program
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Program information
Program description
This program is highly competitive. Learn about admission requirements for highly competitive programs.
Intake information
| Start date | Campus |
|---|---|
| Fall 2025 | Barrie |
Tuition and fees
- Visit our tuition and fees page for detailed information on the cost to attend Georgian.
- Check the Bring Your Own Device requirements for this program.
- You can afford this! Explore OSAP as well as awards, scholarships and bursaries to help you pay your way to graduation.
Work-integrated learning
- This program includes a clinical placement component where you’ll get clinical experience under the supervision of an experienced registered or licensed professional.
- Learn about types of work-integrated learning at Georgian.
What are the admission requirements for the Dental Hygiene program?
admission requirements
What career paths can I take in dental hygiene?
Your Dental Hygiene diploma gives you many career opportunities
Graduates of this program are prepared with the knowledge and clinical experience required to become a regulated health professional in Ontario. Employment opportunities are found in a traditional dental office as a member of the oral health care team, or as an independent practitioner and proprietor of one’s own practice. Employment opportunities for the dental hygienist are also found in research, community and public health, administration and industry settings.
What courses are included in the Dental Hygiene diploma program?
Course overview
29 Program Courses
4 Clinical Placements
1 Communications Courses
3 General Education Courses
Program-specific courses
Semester 1 courses are listed below. For a full list of courses in the program including course descriptions, view the Dental Hygiene program outline.
- DENT 1013 – General and Oral Microbiology
- DENT 1014 – Dental and Orofacial Anatomy
- DENT 1047 – Introduction to the Dental Hygiene Profession
- DENT 1054 – Oral Histology and Embryology
- DENT 1086 – Pre-Clinical Dental Hygiene 1
- DENT 1087 – Anatomy and Physiology: Introductory Concepts for the Dental Hygienist
- Select 1 course from the communications list during registration.
Your course delivery method(s)
In person
This program is delivered fully in person and requires you to attend campus.
Please note, delivery methods are based on planning for the upcoming semester and are subject to change.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
Both a dental assistant and a dental hygienist are important members of the oral health-care team.
Dental assistant
A dental assistant works alongside a dentist, assisting them with a variety of dental procedures. A dental assistant can also be assigned a number of other duties by a dentist.
Dental Assisting (DNAS) is a one-year certificate program offered at Georgian’s Barrie Campus.
Dental hygienist
A dental hygienist is a regulated health professional under the Regulated Health Professions Act (1991). This means that practice is guided by legislation. A dental hygienist plays an important role within the dental office, but works independently. They can perform a full oral assessment of the teeth and gums, determine a dental hygiene diagnosis, and develop a plan to assist clients with achieving and maintaining oral health. The plan includes providing treatment such as scaling (cleaning teeth), stain removal, oral health education, prescribing medicaments to support oral health, taking radiographs, and placing pit and fissure sealants.
Typically, a dental hygienist begins their career within a private dental office, but there are a number of other career opportunities after gaining some experience (e.g. independent practice owner, public health, or dental supply industry).
Dental Hygiene (DNTH) is a three-year advanced diploma program offered at Georgian’s Barrie Campus.
No. The Dental Hygiene curriculum is designed to build on concepts, with the first semester providing a foundation in all areas.
Yes! Each semester (six total), you’ll have between 21 to 23 hours of class per week, starting as early as 8 a.m. and extending into the evening.
You should plan to spend at least the same amount of time each week outside of class reading, reviewing, studying, and preparing for class.
To succeed in the Dental Hygiene program at Georgian, you should:
- have good time management skills
- be self-directed
- be willing to dedicate a significant amount of time to your studies
- be a good communicator
Students in the Dental Hygiene program complete all their clinical hours in the Georgian College Oral Health Clinic, located at the Barrie Campus.
Additionally, students will complete a number of activities in the community (e.g. a placement in a long-term care facility over a couple of weeks, which the program plans and schedules) as well as other health promotion activities. Students are responsible for their own travel in this case.
Yes, a clinical permit is required. This is a set of requirements that is based on public health guidelines and is mandatory for all Health, Wellness and Science programs.
Review forms and placement requirements. Be sure to read the instructions carefully, as the deadlines are strictly enforced. It is your responsibility as a student to ensure that you meet these requirements and those of any facility where a placement is planned.
Dental Hygiene students are required to purchase an instrument kit from Georgian Stores. These instruments have been chosen specifically to match what is taught in the courses. We do not recommend purchasing used instruments.
Once you register for courses, you will receive the information for ordering your instruments and textbooks.
Check out our other related programs
Dental Assisting (Levels I and II)
Benefit from many professional placement opportunities. This valuable hands-on experience will get you noticed by professionals in the field.
Denturism
Develop your specialized skills in our public clinic. Become a dental health entrepreneur or work with dental specialists and oral surgeons.
Honours Bachelor of Science – Nursing
Central Ontario’s first four-year nursing degree. Study close to home and benefit from more industry connections, hands-on practise, and one-on-one training with small class sizes taught by expert faculty who care.
Practical Nursing
Caring, committed faculty. More clinical time to build your skills. State-of-the-art facilities. Our students excel on provincial exams!
Do you have questions about Dental Hygiene? Contact us!
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