WALLACE STATE COMMUNITY COLLEGE
DENTAL HYGIENE
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What does a dental hygienist do?
A dental hygienist is a licensed health care provider who, under the direct supervision of a dentist, provides preventive services to patients. Duties vary depending on the state, but in Alabama include cleaning teeth, radiographs, sealants and patient education. Hygienists are employed in private dental offices, hospitals, community health clinics, and other health care settings.
What is the job market for dental hygienists?
Dental hygiene is currently the 2nd fastest growing career, with an expected growth of 43% in the next 10 years. It is the 4th highest paying career with an Associates degree. 100% of our students find employment in the field upon graduation. The national average salary for dental hygienists is $62, 800.00. The average salary in the state of Alabama is $38,300.00. In the area of Huntsville and Birmingham, the average salary is $44,000.00.
How can I obtain more information about the program?
You may make an appointment with a dental hygiene advisor by calling 256-352-8300.
What is the process for being selected for admission to the program?
The process involves the ACT score, how many hours of general required courses are completed prior to application and the GPA of the general required courses. The program admits in the Fall semester only, so applications are due June 15. Applications can be found on the website under Program Application or can be requested to be mailed by calling 256-352-8300.
Do I have to complete all general required courses before applying?
It is not required to complete all general required courses before applying, but the more courses you have completed, the better your chances of getting into the program. Admission to the dental hygiene program is competitive. We admit 30 students per year and have over 100 applicants. Most of our applicants that get admitted have all general required courses completed
Is it necessary to get letters of recommendation or observation hours to better my chances of getting into the program?
No. It is not necessary and will not improve your chances of getting into the program if you have letters of recommendation or observation hours.
I have a degree from another college and did not have to take the ACT. Is it mandatory to take the ACT to get into the program?
Yes. A minimum score of 18 is required to be qualified for acceptance into the program. The higher the ACT score, the better your chances of being admitted. The ACT Residual exam is offered at WSCC. You can call placement testing at 256-352-8046 to get information on taking the ACT. An SAT score can also be converted to an ACT score.
Can the general required courses be taken at other colleges?
Yes. WSCC has linkage programs with many other colleges in the state. This linkage relationship guarantees the transfer of certain general required courses. Even if your college is not part of our linkage program or is out-of-state, courses are still transferable as long as they are equivalent to our courses. Information on course equivalency may e obtained by contacting the Admissions office at 256-352-8128.
If I don’t get into the program this year, what can I do to better my chances of getting in next year?
You can retake the ACT, finish your general required courses, retake courses in which a grade of C was earned, or apply for our dental assisting program. Graduates of dental assisting programs accredited by the American Dental Association (you can check with the program director to be sure that the dental assisting program is accredited by the ADA) are given extra points towards their total points for admission to the program.
How many students apply and how many are accepted?
Currently the program accepts 30 students each year. We usually have over 100 applicants. We do not keep a waiting list and date of application is not a factor. Our average student who gets admitted to the program has a 21-22 ACT score, 3.3 GPA (of general required courses only) and all general required courses completed. A few students are able to get admitted with 1-2 courses left to take if they have a high ACT and GPA.
Will I still be considered for the program if I am taking courses the summer semester before the application deadline of June 15?
Yes. Credit is given for taking courses in the summer even if they are not completed by the June 15 deadline. You will need to submit a transcript in progress to the program director to have these courses added to your total number of hours of general required courses.
Do I have to have CPR certification and physical before being accepted?
No. CPR for Healthcare Providers and a physical examination must be performed before the end of the first semester.
When will I know if I’ve been accepted?
The deadline for applications is June 15. Students are contacted in late July to inform them of their acceptance/non-acceptance into the program. The letter will inform you of when to attend the mandatory orientation which is held prior to the first day of school.
What costs can I expect?
The costs are detailed on the website under program application. During orientation you will get information about uniforms, supplies and instruments that need to be purchased in the first semester.
When do clinical rotations begin and where do they take place?
Most of the clinical practice is done in our clinic. Students begin going to off campus clinical rotation sites in the Fall semester of the 2nd year. Our sites are in Birmingham and students can expect to go to the sites 4-6 days each semester.
Can I take any dental hygiene classes online?
We offer a few hybrid courses in which most of the coursework is done online, but the majority of the program is administered in the classroom/clinic setting.
What type of class schedule can I expect?
You can expect to be in class 8:00-3:00 Monday-Friday. There are some semesters in which you will have 1-2 days off during the week.
How long is the program?
The program is 2 years in length and includes 1 summer semester.
Are there loans/scholarships available?
Yes. Contact our financial aid department at 256-352-8182 for information about loans/scholarships.
What type of certification will I receive?
Our students are eligible to take the Dental Hygiene National Board exam which is administered in March of the last semester. Successful completion of the National Board allows students to take any state/regional board of their choice. Dental Hygienists must be certified by the state in order to practice.
What is the pass rate of WSCC dental hygiene students on boards?
In 2007, we had a pass rate of 93% on the National Board and 100% on state boards.
Can I get into dental hygiene right after high school?
Currently, it is unlikely. Since we have so many applicants and the number of general required courses completed is part of the formula we use to determine admission, it is very unlikely that anyone can get in without taking any general required courses.
