Program at a glance
Credential
Diploma
Work experience
Clinical/fieldwork placement
Study options
Full-time
Open to International
Yes
Area of study
Length
2 years
Champions of health
September intake
Oral health matters! Dental hygiene blends the arts of health advocacy, technology, science, psychology and direct patient care. The Dental Hygiene program is fully accredited nationally and graduates historically have performed extremely well on the national board exam.
In demand
As a dental hygienist, you’ll be part of an oral health care team that provides professional treatment and advice to help people prevent or halt existing dental diseases andsupport total wellness. This full-time, two-year program prepares you to be a health promotion specialist on an oral health care team as well as a competent clinician and community health advocate (accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of Canada).
Over the last two years, 100% of Camosun's Dental Hygiene program graduates were employedin a job related to their program.
Hands-on learning
In a small classroom environment and within the live clinic environment, you’ll acquire the knowledge and skills needed to provide preventative, educational and therapeutic dental hygiene services. You’ll also learn to evaluate research, communicate professionally andpractice collaboratively with dentistsand other health care professionals.
Our faculty is made up of talented and dedicated professionals with advanced degrees in education or dental hygiene.
We’ll help you succeed
The Diploma in Dental Hygiene provides the educational foundation you’ll need to succeed in theincreasingly complex field of oral health. Dental hygienists work in a number of settings including general and specialty dental offices, dental hygiene clinics, residential care facilities, hospitals, community health agencies and educational institutions. Dental hygienists also work within the dental industry as educators and sales representatives.
The two-year Dental Hygiene program follows a foundational year ofuniversity transfer courses.
Community learning
You’ll have opportunities to provide education and care to local community groups. On a broader scale, you’ll also make connections with dental hygiene students from other countries who visit our Dental Hygiene program. There are also opportunities totravel within BC and abroadin order to study and provide care and education.
Transfer opportunities
Continuing your education is easy as the diploma program transfers directly into three degree programs which require one additional year of study to obtain a baccalaureate degree. First, AVԴ has been approved to offer the Bachelor of Science Dental Hygiene program and plans to begin offering this in September 2025; you will be fully eligible for this program as a graduate of the dental hygiene program at Camosun.
You can also complete aBaccalaureate Degree of Science in Dental Hygieneinone yearat the University of British Columbia or the University of Alberta or obtain aBachelor of Health Sciencesat Thompson Rivers.
To find out more about the dental hygiene profession, check out the
Indigenous priority admissions
For a limited time each year, Camosun offers 12.5 percent priority seating for qualifiedIndigenous students inallHealth and Human Services programs.
Apply for anIndigenous priority seat.
What you'll learn
Current students wanting information about your program, go to student planning in.
Program outline
For more details, including courses, please see the program outline in the academic calendar.
What to expect
Located at our Lansdowne campus, this program is two years in length (September to early May). Classes and clinical sessions are scheduled for 29 to 31 hours per week and include some evening clinics. Study and preparation outside of class and clinic time generally requires 3-4 hours per day, but varies.
Our facilities
Dental hygiene students practice in our modern on-site dental clinic and provide actual dental hygiene services to members of the community. The dental clinic is spacious and includes:
- 24 dental chairs
- Dispensary/sterilization centre
- Four radiography rooms
- Computers for student learning (dental software)
- Dental reception office
- Client reception area
Year 2 (entry into program)
Year 2 courses include microbiology, dental anatomy, patho-physiology, radiology and your first two dental hygiene clinical theory and practice courses. Guided by experienced faculty, you will begin providing dental hygiene services to public clients by the end of your first term in the program.
Year 3
In year 3, you’ll build on your foundation knowledge of oral science, clinical care and professional practice. You’ll study pharmacology and nutrition and have a variety of opportunities to provide care and education within the Camosun Dental Clinic, out in the local community and beyond.
Field school opportunities
Students enjoy many opportunities to integrate theory and practice through simulated and community experiences, the provision of comprehensive dental hygiene care to the public in the AVԴ Dental Hygiene Clinic, and participation in international field schools.
DHYG program handbooks
Find current student information in theSchool of Health and Human Servicesand DHYG programhandbooks.
Tuition and fees
Effective from September 1, 2024, to August 31, 2025
Estimated tuition
Tuition estimates are for the entire program.
Dental Hygiene, Diploma
$18,643 (domestic)
$62,040 (international)
Domestic tuition fees vary depending on the individual course fees for the classes you select.
For International students visit: International Tuition & Fees.
Student fees
In addition to tuition estimates, student fees are calculated based on your enrolment. Refer to:Student Fees.
Financial assistance
You may need to find more than one source of funding to help pay for your education and living costs while attending college. Check out sources of money you don't need to pay back as well as those that need to be repaid.
Admission requirements
Entry to the Dental Hygiene program is in second year. Requirements for first-year courses include: Human Anatomy and Physiology Chemistry English Psychology Elementary Statistics for Social Sciences UT Elective: *Denotes highly recommended
One pair of:
Two of:
Two of:
Two of:
One of:
When you apply you will need to submit proof that you meet the program admission requirements listed above. Where a letter grade is specified, you must have proof of that grade or higher.
For more details, including courses, please see the program outline in the Academic Calendar: Loading...
Ready to get started?
Applications are currently closed for this program.
Check our current program availability.
Missing admission requirements?
You may be able to take an assessment or upgrade with us.
Need help applying?
Find out more on How to Apply or speak to an Admissions Advisor.
Contact us
If you have admissions questions contact us today!
If you have questions about what you can expect to learn in your dental hygiene classes contact hhsinfo@camosun.ca.
Feel free to investigate ourPublic Dental Clinic pages.
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Learn more
For more details, including courses, please see the program outline in the academic calendar.
Contact information
School of Health and Human Services (HHS)
Campus location
Alex & Jo Campbell Centre for Health & Wellness building (CHW) 207
Location link
Admissions questions: