Frequently asked questions
Is the Vanport Building the only location offering this
program?
Yes, all PCC Dental programs are located at the Vanport Building in downtown Portland.
How competitive is the admissions process for PCC’s Dental Hygiene program?
PCC’s Dental Hygiene program is extremely competitive. We typically receive around 150 applications each year for only 20 available spaces.
What does a competitive applicant profile look like?
Competitive applicants typically have an overall prerequisite GPA of 3.9, with A’s in the science prerequisite courses, and some experience in a dental setting.
Is it required to be a Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) to apply? Do CDAs have a better chance of being accepted into the program?
No, being a Dental Assisting National Board (DANB) Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) is not required to apply to the Dental Hygiene program. However, applicants who have completed or are in progress with their DANB CDA can earn 7 points in the application scoring for healthcare experience.
What type of degree will I earn upon completing the program?
Graduates of the PCC Dental Hygiene program earn an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree.
What’s the difference between an Associate’s degree and a Bachelor’s degree in Dental Hygiene?
Both degrees allow graduates to sit for the National Board Dental Hygiene Exam (NBDHE) and other regional board exams required to become a Registered Dental Hygienist (RDH). A bachelor’s degree offers additional education and prepares dental hygienists for key roles in educational and other settings.
Can I transfer to pursue a Bachelor’s degree?
PCC’s courses are fully transferable to four-year institutions. PCC Dental Hygiene students can transfer their general education credits and Dental Hygiene program electives to various institutions for bachelor’s degree completion programs. It’s important to speak with an advisor at the institution you plan to transfer to, as they will make the final determination on which PCC credits are transferable and accepted.
Do I need to apply to PCC before applying to the Dental Hygiene program?
Yes, applicants must be an active, credit-seeking student at PCC before applying to the Dental Hygiene program. To view general college admissions deadlines and apply for admission, please visit the PCC admissions page.
Do I need to complete all prerequisites before applying?
Yes, all prerequisites must be completed by the end of the winter term before the application deadline. If you are planning to register for a course at PCC using a prerequisite course completed at another institution please submit your official transcript to our Student Records office by following these steps. You may also obtain a prerequisite override and/or meet with an academic advisor. For more on academic advising at PCC or to access the prerequisite override form, visit the Academic Advising website.
Can I use my placement test scores to substitute for taking a prerequisite course or some of my dental hygiene courses?
No, placement test scores are only used to determine which course applicants need to take. Test scores cannot be used as a substitute for a required course, even if test score placement is higher than the required course level.
What transcripts do I need to submit with my application?
Official transcripts from all institutions attended, including PCC, must be submitted and received by DHCAS by the application deadline. For current application cycle dates and deadlines, please refer to the Admissions Guide.
Can I send official transcripts with my application, or do they need to be sent directly from the college I attended?
PCC uses an independent organization for online application processing called the Dental Hygiene Centralized Application Service (DHCAS). Applicants must submit official electronic transcripts from all colleges attended, including PCC, directly to DHCAS. Electronic transcripts from PCC can be ordered through Parchment via MyPCC. For details on ordering electronic transcripts, please visit the student records “Request a transcript” page.
To ensure transcripts are posted by the application deadline, send them at least two weeks in advance, as DHCAS takes 7-10 business days to process them. Applicants may submit transcripts before completing your DHCAS application. However, if you are currently enrolled in prerequisite courses during the winter term, it is crucial to wait until your grades are posted before ordering your transcript for DHCAS.
If you attended a college that does not provide electronic transcripts, official transcripts must be mailed directly to DHCAS:
ADEA DHCAS Processing Department
P.O. Box 9129
Watertown, MA 02471
I would like to shadow for 20 hours at a private dental office or clinic. Can PCC assist me in setting this up?
PCC does not facilitate scheduling for the optional 20 hours of shadowing a registered dental hygienist at a private dental office or clinic as part of the phase I points for the application process. We recommend reaching out to your current dental hygienist, contacting clinics near you, or approaching an office or clinic where you may want to work upon program completion.