Application Cycles
The program application is available on this web page only during the application window.
August 2023 Admission
The August 2023 admission application cycle for the Dental Hygiene Associate in Science degree program is available from January 18, 2023 through June 29, 2023. Incomplete applications and applications received after 4 p.m. on June 29, 2023 will not be considered. The program application is available on this web page only during the application window.
The program is scheduled for the West Campus in New Port Richey.
Note: The application fee, online application, and all supporting documents must be submitted to complete the Dental Hygiene Program Application Admission Process. All items can be found in the Application Checklist below.
Application Checklist
- PHSC application with a $25 non-refundable fee for new students or a PHSC Readmission application for returning PHSC students not enrolled for more than 3 consecutive terms.
- Copy of receipt of payment of the $25 non-refundable limited access application fee payable at college store.
- Dental Hygiene Web-Application.
- HESI Assessment Exam with a cumulative passing score of 70% or higher.
- Clear, enlarged copy of current driver’s license indicating a physical mailing address (PO Box addresses will not be used for residency preference in the selection process). If a driver’s license, or equivalent, does not prove Pasco or Hernando County residency, it will be processed as a non-resident (out-of-county) application.
- Official high school transcript with graduation date indicating receipt of a standard high school diploma or an official transcript of GED scores indicating receipt of a high school equivalency diploma, if not already submitted.
- Official transcripts from each U.S. College and university attended other than PHSC.
- Official scores from external agencies as appropriate for prerequisite courses (i.e. AP, CLEP, IB, etc.).
- Confirmation that any needed course substitutions or credit shortages have been approved by the application deadline date.
- Transfer Credits: If the course prefix and number of an evaluated transfer course is not equivalent to PHSC’s course prefix and number (ex. transfer course does not indicate BSC1085), then you will have to meet with an advisor to complete a course substitution.
- A cumulative grade point average of 2.0 or higher.
- Complete the following prerequisite courses with a combined GPA of 2.5 or higher with at least a grade of “C” or higher (must be complete prior to applying for the program)
- BSC1085 - Human Anatomy & Physiology I (3 credits)
- BSC1085L - Human Anatomy & Physiology I Lab (1 credit)
- BSC1086 - Human Anatomy & Physiology II (3 credits)
- BSC1086L - Human Anatomy & Physiology II Lab (1 credit)
- MCB2010 - Microbiology (3 credits)
- MCB2010L - Microbiology Lab (1 credit)
- CHM1025 - Introductory Chemistry (3 Credits)
- CHM1025L - Introductory Chemistry Lab (1 Credit)
- PSY1012 - Introduction to Psychology (3 credits)
- SPC2608 - Intro Public Speaking (3 Credits)
- Civic Literacy - Pre-requisite and Requirement
- Students will need to complete one of the following courses for graduation purposes, as well as a pre-requisite to the Dental Hygiene program.
- AMH2020 - History of the United States II (3 credits)
- POS2041 - American Federal Government (3 Credits)
- Students will need to complete one of the following courses for graduation purposes, as well as a pre-requisite to the Dental Hygiene program.
Job Outlook
The Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department of Labor is projecting employment of dental hygienists to grow 20 percent from 2016 to 2026, much faster than the average for all occupations. The demand for dental services will increase as the population ages and as research continues to link oral health to overall health.
Job Potential Earnings
According to the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity, Labor Market Statistics, hourly wages for entry-level hygienists starts at $25 per hour and increase to almost $36 per hour with experience.
Special Notice
General Information
- This is a limited access program with 12 seats available per year with a new class starting every August
- This program requires a cumulative score of 70.0* on the HESI HP Admissions Assessment (HP A2) Exam; the test is offered at PHSC Career Assessment and Testing offices.
- Upon successful completion of program requirements, the graduate receives an Associate in Science in Dental Hygiene degree and is eligible to sit for the National Board Dental Hygiene exam and all State licensing exams.
*score is under review
State Licensure Information
To determine the state(s) in which the program meets or does not meet the requirements, or if PHSC was unable to determine if the program meets the licensing requirements, see below.
- Meets: Florida
- Does Not Meet: Not applicable.
- Unable to Determine: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming, American Samoa, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands