Dental Hygiene student with equipment

Dental Hygienist

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Program Information

Degree Type
69-credit Associate of Applied Science Degree

Program Code
10-508-1

Time to Degree
More than 2 years

Start Date
August 2026

How You'll Learn

On Campus
Daytime

Dental hygienists perform educational, preventive and therapeutic dental services that are consistent with providing optimal oral health. These services may include sealants, fluoride treatments, non-surgical periodontal therapies and radiographic images.

Please note: Health programs require multiple vaccinations. Deadlines vary by program. To be eligible for testing and/or licensing in the state of Wisconsin, you may be required to obtain a social security number.

Tuition Costs

The cost of your degree depends on a number of factors, including where you live, how your program is delivered, how long it takes to finish your program and the financial aid you receive. Explore current tuition and fees.

Additional Estimated Costs

Dental Hygiene Kit: $2,600+
Scrubs/Shoes: $75
Drug Screen: $55
Immunizations: up to $850
BLS for the Healthcare Provider: $50-$85
Caregiver criminal background check: $10
Dental exam/cleaning: price varies

How To Apply

This program is not currently accepting applications. Questions? Contact an enrollment counselor.

Steps to Complete the Dental Hygienist Program

Apply and Become Admitted to the Dental Hygiene Program

This program is not currently accepting applications.

Complete General Studies Courses

Complete your General Studies courses.
This program also requires valid BLS Provider certification from the American Heart Association. WCTC also offers a BLS Provider Renewal course.

Petition to the Program

After successfully completing these steps and being awarded a seat through the petitioning process, you can begin your core courses. In order to begin core courses, you will need to successfully:

Petition to the Dental Hygienist program.
- The next petition window for fall is February 1-10, 2025. No early petitions will be accepted.
- Complete and upload the Dental Assistant Experience form if applicable.
Explore frequently asked questions about the Dental Hygiene petition process.
Review health requirements and background check overview. (These documents are not due at the time of petition.)

After Being Awarded a Seat

You will receive information during the program orientation regarding health requirements, caregiver criminal background check and drug screen.

After the Dental Hygienist Program

Upon graduating, you will be prepared to take the National Board Dental Hygiene written exam and Central Regional Dental Testing Service practical exam.

Program Details

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Questions? We'd love to help! Connect with our Enrollment team by filling out our online form or by email at enroll@wctc.edu.

Potential Careers

If you have a passion for dental care, are patient and possess good communication skills, dental hygiene may be the field for you. Dental hygienists are comfortable putting people at ease, have the dexterity to handle precision tools and possess physical stamina along with the ability to work in tight spaces.

Dental Hygienist
Registered Dental Hygienist

Technical Standards

The students enrolled in the Dental Assistant program should be able to meet the established technical standards identified below with or without reasonable accommodation. The technical standards for the Dental Assistant program are representative of those found in the Dental Assistant profession.

Review the Dental Hygienist Technical Standards.

High School Eligibility

This program is open to qualified high school applicants. Learn more >

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Career Salaries

$64,000 – $91,700 annually

Salary range estimates based on wages for related occupations in Waukesha County as reported by Lightcast. Individual wages may vary based on experience, industry, location and specific job requirements. Find our graduates' entry wages in the most recent Graduate Success Report.

Financial Aid

As a program student, you are eligible to receive:

Financial aid loans
Scholarships
Other forms of assistance

Learn more about financial aid.

Bloodborne Pathogens

All programs at WCTC comply with local, state, and federal infection control policies, including the use of standard precautions as stipulated by current CDC guidelines. Written policies and instructions on infection control protocol to minimize the risk of disease transmission is provided throughout the courses in the curriculum. Compliance of safety practices is evaluated throughout your clinical experiences to ensure a safe educational environment.

Clinical Site Compliance

Please note that some clinical sites require compliance with various safety protocols and measures as a condition to placement. Students may individually address clinical placement requirements with Jenny Clausen, Clinical Placement Specialist.

Reasonable accommodations may be available for students with documented disabilities and/or sincerely held religious beliefs. Students seeking accommodation due to documented disability should contact the Student Accessibility Office. Students seeking accommodation due to a sincerely held religious belief should contact Jonathan Pedraza in the Student Life Office.

Review the background check overview.

Program Courses

Health Programs

What Makes This Program Unique

Program graduates consistently achieve outstanding pass rates on exams - most recently 100 percent on both the National Board Dental Hygiene written exam and Central Regional Dental Testing Service practical exam.
WCTC's Dental Hygiene Clinic provides comprehensive dental hygiene care to the community in an educational setting. Student dental hygienists complete procedures under the supervision of a licensed dentist and registered hygienist.
Involvement with the Dental Hygiene Club (SADHA) reinforces the importance of the dental hygienist's role in community service efforts and continuing education.

Dental Hygiene student in scrubs

Accreditation

WCTC’s Dental Hygienist program is accredited by the American Dental Association Commission on Dental Accreditation.

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More Credit Opportunities

Dual enrollment offers high school students an opportunity to get a head start in high-demand fields while earning college credits.

Learn More

You may have the opportunity to obtain credit for the college-level skills and knowledge you've already acquired through prior coursework, work experience and more.

Learn More

Transfer Opportunities After WCTC

WCTC has credit transfer agreements with many four-year institutions that allow our degree graduates to transfer credits into a baccalaureate program, often at junior-level standing.

Explore Transfer Agreements