Dental Hygiene

The program application is available on this web page only during the application window.

August 2024 Admission

Applications for Fall 2024 will be accepted from January 15, 2024 until 4 p.m. on March 18, 2024.

Note: The application fee, online application, and all supporting documents must be submitted to complete the Dental Hygiene Program Application Admission Process. All items can be found in the Application Checklist below.

Application Checklist

• PHSC application with a $25 non-refundable fee for new students or a PHSC Readmission application for returning PHSC students not enrolled for more than 3 consecutive terms.
• Payment of the separate $25 non-refundable limited access Dental Hygiene application fee payable in WISE after your application has been submitted. Payment is due no later than the committee selection meeting.
• Dental Hygiene web application.
• HESI Assessment Exam with a cumulative passing score of 70% or higher.
• Clear, enlarged copy of current driver’s license indicating a physical mailing address (PO Box addresses will not be used for residency preference in the selection process).  If a driver’s license, or equivalent, does not prove Pasco or Hernando County residency, it will be processed as a non-resident (out-of-county) application.
• Official high school transcript with graduation date indicating receipt of a standard high school diploma or an official transcript of GED scores indicating receipt of a high school equivalency diploma, if not already submitted.
• Official transcripts from each U.S. College and university attended other than PHSC.
• Official scores from external agencies as appropriate for prerequisite courses (i.e. AP, CLEP, IB, etc.).
• Confirmation that any needed course substitutions or credit shortages have been approved by the application deadline date.
• Transfer Credits: If the course prefix and number of an evaluated transfer course is not equivalent to PHSC’s course prefix and number (ex. transfer course does not indicate BSC1085), then you will have to meet with an advisor to complete a course substitution.
• Minimum of 16 hours in observation, volunteer service, or work experience in dentistry as verified by a dentist or dental hygienist, completed within the last 2 years of the application date.
• A cumulative grade point average of 2.0 or higher.
• Complete the following prerequisite courses with a combined GPA of 2.5 or higher with at least a grade of “C” or higher (must be complete prior to applying for the program)
  • BSC 1085 - Human Anatomy & Physiology I (3 credits)
  • BSC 1085L - Human Anatomy & Physiology I Lab (1 credit)
  • BSC 1086 - Human Anatomy & Physiology II (3 credits)       
  • BSC 1086L - Human Anatomy & Physiology II Lab (1 credit)
  • MCB 2010 - Microbiology (3 credits)
  • MCB 2010L - Microbiology Lab (1 credit)
  • CHM 1025 - Introductory Chemistry (3 credits)
  • CHM 1025L - Introductory Chemistry Lab (1 credit)
  • PSY 1012 - Introduction to Psychology (3 credits)
  • SPC 2608 - Intro Public Speaking (3 credits)
• Civic Literacy - Pre-requisite and Requirement
  
  • Students will need to complete one of the following courses for graduation purposes, as well as a pre-requisite to the Dental Hygiene program.
    • AMH 2020 - History of the United States II (3 credits)
    • POS 2041 - American Federal Government (3 credits)