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, youll be part of an oral health care team that provides professional treatment and advice to help people prevent or halt existing dental diseases and泭support 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 employed泭in a job related to their program.
Hands-on learning
In a small classroom environment and within the live clinic environment, youll acquire the knowledge and skills needed to provide preventative, educational and therapeutic dental hygiene services. Youll also learn to evaluate research, communicate professionally and泭practice collaboratively with dentists泭and other health care professionals.泭
Our faculty is made up of talented and dedicated professionals with advanced degrees in education or dental hygiene.
Well help you succeed
The Diploma in Dental Hygiene provides the educational foundation youll need to succeed in the泭increasingly 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 of泭university transfer courses.
Community learning
Youll have opportunities to provide education and care to local community groups. On a broader scale, youll also make connections with dental hygiene students from other countries who visit our Dental Hygiene program. There are also opportunities to泭travel within BC and abroad泭in 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.泭 First, 51勛圖app 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.泭
You can also complete a泭Baccalaureate Degree of Science in Dental Hygiene泭in泭one year泭at the University of British Columbia or the University of Alberta or obtain a泭Bachelor of Health Sciences泭at Thompson Rivers.
To find out more about the dental hygiene profession, check out the泭
Indigenous priority admissions泭
For a limited time each year, Camosun offers 12.5 percent priority seating for qualified泭Indigenous students in泭all泭Health and Human Services programs.泭
Apply for an泭Indigenous priority seat.
What you'll learn
Current students wanting information about your program, go to student planning in泭.
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, youll build on your foundation knowledge of oral science, clinical care and professional practice. Youll 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 51勛圖app Dental Hygiene Clinic, and participation in international field schools.
DHYG program handbooks
Find current student information in the泭School of Health and Human Services泭and DHYG program泭handbooks.
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:泭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.
泭
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 our泭Public Dental Clinic泭 pages.
Faculty/staff profile
Faculty/staff profile
Faculty/staff profile
Faculty/staff profile
Faculty/staff profile
Faculty/staff profile
Faculty/staff profile
Learn more
For more details, including courses, please see the program outline in the academic calendar.泭
Contact information
School of Health and Human Services (HHS)
Campus location
Alex & Jo Campbell Centre for Health & Wellness building (CHW) 207
Location link
泭
Admissions questions: