How to Apply to Dental Hygiene

Step 1: Apply to TCC

Apply online with ApplyTCC (use Firefox or Chrome for the best experience)

• Application instructions: How to Apply for Admission

Once you are accepted as a student at TCC, you will get a TCC Student ID number.

You need a TCC Student ID number for your application to Dental Hygiene.

Get 2 copies of Your Official Transcripts

You will need 2 copies of your official transcripts from all high schools, dual credit programs, and colleges you have attended, including TCC.

You will submit:

• 1 copy with your application to TCC
• 1 copy with your application to our Dental Hygiene Program

Taking courses during Fall 2024 semester?

Our application requires grades for all your Fall 2024 courses.

• Do not submit "in-progress" transcripts with your application.
• Do submit complete official transcripts with your application.

Wait until all your Fall 2024 grades are complete to request the copy of your official transcript that you will submit with your Dental Hygiene application.

• Deadline: You have until February 3 at 5 p.m. to submit your application and official transcripts.
• Note: You receive no benefit for applying early in the application period.

Step 2: Make sure you are eligible to apply

What are the requirements?

See Selective Admission: Dental Hygiene

Step 3: Get current official transcripts

Required: Separate Official Transcripts

You must upload 1 copy of each of your official transcripts to your online Dental Hygiene application. 

These official transcripts are for the Selection Committee to review. We are unable to share official transcripts with the Registrar’s office.

You will need copies of your official transcripts with completed coursework from all:

• High schools
• Dual credit programs
• Colleges you have attended, including TCC

Incomplete Application

Without complete official transcripts attached, your Dental Hygiene application will be incomplete.

Taking courses during Fall 2024 semester?

Our application requires grades for all your Fall 2024 courses.

• Do not submit "in-progress" transcripts with your application.
• Do submit complete official transcripts with your application.

Wait until all your Fall 2024 grades are complete to request the copy of your official transcript that you will submit with your Dental Hygiene application.

• Deadline: You have until February 3 at 5 p.m. to submit your application and official transcripts.
• Note: You receive no benefit for applying early in the application period.

International Students

Contact International Student Admissions & Compliance (817-515-1570) at least 8 weeks before the application deadline to schedule an appointment if you have international transcripts.

Step 4: Take the required admissions exam—Health Education Systems, Inc. (HESI)—before applying

When can I take the HESI Admission Exam?

The exam is open from September 1–January 24, 2025.

• Last day to register: Wednesday, January 15
• Last day to take the exam: Friday, January 24

No exceptions for technical delays.

What does the HESI Exam cover?

This exam covers general knowledge needed for our program.

You will be tested on general knowledge from the:

• 7 non-Dental Hygiene (DHYG)-specific courses listed on our degree plan
• TSI components needed to be college ready in reading, writing and math

We recommend that you take the HESI Exam in the year you plan to apply in order to prevent loss of test scores or possible expiration.

What if I took the HESI Exam last year?

You can use your scores from last year and submit them with your application this year.

Or you can retake the HESI Exam to try to improve your scores and submit your new scores with your application this year.

How will my HESI Exam scores be used with my application?

You will be awarded points based on the scores received from the HESI Exam. These points will be added into the calculation of the Overall Rating.

For details, see the How will my HESI Exam results be used with my application? section in the application packet.

How do I register for the HESI exam?

1. Create a one-time registration with Elsevier, the exam sponsor, for HESI–Student Access.
   1. Go to the Evolve home page
   2. Select I'm a student
   3. Select Register for Distance Testing under HESI Secured Exams
   4. Select Register for this now on the HESI Registration page to put HESI Registration in your cart
   5. Select Redeem/Checkout
   6. Enter your name, email address and an account password to create your Evolve account.
   7. Read the Registered User Agreement
   8. Select Yes, I accept
   9. Select Submit

   Once you have registered, the HESI Assessment–Student Access link will appear under the My Content section in your Evolve account.

2. Register for the HESI (HP A2 V1) exam
   • For details: HESI Assessment Instructions (PDF)Listen
     • To request an accessible copy of this document, please call us at 817-515-6435 or 817-515-6448 or email us at health.sciences@tccd.edu
3. Take the HESI exam
   • The HESI exam you take should include these components:
     • Science, including:
       • Anatomy & Physiology I & II
       • Biology
       • Chemistry
     • Reading/Grammar/Vocabulary
     • Math
   • Note: TCC Testing Centers do not offer this exam.

Step 5: Take the TOEFL iBT^® exam if English is not your first language

To be admitted to TCC, you must submit passing scores for English language proficiency if you are an international student. See English Language Proficiency for more details.

Does the Dental Hygiene program have English language requirements?

If you did not graduate from a high school in the United States or on a U.S. military installation where English was the primary language, you will have to complete the TOEFL iBT^® exam.

Your test must reach a total of 90 points to be accepted to the Dental Hygiene Program.

Find out how to schedule your TOEFL iBT®. You will also find test centers that offer this test, test dates, and costs.

Graduate from a high school in an English-speaking country?

If you graduated from a high school in one of the following English-speaking countries, you must provide documentation of your graduation:

• Antigua & Barbuda
• Australia
• Bahamas, The
• Barbados
• Belize
• Bermuda
• British Virgin Islands
• Canada (except Quebec)
• Cayman Islands
• Dominica
• Grenada
• Guyana
• Ireland
• Jamaica
• Liberia
• Montserrat
• New Zealand
• South Africa
• St. Kitts & Nevis
• St. Lucia
• St. Vincent & the Grenadines
• Trinidad & Tobago
• Turks & Caicos Islands
• United Kingdom (England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales)

Step 6: Get a copy of your Texas RDA certificate (if applicable)

If you hold a current Texas State Board of Dental Examiners RDA certificate, you will need to make a copy of it to submit with your application.

Texas RDA Certificates are not available for download.

Step 7: Submit your application by the deadline

During the Application Period

Fill out and submit your online application once it becomes available in mid-November.

You will upload your supporting documents to the online application so have them ready in electronic format.

For your reference:

Dental Hygiene Application Information (PDF)Listen

• Have accessibility questions about this document? Call us at 817-515-6435 or email us at health.sciences@tccd.edu.

Complete Online Dental Hygiene Application Must Include:

Official Transcripts from all Institutions Attended

Your Dental Hygiene application will be incomplete and not eligible for consideration if you do not attach your official transcripts of completed coursework.

Include all schools attended:

• High schools
• Dual credit programs
• Colleges, including TCC

Your complete official transcripts must include your grades for all your Fall 2024 courses.

Do not submit "in-progress" transcripts with your application.

Exam Results

• HESI HP A2 V1 Exam
• TOEFL Exam (if required)

Texas RDA Certificate

• Copy of your current Texas State Board of Dental Examiners RDA certificate, if applicable.

Have questions about the online application?

Email us at health.sciences@tccd.edu or call us at 817-515-6435.