Dental Hygiene
- AAS
COM's Dental Hygiene Program was designed to educate future dental hygienists to address the oral health needs of our diverse community.
Dental hygienists are the preventative specialists of the dental field. They examine patients for signs of oral diseases, such as gingivitis, and provide patient care, including taking x-rays, scaling and oral hygiene instruction.
Application Deadline
Degrees & Certificates
Associate of Applied Science
Length
Costs
Mode
Important Links
Accreditation
The College of the Mainland Dental Hygiene program is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation and has been granted the accreditation status of “initial accreditation”. The Commission is a specialized accrediting body recognized by the United States Department of Education.
The Commission on Dental Accreditation can be contacted at (312) 440-4653 or at 211 East Chicago Avenue, Chicago, IL 60611. A copy of the Dental Hygiene Educational Standards, the Commission's policies and procedures used in the accreditation process, and the policy on complaints/third party comments are available for review on the Commission’s website at: coda.ada.org
Careers & Outcomes
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Additional Program Information
All students interested in the COM Dental Hygiene Program are encouraged to attend an information session. Applicants must attend an information session in order to complete a program application (completion code will be provided).
Topics include program format, costs, deadlines and you’ll have the opportunity to ask questions.
Program Outcomes
At the conclusions of the Dental Hygiene Program, the competent hygienist will:
- Be prepared to take the National Board of Dental Hygiene Examiners
written examination, the ADEX (CDCA-WREB-CITA) OR Central
Regional Dental Testing Service clinical examination and the Texas
Jurisprudence Assessment for Registered Dental Hygienists. - Assimilate academically acquired knowledge into identification of specific
needs for a diverse population of patients. - Analyze, summarize, and provide competent frameworks for the dental
hygiene process of care to patients of diverse needs, ages, and periodontal
classifications. - Educate others utilizing the model of assessing, planning, implementation,
and evaluation of oral health promotion through individual patient care
and professional sensitivity to the ethical practice principles of autonomy,
beneficence and nonmaleficence. - Exemplify the professionalism, integrity, and ethics worthy of the
profession of dental hygiene. - Appraise the ever-changing industry of dentistry and apply the principles
of life-long learning to be an integral member of the allied healthcare
team.
Curricular Content & Transferability of Courses
The Associates of Applied Science in Dental Hygiene requires completion of 9 general education courses (includes 5 pre-requisite courses) and 18 dental hygiene specific courses. The details on the degree plan, course content and transferability are included in the DH Program Application Information Packet.
Infectious Disease Policy
Individuals who are involved in the provision of dental hygiene services may be exposed to bloodborne pathogens that may result in human disease. COM strictly follows the protocols for prevention and management of exposure to infectious diseases as provided by the CDC and OSHA. Students and faculty members who experience exposure to potentially infectious materials (needle stick, mucous membrane, or non-intact skin) or airborne inhalation require specific follow-up. For more information on the policies on bloodborne and infectious diseases, refer to the current COM Dental Hygiene Student Handbook.
The program uses a selective application process. The application requirements are detailed in the DH Program Application Information Packet.
In order to apply for the Dental Hygiene program at COM, you must first establish yourself as a student at COM. Here are the steps for admission into the college:
- Apply to COM: Student can apply for free online either at www.com.edu/apply or through ApplyTexas at www.applytexas.org.
- Transcripts: All official transcripts must be sent to COM admissions department.
- Vaccinations: Students are required to complete a series of vaccinations and provide proof when applying to the program. For students under the age of 22, they will need to be vaccinated against meningococcal meningitis.
- Advising: Students are recommended to meet with a health sciences advisor to review the program requirements and ensure eligibility.
- Dental hygiene application: Students will need to apply specifically to the program through the application.
The Dental Hygiene Clinic at College of the Mainland provides dental preventive services in a professional and caring environment. First- and Second-Year dental hygiene students provide patient care under the supervision of our licensed dentist and dental hygiene faculty.
Learn more about the COM Dental Hygiene Clinic.
The United States Department of Education (USDE) procedures require accrediting agencies to provide an opportunity for third-party comment, with respect to institutions or programs scheduled for review. All comments must relate to accreditation standards for the discipline and/or accreditation policies. All comments relative to programs being visited will be due in the Commission office no later than sixty (60) days prior to each program’s site visit to allow time for the program to respond. Negative comments received after the deadline of sixty (60) days prior to the site visit will be handled as a complaint.
The College of the Mainland Dental Hygiene Program will have a site visit 03/31/2026-04/01/2026.
See the following link for more information on submitting a comment to the commission:
Effective September 1, 2017, HB 1508 amends the Texas Occupations Code Section 53 that requires education providers to notify potential or enrolled students that a criminal history may make them ineligible for an occupational license upon program completion. Program specific information will be provided in course syllabi.