About this program

  • Credential Awarded: 3 Year Advanced Diploma
  • Campus: Welland
  • Code: 0265 P0265
  • Delivery Length: 6 Consecutive Terms (24 Months)
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Overview

Do you recognize the value of a healthy smile and want to play an important role in oral healthcare delivery?

As a Dental Hygienist, you are well-equipped to provide oral health education and excellent patient care in a clinical practice setting.

Highlights
  • Graduate in 24 months with a unique six-term delivery.

  • Exceptional pre-clinical practice and clinical opportunities in Niagara College’s modern, fully operational dental clinic.

  • Unique interprofessional education opportunities as part of an allied health team.

  • Comprehensive and varied placement experiences.

  • Accredited by the Commission of Dental Accreditation of Canada (CDAC).

  • Graduates are eligible to write the Federation of Dental Hygiene Regulators of Canada (FDHRC) entry to practice National Dental Hygiene Certification Examination (NDHCE). Upon successful completion of the NDHCE, graduates may apply to become a registered dental hygienist in Ontario.

Career Opportunities
  • Community health setting
  • Dental research
  • Educational institution
  • General dental practice
  • Hospital dental facility
  • Independent dental hygiene practice
  • Long-term care facility
  • Specialty dental practice
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Courses

Term one (2026 Fall)
Code Course Name Credits
ANAT1119 Orofacial Anatomy I 2
BIOL1103 Microbiology and Infection Control 2
BIOL1170 Anatomy and Physiology I 3
DENT1102 Dental Radiography I 3
DENT1108 Introduction to Dental Computer Concepts 2
DENT1120 Oral Health Prevention Promotion I 2
DENT1127 Dental Hygiene Principles and Professionalism I 3
DENT1145 Clinical Placement I - Dental Hygiene 8
Term two (2027 Winter)
Code Course Name Credits
ANAT1219 Orofacial Anatomy II 2
BIOL1180 Anatomy and Physiology II 3
BIOL1210 Microbiology II 2
COMM1153 English for Health Sciences 2
DENT1201 Dental Radiography II 3
DENT1207 Dental Hygiene Principles and Professionalism II 3
DENT1230 Oral Health Prevention Promotion II 2
DENT1231 Histology and Embryology 2
DENT1245 Clinical Placement II - Dental Hygiene 7
Term three (2027 Spring)
Code Course Name Credits
DENT1306 Periodontology 3
DENT1307 Dental Hygiene Principles and Professionalism III 2
DENT1313 Dental Biomaterials and Lab 3
DENT1342 Human Pathophysiology 3
DENT1345 Clinical Placement III - Dental Hygiene 9
DENT1503 Radiographic Interpretation 1
HLTH1020 Introduction to Interprofessional Education and Practice 3
PHAR1303 Dental Pharmacology 3
Term four (2027 Fall)
Code Course Name Credits
DENT1204 Community Health I 2
DENT1350 Diverse Populations 4
DENT1407 Dental Hygiene Principles and Professionalism IV 2
DENT1411 Oral Pathology 3
DENT1432 Ethics and Health Care 2
DENT1445 Clinical Placement IV - Dental Hygiene 7
EDUC1222 Introduction to Research 1
HLTH1190 Nutrition and Diet Counselling 3
Term five (2028 Winter)
Code Course Name Credits
BUSN1502 Business Practice and Entrepreneurship 2
DENT1304 Community Health II 3
DENT1502 Dental Specialties 2
DENT1507 Dental Hygiene Principles and Professionalism V 2
DENT1521 Professional Practice and Jurisprudence 1
DENT1528 Evidence Based Practice 3
DENT1545 Clinical Placement V - Dental Hygiene 6
SOCL1430 Equity, Diversity and Inclusion in Canada 3
Term six (2028 Spring)
Code Course Name Credits
DENT1607 Dental Hygiene Principles and Professionalism VI 2
DENT1611 Dental Hygiene Practice Management 2
DENT1645 Clinical Placement VI - Dental Hygiene 9
HLTH1400 Health Care in Canada 2
HLTH1518 Health Policy and Advocacy 3
Elective Information

Completion of additional General Education elective 1 course required

Learning Outcomes Term: 1264
  1. practise in a professional and competent manner within the defined scope of practice and consistent with current regulations and standards of practice.

  2. evaluate clients’ oral health status using determinants of health and risk analysis to identify needs, justify treatment decisions and provide appropriate referrals to other health care professionals as required.

  3. design, implement and evaluate a range of primary, interceptive, therapeutic, preventative, and on-going oral health care services to meet the unique needs of clients.

  4. analyze oral health issues in need of advocacy, identify networks and promote actions that will support change and facilitate access to care.

  5. identify, select, implement and evaluate quality assurance standards and protocols which contribute to a safe and effective working environment.

  6. establish and maintain professional and interprofessional relationships which contribute to client care safety and positive health care outcomes.

  7. facilitate the development of specific oral health attitudes, knowledge, skills, and behaviours in clients by selecting and utilizing principles of teaching and learning.

  8. develop and present a model for a DH practice that addresses relevant business principles, current legislation and standards of practice.

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Admission Requirements

Important: Admissions Dates and Deadlines
This program is
competitive
and has important application deadlines, which can be found at niagaracollege.ca/deadlines/.
Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD), or equivalent including the following required course(s):
  • English – any Grade 12 (C) or (U), or equivalent
  • Mathematics – any Grade 11 (C), (U), or (M), or equivalent
  • Biology – Grade 11 (C) or (U) or Grade 12 (U)
  • Chemistry – Grade 11 (U) or Grade 12 (C) or (U) or
  • Physics – Grade 11 (U) or Grade 12 (C) or (U)
Selection and Ranking

Applications are evaluated based on the published admission requirements. When the applicant provides proof of meeting the requirements, an offer of admission can be issued, provided space is available in the program.

In the event the number of qualified applicants exceeds the available seats in the program, selection will be based on Ontario residency and the most senior level final grade available in required courses at the time of ranking.

Learn more about admission decisions for competitive programs.

Program Requirements
Important

Specific due dates for the following requirements: Communicable Disease Surveillance, First Aid/CPR and Criminal Record Check (as outlined below) will be included in the documentation posted to MyNC under "My Documents". Some program requirements could take several weeks to complete. All documentation must be submitted and cleared by the specified due dates otherwise you risk losing your acceptance into the program.

Communicable Disease Surveillance
  • The confidential Communicable Disease Surveillance (CDS) Form must be completed and submitted to Student Health Services prior to the start of the program.
  • Please view the CDS Form and Checklist for health requirements at niagaracollege.ca/cdsform/.
  • If the CDS process is not completed your placement, clinic or co-op opportunity will be denied.
First Aid and CPR
  • Current Standard First Aid certification and Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR/AED) Level BLS (Basic Life Support) / HCP (Health Care Provider) is required by the start of the program.
  • CPR Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR/AED) Level BLS (Basic Life Support) / HCP (Health Care Provider) must be renewed annually.
  • All certifications must be met and remain current or placement/clinical will be denied and/or the student will be withdrawn from their current placement/clinical.
  • Students are required to provide copies of their certification for Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) at Level HCP (Health Care Provider), Adult/Child/Infant one and two rescuer CPR with AED and first aid for choking including artificial resuscitation using both pocket mask and bag-valve mask. (This program is designed for those with specific health care responsibilities).

Criminal Record Check
  • A Criminal Record Check with Vulnerable Sector Screening (CRC-VSS) which is less than 6 months old is required by the start of the program.
  • Students are responsible for maintaining annual CRC-VSS documentation.
  • Students will be required to obtain a Vulnerable Sector Screening (VSS) in order to be cleared for placement/clinical. Please note, in order to obtain a Vulnerable Sector Screening (VSS), students must be 18 years of age or older. If a student is not 18 years of age or older at the start of this program, they will experience delays in progression through the program.

Transportation
  • Students are responsible for their own transportation in order to complete program requirements which may not be readily accessible by public transportation.
  • Program requirements could include co-ops, placements, volunteer requirements, practical labs, field projects, assignments, clinicals, or any other off-campus visits required as part of the program’s curriculum.
Mask Fit
  • Mask fit testing will be required for hospital clinical. The college will make arrangements for one mask fit test prior to clinical placement.
Student Dress Code
  • A student dress code is in effect for clinical courses.
Computer Requirements

Students are responsible for ensuring that they have a Microsoft Windows-based desktop or laptop that meets or exceeds the following general requirements:

  • A desktop or laptop running on an updated Microsoft Windows operating system (Windows 11 recommended).
  • Minimum 256GB SSD storage and 8 GB memory (note that 16 GB memory is strongly recommended).
  • An integrated or peripheral video camera, microphone, and speaker system.
  • Reliable internet connectivity with Broadband capabilities. A minimum download speed of 10 – 50 Mbps is recommended.

Niagara College may not be able to provide support for systems different than the above specifications as provided software may not operate properly. Academic software for your courses will be made available for download and remote use. Access will also be provided to remote high performance computer labs if software downloads are not feasible.

Note: We do not provide support for Chromebooks or Apple products. (learn more)

Computer/technology requirements may be subject to change without notice.

All costs associated with program requirements are the responsibility of the student.

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Availability

Important: Admissions Dates and Deadlines
This program is
competitive
and has important application deadlines, which can be found at niagaracollege.ca/deadlines/.
Note: This program features a condensed schedule.

Students begin in term 1, progress through six consecutive terms without a break, and graduate in 24 months.

Domestic Applicants Apply
Legendfor intake status table
Open

Accepting applications

Waitlisted

Eligible applications will be placed on a waiting list

Closed

Not accepting applications

Suspended

No longer offered this term

International Applicants

Sorry, international applications are not accepted for this program.

The College reserves the right to cancel or make changes to any course or program, fee, procedure, or campus location at any time.

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Pathways

Explore your pathway options What are pathways? for the Dental Hygiene program below.

Did you know?

Applicants with previous postsecondary education will be assessed for transfer credits upon receipt of an official transcript from their previous institution. There is no fee for this service.

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Tuition

The below is a tuition fees estimate ( what's this?) for the indicated start term. Tuition fees are set in accordance with the Ontario Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities fee guidelines.

Year: 2025-2026
Start Term: Fall

Expand each level below for a fee breakdown.

Year 1
Level one $7,409.79
Fee Breakdown for Level one
Fee Type Fee Cost
Tuition
$3,540.59
Ancillary Fees
$1,269.20
Material Fees
$2,600.00
Level one Total
$7,409.79
Level two $6,848.79
Fee Breakdown for Level two
Fee Type Fee Cost
Tuition
$3,540.59
Ancillary Fees
$939.20
Material Fees
$2,369.00
Level two Total
$6,848.79
Level three $4,822.79
Fee Breakdown for Level three
Fee Type Fee Cost
Tuition
$3,540.59
Ancillary Fees
$879.20
Material Fees
$403.00
Level three Total
$4,822.79
Year 1 Total: $19,081.37
Year 2
Level four $5,134.79
Fee Breakdown for Level four
Fee Type Fee Cost
Tuition
$3,540.59
Ancillary Fees
$1,209.20
Material Fees
$385.00
Level four Total
$5,134.79
Level five $4,745.35
Fee Breakdown for Level five
Fee Type Fee Cost
Tuition
$3,540.59
Ancillary Fees
$879.20
Material Fees
$325.56
Level five Total
$4,745.35
Level six $4,679.79
Fee Breakdown for Level six
Fee Type Fee Cost
Tuition
$3,540.59
Ancillary Fees
$879.20
Material Fees
$260.00
Level six Total
$4,679.79
Year 2 Total: $14,559.93
Estimated Program Total: $33,641.30
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Advanced Tuition Tool

The tuition amounts provided are an estimate only ( what's this? ).

To generate a detailed fees calculation, which includes tuition, ancillary, and material fees for this or a different start term, please access the Advanced Tuition Tool.

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Sorry, international applications are not accepted for this program.

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I initially chose Niagara College based on the great reviews, both online and from former graduates. Now, as a full time student in the Dental Hygiene program, I know exactly why the clinical facilities available to our program are truly ‘state of the art’. Faculty and staff are always there to support the students and share their life experiences, which truly completes and seals the deal for college education. Friendly staff and faculty here motivated supported and helped me in realizing and achieving my true potential and it can only get better. If you are looking to gain valuable knowledge, enjoy the college experience and be world ready, Niagara College is the college to consider. My experience here has paved the way for a lifelong learning experience.

Krish Anil, program graduate

Niagara College has met every expectation I had for receiving an excellent education. The experienced faculty are great, the education is the best, come to Niagara College and you’ll discover the rest.

Kerri Wilson, program graduate

Being part of the Dental Hygiene program has been one of the most wonderful opportunities of my life. I am now capable of adapting to new skills and knowledgeable of the basic principles of professional communication. Being able to demonstrate my learned skills through clinical hands-on experience in a safe and effective manner was priceless.

Sarah Al-khatib, program graduate

The Dental Hygiene program at Niagara College has helped open doors for me that I never knew existed. Not only does the program have high academic standards, but it also offers invaluable hands-on clinical experience that ensures in a rewarding profession.

Jennifer Smith, program graduate

This program offers high academic standards, excellent professional faculty and many opportunities for students to gain valuable work experiences.

Babak Behroozneia, program graduate
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