Dental Hygiene - FAQ

Our dental hygiene program is highly competitive. Most years we receive more than 80 applications for 18 spaces. The college GPA of admitted students has been approximately 3.60.

Yes. You will be required to complete ten observation hours in these specific services in the dental setting to apply:

Filling/Restoration, Local Anesthesia/Injection, Radiographs, Periodontal Evaluation, Dental Examination, Oral Cancer Screening/Exam, Unit Set-up/Tear-down, Dental Prophylaxis, Dental Scaling and Root Planing, Ultrasonic instrumentation, Patient Education/Oral Homecare Instructions.

No work experience is needed in order to apply. Applicants who have previous dental care experience can earn points at the time of interviews based on the type and length of experience.

You are highly encouraged to seek dental hygiene public health volunteer work from the following outreach organizations or other non-profit dental organizations/events:

• Compassion Connect (events held all year long)
• Good News Dental
• Medical Teams International (events held all year long)
• Caring Hands Worldwide Free Dental Clinic (October 2024)

The program is extremely rigorous. It is strongly advised to not work while you are in the program. If you must work, let us help you make an action plan to see what is appropriate for your situation. You are also advised to not make large life changes while you are in the program (i.e., getting married, have children, etc.) due to the time commitment needed to be successful.

Not at this time.

The course description must include a background in organic and/or biochemistry. The courses listed below from the stated institutions can be accepted in lieu of CH106.

• CHEM131 from Washington colleges
• CH123 from Oregon State University
• CH102 from Portland Community College
• CH112 from Clackamas Community College or MHCC between 2018 and 2019
• CH241 from MHCC

Note: CH221/CH222/CH223 from MHCC will not be accepted in lieu of CH106.

Advanced standing for the MHCC Dental Hygiene Program is currently not a part of the approved curriculum by the program’s accrediting body. All applicants accepted into the program are required to complete the entire curriculum.