Dental Hygiene

Bachelor of Science Degree (B.S.)
Dental Hygiene student

About this program

From anatomy and physiology to techniques and tools, you’ll learn what it takes to excel in the field of dental hygiene. Earning a bachelor’s degree from Penn College opens the door to advanced employment opportunities in alternative career settings beyond the clinical setting. And with extensive hands-on experience in our cutting-edge dental hygiene lab, you’ll be real-world ready to hit the ground running.

Acceptance in this major is based upon additional requirements beyond College admission.

Next steps...

You're on your way to becoming a tomorrow maker.

2,000+

Patient Visits Per Year at Dental Hygiene Clinic

100%

NBDHE Pass Rate

Expand Career Opportunities with a Bachelor Degree

Careers

  • Clinician 
  • Researcher
  • Educator
  • Administrator
  • Entrepreneur
  • Corporate
  • Public Health

License/Certification Disclosure Information →

Courses

At Penn College, we believe your educational experience should go beyond specialized skills. Real-world ready means taking a broader approach that builds communication skills, inspires collaboration, and encourages exploration of arts, history, and science.

​​Specialization requires in-depth knowledge and high-level proficiency. Students learn and apply major-specific concepts, skills, and methods.

  • Dental Hygiene I (DEN103)
  • Preventive Dentistry (DEN104)
  • Orofacial Anatomy (DEN109)
  • Oral Histology (DEN108)
  • Dental Radiology (DEN123)
  • Dental Hygiene II (DEN126)
  • Introduction to Periodontics (DEN130)
  • Oral Health & Nutrition (DEN211)
  • Pharmacology (DEN204)
  • Dental Hygiene III (DEN216)
  • Dental Materials & Specialties (DEN214)
  • General & Oral Pathology (DEN202)
  • Periodontics II (DEN212)
  • Community Dental Health (DEN220)
  • Dental Law & Ethics (DEN224)
  • Dental Hygiene Theory & Practice (DEN227)
  • Techniques in Pain Control (DEN240)
  • Issues in Professional Dental Hygiene (DEN301)
  • Dental Practice Management (DEN307)
  • Principles of Management (MGT115)
  • Healthcare Delivery Systems (HTH325)
  • Dental Public Health (DEN303)
  • Directed Dental Hygiene Elective (DEN)
  • United States Health Policymaking (DEN447)
  • Dental Hygiene Capstone (DEN495)
  • Introduction to Global Health (HTH415)

​Perspectives are points of view, offering a variety of ways of understanding, interacting, and influencing the world. Students identify, explain, and utilize the approaches used by academics and professionals to study, analyze, or understand problems, and offer solutions.

  • Human Anatomy & Physiology I (BIO115)
  • Human Anatomy & Physiology II (BIO125)
  • Microbiology (BIO201)
  • Core Social Science Perspective (SSP)
  • Core Arts Perspective (ARP)
  • Core Historical Perspective (HIP)
  • General Psychology (PSY111)
  • Proven Professional Credential or Associate's Degree (PPC)

​​Foundations are the practical, intellectual, and social skills: communication, collaboration, critical and ethical thinking, quantitative thinking, and technological literacy that are crucial to every student at every stage of education and at every stage of life.

  • English Composition I (ENL111)
  • Math Elective (MTH151 or Higher) (MMM)
  • Fundamentals of Speech (SPC101)
  • Information, Technology & Society (CSC124)
  • Statistics for Health & Behavioral Sciences (MTH159)
  • English Composition II (ENL121) or
  • Technical & Professional Communication (ENL201)
View Goals & Course List
Lab Tour
Facilities

Lab Tour

Take a look at the Dental Hygiene Clinic, a live learning lab for Dental Hygiene students.

Dental Hygiene Clinic
Facilities

Dental Hygiene Clinic

Put your techniques to the test in our on-campus dental hygiene lab. Get real-world experience using the same equipment you’ll find in the field like modern workstations, digital radiography X-rays, and electronic patient record systems.

Maker Profiles
Tour Schedule

Seeing is believing.

Think Penn College might be a good fit for you? Make plans to visit and discover what hands-on learning is all about. Academic Tours allow you to explore labs and get to the core of your future program. If you’re looking for a deeper dive into your academic area of interest, opt for a Self-Scheduled Personal Tour. Comprehensive COVID-19 safety protocols are in place.

Jul 23

Open House

Saturday, July 238:30 AM - 2:30 PM Eastern Time (U.S.)

Register

Jul 29

Open House

Friday, July 298:30 AM - 2:30 PM Eastern Time (U.S.)

Register

More tour dates are on the way.

But let's customize a tour for you now. Call, chat, or email for options.

Need a different date?

Let's customize a tour for you now. Call, chat, or email for options.

Contact

Admissions Office

If you can't attend any of these dates Contact Admissions at 570.320.2400

Student Life

Stay active in and out of the classroom

Student American Dental Hygienists' Association (SADHA)

Student American Dental Hygienists' Association (SADHA)

SADHA, a category of membership within the American Dental Hygienists' Association (ADHA), is dedicated to the advancement and promotion of dental hygiene.

Learn more
Student Organizations at Penn College

Student Organizations at Penn College

Your college experience is about more than the classroom. Join one of 65+ clubs and organizations, or create your own.

Get Involved
Related Programs

Follow your passion

Academics

Dental Hygiene

04.14.2022

With aim of early detection, students screen for oral cancer

On April 7, Penn College’s second-year dental hygiene students – led by Bridget E. Motel, instructor of dental hygiene, and ...

Read more

Dental Hygiene

09.30.2021

Aspen Dental establishes scholarship for dental hygiene students

Aspen Dental Management Inc. is partnering with Pennsylvania College of Technology to establish a new scholarship that provides ...

Read more

Dental Hygiene

07.12.2021

Scholarship established for first-generation college students

Retired faculty member Darla B. Logue has established a scholarship for first-generation college students at Pennsylvania ...

Read more

View all
Gain global experience
Study Abroad

Gain global experience

See the world via Williamsport. Take your education abroad and get hands-on experience learning about your industry on a global scale.

Learn More

Internship

Your knowledge in practice

Internships are key for career preparation. Apply your know-how in the workplace and learn about the industry first-hand. Students may elect to complete an internship as part of their capstone project. 

Student Experience

The community as their classroom

Sealant Saturday volunteers strengthen children's smiles

Sealant Saturday volunteers strengthen children's smiles

Sealant Saturday, a service learning project, allows students to practice their technique while delivering free dental services to community children.

Read more

Accreditation

The associate degree program in dental hygiene is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation and has been granted the accreditation status of APPROVAL (without reporting requirements). The Commission is a specialized accrediting body recognized by the United States Department of Education. The Commission on Dental Accreditation can be contacted at (312) 440-4653 or at 211 East Chicago Avenue, Chicago, IL 60611-2678. The Commission’s web address is: www.ada.org/en/coda.

More Information

The associate degree program in dental hygiene is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation and has been granted the accreditation status of APPROVAL (without reporting requirements). The Commission is a specialized accrediting body recognized by the United States Department of Education. The Commission on Dental Accreditation can be contacted at (312) 440-4653 or at 211 East Chicago Avenue, Chicago, IL 60611-2678. The Commission’s web address is: http://www.ada.org/en/coda

The National Board Dental Hygiene Examination 5-year pass rate chart compares the pass rate of Penn College first-time takers to the national average. See pass rates.

Anyone desiring entrance into this major must first gain admission to Penn College. Acceptance into this selective admission major is based upon additional requirements beyond College admission. Details are available on the Selective Admission Criteria and Process webpage.

Students must earn a minimum grade of 'C' in each dental hygiene (DEN) course through semester four. Failure to do so will result in termination from the major.

The following grading system applies to all dental (DEN) courses in this major. There is no rounding of grades:

A= 90-100
B= 80-89.99
C= 75-79.99
F= 74.99 and below

Child abuse clearance and criminal background checks are required by some agencies involved in fieldwork and/or capstones. Agencies can bar students from their sites if a criminal record exists or a positive drug test is noted. By virtue of contract for Penn College students to be at clinical sites, agencies have the right to ask for random drug testing. Inability to gain clinical or fieldwork or intern education experiences results in inability to meet program objectives and outcomes. For additional clarification, students can speak with their program director.

All general education courses that meet College requirements will be eligible for transfer according to College policy. At least 36 credits of the final four semesters of the student's profile must be satisfied by Penn College courses. Courses taken more than 10 years ago will be evaluated to determine if they meet current course requirements.

International health credentials/licensure, sciences courses, and most math courses will not be accepted to satisfy requirements of this major. Please see additional information for international students applying to the School of Nursing & Health Sciences majors.

View general transfer information

You are required to have a uniform for lab classes. It is recommended that you purchase three uniforms.

View the Estimate of Expenses and Equipment Costs.

Uniforms and tools are available for purchase through The College Store.

Program Review Executive Summary: Dental Hygiene

Students must meet Essential Functions for the Dental Hygienist established by the Dental Hygiene Program, as well as health and safety requirements including, but not limited to, immunizations (MMR, hepatitis B, varicella, tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis, annual influenza vaccination, PPD), medical examination, 10 panel drug screen, CPR certification, and background clearances as established by clinical affiliation agreements. Some clinical sites may have additional health and immunization requirements that are not part of the current program requirements, for example, COVID-19 vaccination.

Dental Hygiene Clinic Notice of Privacy Practices
Official notice of our privacy practices as it pertains to the use and disclosure of patient health information.

Blood Borne Pathogens Statement
Dental hygienists and dental hygiene students may be exposed to contagious diseases, therefore strict compliance with Center of Disease Control (CDC) and OSHA standards are maintained. Policies on blood borne and infectious diseases are available upon request from the Penn College Dental Hygiene Program.

Alternative Credit refers to academic credits earned through means other than traditional college course completion, including: credit by exam, articulation, proof of competency gained in high school, work/life experience, and advanced placement.

Visit the Alternative Credit Options page for requirements and procedures and for information on credit through Advanced Placement.

The dental hygiene program at Pennsylvania College of Technology meets the educational requirements for licensure within the state of Pennsylvania. We are aware that our program also meets the educational requirements for licensure in the following states/U.S. territories: New York , New Jersey, Maryland, West Virginia, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida and Ohio. As a program accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA), it is likely that graduates will be eligible for licensure in all U.S. states. However, we have not officially determined if graduates of our program will be eligible for licensure in other states; therefore, students intending to seek employment in states other than those mentioned above are asked to contact the program office so that we can help you determine whether our program meets the requirements of the state where you intend to work.

International students who are studying in the United States on an F-1 visa must be enrolled in a full course of study in-person. F-1 visa holders are not permitted to enroll in the Dental Hygiene Bachelor of Science degree due to the number of concurrent online courses required.

  • Ms. Lillian J Caperila, RDH, BSDH, M.Ed, Manager, Professional Education & Dental Hygiene Relations, Premier Dental Products Company
  • Ms. Melinda Diggan, '99, '18, Director of Dental Operations, River Valley Health and Dental Center
  • Ms. Bridget Dorsey, RDH, Dental Hygienist, Field Sales Consultant, Henry Schein Dental
  • Dr. Marcia Gladwin Stewart, Retired Professor Emerita, West Virginia University, Department of Dental Hygiene
  • Dr. Alexander V Golub, '07, '08, Dentist, Dental Care Associates
  • Jason H Goodchild, DMD, Dentist, Jenkintown Dental Medicine
  • Dr. Carl Jenkins, DDS, General Dentist
Contact

Admissions Office

The future needs you

If you put more into today, could you get more out of tomorrow? If you create your future at Pennsylvania College of Technology, the answer is yes.

With open and rolling admission, applying is easy.

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