Dental Hygienist

Apply for Clinicals -The following criteria was updated July 31, 2025.

Fall 2026 Dental Hygiene clinical applications will open October 1, 2025-April 1, 2026. To apply, students must meet eligibility criteria and undergo a point-based evaluation. Up to 32 students are offered admission by order of that year’s point ranking, and offers are released via HAWKMail on or around April 15. Review the Admitted Student Profile (pdf) for up-to-date information on the ranking performance of past students.

To view the full application points rubric as well as the necessary skills to complete Dental Hygiene at HACC, download the Admission Criteria, Point System and Essential Requirements (pdf).

To be eligible to submit an application for the Dental Hygiene program at HACC, students must first:

1. Apply to HACC for the Allied Health AAS program (Dental Hygiene concentration) and meet with a Dental Hygiene or Health Careers advisor.
   • Admission to HACC does not guarantee admission to the clinical program. Work closely with your advisor to prepare to apply to the clinical/core component 
   • Students must meet with an advisor before applying. Advisors assigned to students during initial HACC onboarding meet this qualification.
2. Take the TEAS test (version 7) in-person at a HACC campus location and achieve a minimum score of 62.
   1. Review information about the TEAS test here (Includes link to the ATI website to register for an exam, general information, study groups, student accessibility information, and TEAS information sessions.)
   2. Minimum TEAS required to apply does not guarantee clinical admission. Highest score at the time of application will be evaluated. Exam results captured at a HACC campus location are admissible for three years. (Remote and virtual scores will not be considered.)
   3. The first three attempts in an application cycle will be permitted. The application cycle is defined as the close of the prior year's applications (April 15, 2025) to the current year’s application deadline. If three tests are taken during this timeframe, and each of the three tests resulted in a score below 62, no further tests will be considered during that application cycle.
   4. Remote and online exam scores will not be accepted. All tests must be taken in-person at a HACC campus location.
3. Attend a 60-minute Mandatory Dental Hygiene Information Session the same academic year as an application. Sessions are available in-person on the Harrisburg campus from September-February and availability is limited.
4. Shadow a Dental Hygienist and verify with the Dental Hygienist Shadowing Form (pdf) or verify 300 hours of employment as a Clinical Dental Assistant with the Verification of Clinical Dental Assisting Hours Form (pdf). Completed forms should be submitted with the Dental Hygiene application, but may also be sent to DentalHygiene@hacc.edu.
5. Submit High school diploma, GED, or equivalent foreign education as verified by a HACC-approved credential evaluation service.
   1. Download High School Graduation Verification Information (pdf)
   2. Prior college and technical school transcripts must be sent to record@hacc.edu

6. RSVP or sign up to be notified for sessions with the following online form: https://www.cognitoforms.com/HACC91/RSVPForAMandatoryInformationSessionDentalHygiene 

7. Fulfill eligibility requirements above MATH 055/091, English 051 level, and Reading 003. Students who are eligible to register for ENGL 101 and MATH 103 or MATH 202 meet this criterion.
   • Placement testing in Math and English must be completed satisfactorily prior to application. In-progress developmental courses--or developmental courses scheduled for completion after the application deadline--will not be considered.
   • For assistance, please visit your Academic Advisor.
8. Schedule pre-clinical courses for completion by the beginning of the Dental Hygiene clinical program in the fall semester. Courses must be completed with a grade ‘C’ or higher.
9. Have and maintain a 2.5 or higher cumulative GPA upon application. (Courses in progress or scheduled for completion after the application will not be considered.)
   • Most recently available cumulative GPA will be evaluated for eligibility. 

RSVP or sign up to be notified for sessions with the following online form: https://www.cognitoforms.com/HACC91/RSVPForAMandatoryInformationSessionDentalHygiene 

Additional Points for Application

• Students may register for Introduction to Dentistry here for additional points toward application.
  • Introduction to Dentistry course information (pdf)
• Documents not listed on the Admission Criteria will not be considered—including referral letters, diplomas, non-DANB certifications, resumes, or information that should otherwise be sent to HACC during onboarding (such as high school transcripts.)