Portland Community College
- Oregon
- Entry Level
- In-Person
- pcc.edu
Program Contact
Portland Community College
Dental Sciences Program
Vanport Building
1810 SW 5th Ave.
Portland, Oregon 97201
Since 1970, graduates of the Portland Community College (PCC) Dental Hygiene program have been in high demand because of their reputation for excellent patient care and quality skills. The PCC Dental Hygiene Program offers a two-year curriculum that is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA). The program of study prepares students for the National Board written examination and regional licensure examinations.
In addition, our courses are transferable to four-year institutions, and the program is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation and endorsed by the American Dental Association (ADA). All primary functions are taught to clinical competency standards as approved by the Oregon Board of Dentistry for dental hygienists. A broad-based education in dental sciences, clinical techniques, biological sciences and humanities prepares the graduate for work in private practice and community settings. When all course work is completed with a C grade or higher, the student is eligible to sit for the National Board Examination and the Western Regional Board Examinations. Only after graduation from the program and successful completion of both board examinations is a student eligible for licensure. For more detailed information and to view advising guides, FAQ’s and program application instructions, we strongly encourage you visit our website www.pcc.edu/dh.
Program Information
| Program Type | Entry Level |
|---|---|
| Teaching Method | In-Person |
| Degree Awarded | Associate |
| Program Size | 20 |
| Program Length | 21 Months |
| Application Deadline | April 17, 2023 |
| Program Start Date | September 25, 2023 |
| Credit Hours Required to Graduate | Minimum 108 credits |
| Supplemental Application | No |
| Supplemental Fee | No |
| Accepts International Students | Yes |
| Supports Student Visa | No |
| Program Website | pcc.edu |
Application Requirements
Required Standardized Tests
No standardized tests are required for this program.
Prerequisite Instructions
Prerequisite courses must be complete by the end of the winter term prior to the application deadline.
- WR 121: English Composition I
- MTH 65: Intro Algebra
- BI 234: Microbiology (must be within last 7 years)
- CH 102 or CH 106: Organic Chemistry (if you’ve taken organic chemistry at a school other than PCC, you’ll need to upload the course syllabus with your application)
- BI 231 and BI 232: Anatomy & Physiology I and II
- FN 225: Nutrition (optional, but worth admission points)
- Psychology elective (recommended PSY 101)
- Communication elective (recommended COMM 111)
- Sociology elective (recommended SOC 204)
Letters of Evaluations Instructions
Other Requirement Instructions
You can earn additional points and increase your competitiveness by completing one of the following:
- Job shadowing
Shadow a registered dental hygienist for 20 hours. Upload the shadowing documentation form [pdf] to your application under “observation hours”. - Alternative Shadowing Option (two-part process)
- Part 1: get information about DH Alternative Shadowing
- Part 2: complete DH Interview Questionnaire [pdf]
- Paid dental office work experience or Certified Dental Assisting experience
- Work in a dental setting for a minimum of 1,600 hours, or be enrolled in or have completed a certified Dental Assisting program.
- To earn points for dental experience, submit the Dental Experience Form [pdf] with your DHCAS application. Experience hours must be complete by the end of winter term prior to the application deadline. All supporting documents (copy of CDA) must be uploaded in your DHCAS application. Points will not be awarded if the form is incomplete or supporting documentation is missing
Additional Information
The Dental Hygiene Program offers a two-year curriculum that is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA). The program of study prepares students for the National Board written examination and regional licensure examinations. A dental hygienist evaluates a patient's mouth and uses those findings to decide on appropriate treatment. In addition, a dental hygiene provider treats periodontitis (gum disease), performs oral cancer screenings, applies fluorides and sealants, and provides oral hygiene instruction, tobacco and nutritional counseling. Hygienists with a Restorative Endorsement also place restorations (fillings).
Students enrolled in the Dental Hygiene Program will be performing exposure prone procedures and will be required to wear safety glasses, gloves, face masks, face shields and protective clothing during all laboratory and clinic activities that produce airborne particulate matter, or expose students to patients during dental procedures. An exposure prone procedure is one in which there is an increased opportunity for the exchange of blood borne pathogens between the patient and the dental health care provider because of the kind of procedure being performed.
Safety policies, procedures and protocols are taught and followed according to OSHA regulations and CDC standards to provide a safe learning and patient care environment. The program policies on Blood borne Pathogens and Infectious Disease are available to applicants upon request. Upon acceptance to the program, extensive training in this area will occur.