Dental Hygiene | Peninsula College

Peninsula College is proud to announce the initial accreditation of our Dental Hygiene program. The program will launch in Fall, 2026.

The Dental Hygiene Associate of Applied Science–Transfer (AAS-T) degree at Peninsula College prepares students for eligibility as licensed dental hygienists while expanding access to high-quality dental hygiene education for diverse communities in Clallam and Jefferson Counties. Designed with equity and student success at its core, the program integrates rigorous academics, hands-on clinical experience, and robust support services to guide students from entry through completion and well prepared for high-demand healthcare careers and eligible for licensure in as little as 24 months.

About the Program

Through small class sizes, inclusive and collaborative learning environments, and on-campus clinical experiences in the Peninsula College Dental Hygiene Clinic, students gain individualized instruction and real-world preparation. The AAS-T degree also provides a cost-effective pathway to apply for licensure in Washington State and supports transfer opportunities, enabling graduates to strengthen community health while building sustainable, rewarding careers in dental hygiene.

What Students Will Learn

The curriculum aligns with standards established by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA), incorporates employer input, and reflects best practices in dental hygiene education. Students develop the knowledge, skills, and professional competencies needed to deliver patient-centered oral healthcare across a variety of practice settings while responding to the evolving needs of the dental hygiene profession.

Prospective Dental Hygiene Students:

Where can I learn more? See the Dental Hygiene program description in the college catalog.

Dental Hygiene Applied Science-Transfer (AAS-T) Degree

Dental Hygiene Program Costs:

All enrolled students must purchase a significant tool kit early in the program. You can use grants, loans, scholarships, or other types of funding to help with this cost. We recommend applying for FAFSA or WASFA. WASFA is Washington State aid, and can help students who do not qualify for Federal aid. Please only complete one of these forms. Completing both may significantly delay your aid. Please contact the Peninsula College Financial Aid Office if you need support applying for aid.

Peninsula College Financial Aid Office

If you need additional funding or do not qualify for traditional financial aid, you can also explore our Scholarship options and those available via the American Dental Hygienists' Association and the American Dental Education Association.

American Dental Hygienists' Association American Dental Education Association

Dental Hygiene Application Process Is Included in the Frequently Asked Questions below.

Application Deadline: June 1, 2026
Classes Begin: September 21, 2026

Program Contact:
Paula Watson, RDH, MS
Dental Hygiene Program Director
pwatson@pencol.edu

Dental Hygiene Program FAQs

Dental Hygiene Career Opportunities

Where do I begin if I want to become a dental hygienist?

Learn about the role of dental hygienists, scope of practice, and the Peninsula College Dental Hygiene Program Technical Standards requirement.

Revised Code of Washington (RCW) 18.29 Washington Administrative Code, Chapter 246-815 (WAC)

Meet with the Peninsula College Outreach Team, or if you are already an active Peninsula College student, contact the healthcare advisor.

Peninsula College Advising

Apply/Reapply to Peninsula College.

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What are the career opportunities and wages for dental hygienists?

There is a growing demand for Dental Hygienists. Graduates may find positions within a variety of dental practice settings. Regional demand is strong, with average local hourly rates between $50-$65+ per hour.

Prerequisites, Placement Tests & Prior Coursework

Do I need to take any placement tests?

Yes. Discuss the Placement Options for English and Math with your Advisor. Additionally, you will be required to take the ATI Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) exam as part of the dental hygiene application.

When should I take the TEAS exam?

Since you are required to take the TEAS before the application deadline of June 1, most students often take it before they have completed all prerequisites. It is possible to retake the TEAS, if needed. We will use your highest scores when we calculate points on the application.

The TEAS covers reading, math, science (including chemistry, AP) and English, so applicants should have taken enough of their prerequisites to be comfortable with the material. Information may be found at the Peninsula College testing center.

If I will not be done with my prerequisite coursework before the application is due (i.e., I take my last course during Spring Quarter), should I wait until next year to apply to the program?

No, you do not have to wait! Applicants who are completing remaining prerequisite courses during Spring Quarter can apply to the dental hygiene program.

Do my past courses expire?

In general, we do not have an expiration date on prerequisite coursework for the Dental Hygiene Program. All coursework taken outside of Peninsula College needs to be formally evaluated by the transcript evaluation specialist on campus to determine whether it will transfer.

Official college transcripts and transcripts showing AP credits can be sent to transcript@pencol.edu (or to the general Peninsula College mailing address) to be evaluated for credit transfer. Electronic transcripts must be sent by the institution you attended to be considered official. We would also encourage you to meet with a Student Success Advisor.

I failed/withdrew from a class, but passed it on the second try with a good grade—will this affect my application?

Currently, the selection committee is using the highest grade the student received in a course for application scoring. Points are not affected by whether the course was taken previously.

Application Process

When are applications accepted for the Dental Hygiene Program?

Applications are only accepted during the application window. The window generally opens in March with the current year deadline for application submission before 5:00 pm on June 1, 2026. Important dates are also posted on the Peninsula College Dental Hygiene webpage.

How do I submit my application to the Dental Hygiene Program?

Once you are ready to apply for the program, contact Student Services and ask to be part of the Dental Hygiene application group. Student Services can be reached via email at studentservices@pencol.edu or by phone at (360) 417-6340.

Once you are part of the group, this will give you access to the Dental Hygiene application Canvas course, which opens annually during Spring Quarter. It is not open before Spring Quarter.
The Dental Hygiene application course is where you find and upload the required documents and items to be reviewed for the application process.
Specific instructions will be provided once logged in.
Application deadline is June 1, 2026 at 5:00 pm.

How are applications assessed for the Dental Hygiene Program?

Points will be awarded for the required application materials. An application scoring grid will be viewable within the Dental Hygiene application Canvas course.
Meeting all requirements is not a guarantee of admission. Acceptance is competitive, and there are generally more qualified applicants than spaces available.
Top scoring applicants will be invited for an interview with the Program Director and faculty.

How many applicants will be accepted to the program?

The dental hygiene program will accept 10 applicants each year. Although we do not have data to share on odds of admission—Spring 2026 is the first application cycle—we can say that there is very strong interest in this new program. We anticipate the application pool to be large and competitive this first year of the program.

Will there be a program waitlist and what does this mean?

The top 20 applicants will be invited for interviews, and the top ten candidates after interviews will receive an offer letter. Some of the remaining ten candidates will be placed on the waitlist for the current year. The waitlist is cleared after the first week of classes.

Can I start the program during any quarter or take the program at a slower pace?

No. Only prerequisite courses can be spaced out or taken at any time, in any order. Once in the Dental Hygiene program, you will need to stay with your cohort and the pre-determined courses and clinical schedules.

Does Peninsula College rank dental hygiene applicants by their overall grade point average or previous degree?

No. Peninsula College does not rank dental hygiene applicants by their overall GPA or whether they have a previous degree. Greater amounts of points will be awarded for higher grades in the weighted prerequisite courses. An application scoring grid will be available to you when the application materials become available on Canvas.

What’s the best thing I can do on the application to get into the program?

First and foremost , follow all the directions to complete all the steps and components of the application on Canvas.
Do well in your pre-requisite courses, especially the weighted science courses.
Begin preparation for your TEAS test early and allow ample time in case you need to retake the test.
Answer the essay questions directly, succinctly, and clearly with college level grammar and spelling.

Additional Requirements

Is the COVID-19 vaccine required for Peninsula College Dental Hygiene program placement?: Yes. All dental hygiene students must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 by October 15 of each year participating in the program. For the safety of students and patients, the Peninsula College Dental Hygiene Program does not accept any COVID-19 exceptions for students.
Do I have to be certified in Basic Life Support (BLS) or CPR before applying to or entering the program?: No. BLS training will be provided as part of one of the courses during your first quarter of the program. Peninsula College Dental Hygiene students must maintain a current basic life support (BLS) for healthcare provider cards.

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