Coastal Bend College
- Texas
- Entry Level
- In-Person
- coastalbend.edu
Program Contact
3800 Charco Road, Beeville, Texas 78102
The Coastal Bend College Dental Hygiene Program is a competitive-entry program accepting 30 students each Fall semester. The program is based at the Beeville
campus only. Upon completing the two-year program, students receive an Associate in Applied Science degree and are eligible to apply to take the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination and a regional clinical board examination. The program is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association, the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, and the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board.
The Dental Hygiene program prepares students to be primary oral health care professionals who promote oral health through education, preventive and therapeutic services. The program helps students reach their full potential by developing academic and clinical competencies, critical thinking skills, communication proficiency and civic responsibility.
As part of a dental team in a private dental office, dental hygienists perform numerous services designed to detect and prevent diseases of the mouth. These include performing a prophylaxis (cleaning teeth); examining head, neck, and oral areas for signs of disease, obtaining a thorough dental and medical history; educating patients and the community on oral hygiene and nutrition; exposing and developing radiographs; and applying fluoride and sealants. In addition to private
dental practices, dental hygienists may seek employment in public health settings, correctional facilities, mental health facilities and as sales representatives. The Registered Dental Hygienist may also provide educational, clinical, and therapeutic services. The U.S. Department of Labor predicts a 20% growth in jobs available in the field through 2026, and the median wage in Coastal Bend is $74,070*.
Program Information
| Program Type | Entry Level |
|---|---|
| Teaching Method | In-Person |
| Degree Awarded | Associate |
| Program Size | 30 |
| Program Length | 24 months |
| Application Deadline | Rolling |
| Program Start Date | August 25, 2025 |
| Credit Hours Required to Graduate | 68 |
| Supplemental Application | No |
| Supplemental Fee | No |
| Accepts International Students | Yes |
| Supports Student Visa | Yes |
| Program Website | coastalbend.edu |
Application Requirements
Required Standardized Tests
Prerequisite Instructions
Prerequisites (Must be completed before deadline)
BIOL 2301 A & P I (Lec)
BIOL 2101 A & P I (Lab)
BIOL 2302 A & P 2 (Lec)
BIOL 2102 A & P 2 (Lab)
CHEM 1306 Intro. Chemistry I (Lec, Allied Health Emphasis)
CHEM 1106 Intro. Chemistry I (Lab, Allied Health Emphasis)
Corequisites (Strongly recommend to complete before starting the program)
ENGL 1301 Comp I
PSYC 2301 General Psychology OR PSYC 2314 Lifespan Growth & Development
SPCH 1311 Intro. to Speech Comm.
BIOL 2320 Micro. for Non-Science Majors (Lec)
BIOL 2120 Micro. for Non-Science Majors (Lab)
Humanities/Fine Arts Core Course
SOCI 1301 Intro to Sociology
Other Requirement Instructions
Immunizations
Copy of immunization records from a health care provider or government agency; MMR, Varicella, Tdap, Hep B series, HBsAb Titer and TB skin test must be submitted with the application packet. Also, CBC requires evidence of meningitis vaccination or booster during the five-year period prior to enrollment for all students aged 21 and under.
TSI
Students must be in compliance with the Texas Success Initiative (TSI, Texas Education Code §51.3062) to enroll in Texas public institutions of higher education. The DH Program requires completion of, or exemption from, all three parts of the TSI (math, reading and writing).
Additional Information
An additional point is awarded if the applicant has proof of one year or more dental assistant experience.