Dental Hygiene

Overview

Dental hygienists play an important role in promoting health by helping patients understand the connection between good oral health and an overall healthy body. Dental hygienists provide patient education and individualized therapeutic services to help patients reach their oral health goals.

Sheridan College’s Dental Hygiene Degree has been one of the leading programs in the Rocky Mountain Region since 1969. Our cutting-edge technology and state-of-the-art equipment provide students with the most current didactic and clinical experiences possible.

The dental hygiene program accepts 24 students each year. Students develop strong friendships and learn to work well as a team. They enjoy this relationship with each other and with their patients. Our location at the foot of the Bighorn Mountains provides students with unmatched outdoor experiences.

Sheridan College has a cooperative agreement with the University of Wyoming (UW). This unique partnership gives you the opportunity to earn a Bachelor of Science degree from UW while simultaneously earning an Associate of Applied Science in Dental Hygiene from Sheridan College. The Bachelor of Science option offers increased career opportunities and can be completed during the program or at a later time. Many of our students are able to receive both degrees at graduation and some may be eligible for a third degree, an AS in Health Science.

Many graduates join private dentistry practices, while others can pursue research or education opportunities.

2025 Achievement Statistics

Why Sheridan College?

• With only 24 students accepted into the program each year, you will enjoy a low faculty-to-student ratio and individualized instruction.
• Our Dental Hygiene degree program partners with the University of Wyoming to give you the option of simultaneously completing a bachelor’s degree.
• Sheridan College offers rotations to several off-site health care facilities, as well as at the Kim and Mary Kay Love Dental Hygiene Clinic located on campus.

Admission Requirements

Applicants to the dental hygiene program must be accepted to Sheridan College and submit official transcripts (including High School or HSEC) to the Records office. Admission to the college does not guarantee admission to the dental hygiene program; application to the dental hygiene program is a separate process.

Prerequisites

Students applying to the dental hygiene program must complete all the prerequisite courses listed on the following page, by the end of the spring semester they apply to the program. No more than two prerequisite courses may still be in progress in the spring semester that the student applies.

Prerequisites include:

_{*Courses must be 5 years current at the time of application}

GPA

Prerequisite courses must be completed with a “C” or better and applicants must have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 to apply for admission. Admission selection is based on cumulative GPA of the non-science prerequisite courses and cumulative GPA of the science prerequisite courses. All prerequisite courses must be completed by the end of the SPRING semester in which the student applies. No SUMMER course grades are accepted for the summer following the student’s application!

Application

All applications, transcripts, and forms must be completed by February 15 to be considered for Fall Semester admittance to the dental hygiene program. All pre-req courses must be completed by the end of the spring semester that the student applies – we do not wait for SUMMER course grades!

1. Apply to Sheridan College using the college application (if not a current Sheridan College student).
2. Send official transcripts from your high school and all colleges you have attended to Sheridan College by the application deadline of February 15. Official transcripts can be requested and sent electronically through the National Student Clearinghouse at https://studentclearinghouse.org.
3. Complete the Dental Hygiene Application Form.
4. Submit observation form or observation waiver form (found in the Information Packet) to the dental hygiene program by mail, fax, or email, or upload with the dental hygiene program application.

After February 15, the dental hygiene admissions committee meets to review applications. The top tier of applicants will be contacted to schedule an interview. These interviews are conducted via Zoom or other such technology between March 5 and March 15. In late March, applicants are notified of their status.

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Careers & Industry Outlook

Dental hygienists may work in clinical practices, including family general practices, pediatric practices, and periodontal offices. Other dental hygienists work in Public Dental Health Clinics, Indian Health Service (IHS) Clinics, and VA Dental Clinics while others pursue careers in education, research, legislation, and public advocacy. To help you prepare for your career in Dental Hygiene, Sheridan College offers numerous resources, including:

Industry Projections

• Demand is high for Dental Hygienists across the state and region. Ongoing research that connects oral health to general health will continue to increase the demand for preventative dental services, according to the U.S. Department of Labor.
• The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that the field of Dental Hygienists will experience 20% job growth, adding more than 40,900 jobs from 2016-2026.

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Curriculum

The Dental Hygiene program is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) awarding an Associate of Applied Science degree preceded by prerequisite coursework. The program has an agreement with the University of Wyoming for a Bachelor of Science degree in dental hygiene upon completion of upper division courses.

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Faculty

The faculty in the Sheridan College Dental Hygiene program are dental hygienists who want to make a difference for students and the communities they serve. We are committed to providing you with the best education possible and are dedicated to providing support for your success and the safety of the public.

The faculty strive to help you accomplish your academic goals in order to be prepared for clinical and national board exams. Sheridan College provides multiple opportunities and experiences to prepare you for the clinical world of dental hygiene after graduation.

Four of the six full-time faculty members are graduates of Sheridan College’s program. Five of the six clinical adjunct instructors earned their credentials at Sheridan College.

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Related Programs

Your path doesn’t stop here—discover related programs that open new doors and broaden your career potential. Sheridan College is here to help you find the best fit for your journey.