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.
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.
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.
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.
“The Dental Hygiene program at Penn College has allowed me to redefine my purpose, through the unique opportunities that are provided to students. Traveling with the study abroad trip and working in the clinic allowed me to gain an insightful outlook on how my career can change the lives of those living in another country or those living right here in the United States.”
Megan Mecouch
Dental Hygiene
Associate of Applied Science Degree (A.A.S.)
Bachelor of Science Degree (B.S.) Online
Associate of Applied Science Degree (A.A.S.)
SADHA, a category of membership within the American Dental Hygienists' Association (ADHA), is dedicated to the advancement and promotion of dental hygiene.
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A pair of first-term state senators visited Penn College on Thursday, stopping by several academic areas in the School of ...
Second-year student Hailey A. Gearhart joined forces with 1992 alumna Michele D. (Heitsenrether) Harkins on Friday to represent ...
For the ninth year, faculty member Barbara K. Emert-Strouse, assistant professor of dental hygiene, and her family, joined by ...
See the world via Williamsport. Take your education abroad and get hands-on experience learning about your industry on a global scale.
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.
Sealant Saturday, a service learning project, allows students to practice their technique while delivering free dental services to community children.
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.
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
Acceptance into this competitive major is based on an admissions ranking process. To view details on acceptance criteria, testing requirements, performance expectations, and the admissions ranking system, consult the Dental Hygiene special admissions information. Curriculum sequence for this option will be individualized.
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.
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.
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.
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 AY2013-2014
Essential Functions for the Dental Hygienist
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.
National Board Dental Hygiene Examination Pass Rate
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.
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Admissions Counselor
Lorenzo Marefka
SASC, Rm. 1088
800.367.9222 ext. 7111
lmarefka@pct.edu
