Pikes Peak State College

Thank you for your interest in applying to the Dental Hygiene Program at Pikes Peak State College (PPSC). The mission of Pikes Peak State College is to provide high quality educational opportunities to all with a focus on student success and community needs, including:

• Occupational programs, including certificates, associate and bachelor degrees, for youth and adults in career and technical fields;
• Two-year transfer educational programs to qualify students for admission to the junior year at other colleges and universities; and
• A broad range of personal, career, and technical education for adults.

The Pikes Peak State College Dental Hygiene Program is honored that you are interested in joining our inaugural class and we are excited to thoroughly review your application and credentials. We wish you the best of luck in your application process.

The Associate in Applied Science Degree in Dental Hygiene at PPSC has been approved by the Colorado Career and Technical Education (CTE). PPSC is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and is a member of the North Central Association, 30 North LaSalle Street, Suite 2400, Chicago, IL. 60602-2504, (312) 263-0456.  

PPSC Dental Hygiene Program anticipates being granted the Initial Accreditation Status by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) in February 2025. CODA - 211 East Chicago Ave. Chicago, IL 60611, 800-232-6108, www.coda.ada.org

Please note that the PPSC Dental Hygiene Program is a Full-Time Program that spans six consecutive semesters and may require attendance in lectures, labs, or clinics Monday through Friday at any time from 8AM to 8PM. Clinicals may be assigned during the day, or evening, and there is a possibility of Saturday hours. The program offers a 90-credit hour curriculum leading to an Associate of Applied Science Degree in Dental Hygiene. After all course requirements are met, the dental hygiene student will be eligible to sit for the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination (NBDHE) and the CDCA ADEX Dental Hygiene Clinical Exam. Upon graduation and successful completion of both examinations, the dental hygiene student will then be eligible to apply for licensure through the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies (or their desired state dental board) to become a Registered Dental Hygienist (RDH).

Dental Hygiene Program Competencies  

Upon completion of the Dental Hygiene Program at the PPSC graduates will be able to: 

1.      Employ the principles of dental hygiene diagnosis and treatment planning along with dental hygiene process of care in providing comprehensive, quality patient care.  

2.      Provide individualized, culturally competent patient educational services to promote health maintenance and disease prevention.  

3.      In collaboration with stakeholders and other health care professionals, promote oral and general health by planning and providing oral health related programs to the public. 

4.      Use evidence-based research to critically evaluate the validity of foundational knowledge, information, products and/or techniques and their relevance to the practice of dental hygiene.  

5.      Apply principles of ethical behavior in the decision-making process, and critical thinking skills as they pertain to the academic environment, research, patient care, and dental hygiene practice, and demonstrate professional responsibility as it applies to the legal and regulatory concepts in the provision and/or support of oral health care services.  

6.      Conduct self-assessment to monitor knowledge and performance in order to foster personal and professional growth.   

7.      Demonstrate cultural sensitivity and interpersonal communication skills required for effective collaboration with diverse population groups and other professionals in the health care system.  

8.     Demonstrate professional growth by participating in professional activities and continuing education.    

Students applying to the Pikes Peak State College Dental Hygiene Program must be in good standing with the College. This includes having no academic or financial holds on one’s accounts with PPSC.  

Students interested in the PPSC Dental Hygiene Program will need to complete all of the following steps and must be 18 years of age at the time and date of submission of this application to be considered for admission into the Dental Hygiene Program.  The PPSC Dental Hygiene Program is highly competitive with selective admission requirements. Incomplete or inaccurate applications will not be considered.