Program Overview

Dental Hygiene Ontario College Advanced Diploma program

Program Description

You prepare for the role of oral health professional specializing in health promotion, disease prevention, and therapeutic care. The curriculum encompasses dental hygiene theory and practice, oral health and biomedical sciences, and the practical skills required for clinical practice, including hands-on learning labs and clinical experiences. You learn the principles of professional responsibility and communication, health promotion, advocacy and evidence-informed health care through the lens of equity, diversity and inclusion principles. You begin by applying theory to practice starting in a preclinical setting, gradually building the competence to apply skills in a client-care environment. Under supervision, you are supported while you provide ethical and culturally sensitive dental hygiene care onsite in the Georgian College Oral Health Clinic and in community placements.

Intake Information

• Start date: Fall 2025
• Campus: Barrie

Tuition and Fees

• Visit our tuition and fees page for detailed information on the cost to attend Georgian.
• You can afford this! Explore OSAP as well as awards, scholarships and bursaries to help you pay your way to graduation.

Work-Integrated Learning

• This program includes a clinical placement component where you’ll get clinical experience under the supervision of an experienced registered or licensed professional.
• Learn about types of work-integrated learning at Georgian.

Admission Requirements

• Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or equivalent, mature student status
• Grade 12 English (C or U)
• Grade 12 Math (C or U)
• Grade 12 Chemistry (C) or Grade 11 or 12 Chemistry (U)
• Grade 11 or 12 Biology (C or U)

Mature students, non-secondary school applicants (19 years or older), and home school applicants may also be considered for admission. Eligibility may be met by applicants who have taken equivalent courses, upgrading, completed their GED, and equivalency testing.

Selection Process

Applicants will be assessed and ranked based on academic grades. A minimum grade of 75% in each pre-requisite subject is recommended.

Criminal Reference/Vulnerable Sector Check

Placement agencies require an up-to-date clear criminal reference check and vulnerable sector check prior to going out on placement. Students should obtain their criminal reference three months prior to placement; checks conducted earlier may not be considered current.

Additional Information

• It is required that students have Level HCP CPR and Standard First Aid prior to commencing the program (On-line courses are not acceptable).
• It is the student’s responsibility to renew their Level HCP CPR certification annually while in the program.
• Applicants must also have up-to-date immunization records (Clinical Preparedness Permit) in compliance with the Public Hospitals Act.
• A police records check including a Vulnerable Sector Screening is required for clinical placement.

Career Opportunities

Graduates of this program are prepared with the knowledge and clinical experience required to become a regulated health professional in Ontario. Employment opportunities are found in a traditional dental office as a member of the oral health care team, or as an independent practitioner and proprietor of one’s own practice. Employment opportunities for the dental hygienist are also found in research, community and public health, administration and industry settings.

Course Overview

• 29 Program Courses
• 4 Clinical Placements
• 2 Communications Courses
• 3 General Education Courses

Program-Specific Courses

• DENT 1013 – General and Oral Microbiology
• DENT 1014 – Dental and Orofacial Anatomy
• DENT 1047 – Introduction to the Dental Hygiene Profession
• DENT 1054 – Oral Histology and Embryology
• DENT 1086 – Pre-Clinical Dental Hygiene 1
• DENT 1087 – Anatomy and Physiology: Introductory Concepts for the Dental Hygienist
• Select 1 course from the communications list during registration.

Course Delivery Method

• In person: This program is delivered fully in person and requires you to attend campus.

Frequently Asked Questions

• What is the difference between a dental assistant and a dental hygienist?
  • A dental assistant works alongside a dentist, assisting them with a variety of dental procedures. A dental hygienist is a regulated health professional under the Regulated Health Professions Act (1991). This means that practice is guided by legislation. A dental hygienist plays an important role within the dental office, but works independently.
• Do I need to complete Dental Assisting or have dental experience in order to enrol in the Dental Hygiene program?
  • No. The Dental Hygiene curriculum is designed to build on concepts, with the first semester providing a foundation in all areas.
• Is the Dental Hygiene program demanding?
  • Yes! Each semester (six total), you’ll have between 21 to 23 hours of class per week, starting as early as 8 a.m. and extending into the evening.
• How can I be successful in the Dental Hygiene program?
  • To succeed in the Dental Hygiene program at Georgian, you should: have good time management skills, be self-directed, be willing to dedicate a significant amount of time to your studies, and be a good communicator.
• Does the program include an offsite placement? Can I complete my clinical hours in a dental office?
  • Students in the Dental Hygiene program complete all their clinical hours in the Georgian College Oral Health Clinic, located at the Barrie Campus.
• Will I require a clinical permit to complete the Dental Hygiene program?
  • Yes, a clinical permit is required. This is a set of requirements that is based on public health guidelines and is mandatory for all Health, Wellness and Science programs.
• Will I require any additional equipment for the program?
  • Dental Hygiene students are required to purchase an instrument kit from Georgian Stores. These instruments have been chosen specifically to match what is taught in the courses. We do not recommend purchasing used instruments.