The selection process is based on a point-system. It is recommended that the general education and science courses in the curriculum (nine co-requisite courses) should be completed prior to admission to the program.

The nine co-requisite courses are as follows:

• BIOL 2401 Human Anatomy and Physiology I
• CHEM 1406 Basic Chemistry
• BIOL 2402 Human Anatomy and Physiology II
• BIOL 2420 Microbiology for Health Sciences
• ENGL 1301 Composition I
• SOCI 1301 Introductory Sociology
• PSYC 2301 General Psychology
• Communications (SPCH) Core Elective (choose one course from the following):
  • SPCH 1311 Introduction to Speech Communication
  • SPCH 1315 Fundamentals of Public Speaking
  • SPCH 1321 Business and Professional Communication
• Creative Arts OR Language, Philosophy and Culture Core Elective (choose one course from the core electives listed by clicking HERE.)

To become a competitive applicant, the student should strive to complete as many co-requisite courses possible and achieve at least a “B” or better average in each of the nine co-requisite courses.  Lastly, all science courses completed must be within a five-year period prior to enrollment in the Dental Hygiene program.  Completion of the general education and science courses enhances a student’s selection to the program.

The above criteria are weighted to arrive at a score for each applicant.  The Selection Committee selects the 24 highest scoring as primary candidates and the others are alternates ranked also by their scores.  If a primary candidate withdraws his/her application, the vacancy is filled by an alternate with the highest score on the alternate list.  This process continues until the class of 24 is filled. 

A selection committee, consisting of the program director and program faculty, will meet in March to select the next class.   All applicants will be notified by email, of the selection committee's decisions, by March 31st.  Applicants not selected are advised to contact Del Mar College's Student Enrollment Center or Dental Hygiene Program Director for advice concerning their academic goals.

All students majoring in the health care fields must provide documented proof that they have been fully immunized.  These requirements apply to students enrolled in the health care majors who have direct or will have direct patient contact.  Upon “conditional” acceptance, the student must provide copies of documented proof of immunizations.

Immunizations and other requirements:

• Tetanus/Diphtheria: must have one dose within past ten years
• Measles: those born since January 1, 1957, must have at least one dose since 12 months of age.  The two doses must be at least 30 days apart.
• Mumps:  those born since January 1, 1957, must have at least one dose since 12 months of age.
• Rubella:  at least one dose since 12 months of age is required.
• Hepatitis B: a complete series is required prior to beginning direct patient care – before fall enrollment in Dental Hygiene Program (It takes 6 months to complete the series of 3 injections)
• Tuberculosis test: must be current within a year
• Criminal background check.

Upon “conditional” acceptance, the student must pass a background check and drug screening through PreCheck, Inc., at student's expense.  Final acceptance into the program is contingent upon a “clear” background check AND a “clear” drug screening.  Students who receive a "conditional" acceptance letter from the Program Director will be instructed in regards to when the background check and drug screening must be completed. 

If the student fails to receive a “clear” background check, the student must submit an “eligibility letter” from the Texas State Board of Dental Examiners (TSBDE) to the Director of Dental Programs.  The TSBDE may deny application for licensure based on a person’s conviction under state or federal law of a felony or misdemeanor that directly relates to the duties and responsibilities of the profession for which the person seeks licensure.  If the student receives an “ineligibility letter” from the TSBDE, final acceptance into the program will be denied. 

If the student fails to receive a “clear” drug screening through PreCheck, Inc., final acceptance into the program will be denied.

Dental hygiene students must be physically and mentally capable of performing the essential functions of a dental hygienist in a manner that is safe for the student and their dental patients in the clinical environment.  Dental hygiene students are required to meet the following mental and physical functions with or without reasonable accommodations. 

• Critical thinking
• Effective oral and written communication skills
• Effective interpersonal skills
• Professional attitudes and behaviors
• Ability to use reasonable judgment under stressful conditions
• Ability to work independently while maintaining the highest standards of care
• Effective time management and patient management
• Ability to present a professional appearance, maintain personal health
• Emotional stability
• Gross & fine motor skills sufficient to provide safe and effective dental hygiene care while handling sharp dental hygiene instruments
• Fine motor skills sufficient to lift and operate equipment safety
• Physical mobility, range of motion, manual dexterity, eye-hand coordination
• Physical endurance for sitting, standing, and moving for long periods of time
• Visual and perceptual abilities sufficient for patient assessment
• Auditory ability and other sensory skills sufficient to monitor and assess oral health needs
• Tactile sensitivity sufficient for detection and control with light pressure using small instruments

 If a dental hygiene student’s health changes during the program so that the essential functions cannot be met with or without reasonable accommodations, the student may be withdrawn from the Dental Hygiene Program. The Dental Hygiene Program Director reserves the right to require a medical clearance from a physician in order to assist with the evaluation of the student’s ability to perform the required essential functions.

A student wishing to be readmitted to the program must make a formal application to the program and to the College, if not currently enrolled.  The application process for all applicants is listed in the Del Mar College Catalog.  Re-admission is subject to the same requirements, procedures and acceptance considerations that apply to first time applicants.  Individuals may be readmitted at the discretion of Del Mar College based on but not limited to course grade, attendance record, professional behavior, psychomotor skill development and space available basis.

Students enrolled in the Del Mar College Dental Hygiene Program who discontinue the program more than two times, regardless of circumstances, will not be considered as a future applicant for the Del Mar College Dental Hygiene Program.

The Dental Hygiene Program “normally” does not accept transfer students from other dental hygiene programs due to its limited student capacity.  The maximum number of students that can be supported by the limitations of the facility is 24.  Each fall, a new class of 24 students is enrolled.  All applicants, to include dental hygiene transfer students, are required to follow the program’s admission requirements.

Dental hygiene transfer students can only be considered IF:

• Spot available and satisfactorily meets selection process
• Attended previous CODA accredited dental hygiene program no more than 1.5 years prior to year admission is desired in the Dental Hygiene Program
• An official college letter from previous dental hygiene program’s director is provided stating that the student left the program in “good standing” and would be considered for future readmission (director will be contacted to confirm letter)
• An instrumentation skills evaluation is satisfactorily achieved

***Program Director has final decision.

Note:  In order to graduate from Del Mar College, the transfer student is required to complete a minimum of 25% coursework at Del Mar College.  The dental hygiene degree plan consists of a total of 68 semester credit hours.  25% of the 68 semester credit hours is 17.

The Dental Hygiene Program supports the transferability of students to a baccalaureate degree.  Graduates of the Del Mar College Dental Hygiene program have considerable flexibility and mobility into other programs and degrees without undue loss of time or credit. The Associate of Applied Science degree is designed to meet Texas core curriculum requirements. Upon completion of the degree, the student may elect to transfer to a college or university of their choice.

If you are a recognized resident of the Del Mar College district, the following list reflects the approximate education cost associated with the Dental Hygiene Program.

The above approximated tuitions are estimated for the dental hygiene courses only.  The cost of the general education and science course requirements of the dental hygiene degree plan are not included in this estimate.

Residency requirements are contained in the college catalog.  You may also contact the Del Mar College Business Office for information on relative residency requirements.  Call (361) 698-1263. 

*Tuition and fees subject to change.

The required purchases for the Dental Hygiene Program include, but are not limited to, the following items:

First Year

Second Year

*Items MUST be purchased prior to the first day of class.  Ordering & payment instructions will be emailed in the summer. Other payment deadlines will be announced at the mandatory Dental Hygiene Program Orientation.  Please be prepared for payment. 

Note:

1. The cost of the general education and science course requirements of the dental hygiene degree plan is not included in this estimate.
2. Licensing expenses will differ for licensure in states other than Texas.
3. The above amounts are ESTIMATED costs. We cannot control price increases.