Dental Hygiene

CFCC’s Dental Hygiene program prepares students for careers as oral health professionals.

The Registered Dental Hygienist (RDH) is a member of the dental team who provides preventive oral health care. In North Carolina, the RDH works under the direct supervision of the dentist to perform oral health assessments and oral cancer screenings, acquire radiographic images, provide oral health education, provide therapeutic treatment including prophylaxis (cleaning), apply sealants and fluoride to prevent decay, and give nutritional counseling. Graduates of this program are eligible to apply to take the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination, as well as a regional and state examination, which is required for licensure to practice as a Registered Dental Hygienist. Employment opportunities for the registered dental hygienist include the following settings: private practice dental office, public health, prisons, state/federal clinics, nursing homes, hospitals, and educational institutions.

Selective Admission Process

The dental hygiene program has a selective admission process that includes an application period and point count ranking. Twenty students are accepted each year in August for the five-semester program. There is no waitlist for the program. All applicants must go through the application process each spring. Minimum requirements are subject to change each academic year.

The TEAS test is a minimum requirement to apply for this program. Potential applicants are encouraged to complete this form if they are not sure whether they are meeting eligibility requirements or have questions about the test. Applicants should also be sure to visit the FAQ page for general questions about the test.

*Minimum requirements are subject to change each academic year. Please refer to the information packet.

Quick information

Accreditation

The program is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation .

Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA)

211 E. Chicago Ave.
Chicago, IL 60611-2678
312-440-4653
ada.org/en/coda

A copy of the appropriate accreditation standards and the Commission’s policy and procedures for submitting comments may be obtained on the Commission’s website at coda.ada.org , by calling 312-440-4653 , or by emailing coda@ada.org .

Career and Job Information