Apply to the Program
Application Process | Admission into the Program | Program Progression
The Dental Hygiene program starts one class each year in early January. Applications may be submitted July 1 – Sept. 1.
All Dental Hygiene Program applicants will be notified of their status in the program no later than Oct. 1 for the January start date.
All Pass or Satisfactory grades earned in Spring 2020 (using a Pass/Fail or Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory grade scale) will still be considered for admission to the program. Each course affected will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis and will still be subject to Laramie County Community College's Transfer Grade policies. If you have questions, please contact the Program Director or Advisor for the program.
Application Process
Because the dental hygiene program receives more applications than available positions, it's necessary to employ strict selection procedures so that those applicants who are deemed best qualified to succeed may be selected. It's the applicant's responsibility to seek current information and to see that his/her file is complete. The program will select 20 students. To apply to the program, students must complete the following steps:
Submit an LCCC Admission Application to the Admissions Office. It is the student's responsibility to request official transcripts of college courses to be sent to the Student Records Office. Application to LCCC must be completed with successful admission by June 30.
If you are a current student or have taken courses at LCCC within the last year, you do not need to reapply to LCCC.
NOTE: Unofficial transcripts (student copies, including LCCC) must be uploaded and submitted with the Dental Hygiene Application.
Prerequisites:
Completion of all required prerequisites as outlined in the Catalog. All courses must be completed with a C or higher by Aug. 31 (except POLS 1000).
View prerequisites in LCCC Catalog under First and Second Semesters - Prerequisites.
See below for exceptions.
(1) STRT 1000/COLS 1000 or another approved College Seminar course must be taken by students entering the program in January. This course is not tallied in the GPA for General Studies. View catalog for exemptions from this requirement.
(2) ANTH 1200 will be accepted although SOC 1000 is strongly recommended.
(3) C0MM 2010 Public Speaking or COMM 1015 Foundations of Communications will be required. COMM 2010 is strongly recommended.
(4) MICRO 2240 Medical Microbiology may substitute MICR 2210 General Microbiology if transferring in.
*Anatomy (or A&P 1), Physiology (or A&P II), and Microbiology must be five years current at time of application.
+POLS 1000 Optional prerequisite, required program course. If any of these courses have been accepted for transfer at LCCC from an out-of-state institution, a one-credit hour course of Wyoming Constitution (POLS 1100) is required. Refer to your degree requirements in the college catalog for more specific guidelines. Although POLS 1000 is an optional prerequisite, if this is not completed prior to starting the program, it will be an additional course that is required during the program. It is highly recommended that the student completes this course prior to beginning the dental hygiene program.
- Prior to performing any observations, read and sign the Pre-Admission Observation Guidelines and Acceptance Form.
- Contact a dental office to schedule observation of a dental hygienist.
- Upon arrival at the dental office, provide the dental hygienist with a link to the
Pre-Admission Observation Evaluation Form, which they will complete. You may direct them to Apply to the Program.
We recommend students review the Observation Evaluation questions prior to completing their clinical observation. - Applicants must observe a minimum of four identified procedures performed by a Registered Dental Hygienist (RDH) and observation forms must be signed by a dental hygienist, not a dentist, assistant, or office manager. Complete an observation of 2 dental hygienists, at two separate dental offices, for a total of 8 hours. Each dental hygienist who is shadowed should fill out the linked form. One observation may be waived for applicants with a minimum of one year of dental experience. To waive one observation, a letter from the dental office doctor or manager should be submitted with the Dental Hygiene Application verifying length of employment. If you are unable to link the employment letter, you may email the verification letter in pdf format to abraunschweigFREELARAMIE.
Observation hours provide prospective students with a better understanding of a dental hygienists daily work, and it is beneficial to get these hours in a variety of settings, such as general practice or specialty practices. For this reason, employment experience related to healthcare is also recognized during the application.
Note: Some facilities require proof of immunizations prior to your observation, please allow adequate time to complete these actions. Additionally, we request students contact offices to make an appointment and to ask about proper attire (i.e., scrubs) during your observation hours.
Complete ALL fields of the Dental Hygiene Program's Application Form. Please verify all documents have been uploaded into the online application (ALL
unofficial transcripts, verification of employment letter, etc.). A portion of the
application consists of five essay questions (questionnaire) that will be evaluated
on reflection, critical thinking, integrity, communication, and collaboration & teamwork.
These essay questions are worth up to 40 points toward the application.
LCCC student ID number must be supplied at the time of application as verification
of acceptance to the College. Online applications to the program will be accepted
July 1 - Aug. 31.
Prerequisite courses must be completed with a "C" or higher by Aug. 31. Official transcripts
for ALL perquisite courses must be submitted to the LCCC Admissions Office and the
unofficial records showing completion with a "C" or better and/or "pass/satisfactory"
should be uploaded in the Dental Hygiene Program application.
If the applicant is accepted into the program, proof of the following additional requirements must be submitted to the Dental Hygiene Program by the dates stipulated in the conditional acceptance letter:
- Completed acceptance form
- Dental Hygiene Program fee deposit of $3,717.00
- All of the following documents will be uploaded by the applicant to an online record
management system. Please follow the directions provided in the conditional acceptance
letter.
LCCC's Dental Hygiene Program does not require the COVID-19 vaccination for acceptance into the program; however, some external clinical sites DO require the COVID-19 vaccination. Verification is required of current vaccinations and titers (Hepatitis B, Rubella, Rubeola, Diphtheria, Tetanus, MMR, Varicella). A current 2-step TB test (PPD), Influenza (flu) shot, and COVID-19 vaccination. Students must maintain current TB testing, Influenza (flu) shot and COVID-19 vaccinations at all times while in the Dental Hygiene Program.
The student will need to have an Eye Examination Report completed (form supplied after acceptance to the program) by an optometrist or physician who provides eye examinations.
Failure to have the outlined immunizations may prevent the student from completing the clinical requirements of the Dental Hygiene Program and affect the ability to graduate. - Information will be provided on how to purchase Dental Hygiene textbooks and instrument
kits in the conditional acceptance letter.
- A copy of both sides of a current American Heart Association certification card in
Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation for Health Care Providers. (Note: Other organization's
certification is NOT acceptable.)
Students must maintain current Health Care Provider CPR certification at all times while in the Dental Hygiene Program. - 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 are not covered by worker's compensation because they are not employees of
LCCC or any clinical sites. The college does not offer health insurance.
- Acceptable Chemical Impairment Screening and Criminal Background checks are required.
Chemical impairment may compromise both the educational process and patient safety.
Early identification, evaluation and treatment are in the best interest of our students and the patients they serve. In addition, clinical sites may require random drug testing and/or drug testing for reasonable cause. Generally, the urine drug test screens for alcoholic beverages, illegal drugs, or drugs that impair judgment while in the clinical site, classroom or participating in program activities. Testing positive on the screening or evidence of tampering with a specimen will disqualify a student from participating in program assignments.
Findings from the Criminal Background checks or Drug Screening may result in revocation of admission in the Dental Hygiene Program. Dental Health Professionals may be exposed to blood bourne pathogens/contagious diseases; therefore, strict compliance with Centers of Disease Control (CDC) and OSHA standards are maintained. Although diseases may be encountered, research indicates that risks are negligible when optimal infection control is practiced.
Policies on blood bourne and infectious diseases are available upon request from the Dental Hygiene Program. In addition to drug screening, for the safety of patients and health care workers, child abuse clearance and Criminal Background checks are required prior to a clinical assignment. Certain criminal activity as evidenced by a Criminal Background check may also disqualify a student from clinical participation. Students are advised that the inability to gain clinical education experiences can result in the inability to meet program objectives and outcomes. These circumstances may prevent final acceptance into and/or progression through the program, and ultimately result in dismissal from the program.
The complete Chemical Impairment and Background Check Policy is outlined in the orientation letter and will be reviewed on the first day of orientation with the Program Handbook. Every student admitted to the Program will be required to abide by the Policy and acknowledge agreement with the Policy in order to be accepted into the Program.
NOTE: Applicants who have been convicted of a felony, gross misdemeanor or misdemeanor (or plead guilty or NOLO Contender has been entered) should require 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 varies by state, so it is important to check with the correct agency prior to applying to the program.
Please upload additional forms and requirements with the online application submission.
Admission to the Program
To be considered for admission into the program, students must complete Steps 1-5 above.
Admission is based on a point system of completed prerequisite coursework. Download a GPA Calculator (Excel File)
Application Scoring Table
General Studies
General Studies Prerequisites | GPA Points |
---|---|
MATH 1400 College Algebra or higher (3 Credits) | 4(A), 3(B), 2(C) X 3 |
Engl 1010 English Composition ( 3 Credits) | 4(A), 3(B), 2(C) X 3 |
Comm 2010 Publis Speaking (3 Credits) | 4(A), 3(B), 2(C) X 3 |
PSYC 1000 General Psycology (3 Credit) | 4(A), 3(B), 2(C) X 3 |
SOC 1000 Sociological Principles (3Credits) | 4(A), 3(B), 2(C) X 3 |
GPA Total | (total) |
General Studies Grade Point Average
GPA | Points | GPA | Points | GPA | Points | GPA | Points | GPA | Points | GPA | Points |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2.55 | 0.5 | 2.8 | 3 | 3.05 | 5.5 | 3.3 | 8 | 3.55 | 10.5 | 3.8 | 13 |
2.6 | 1 | 2.85 | 3.5 | 3.1 | 6 | 3.35 | 8.5 | 3.6 | 11 | 3.85 | 13.5 |
2.65 | 1.5 | 2.9 | 4 | 3.15 | 6.5 | 3.4 | 9 | 3.65 | 11.5 | 3.9 | 14 |
2.7 | 2 | 2.95 | 4.5 | 3.2 | 7 | 3.45 | 9.5 | 3.7 | 12 | 3.95 | 14.5 |
2.75 | 2.5 | 3 | 5 | 3.25 | 7.5 | 3.5 | 10 | 3.75 | 12.5 | 4 | 15 |
Science
Science Prerequisite | GPA Points |
---|---|
ZOO 2010 Anatomy and Physiology I or ZOO 2015 Human Anatomy (4 Credit) |
4(A), 3(B), 2(C) X 4 |
ZOO 2020 Anatomy and Physiology II or ZOO 2025 Human Physiology (4 Credits) |
4(A), 3(B), 2(C) X 4 |
CHEM 1000 Intro to Chemistry (4 Credits) | 4(A), 3(B), 2(C) X 4 |
MICR 2240 Medical Microbiology (4 Credits) | 4(A), 3(B), 2(C) X 4 |
GPA Total | (total) |
Science Grade Point Average
GPA | Points | GPA | Points | GPA | Points | GPA | Points | GPA | Points | GPA | Points |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2.55 | 0.75 | 2.8 | 4.5 | 3.05 | 8.25 | 3.3 | 12 | 3.55 | 15.75 | 3.8 | 19.5 |
2.6 | 1.5 | 2.85 | 5.25 | 3.1 | 9 | 3.35 | 12.75 | 3.6 | 16.5 | 3.85 | 20.25 |
2.65 | 2.25 | 2.9 | 6 | 3.15 | 9.75 | 3.4 | 13.5 | 3.65 | 17.25 | 3.9 | 21 |
2.7 | 3 | 2.95 | 6.75 | 3.2 | 10.5 | 3.45 | 14.25 | 3.7 | 18 | 3.95 | 21.75 |
2.75 | 3.75 | 3 | 7.5 | 3.25 | 11.25 | 3.5 | 15 | 3.75 | 18.75 | 4 | 22.5 |
Course Retake
After two retakes, 1 point is subtracted per course retaken. There is no limit on points subtracted for retakes.
Number of Retakes | Points deducted |
---|---|
0-2 Retakes | minus 0 points |
3 Retakes | minus 1 point |
4 Retakes | minus 2 points |
5 Retakes | minus 3 points |
Total Points
Scoring Area | Points |
---|---|
General Studies Grade Point Average Points | 0.5-15 |
Science Grade Point Average Points | 0.75-22.5 |
Course Retake Deduction | minus 0-unlimited |
Observation I | 30 |
Observation I or Letter of 1yr+ Employment in a Dental Office | 30 |
Questionaire | 40 |
Total Points | (max points 137.5) |
- Each prerequisite course must be completed with a grade of C or higher.
- Science prerequisite GPA: A 2.5 GPA minimum is required for all science course prerequisites to obtain points. 0.75 points will be awarded for every 0.05 points over the minimum 2.5 GPA requirement. (22.5 points maximum)
- General studies prerequisite GPA: A 2.5 GPA minimum required for all general studies prerequisites to obtain points. 0.5 points will be awarded for every 0.05 points over the minimum 2.5 GPA requirement. (15 points maximum)
- For courses that have been retaken, the most recent grade will be used.
- If an applicant has repeated more than two prerequisite courses, one point will be deducted from the total points for each repeated course.
- If two applicants are equally qualified, the overall prerequisite GPA will be the determining factor in the selection process. In the event that there is still a tie, the science GPA will be the determining factor. If there is still a tie, preference will be given to the Wyoming resident, and finally, previous work experience in the dental field.
LCCC doesn't discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age or disability in admission or access to, or treatment or employment in, its educational programs or activities.
Progression
1. Maintain a minimum grade of C in each required dental hygiene course.
2. Take the dental hygiene courses in sequence.
3. Maintain acceptable background checks/drug screens and certifications.