FAQ
Is the LCCC Dental Hygiene program accredited?
Yes, the program is accredited by the American Dental Association, Commission on Dental Accreditation.
Yes, the program is accredited by the American Dental Association, Commission on Dental Accreditation.
What is the length of the Dental Hygiene program?
Once admitted to the program, it's four terms over 16 months. In the first term, students are scheduled for didactic and laboratory classes. In the remaining terms, students are scheduled for didactic, laboratory and clinical courses. Before admittance to the program, however, students must complete 30 credits of prerequisites, which can be completed in about three semesters.
Do I need to take prerequisite classes before I can apply?
Yes. There are 37 credits of prerequisites courses that students must have taken or be enrolled in when they apply.
Do you offer online, part-time or evening classes for the Dental Hygiene program?
No. Classes are mostly traditional format, day courses. Some of the prerequisite courses are offered as online or evening courses. The program is full-time only.
When are the dental hygiene courses offered?
Dental hygiene courses vary but are generally offered from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. five days a week, with one evening clinic per week. Learn about student commitment for the program.
Do I need dental assisting or other health care experience to be admitted to the program?
How are students chosen for the program each year?
Students are admitted on a competitive basis by the following criteria: completeness of application, observations, essay questions, and prerequisites GPA. Those students with the most points are accepted that year into the program. LCCC doesn't use a waitlist, so students who aren't admitted must reapply each year. Learn more about the admission to the program.
Yes. There are 37 credits of prerequisites courses that students must have taken or be enrolled in when they apply.
Do you offer online, part-time or evening classes for the Dental Hygiene program?
No. Classes are mostly traditional format, day courses. Some of the prerequisite courses are offered as online or evening courses. The program is full-time only.
When are the dental hygiene courses offered?
Dental hygiene courses vary but are generally offered from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. five days a week, with one evening clinic per week. Learn about student commitment for the program.
Do I need dental assisting or other health care experience to be admitted to the program?
No. Although some students find it helpful, previous related experience is not a requirement
of the LCCC Dental Hygiene program. The program has been designed to enable students
with no prior health care experience to become entry level dental hygienists.
How many students are accepted each year?
Twenty students are accepted into the program each year.
How are students chosen for the program each year?
Students are admitted on a competitive basis by the following criteria: completeness of application, observations, essay questions, and prerequisites GPA. Those students with the most points are accepted that year into the program. LCCC doesn't use a waitlist, so students who aren't admitted must reapply each year. Learn more about the admission to the program.
When are applications available?
Applications are available by July 1 either online.
When are applications due?
Applications are available by July 1 either online.
When are applications due?
Applications must be submitted between July 1 and Sept. 1. Applications received after
the Sept. 1 deadline will not be considered for admission. LCCC starts one class each
year in early January.
How old can my prerequisite courses be?
The Anatomy and Physiology and Microbiology courses must have been taken within the past five years. The five-year timeline is based off the program entry date. There is no time limit on the other prerequisite courses.
Can prerequisites be completed at a college other than LCCC?
How old can my prerequisite courses be?
The Anatomy and Physiology and Microbiology courses must have been taken within the past five years. The five-year timeline is based off the program entry date. There is no time limit on the other prerequisite courses.
Can prerequisites be completed at a college other than LCCC?
Yes. In general, LCCC accepts transfer credits from regionally accredited institutions
that were passed with a grade of C or higher and that are lower-division courses.
Part of the admission process to LCCC includes submitting official transcripts from
other institutions you've attended. Those transcripts are received and evaluated by
the Student Records Office. Once transcript evaluation is completed, students may
work with their assigned advisor in the Advising Center to discuss what transferred
and what prerequisites still need to be completed. Please note: Transcript evaluation
can take up to eight weeks during peak times; please plan accordingly. See also, Colorado Transfer Guide.
How do I apply to the college?
Submit a college admission application to LCCC if you have not taken courses here before (no fee) or a readmission application if you have not taken courses in the past year. Learn more. It's the student's responsibility to request official high school and all college transcripts be sent to the admissions office. Note: Unofficial student copies of college transcripts must be attached and submitted with the Dental Hygiene application.
Is there a separate application process for the associate of applied science dental hygiene program?
Yes. Students must be admitted to LCCC and then complete a Dental Hygiene application.
Can I work during the program?
Due to the demands of the full-time dental hygiene program, student employment should be approached with caution. This personal decision should be based on individual performance in the classroom, clinical areas and personal health. LCCC's faculty wants students to be successful in this program and that essential learning not be compromised. Students will not be excused from class, clinic or other outside assignments for personal work schedules. Classroom attendance is expected, and accountability for knowledge and assignments is the student's responsibility. Alternative sources of funding may be found by contacting the college's Scholarship & Financial Aid Office.
What is the cost of the Dental Hygiene program?
The cost for the program is based on the regular tuition rate for all four terms of the program plus a dental hygiene fee each of the four terms. Learn more about costs.
How do I apply to the college?
Submit a college admission application to LCCC if you have not taken courses here before (no fee) or a readmission application if you have not taken courses in the past year. Learn more. It's the student's responsibility to request official high school and all college transcripts be sent to the admissions office. Note: Unofficial student copies of college transcripts must be attached and submitted with the Dental Hygiene application.
Is there a separate application process for the associate of applied science dental hygiene program?
Yes. Students must be admitted to LCCC and then complete a Dental Hygiene application.
Can I work during the program?
Due to the demands of the full-time dental hygiene program, student employment should be approached with caution. This personal decision should be based on individual performance in the classroom, clinical areas and personal health. LCCC's faculty wants students to be successful in this program and that essential learning not be compromised. Students will not be excused from class, clinic or other outside assignments for personal work schedules. Classroom attendance is expected, and accountability for knowledge and assignments is the student's responsibility. Alternative sources of funding may be found by contacting the college's Scholarship & Financial Aid Office.
What is the cost of the Dental Hygiene program?
The cost for the program is based on the regular tuition rate for all four terms of the program plus a dental hygiene fee each of the four terms. Learn more about costs.
Are there other considerations about a career in dental hygiene?
Yes. There are guidelines for the prospective student so that he/she may understand the physical requirements and essential job functions necessary for successful completion of the Dental Hygiene Program and the basic demands of the dental hygiene profession. Dental hygienists may be exposed to contagious diseases, therefore, strict compliance with the Centers of Disease Control (CDC) and OSHA standards are maintained in the our program. Although diseases may be encountered, research indicates that risks are negligible when optimal infection control is practiced. Policies on blood borne and infectious diseases are available upon request from the Dental Hygiene Program.
Do I need to complete any health information?
Yes. Once LCCC accepts a student, they'll need to provide documentation of immunizations, TB and hepatitis tests, complete chemical impairment screening and complete a verification form related to personal health insurance. All students admitted to the Dental Hygiene program are expected to be responsible for personal health costs. Students aren't covered by worker’s compensation because they're not employees of LCCC or any clinical sites. The complete Chemical Impairment and Health Science and Wellness School Policy is available here.
Do I need a criminal background check?
The Health Science and Wellness School Policy requires that all program students have a background check, prior to admission. At any time, a clinical site could make this a requirement of students’ attendance at that site, and any student who cannot pass the background check will not be not eligible to attend clinicals and will be dismissed from the program. Therefore, a criminal background check is required prior to beginning clinic in the Dental Hygiene program. NOTE: Applicants who have been convicted of a crime should request a copy of a letter concerning his/her eligibility status for licensure from the state Board of Dental Examiners for the state in which the student intends to practice. Eligibility for licensure and/or the ability to obtain employment in a health care setting varies by state, so it's important to check with the correct agency prior to applying to the dental hygiene program. The complete background check and criminal conduct policies may be found in the Health Sciences and Wellness School Policy.
Are graduates required to pass national, regional and state exams?
Yes. The National Board Dental Hygiene Exam and a state or regional clinical exam are required for licensure in almost all states. Specific requirements for each state should be investigated.
Yes. There are guidelines for the prospective student so that he/she may understand the physical requirements and essential job functions necessary for successful completion of the Dental Hygiene Program and the basic demands of the dental hygiene profession. Dental hygienists may be exposed to contagious diseases, therefore, strict compliance with the Centers of Disease Control (CDC) and OSHA standards are maintained in the our program. Although diseases may be encountered, research indicates that risks are negligible when optimal infection control is practiced. Policies on blood borne and infectious diseases are available upon request from the Dental Hygiene Program.
Do I need to complete any health information?
Yes. Once LCCC accepts a student, they'll need to provide documentation of immunizations, TB and hepatitis tests, complete chemical impairment screening and complete a verification form related to personal health insurance. All students admitted to the Dental Hygiene program are expected to be responsible for personal health costs. Students aren't covered by worker’s compensation because they're not employees of LCCC or any clinical sites. The complete Chemical Impairment and Health Science and Wellness School Policy is available here.
Do I need a criminal background check?
The Health Science and Wellness School Policy requires that all program students have a background check, prior to admission. At any time, a clinical site could make this a requirement of students’ attendance at that site, and any student who cannot pass the background check will not be not eligible to attend clinicals and will be dismissed from the program. Therefore, a criminal background check is required prior to beginning clinic in the Dental Hygiene program. NOTE: Applicants who have been convicted of a crime should request a copy of a letter concerning his/her eligibility status for licensure from the state Board of Dental Examiners for the state in which the student intends to practice. Eligibility for licensure and/or the ability to obtain employment in a health care setting varies by state, so it's important to check with the correct agency prior to applying to the dental hygiene program. The complete background check and criminal conduct policies may be found in the Health Sciences and Wellness School Policy.
Are graduates required to pass national, regional and state exams?
Yes. The National Board Dental Hygiene Exam and a state or regional clinical exam are required for licensure in almost all states. Specific requirements for each state should be investigated.
Are all dental hygienists female?
Current statistics list 94% of dental hygienists as women, but men are entering the
field at greater rates. Men are strongly encouraged to apply to LCCC's program.