of Catherine Beebe
Catherine Beebe
Dental Hygiene/EFDA
  • Personal Bio
    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.
  • Degrees and Credentials

    Certificate, Dental Assisting, Bellingham Vocational Technical Institute

    MS, Health Science, Idaho State University

    BA, Interdisciplinary Concentration, Western Washington University

    AAS, Dental Hygiene, Lake Washington Technical College

    Certificate, Dental Reception, Vancouver Community College, BC

Photo of Nina Karhinen
Nina Karhinen
Dental Hygiene
  • Personal Bio
    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.
  • Degrees and Credentials

    MS, Dental Hygiene, Idaho State University

    BS, Dental Hygiene, Oregon Institute of Technology

    AS, Dental Hygiene, Palm Beach Community College

    License, Registered Dental Hygiene, States of Washington and Idaho

    Certificate, Professional Technical Education, Washington State

Contacts

If you have questions about this program or want help with the admissions steps to Bellingham Technical College, please email outreach@btc.edu.

Current students wanting academic planning and support, can connect with the program Instructor(s) or email NursingAlliedHealthNav@btc.edu