Dental Hygiene Diploma

Overview

Get hands-on training to provide dental care including examinations, cleaning, polishing, and assessments while working with the public at VCC’s dental clinic.

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What to expect

Graduates of VCC’s Dental Hygiene diploma program are eligible to write the National Dental Hygiene Certification Board (NDHCB) examination. NDHCB certification is required to become a Registered Dental Hygienist through the BC College of Oral Health Professionals (BCCOHP) and practice dental hygiene in B.C. (additional fees apply).

The Dental Hygiene Program integrates the Entry-to-Practice National and Provincial standards and the National Competencies. These support the dental hygiene process of care by more clearly articulating the abilities inherent in the assessment, diagnosis/decision-making, planning, implementation and evaluation of dental hygiene services.

There is a focus on biomedical sciences, dental hygiene theory of practice, and behavioural sciences in the program. Instruction builds upon the knowledge and abilities of the first year university pre-requisite courses and introduces more advanced community and client care entry-to-practice level concepts in the final year.

Learning is fostered through seminars, lectures, labs, clinical practice sessions, group work, independent study, problem based learning, community outreach, and clinical rotations.

Students have opportunities to apply knowledge and practice various abilities while working with the public in the VCC Dental Clinic. In addition, rotations to a wide variety of health care and community facilities are organized for students to learn and apply abilities and knowledge in context.

Course work focuses on the development of informed decision making skills, communication skills and intra- and interprofessional teamwork strategies; as well as proficiency in self and peer evaluation. Other important curriculum threads are development of evidence-based inquiry skills, critical thinking and problem solving abilities. This focus is designed to foster the development of professionalism, a commitment to life long learning, and dedication to a self-regulating helping profession.

What you will learn

• Demonstrate commitment to the health of the public and the profession by integrating high ethical standards, best practices and legislative requirements in their provision of care (Professionalism).
• Apply critical thinking, problem-solving, and evidence informed decision-making in the delivery of oral health care (Evidence-informed practice).
• Apply communication principles to provide culturally safe and relevant care (Communication).
• Collaborate as a member of an interdisciplinary health care team to provide safe, effective, and ethical person-, family-, and community-centred care (Collaboration).
• Implement national and provincial practice standards and policies in a variety of community and clinical practice environments (Practice Management).
• Promote health and wellness using an inclusive and intercultural approach by applying the ADPIE framework (Prevention, Education, and Health Promotion).
• Provide preventative, therapeutic and supportive dental hygiene care to deliver safe and comprehensive person-centred care for diverse people across the lifespan using the Assess Diagnose Plan Implement Evaluate (ADPIE) framework (Clinical Therapy).

Program Duration and Maximum Time for Completion

The dental hygiene program is two years full-time. Students have a maximum of 3 years to complete all program requirements.

Under exceptional circumstances and at the approval of the Department Head and the Registrar’s Office, a student may be granted an extension.

Job prospectives

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• Dental Technologist / Dental Technician
• Dental Lab Quality Control Specialist
• Dental Materials Sales Representative
• Dental Equipment Technician or Specialist
• CAD / CAM Designer for Dental Restorations
• Dental Laboratory Manager
• Dental Technology Instructor

Admission Requirement

Admission to the Dental Hygiene Program is through a competitive selection process. Successful applicants are identified through a combined evaluation of grade point average (GPA) based on program pre-requisites, and an online, open-response, situational judgement test (Casper).

Application advice:

• The Dental Hygiene Diploma is an annual selection-based program. You must meet all your education requirements by the date posted on the website.
• If you do not meet the educational requirements on time, your application will be cancelled.
• If you meet the requirements but do not receive an offer of admissions, you must reapply and resubmit academic information if you want to apply for another intake.
• Under specific circumstances, an applicant who receives an offer of admission may request a one year deferral. Please review the defer request form for details.

Admission Requirements:

• Applicants must have successfully completed at least 30 credits in first-year university level courses, or equivalents, with an overall GPA of 3.0 (‘B’). Where the academic standing of applicants who have completed 2nd, 3rd or 4th year courses in the required subject(s) is higher than that of the 1st year courses, the higher grade will be considered.
• 6 credits in English * an academic writing course is strongly recommended.
• 6 credits in Human Anatomy & Physiology (must include labs)
• 6 credits in Chemistry (must include labs)
• 6 credits in Psychology
• 3 credits in Statistics
• 3 credits in Electives
• Submission of a Casper score. Casper Test scores are only valid for one admission cycle.

If your educational documents are not from a Canadian or American institution, you must submit an evaluation of foreign credentials.  A comprehensive evaluation report, from the International Credential Evaluation Service (ICES) located at the British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT) including an ICES VCC Dental Hygiene Supplemental Report is required.

Upon Acceptance:

• Valid Basic Life Support (BLS) certification. Annual re-certification is required during the program.
• Criminal Records Check (CRC): Students in this program are required to complete a CRC. The CRC must be completed according to VCC’s Criminal Record Check instructions. Students whose CRC results indicate they pose a risk to vulnerable populations will not be able to complete the requirements of the program (e.g. practicums) or graduate. 
• Students must submit a negative tuberculosis (TB) skin test or chest X-ray dated a maximum of six months prior to the program start date. An additional TB test is required after each potential exposure to TB and/or travel to areas with a known prevalence of TB.
• Immunization Record: A School of Health Sciences Student Immunization Record must be completed. Students may be declined placement in a clinical or practicum site if a completed immunization record is not provided.
• N95 mask fit testing will be required prior to clinical rotations to health authority locations during the final year of the program. Information, fee payment, and scheduling related to mask fit testing will be provided during the program. Mask fit testing is valid for 1 year and should only be completed when directed during the dental hygiene program.
• Students will be required to submit proof to the department of a dental examination from a licensed British Columbia dentist within 6 months of the program start date. It is preferred that your dental and dental hygiene healthcare be complete and current.

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Program-specific

Admission to the Dental Technology Sciences program is on a competitive selection basis.

• Grade 12 graduation, or equivalent
• English Language Proficiency as demonstrated by one of the following:
  • English 12 with a minimum ‘C+’ grade, or equivalent
    or
  • English Language Proficiency at an English 12 ‘C+’ level
• Human Biology 12 with a minimum 'C+' grade, or equivalent
• Knowledge of science and/or mathematics demonstrated through one of the following:
  • Chemistry 11 with a minimum 'C+' grade, or equivalent, or
  • Math 11 with a minimum 'C+' grade, or equivalent, or
  • Physics 11 with a minimum 'C+' grade, or equivalent

Selection Process

• All qualified candidates who meet the admissions requirements will submit a portfolio demonstrating their aptitude for the Dental Technology profession, per the Dental Tech portfolio submission guidelines.
• All qualified candidates whose portfolio submissions are approved by the department’s Applicant Review Panel, will then be required to take part in an interview with the department's Applicant Review Panel by means of face-to-face or videoconferencing.
• The top-ranked qualified applicants are offered seats.

Upon Acceptance

• Current Basic First Aid and CPR-Level C

General

• This program is available to Canadian citizens and permanent residents . See program options for international students at VCC International.
• Applicants who self - identify as Indigenous are strongly encouraged to connect with VCC’s Indigenous Education and Community Engagement team to learn more about VCC’s Indigenous Enrolment policy, application preparation / completion, program advising, and a range of other individualized services .
• Applicants must be 16 years of age or older or a graduate of a secondary school . (Some exceptions may apply . )
• Applicants must submit official transcripts and other documents as required by their course or program . Seats are offered to eligible applicants with completed applications, in order of application completion date( except for programs with competitive admissions ) . A complete application includes an application form, evidence of educational pre - requisites( e . g . transcripts ), any required supporting documents( e . g . language proficiency, audition video ), and the required deposit or fee payment . if you do not meet the requirements for the term applied, your application may be cancelled.

Recommended Characteristics

1. Appropriate manual dexterity and hand-eye coordination.
2. Ability to give close attention to detail for sustained periods of time.
3. Ability to work accurately and neatly, and manage time effectively.
4. High standards of personal integrity.
5. Ability to take initiative and handle responsibility.

Courses

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Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Some activities may require a variance of these times to accommodate specific needs.

The program must be completed within 3.5 years.

Term 1

Term 2

This information is intended as a guideline only. Program and course details are subject to change with the approval of VCC's Board of Governors.

Fees and Costs

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Application Process

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Contact us

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Program information

Program head name

janedoe@vcc.ca

Advising

Phone: 604.871.7000, option 2
Email: studentservice@vcc.ca

For International students

study@vcc.ca