Admission to Dental Programs

Dental Hygiene-Associate in Science

Completed applications, including all admission requirements, must be received by the Admissions and Student Records office within the following time frame:

August admission: January 15 through close of business on June 29 (West Campus)

Note: If the application deadline falls on a day the College is closed, the application will be accepted on the next day the College is open for business.

Note: Students who fail to attend the term for which admission is granted must reapply to the program.

Application and Admission Requirements

1. Completed PHSC application and application fee
2. Completed Dental Hygiene program application and limited access application fee
3. Official high school transcript indicating graduation and receipt of standard high school diploma, or an official transcript of GED scores indicating receipt of a high school equivalency diploma
4. Official transcript from each U.S. college and university attended other than PHSC
5. Official scores from external agencies as appropriate for prerequisite courses (i.e., AP, CLEP, IB, etc.)
6. HESI (Health Education Systems, Inc.) admission assessment exam completed with a minimum level of 70 percent. Must be completed within two years of the dental hygiene program application date.
7. Cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 or higher
8. GPA of 2.5 or higher in the following prerequisite courses and complete each with at least a grade of "C" or higher:

   BSC 1085 - Human Anatomy and Physiology I

   BSC 1085L - Human Anatomy and Physiology I Laboratory

   BSC 1086 - Human Anatomy and Physiology II

   BSC 1086L - Human Anatomy and Physiology II Laboratory

   CHM 1025 - Introductory Chemistry (or higher level chemistry course)

   CHM 1025L - Introductory Chemistry Laboratory (or higher level chemistry lab)

   MCB 2010 – Microbiology

   MCB 2010L - Microbiology Laboratory

   AMH 2020 - History of the United States II OR POS 2041 - American Federal Government

   PSY 1012 - Introduction to Psychology  

   SPC 2608 - Introduction to Public Speaking

9. Completion of at least 16 hours of observation, volunteer service or work experience in dentistry, as verified by a dentist or dental hygienist. Must be completed within two years of the dental hygiene program application date.
10. Copy of current driver's license, (P.O. boxes will not be used for residency preference in the selection process.). If a driver's license, or equivalent, is not submitted as proof of residency, the application will be processed as a nonresident application.

Note: Once an application packet is submitted, it cannot be amended.

Selection Process

Applicants who meet minimum requirements as of the deadline dates will be ranked based upon prerequisite GPA, overall GPA, and HESI test scores. Residents of Pasco and Hernando counties will received preference over out-of-district residents.

Note: PHSC'S linkage agreement with Polk State College (PSC) reserves one opening per year for an eligible PSC transfer student transferring from that school. Applicants must complete all of the above requirements and submit application materials to the Admissions and Student Records office.