Dental Hygienist

Dental Hygiene (A.A.S.) is a 2-year program that begins in the fall semester. Clinical courses are taken in person utilizing the Dental Treatment Facility on the Harrisburg campus. Commuting to clinical courses on-campus is required. See application requirements below.

All students interested in this program must begin in the Allied Health AAS program.

For assistance applying to HACC, preparing for the Dental Hygiene program/clinical application, transferring credits, financing/Financial Aid/Cost of Attendance, sending transcripts, changing majors, or registering for general education/preclinical courses:

• Existing HACC students: Contact advising@hacc.edu or partner with your advisor
• New/Transfer students: Contact start@hacc.edu

Apply for Clinicals

The following criteria was updated July 8,2026.

Fall 2027 Dental Hygiene clinical applications will open November 1, 2026-April 1, 2027. 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.
   1. 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
   2. 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. (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, 2026) 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. 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.
4. Submit High school diploma, GED, or equivalent foreign education as verified by a HACC-approved credential evaluation service.
   1. Download the High School Graduation Verification Information (pdf)
   2. Prior college and technical school transcripts must be sent to record@hacc.edu
5. 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 November-March and availability is limited. RSVP or sign up to be notified for sessions with the following online form.
6. To be eligible, students must successfully complete MATH 090 or score 30 or higher on the math placement test and be eligible to enroll in (or has completed) ENGL 101 and complete (with a C or higher) AH 100.
   1. 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.
   2. For assistance, please visit your Academic Advisor.
7. 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.
8. 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.)
   1. Most recently available cumulative GPA will be evaluated for eligibility.
9. Apply for clinicals - The fall 2027 dental hygiene application opens November 1, 2026.
    

Additional Points for Application

• Students may register for Introduction to Dentistry 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.)

What does a dental hygienist do?

A dental hygienist is qualified by education and licensure to provide:

• Patient assessment - including reviewing health history, recording vital signs, radiographic examination, and charting
• Treatment planning
• Patient education
• Administration of local anesthesia
• Removal of deposits and stains from teeth
• Placement of sealants

Learn more about the career (American Dental Association website).

How much does the program cost?

• Download the Estimated Expenses (pdf).

What degree will I earn? Will I be eligible for credentials?

Upon successful completion, you will:

• earn a Dental Hygiene Associate in Applied Science degree
• be eligible to sit for licensing exams to become a Registered Dental Hygienist (RDH)

What are the required courses and what is the suggested schedule? How long does the program take to complete? Where are the clinical classes held?

• Download a list of Required Courses (pdf), which includes a sample schedule.
• The dental hygiene program holds classes at the Harrisburg Campus. General education courses may be taken at other campuses and sites.

Is the program accredited?

The program is accredited by The Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association (CODA).

• View Third Party Comments (pdf)
• Learn why accreditation from the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) matters (pdf)

Can I advance my education?

• This program leads directly to an occupation
• Students can pursue
  • Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene at University of Bridgeport
  • Dental Hygiene, Completion, Online | Pennsylvania College of Technology (pct.edu) Transfer Guide (pdf)
  • Bachelor of Science in Allied Health at Widener University

What are the program goals?

• Download the Program Mission Statement (pdf).

What is the most current (2026) program effectiveness data?

How can I get more information?

• View a list of available scholarships.
• Review the CODA Complaint Policy.
• View information about HACC's Dental Treatment Facility

Who can I contact for more information?

Please contact an Admissions Counselor, by phone at 800-ABC-HACC, or by email at start@hacc.edu

Dental Hygiene Program Office

Select Medical Health Education Pavilion (SMHEP), Room 104
HACC Harrisburg Campus
1 HACC Drive
Harrisburg, PA 17110
717-780-2490

Mail clinical program addendum to the above address Attention: DH Secretary.