Dental Hygiene

NOTE: Valencia College’s Dental Hygiene program supports a fully functional dental hygiene clinic where students provide preventive dental hygiene services to the general public.

Associate in Science (A.S.)

The Dental Hygiene Associate in Science (A.S.) degree program at Valencia College prepares you to go directly into a specialized career as a dental hygienist in as little as two years.

As a dental hygienist you will work as part of a dental team in examining patients for signs of oral disease and providing preventative dental care. In addition to cleanings and X-rays, hygienists also administer sedation, apply fluoride and sealants, and educate patients on ways to improve and maintain good oral health. Valencia’s dental hygiene program prepares you to become licensed as a primary oral health care professional and is dedicated to helping you develop the specific skills you need to ensure that the highest quality of dental care is provided for patients.

Hear first hand from a Dental Hygienist student about a "Day in the Life of a Dental Hygienist" at Valencia College, and see our facility through the 360 Tour of Valencia College's Dental Hygiene Program.

Dental Hygiene Clinic

Valencia College’s Dental Hygiene program supports a fully functional dental hygiene clinic where students provide preventive dental hygiene services to the general public.

Learn More

Important Notice:

Understanding Infectious Diseases in Dental Hygiene

Attention Prospective Dental Hygiene Students: Ensuring your safety and well-being is our top priority. Before applying, please take a moment to familiarize yourself with essential information regarding infectious diseases commonly encountered in the field of dental hygiene. Understanding these risks and our safety protocols is crucial for your success in our program. Explore the list of infectious diseases and safety guidelines.

Program Overview

Review course descriptions, important dates and deadlines and other programs details in the official college catalog.

College Catalog

Program Length

Program lasts for 6 semesters, after all the pre-admission course requirements have been met.

Admission Guide

Alternative Credit

Did you know that you may already be eligible to receive college credit toward this program? Tech Center Programs – Receive college credit for completing an approved OCPS Tech Center program

Credit for Prior Learning and Experience

Average Salary & Placement

Valencia’s A.S. Degree and Certificate programs placement rate ranges between 90% – 95%. Dental Hygiene average salaries ranges from $40,000 - $45,000

Career Center

Explore Health Science related careers, salaries and job listings.

Career Center

Information Sessions

Attend a Health Sciences Information Sessions for an overview of the limited access Health Science programs at Valencia College and the procedures for enrolling in them.

Information Sessions

Admission into Dental Hygiene

Important Information

Admission Guide
College Catalog
Estimated Program Costs
Degree Pathways (Course Planning)
FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
If you have an interest in pursuing licensure or certification outside the state of Florida, please review this Professional Licensure Disclosure Statement

Application Information

IMPORTANT: Please be sure to review the Dental Hygiene Admission Guide to confirm all admission requirements are met before applying.

Starting with the January 2023 application deadlines for Summer 2023 program-start, TEAS scores must be less than 2 years old by the application deadline. Review the Admission Guide for admission criteria details.

Application: Available January 1, 2027
Deadline: February 1, 2027
Begins: Summer 2027

For application questions, please contact us: healthscienceapplications@valenciacollege.edu

Apply Here

Advising Services

The advising staff can answer program-specific questions, assist in career and educational planning, and offer expert educational guidance for students seeking career opportunities through the completion of an A.S. or B.S. Degree or a Certificate program.

Location, Hours and Contact

Advising and Counseling

Monday to Thursday: 8am to 5pm
Friday: 9am to 5pm
Friday (Summer hours): 9am to 12pm
advising@valenciacollege.edu

Steps for Admission to Program

1Attend a Program Information Session. Please bring a copy of the Admission Guide for your desired track with you. If you are not local and cannot attend the information session, review the Admission Guide and read the Frequently Asked Questions.
2Apply to Valencia College.
3Complete required general education courses before applying to the program.
4Once your transcripts have been received and evaluated, and if you meet eligibility requirements, you can apply to the program.

Program Overview

Valencia College's dental hygiene program was established in 1977 and graduated its charter class of 23 students in 1978. The class of 2007 was the thirtieth graduating class of the dental hygiene program. The graduates of the program are employed throughout the United States as clinicians, educators, and public health hygienists. Numerous graduates have continued their education in dental hygiene, dentistry, education, and public health.

Valencia's dental hygiene program supports a fully-functional dental hygiene clinic on West Campus where program students provide preventive dental hygiene services to the student population as well as to the general public. In addition, students have clinical experiences at community-based health centers. The dental hygiene program is fully accredited by the American Dental Association's Commission on Dental Accreditation. Students who complete the program are prepared to take the Dental Hygiene National Board Examination and state or regional licensing examinations to apply for state licensure and future employment.

Students and faculty have the opportunity to benefit from membership in the American Dental Hygienists' Association, the Florida Dental Hygienists' Association, and other professional organizations. With the support of Valencia College's student development office, dental hygiene students regularly participate in professional association activities and have won numerous awards.

National Board Results 2003-2020

YEAR	# of Candidates	% Passing
2003	23	100%
2004	23	100%
2005	19	100%
2006	18	100%
2007	19	100%
2008	18	100%
2009	19	100%
2010	20	100%
2011	17	100%
2012	19	100%
2013	19	100%
2014	23	100%
2015	19	95%
2016	17	100%
2017	18 (1)	94%
2018	17	100%
2019	18 (1)	94%
2020	21 (1)	95%

Florida State Board/Regional Board Results

YEAR	# of Candidates	% Passing
2003	23	100%
2004	23	100%
2005	19	100%
2006	18	100%
2007	19	100%
2008	18	100%
2009	19	100%
2010	20	100%
2011	17	100%
2012	19	100%
2013	19	100%
2014	23	100%
2015	19	100%
2016	17	94%
2017	18	94%
2018	17	71%
2019	18	100%
2020	21	Covid 19

Frequently Asked Questions

Dental Hygiene

Do I need to be a student at Valencia to apply?

Yes. You must complete the admission process to the college before you submit a Dental Hygiene program application. You can apply online or email enrollment@valenciacollege.edu if you have any questions.

Can International students apply?

Yes. Students must be a U.S. Citizen, a U.S. permanent resident, or hold a non-immigrant visa with employment authorization. Non-immigrant status students can visit the U.S. Department of State directory of visa categories to verify employment eligibility.

Are the prerequisite courses offered online?

Yes, some are offered online, however the lab science courses have limited offerings and may not be available every term.

Do I have to take all the prerequisites at a particular campus?

No, you may take the prerequisite courses at any Valencia campus location. However, if accepted, Cardiovascular Technology courses are only offered on the West campus.

Will my courses from other colleges transfer to Valencia?

Once you have applied to Valencia, you will need to request official transcripts sent from your previous institution. The admissions office will evaluate all transcripts once they are received to determine transfer credit.

Do I need to take the ATI Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) before I apply?

Yes, you must complete the ATI TEAS. The examination fee is your responsibility. More information on the TEAS is available at Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS)

Can I use ATI TEAS scores from another institution?

Yes. Students who complete the ATI TEAS at another institution must request an official score report from ATI. Paper copy is not accepted. Requests can be made online via www.atitesting.com. Score report must be available on your Valencia record before submitting the program application.

How many students are accepted into the program?

The Dental Hygiene program accepts 25 students for the Summer term.

What is the schedule like if I am accepted into the program?

The Dental Hygiene program is a daytime program located on the West campus the time commitment should be considered the equivalent of a full-time job. In addition to lecture, lab and clinicals, students are expected to study between 15-25 hours a week - if a student chooses to work while in the program, a maximum of 15 hours a week is recommended due to the demands of the program. Time management is crucial to successful program completion. The specific schedule can vary from term to term.

How many clinical hours are in the Dental Hygiene program and what credential would I be eligible to sit for upon successful completion?

The total number of clinical hours in the program is 738. Upon graduation and successful completion of the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination and the ADEX clinical exam, the graduate is eligible to apply for a license as a registered dental hygienist and for certification in local anesthesia.

How successful is a Valencia Dental Hygiene graduate in finding employment?

The five year average Licensure Rate for Dental Hygiene graduates is 100% and the five year average Placement Rate for Dental Hygiene graduates is 97%.