Do you have an orientation meeting for prospective students?

Yes, an information session for interested students is conducted on the second Monday of January, February, March (the first Monday if the second Monday falls during Spring Break), April, June, July, September, October and November. These meetings are at 4 p.m. in the Health Sciences Center on the Temple College East Campus.

It is recommended that interested students do not wait until the last minute to attend an information session. The sessions are intended to provide the information you need to start the application process.

Are there prerequisite classes I must take before I can apply?

Yes, there are three courses that must be completed before an individual can apply to the program: BIOL 2401, Human Anatomy and Physiology I; BIOL 2421, Microbiology; and CHEM 1305 and 1105 lab, Introductory College Chemistry. BIOL 2402 (Human Anatomy and Physiology II) is also a prerequisite, but it does not have to be completed prior to making application, but it must be completed prior to enrolling in the first semester of Dental Hygiene classes.

Do I have to take the prerequisite classes at Temple College, or can I take them somewhere else?

You can take the prerequisites at any accredited college or university. However, if you are taking the prerequisites an another school, you must provide us a description of the course from your college catalog or a copy of your syllabus so we can determine if the class is accepable and will transfer to our program.

Are there tests I must pass before I can apply?

Yes, there are two: THEA (Texas Higher Education Skills Assessment -- all three sections), and HOBET (Health Occupations Basic Entrance Test).

The counseling department told me I'm exempt from the THEA test. Do I still have to take it?

Yes, unless (prior to April 1995) you have taken and scored a 970 on the SAT (minimum of 470 on math and 420 on verbal), or, after April 1995, you scored a 1070 on the SAT, with a minimum of 500 on both verbal and math. The Temple College Dental Hygiene Program does not accept any other alternative tests. Contact the Testing Department at Temple College or the college you currently attend for information about the THEA.

I have never heard of the HOBET. What is it, exactly?

The Health Occupations Basic Entrance Test (HOBET) is for students preparing to begin formal education in the health occupations. It is designed, primarily, as a diagnostic instrument to assist health science programs evaluate the academic skills of new applicants to their programs. Based upon the profile generated by this test, a program can more objectively screen applicants for admission. The HOBET carefully evaluates basic operations in mathematics that are essential for success in health science programs. The HOBET evaluates reading comprehension at the inferential level for science-related material, and the reading rate estimates the words per minute that the applicant can read when placed in a test study situation. The Temple College Testing Center administers the HOBET.

How many students are accepted each year?

The Dental Hygiene Program admits 12 students each summer. The application deadline is January 20 each year, and the highest-ranking 12 candidates will be informed of their conditional acceptance into the Temple College Dental Hygiene Program. Additional candidates will be placed on the alternate list and will be notified of their standing.

Why do you have an alternate list?

It is not at all unusual for a dental hygiene program to go to an alternate list. There are many reasons that an accepted student might alter her/his plans: acceptance into another program, change in family status, job relocation, etc.

Individuals on the alternate list are given as much notice as possible.

Is there a waiting list?

No, the Dental Hygiene Program takes the 12 most qualified candidates each year. Some students are admitted the first time they apply, whereas some students apply more than once.

What is the best way to be one of those "most qualified candidates?"

Make good grades on the science prerequisite courses and required examinations. Our point system is very heavily weighted toward academic performance. Students who score highly on college courses and the standardized tests have a better chance of becoming accepted than students with marginal or average grades.

What if I don't get in the first time I apply? What should I do?

Your first step should be to contact the Dental Hygiene office and ask a faculty member to review your application with you. She can indicate where your weaknesses are and discuss options. Remember that the students with better academic records and test scores are accepted, so work toward raising your science grade point average and overall GPA, which may include retaking courses. Also, study guides for the THEA and HOBET are available to help you better prepare to retake those tests. When students retake the tests and make better scores, we use the higher scores to make our determination.

How long is the program? And what are the hours?

After completing the prerequisites, the program is six straight semesters, including summers. Students enter in the summer and graduate in May, two years later.

Students attend classes and clinics during morning and afternoon hours. All clinicals take place in the Jean and Ralph Wilson Dental Hygiene Clinic in the Health Sciences Center on the Temple College East Campus.

What about licensing examinations?

During their final semester, students will take the National Board Examination, the Western Regional Examination Board (or a regional/state board which serves the area in which the student plans to relocate), and a state jurisprudence examination. After successfully completing these three examinations, graduates apply to a State Board of Dental Examiners for their license to practice dental hygiene.

What all can I do with a degree in dental hygiene?

The Associate of Applied Science Degree in Dental Hygiene will prepare you to become a primary healthcare professional, oral health educator, and practitioner who provides educational, preventive, and therapeutic services.

Dental hygienists have employment opportunities in general and specialty dental practices and clinics, pharmaceutical and dental supply companies, community health agencies, education and research institutions, and management settings.

For more information about a career in Dental Hygiene, see our links to ADHA (American Dental Hygienists' Association) and TDHA (Texas Dental Hygienists' Association).

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