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How to Apply to Dental Hygiene

Application Timeline

  • November 1–February 1: Application packets available online
  • February 1 at 5 p.m.: Application deadline
    • No late applications accepted
  • Mid-March: Applicants notified of their status

Follow these steps to apply to Dental Hygiene

All forms and documents mentioned in the steps below are in the TCC Dental Hygiene Program Application Packet.

  1.  Apply to TCC.
    • Once you are accepted as a student at TCC, you will get a TCC Student ID number. You will need a TCC Student ID number for your application to Dental Hygiene.
  2. Make sure you are eligible to apply to our program.
  3. Request copies of your official transcripts.
    • You will need 2 copies of your transcripts from all the colleges you have attended–including TCC.
    • You will submit 1 copy to the Admissions and Registrar Office and 1 copy with your application.
    • International students: Contact International Admissions (817-515-1570) if you have international transcripts.
  4. Take required admissions exams before applying to Dental Hygiene.
    • Health Education System, Inc. (HESI) Admission Exam
      • This exam covers general knowledge needed for our program and will be available September–January of each application period.
      • 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.
      • If you 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
      • 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 How will my HESI Exam results be used with my application? in the application packet.
      • How to 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
        3. Take the HESI exam
          • The HESI exam you take should include these components:
            • Science, including:
              • Anatomy & Physiology I & II
              • Microbiology
              • Chemistry
            • Reading/Grammar/Vocabulary
            • Math
          • Note: TCC Testing Centers do not offer this exam.
    • TOEFL iBT® (if English is not your first language)
      • 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 this test.
      • Your test must reach a total of 90 points to be accepted to the Dental Hygiene Program.
      • Learn how to register for the test: TOEFL iBT® Test Centers and Dates.
  5. Get a copy of your Texas State Board of Dental Examiners RDA certificate.
    • If you are:
      • RDA certified
      • Planning to have an employer submit work experience for your application
    • Your RDA Certificate is not available for download. You will need to make a copy of your RDA certificate to submit with your application.
  6. Arrange for Required Observation Hours and Work Experience / Observation Forms to be completed.
    • Coronavirus (COVID-19) Exception
      • Work Experience / Observation points will not count for the 2021 Dental Hygiene Program application year.
      • We want to ensure equal opportunity to all applicants and realize that recent events have likely prevented some from observing dental hygienists at work.
    • Virtual Observation Experience
    • Have a current RDA certificate at the time of application?
      • We will give you 0.1 bonus points.
      • Please include the necessary proof of your RDA certification from the Texas State Board of Dental Examiners with your application.
  7. Submit your complete application packet to the Health Sciences Office.
    • All documents must be turned in at one time and in one envelope to be a complete application packet. We will no longer accept separate parts during the application period.
      • Coronavirus (COVID-19) Exception
        • We request that application materials be sent electronically.
        • Your application materials need to be scanned or saved as PDF.
        • Camera photos will not be accepted.
    • A complete application includes:
      • Completed Dental Hygiene Application Submission Form
      • Completed Dental Hygiene Application
      • Official transcripts from all colleges attended, including TCC
      • Exam Results:
        • HESI Exam
        • TOEFL Exam (if required)
      • Copy of your Texas State Board of Dental Examiners RDA certificate
        • If you are:
          • RDA certified
          • Planning to have an employer submit work experience for your application
      • Virtual Observation Experience
        • Refer to Step 6
    • You can use the Dental Hygiene Application Submission Form as a map to confirm that you meet the requirements and complete the application process.
    • Application limit: You will be able to apply only 3 times to our Dental Hygiene Program. 

 

Contact

Northeast Campus

Health Sciences Department

Visit NHSC, Room 1131

Call 817-515-6435

Email health.sciences@tccd.edu

Updated July 27, 2021