Dental Hygiene Diploma
Important note:
Please be advised that UFV will not be offering the Dental Hygiene Diploma program this fall due to insufficient numbers of applicants.
Diane Reed, EdD
Interim Dean, Faculty of Health Sciences
University of the Fraser Valley
Please note: If you are planning to take the prerequisite courses for the UFV Dental Hygiene program, we strongly recommend that you consult an educational advisor in Student Services at (604) 795-2808 (Chwk), (604) 854-4528 (Abby), or 1-888-504-7441 (toll free).
Why study dental hygiene?
What can I do with a Dental Hygiene diploma?
Why study dental hygiene at UFV?
How will UFV prepare me for my career?
What are the entrance requirements?
What else do I need to know?
I'm interested. What's the next step?
When can I start?
Where will my classes be delivered?
How much will it cost? Can I afford to take this program?
What about future studies?
What kind of assistance is there to help me adjust?
Sounds good. What do I do now?
I'm not sure that this program is for me. Can I speak with someone about my options?
Why study dental hygiene?
Whether you are just starting out on a career path or at a crossroads in your life and looking for something new, UFV’s Dental Hygiene diploma program may be of interest to you. This is a fast-paced, highly disciplined career where your people skills, ability to work as a team player, and attention to detail will serve you well.
What can I do with a Dental Hygiene diploma?
Registered dental hygienists work in various practice setting, including general and specialty dental offices, dental hygiene practices, residential care facilities, hospitals, community health agencies, dental sales and marketing, and educational institutions. The scope of dental hygiene practice continues to expand with increased opportunities for employment in non-traditional settings. Registered dental hygienists in B.C. may also practice as self-employed contractors or as independent owners if they meet conditions for self-employment and current tax laws. The UFV Dental Hygiene diploma program prepares individuals for the full scope of dental hygiene practice in B.C. and other provinces, including the administration of local anaesthetic.
Why study dental hygiene at UFV?
UFV’s Dental Hygiene diploma program will prepare you to practise dental hygiene in both clinical and community-based settings. As a graduate, you will have the knowledge, skills, attitudes, and values you need for registration and licensure with the College of Dental Hygienists of B.C. Our fully equipped dental clinic will provide you with the experience necessary for employment in this field.
Graduates of the program must write the National Dental Hygiene Certification Examination to be eligible for registration and licensure with the College of Dental Hygienists of British Columbia. Opportunities exist to obtain registration and licensure in other provinces and countries. However, dental hygienists must fulfill the requirements of the respective licensing bodies.
How will UFV prepare me for my career?
Courses are offered in a variety of formats such as group work, seminar, lecture, and lab and clinical simulation. In addition, you will participate in observational experiences in a variety of community settings.
Initially, you will be assigned to practice sessions with other students where you will perform a variety of dental hygiene treatment procedures, including local anesthesia, on each other. You must be prepared to be a patient in these practice sessions. You will then progress to treatment of clients from the public, in a simulated dental office environment, in preparation for transition to employment in the dental office. Classroom experiences may include evening scheduling and your clinical opportunities may include extended work days, evenings, and weekends.
The diploma program will prepare you for employment in a variety of settings including: general and specialty dental offices, dental hygiene practices, residential care facilities, hospitals, community health agencies and educational institutions.
The scope of dental hygiene practice is expanding with increased opportunities for employment in non-traditional settings. Registered dental hygienists in B.C. may also practice as self-employed contractors or as an independent owner if they meet conditions for self-employment and current tax laws.
UFV’s Dental Hygiene program is very demanding. You should plan to set aside several hours for homework every evening as well as additional time on the weekends. The following factors will contribute to your success in this program:
- effective time-management skills
- computer skills
- study skills
- manual dexterity
- meticulous attention to detail
- the ability to multi-task under time restrictions
- command of the English language
- strong communication skills
What are the entrance requirements?
You must have completed first-year university-transfer courses (30 credits minimum) with proof of a letter grade of C+ or higher in each of the following:
- Human Anatomy and Physiology (with weekly labs), KPE 270* and KPE 370 or equivalent
- CHEM 113 and CHEM 114 or equivalent (with weekly labs)
- MATH 104 or MATH 106 or PSYC 110
- ENGL 105
- and one of ENGL 120 to 170
- PSYC 101
- and PSYC 102 or equivalent
- One elective, if necessary to reach 30 credits
(*Please note that KPE 170, or BIO 111 and BIO 112, is a prerequisite to KPE 270)
As an applicant, you must also have a minimum of 40 documented hours of observation experience in a dental office or at least 150 hours of current work experience as a licensed, practising certified dental assistant. You must provide current identification documents such as birth certificate, marriage certificate, verification of name change, or landed immigrant status. A current Standard First Aid certificate with CPR is also required.
You will be asked to submit a written statement outlining your understanding of the dental hygiene profession.
We will require two reference letters (one work and one personal) and you must participate in an interview with program faculty, who will assess your:
- knowledge of and motivation towards a career as a dental hygienist
- financial preparation
- communication skills
- experience with patients in the health-care field as volunteer and/or employee.
Once prerequisites have been met, you will be sent a letter acknowledging your complete status. Each spring, complete applicants will be informed of a compulsory information session where they will receive the following forms to be completed prior to interviews:
- A current criminal record check
- A signed medical certificate indicating your physical fitness and emotional stability
- A current immunization record — the Hepatitis B immunization will be required after entry into the program, but may be completed before you begin
- A signed dental oral health certificate
Admission to UFV’s Dental Hygiene program is on a competitive entry basis. Meeting the minimum requirements will not necessarily guarantee your acceptance into the program.
What else do I need to know?
You will require a uniform, just as you will in a working dental office. Lab coats, gloves, masks, duty shoes, and safety glasses are required during our daily clinic sessions. Ergonomic, magnifying eyewear and dental instruments must also be purchased. Because we are preparing you for employment in a professional office, neatness and good grooming are essential at all times. You will be responsible for your own transportation to classes and externship locations. The Dental Hygiene diploma program is delivered on UFV’s Chilliwack campus.
Upon completion of the UFV Dental Hygiene program and before you can practice as a registered dental hygienist, you must write the National Dental Hygiene Certification Board Examination to be eligible for registration with the College of Dental Hygienists of British Columbia.
I’m interested. What’s the next step?
Download the Dental Hygiene Forms from the Download Centre. You should then fill out both applications and submit them, along with the required documents and the $45 application fee, to the Admissions and Records office at any UFV campus or centre.
When can I start?
The two-year Dental Hygiene diploma program has one every two years in September. The next intake date is September 2012. Course delivery options include independent study, lectures, seminars, multimedia approaches, and observational experiences in a dental practice.
Note: Clinic experience may include extended work days and evening shifts.
Where will my classes be delivered?
UFV's Dental Hygiene certificate program is offered at our Chilliwack campus in the Health Sciences Centre.
How much will it cost? Can I afford to take this program?
Enrolling in this specialty program is an investment in your own future. As a graduate, your career opportunities will be plentiful and your earning potential significant. Program tuition is approximately $9,000. In addition, you can expect to invest about $2,200 in textbooks and course packs, $400 for your uniform, lab coat, safety glasses, duty shoes, and $1,800 for your instruments and lab fees. Ergonomic magnification eye wear will cost about $1,500. It’s best to check the UFV calendar www.ufv.ca/calendar for a complete and updated list of fees.
Upon graduation and before you are licensed, expect to pay examination fees of about $600 for the National Dental Hygiene Certification Board Exam, which is compulsory for licensure in B.C. In addition, licensure with the College of Dental Hygienists of B.C. will cost about $1000.
It’s worth a visit to the UFV Financial Aid and Awards office, which facilitates the disbursement each year of about $12 million in federal and provincial student loans, grants, bursaries, scholarships, and awards to UFV students. A helpful budget planning worksheet is available at www.ufv.ca/fineaid/budget
What about future studies?
As a UFV Dental Hygiene graduate, you may also apply to UBC to complete the fourth year of the Bachelor of Dental Science (Dental Hygiene) degree program. For more information regarding the BDSc program as well as admission requirements and deadlines, please consult the UBC Faculty of Dentistry website at www.dentistry.ubc.ca .
UFV graduates may also apply to Thompson Rivers University’s Bachelor of Health Science program. For more information go to Bachelor of Health Science at TRU
What kind of assistance is there to help me adjust?
Please visit www.ufv.ca/studentservices to learn about the broad range of services designed to help you learn about and adjust to the university environment.
Sounds good. What do I do now?
Apply right away. Visit www.ufv.ca/advising/prospective/enrollfor a step-by-step process to becoming a UFV student. Have specific questions? Contact us at 604-795-2841.
I’m not sure that this program is for me. Can I speak with someone about my options?
Absolutely. We want to hear from you! If you’re unsure of your direction, contact Student Services at 1-888-504-7441 to arrange a tour, attend a Becoming a Student info session, connect with an educational advisor, or arrange for career counselling.
Also feel free to contact us directly by calling 604-795-2841.
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