The Dental Hygiene Program prepares students for the practice of dental hygiene.  A Registered Dental Hygienist (RDH) is a licensed professional who is part of the dental care team, performing such services as oral examination, oral prophylaxis (scaling, root planning, soft tissue curettage and polishing the teeth), exposing dental x-rays, administering local anesthesia and nitrous oxide sedation for pain control, applying preventive substances such as topical fluorides and dental sealants, along with educating patients in preventive oral health care, nutrition, and the link between diet, oral health, and overall general health.  

The Dental Hygiene, Bachelor of Science Degree Program offers academic and clinical skills curriculum within an on-campus clinic. The student is prepared for the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination (written), a regional practical examination, and must take the California Law & Ethics exam to gain licensure as a Registered Dental Hygienist.

Due to the rigor of the Dental Hygiene program, admission is based on previous academic performance and other predictors of scholastic aptitude and ability to ensure that students have the potential for successfully completing the program. General education, social science and biomedical science courses included in the baccalaureate degree dental hygiene curricula parallels those offered in four-year colleges and universities. Attention is given to requirements for admission to graduate programs to establish a balance between professional and nonprofessional credit allocations.

The Dental Hygiene Program admits 20 students every Fall semester.  Upon verification of program selection criteria, all qualified candidates will be included in a selection pool.  A lottery selection process prioritizes candidates who take the majority of their prerequisites at one of the Ventura County Community College District Campuses or Santa Barbara City College. After the initial 40 are drawn, interviews are conducted. At the conclusion of the interview process, 20 students are selected for admission. The remaining applicants are placed on an alternate list to fill any available spaces should an admitted student decline a place in the program. Students not accepted must reapply each year.  There is currently no wait list. Enrollment in the program reflects the demographics of the surrounding area. The application period is from January 1^st – March 1^st of the spring semester prior to fall entry. Students interested in applying to the Dental Hygiene program should meet with an Oxnard College counselor first. 

Dental Hygiene Program Admission

In order to qualify for admission, students must have:

1. Earned an Associate degree, including a minimum of 60 semester units (or 90 quarter units).
2. Completed one of the following general education patterns:
   1. Cal-GETC
   2. IGETC
   3. CSU GE-Breadth
3. Completed all program prerequisite courses listed in the program requirements in the Oxnard College catalog prior to applying for admission to the Dental Hygiene program.
4. Earned a minimum cumulative college GPA of 3.0.
5. Completed all science prerequisites no more than 5 years prior to application to the Dental Hygiene program and they must have been completed with a 3.0 GPA.
6. Provided transcripts from all colleges attended.

After admission to the Dental Hygiene program, students must:

1. Complete 55.5 semester units of upper division Dental Hygiene Major coursework as designated in the Oxnard College catalog.  
2. Complete all required upper division (300 and 400 level) Dental Hygiene Major coursework with a minimum grade of “C” or better (or “P” if allowed) in each course.
3. Complete 9 semester units of upper division general education coursework as designated in the program requirements.
4. Complete a minimum of 125.5 semester units.

Note: The Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene is a cohort model program that requires full-time enrollment.

The courses listed above are not necessarily entry-level. Oxnard College offers courses to prepare students to succeed in these prerequisites. The Dental Hygiene Program requires full-time enrollment. 

Dental Hygiene Program Admission

Students must have an Associate degree with one of the following general education patterns completed (Cal-GETC, IGETC, or CSU GE) as well as the completion of the program prerequisite courses prior to applying for admission to the Dental Hygiene program. A minimum cumulative college GPA of 3.0 is required.  All colleges ever attended must be reported. All science prerequisites must have been completed no more than 5 years prior to application to the Dental Hygiene program and must have been completed with a 3.0 GPA. Consult an Oxnard College Academic counselor for details. 

Note: All 300 and 400 level DH courses (upper division major courses) must be completed with a minimum grade of "C" or better (or "P" if allowed) in each course. 

• 1. Provide the highest caliber of comprehensive individualized patient care in a variety of dental health care settings to individuals from diverse socioeconomic, educational, and cultural backgrounds.
• 2. Demonstrate competence in performing the local anesthetic techniques used in the practice of dental hygiene.
• 3. Integrate evidence-based practice with problem solving and critical thinking skills to inform clinical judgement and decision making when constructing a dental hygiene care plan.
• 4. Demonstrate knowledge, skills, and values necessary for positions of responsibility in a variety of healthcare, educational, clinical, business, research, administration, and community settings.
• 5. Use interpersonal skills and cultural awareness to communicate effectively with diverse population groups and with other healthcare providers.
• 6. Manage their fundamental roles both ethically and professionally.
• 7. Pursue life-long growth and development through participation in professional organizations, research, and continuing education.