Dental Hygiene Frequently Asked Questions

How can I learn about the Dental Hygiene Program?

• Students are encouraged to meet with a College & Career Successs Coach if they have questions regarding course and degree selection. (Advising Center 941-752-5035)
• Visit SCF.edu/Dentalhygiene for program details and updated information.
• Contact the Dental Hygiene Program Department at 941-752-5245 or email dentalhygiene@scf.edu.

How much does the Dental Hygiene program cost?

Current program tuition information is posted on the program page under "Tuition and Fees".  A $35 appliction fee which is good for three (3) consecutive years is also required.  After three application cycles, the application fee must be paid again.

When can I apply to the Dental Hygiene program?

The Dental Hygiene Program applications are accepted in January, for the program which starts once a year Summer term. Details for submitting a program application will be posted on SCF.edu/Dentalhygiene. Please check the website frequently for upcoming details.

Does this Dental Hygiene program have a "wait list"?

No, if students apply and are not selected, they must re-apply the following year to be considered for admission. 

How many students are accepted in the Dental Hygiene program each year?

Eighteen (18) students are accepted for the program annually; approximately 80-125 students apply for acceptance annually.

If I earned a "C" in a general academic course, can I retake that class to bring up my GPA?

Yes, per the current SCF college catalog, grade forgiveness policy, students can request to retake a course that they have successfully completed earning a grade of B or C. 

Students may also reattempt courses following an unsuccessful attempt, in which a grade of D, F, W or WF has been earned.

NOTE:

• Approval and grade improvement does not guarantee admission to the program.
• No more than two program required or prerequisite courses can be repeated.
• No more than one retake will be allowed per course.
• The most recent grade will be used for program admission requirements.

What are the requirements for applying to the Dental Hygiene program?

In addition to the admission requirements of the college, the following are requirements for applying to the program:

1. Earned a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 2.75 or better in ALL general education courses required by the program toward the degree and a minimum overall GPA of 2.0 to meet graduation requirements.

2. Satisfactory completion of any remedial course work needed to be eligible for college level courses.

NOTE: Prerequisite courses may be required for ENC 1101 and Area II Math. These prerequisites courses MUST be taken PRIOR to entry into the Dental Hygiene Program to be eligible to take the required courses. Consult the course descriptions in the online Catalog at scf.edu/Catalog for additional information.

3. The following prerequisite courses MUST be completed with a grade of “C” or better by the end of the fall term prior to the application period in which you are applying.

• BSC 2085C Anatomy & Physiology I w/ Lab or BSC 2085 A & P I Lecture & BSC 2085L A & P I Lab
• CHM 1020C Chemistry for Everyday Life (prior CHM 1022C) or higher level
• Choose from Area II, A.S. Math course (MAC 1105 College Algebra OR STA 2023 Elementary Statistics preferred)

4. A minimum grade of “C” is required in all courses applied toward the Dental Hygiene degree.

5. A completed application for the Dental Hygiene Program and a $35 application fee which is good for three (3) consecutive years is requiried.  (If not an active SCF student, a separate application is required for admission to the College along with a $20 application fee.) 

Note: Completion of all or part of the required academic courses does not assure acceptance into the program.

What are the general academic course required of the A.S. Dental Hygiene degree?

Go to SCF.edu/Dentalhygiene and click on the Program Required Courses tab to view a list of prerequisite and general academic courses (36 credit hours.) Students are encouraged to complete as many of the academic courses possible before entering the program.

How are students selected for the Dental Hygiene program?

The Dental Hygiene Program is a limited enrollment program, so applicant priority is determined by the following criteria:

1. Selection will be based on a rubric evaluating completed general education courses, previous dental experience, and previous degrees.  Submitting a limited enrollment application during the application period and paying the application fee. Any required program academic course in progress during the application window will not be used in the selection process.

2. If there is more than one student with the same Program GPA for a seat in the program, the final criteria will be the overall GPA.

Note: The Program GPA is calculated from the required General Academic Courses for the Dental Hygiene program, not the overall GPA.

Students not acccepted into the program must reqpply for admission the following year.

After I apply, when will I find out if I'm accepted?

Students are notified of acceptance or denial within 8 weeks after the program application deadline.  Applicant status will be communicated via the student's SCF student email.

If I am accepted, when do I begin the Dental Hygiene Program?

This is a two-year program which begins Summer term of the year the student is accepted. The sequence of terms once accepted into the Dental Hygiene program is: Summer, Fall, Spring, Summer, Fall, Spring. Students can expect a full-time schedule beginning the Fall semester. (24 consecutive months)

Where do the Dental Hygiene program classes and clinical experience take place? What is the program's class and clinical schedule?

The Dental Hygiene Program is located on the SCF Bradenton Campus in Building 2.  Dental Hygiene Program classwork and clinic experience are designed to be taken in sequence; therefore, students must adhere to the schedule given to them.  Depending on the term, classes and clinic experience are primarily days, Monday-Friday. However, classes could require attendance in the evening dependent on faculty scheduling and clinic experiences may also take place periodically on Saturdays for special events elsewhere in the community.

Why does the Dental Hygiene program require health screenings, immunizations titers and background checks?

Student health information is required by clinical agencies. The agencies will not allow any student entry unless the SCF Division of Health Professions can provide documentation that these requirements are met.  The titer is a blood test that determines a student's current immunities to communicable diseases.

Students enrolled should understand that the required clinical experience in various healthcare facilities, including on campus clinics, may expose them to environmental hazards, infectious disease, blood borne pathogens including, but not limited to, Tuberculosis, Hepatitis B, HIV/AIDS and COVID-19.

Background checks are also required to participate in the clinical experience.

What is a "What If" Degree Audit and why do I have to submit one with my program application?

The "What If" Degree Audit enables the student to run an electronic degree audit/evaluation via MySCF. The audit shows degree completion requirements and GPA. The admissions team uses the audit to evaluate an applicant for program selection.

NOTE: All transcripts must be received and evaluated by the Registrar's office.

What are the directions for printing a "What If" Degree Audit?

Please see the Dental Hygiene Application Instructions at SCF.edu/dentalhygiene for directions.

If I have been convicted of a crime can I apply to the program?

The applicant should be aware that the State of Florida periodically changes the laws in relation to persons with criminal backgrounds being licensed to practice dental hygiene in Florida.  It is the prospective student's decision to enter the program based upon the knowledge and understanding that he or she may, or may not, be granted the right to be licensed in the State of Florida upon graduation. If you have questions, please contact The Florida Board of Dentistry at 850-245-4474.

Upon acceptance to the program, the following are required: Background checks, CPR certification, health and drug screening are required to meet local health care regulations.  This package runs about $200.00.  Based on the results of these checks and screenings, students may become ineligible for program admission.  Continuation in the program is based on acceptable results from random/ongoing screenings and background checks.  Clinical facilities may limit or prohibit students with poistive drug screen results or criminal histories from participating in clinical experiences, thus making the student ineligible to continue in the program.  Students are responsible for all fees incurred with these checks and screenings.