Durham college dental hygiene admission requirements

Last Updated on August 28, 2023

The Dental Hygiene program integrates academic studies and clinical practice to prepare you to practice with the client and the community, providing collaborative health care in a variety of settings. Specializing in preventive oral health, dental hygienists work collaboratively with other health professionals to provide client-centred care. Equipped with knowledge of current standards of practice, ethical principles and a dedication to oral health, you will give your clients another reason to smile.

Durham College is committed to providing students and employers with excellent, accessible programs that suit our interconnected world. Focused on preparing students for their future in the ever-changing health care field, we incorporate current research and scientific evidence into our curriculum.

Right here on infolearners, you are privy to a litany of relevant information on durham college dental hygiene reviews,dental hygienist requirements canada,dental hygienist online course canada, and so much more. Take out time to visit our catalog for more information on similar topics.

Durham College Annual Report 2018 - 2019

Durham college dental hygiene Tuition

Year one domestic: $8,968 (CAD)

Durham college dental hygiene courses

Semester 1 Courses

  • Orofacial Anatomy I (ANTY 1508)
  • Anatomy & Physiology I (BIO 1502)
  • Introduction To Dental Materials (DENT 1517)
  • Dental Hygiene Practice I (DHPR 1506)
  • Dental Hygiene Theory I (DHTH 1505)
  • Microbiology & Infection Control (MICR 1511)
  • Professional Communications (PCDH 1500)
  • Introduction To The Profession Of Dental Hygiene (PDH 1500)
  • Radiography Theory 1 (RAD 1500)

Durham college dental hygiene admission requirements

Admission Requirements

  • Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or Mature Student Status
  • Grade 12 English (C or U) (minimum 60 per cent average)
  • Grade 11 or 12 biology (C, M or U)
  • Grade 11 or 12 chemistry (C, M or U)
  • Grade 11 or 12 mathematics (C, M or U)

View All Requirements

Admission Requirements

  • Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or Mature Student Status
  • Grade 12 English (C or U) (minimum 60 per cent average)
  • Grade 11 or 12 biology (C, M or U)
  • Grade 11 or 12 chemistry (C, M or U)
  • Grade 11 or 12 mathematics (C, M or U)

Technology recommendations

To help students succeed in programs with remote learning requirements, Durham College’s IT Services department has identified minimum technology recommendations. While these are not program requirements, these suggestions will help ensure students have the right tools to support a quality remote learning experience.

Intakes and Availability

DateDomestic AvailabilityInternational Availability
September 2021ClosedClosed
May 2022Open 

Admission process

Selection criteria can be based on a combination of the following:

  • Review of academic record
  • Review of required additional documentation including volunteer/work experience, reference letters, etc.
  • Test or questionnaire results
  • Portfolio review
  • Interview

Selection is based on the entrance requirements listed under individual program descriptions. All applications, and official supporting documents, received by ontariocolleges.ca on or before February 1 for fall start or October 1 for winter start and February 1 for spring start will be considered equally. Early application is encouraged. Programs that have more individuals apply than seats available by the equal consideration deadline will be deemed highly competitive and ranked in order. The most qualified applicants will be offered seats or placed on a waiting list.

Highly Competitive Programs

The term highly competitive denotes programs for which there are more qualified Ontario applicants than available seats. As a result, qualified applicants who have submitted applications, and all required supporting documents, no later than February 1 for a fall start, October 1 for a winter start and February 1 for spring start will undergo a specific selection process.

Priority of Admission

For highly competitive programs, students are accepted according to the following priorities:

  • Permanent resident of Ontario (under review)
  • Permanent resident of other province(s) and territory (ies) in Canada
  • Applicant from other countries

Programs anticipated to be highly competitive for the 2021 -2022 academic year:

  • Animal Care
  • Addictions and Mental Health
  • Behavioural Science – Honours Bachelor – NEW
  • Carpentry and Renovation Technician
  • Community Integration through Cooperative Education
  • Communicative Disorders Assistant
  • Dental Hygiene
  • Electrical Engineering Technician
  • Electrical Techniques
  • Mechanical Technician – Elevating Devices
  • Occupational Therapist Assistant/Physiotherapist Assistant
  • Paramedic
  • Practical Nursing
  • Practical Nursing –Flex Program
  • Social Service Worker

Please note: Admission Services reserves the right to add or delete from this list based on, but not limited to, applicant demand and/or program changes.

Selection process for highly competitive programs

Selection is based on an average of the four prerequisite senior level subjects (grades 11 or 12 or post-secondary) excluding co-op.

If subjects other than English are required for program entry, they will be used as part of the three other grades in the selection average if marks are available. If marks are not available for the prerequisite subject(s), you must currently be registered in the required subject(s) and your midterm marks must be received no later than February 1 for a fall start, October 1 for a winter start and February 1 for spring start. Marks for similar past courses will be substituted as follows:

  • Grade 11 English substituted for Grade 12 English (C, M or U)
  • Grade 11 mathematics substituted for Grade 12 mathematics
  • Grade 11 biology substituted for Grade 12 biology
  • Grade 11 chemistry substituted for Grade 12 chemistry or
  • Grade 11 physics substituted for Grade 12 physics

If multiple subject credit marks are available, the highest mark will be used.

Selection process for all other programs

If subjects other than English are required for program entry, they will be used as part of the three other grades in the selection average if marks are available. If marks are not available for the prerequisite subject(s), you must currently be registered in the required subject(s). This will qualify to receive a “conditional offer”. 

Mature Student

If you are 19 years or older by the beginning of classes, but have not yet completed your high school diploma, you will be considered a mature student. You must submit your application and any relevant transcripts to ontariocolleges.ca. For applicants who are missing prerequisite courses, additional testing or upgrading may be necessary to meet admission requirements.

Academic upgrading

Academic upgrading is offered at Durham College to applicants of mature student status that are missing some of the prerequisites needed to enroll in a program. For further information please visit Academic Upgrading. For information about meeting the grade 12 (C or U) English requirement please visit the English Language Proficiency Requirement page.

Dental Clinic accepting patients for 2012 | Durham College

Dental hygienist requirements canada

What do dental hygienists do?

A lot more than just cleaning teeth. Dental hygienists educate patients, check for oral cancers, prevent cavities by placing sealants, administer fluoride treatments, examine your gums, and assess each patient’s overall healthcare. There’s definitely a lot of science and expertise involved, but all of it has a purpose and is related to helping patients achieve optimal oral health.

In Canada, there are three ways you can become a dental hygienist.

  1. A 2 to 3-year advanced diploma program offered at most colleges in Ontario. The good news? Ontario is pretty much the mecca in Canada for dental hygiene schooling, so you’re already in the right place.
  2. A bachelor of dental hygiene, which is offered at Dalhousie University and the University of British Columbia. These bachelor degrees also allow you to teach dental hygiene.
  3. A private college program for dental hygiene, which is a bit more expensive than the first two options.

Would you enjoy being a dental hygienist?

  • If you’re into healthcare but want to avoid shift-work, dental hygienists have stellar working hours and the option to work part-time.
  • It’s a great job for individuals with strong people skills! If you like chatting and working closely with people, it’s a good fit.
  • Dental hygienists spend much of their day standing, leaning and working with their hands. If you are comfortable with a more physical career, then it’s a great choice for you.
Dental Hygiene (Dental Hygiene) | Durham College

Dental hygienist online course canada

What is online education? Is online education the same as elearning?

Online education or elearning is an innovative approach to making professional development available to you from the comfort of your own home or wherever you may be, through the use of various electronic media via the Internet. You may take one or more courses online at a time and complete them at your own pace. Upon successful completion of each course, you will be provided with a certification of completion that may be submitted to your dental hygiene regulatory authority (DHRA) for recognition of your professional development requirements.

Can I take an online course if I’m not comfortable with using a computer?

Indeed, you can. Like anything else that you are not familiar with, it will take some time and practice to learn how to navigate the CDHA website and online courses. Once you understand the basic approach in taking an online course, you will become comfortable with using the computer. The only way to become comfortable with completing online education is to take an online course. The courses offer helpful tips to assist you along the way.

Is online education recognized by the dental hygiene regulatory authority (DHRA) in my jurisdiction for professional development credits required to renew my annual registration/license?

Each dental hygiene regulatory authority (DHRA) has different requirements around their quality assurance programs. The number of credits required annually of registered dental hygienists is determined by each DHRA. The estimated length of time for each course is listed under the format for learning tab at the bottom of the course description page. Webinars offered by CDHA are typically one hour in length, but the duration may vary. Generally most CDHA offerings are recognized by the different DHRA, but it is always the responsibility of the member to ensure that the courses and webinars they are taking are accepted by their regulatory body.

How do I register for a course?

You register for an online course by clicking on Access Now. This will bring you to a page that will ask you to login to the member site (if you are not already logged in), enter your login and password. For courses with a fee, insert your credit card information, and click Submit Order. As soon as your registration is processed, you will be provided access to the electronic material and you may start taking the course. For free courses, the electronic material will be added to your CDHA profile. Should you require assistance during the registration process, please call CDHA’s accounting staff at 613.224.5515 or 800.267.5235.

How do I take the course?

Once you are registered in a course, you must login to the members’ only website, navigate to the My Profile page, and click on your course title. For most courses, you will have access to course modules, handouts, a resource manual, and a final examination. Note that you must view the video presentation of Module 1 to completion to have access to the next module, and so on. You may go back and view a module previously viewed, but you cannot skip forward when viewing the modules. You may wish to print the PowerPoint handouts for taking notes when viewing the video presentation of the same module. The resource manual (if applicable) is a workbook that you may print and use to complete the learning activities. The manual also provides useful tips, additional references and templates. You will have access to the final examination only when you have viewed to completion the last module in the course.

How much time do I have to do the course?

You will have one year from the date of registration to complete the activities required in order to obtain your certificate of completion. After that time, the course or webinar will be removed from your profile, and you would need to re-purchase in order to complete, provided the course or webinar is still available for purchase. One of the many benefits of elearning is that you take the course at your pace. Each course indicates the suggested number of hours it will take to view the videos, to do the readings and learning activities, as well as prepare for the final examination. You may take more or less time to complete the course, since you do not have a limited amount of time to complete the course. Also, you may stop and come back to complete the course as many times as you like, and review the video presentations as you prepare to take the final examination.

Do I need to purchase required texts?

Most courses do not require you to purchase a text, however, access to a textbook is required for some courses in order to complete the learning activities assigned in the modules and prepare for the final exam. The course information provides the textbook reference and the website link of the publisher and one other source to purchase the text online. Note that you will not be able to complete the learning activities without the text. The learning activities were designed to complement the course content by ensuring the amount and depth of the content meets the learning objectives, and to assist you when you review the content in your preparation to take the final examination.

Is there a final examination? How many questions are there? What is the passing grade?

Yes, each course has an evaluative component. This means to pass the course you must complete a final examination online. It is the only timed component of the course. Generally, the passing score is 80%. The number of examination questions and time available to complete the exam (if applicable) is available on the course website. Remember to read each question carefully and choose the correct answer. Should you not pass your first attempt, you may attempt the second version of the examination.

Will I get a certificate when I pass the course?

Yes, upon completing the final examination with a score of 80% or more, you will be able to print off a certificate of completion. This certificate will be available on your My Profile page of the CDHA website. This certificate may be submitted to the dental hygiene regulatory authority in your jurisdiction for recognition of the professional development you have completed and can count towards your annual professional development requirements.

What happens if I fail the course? Can I take the course again?

Should you not pass the first and second attempts of the final examination, please call the CDHA at 613.224.5515 or 800.267.5235 to discuss your options.

What do I do if I have questions or need help?

Should you have questions or require assistance, please call the CDHA at 613.224.5515 or 800.267.5235. For technical support contact CDHA Technical Support at extension 500 and for questions relating to content, the learning activities or the final examination contact the Manager of Professional Development at extension 128.

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