This document summarizes the requirements and application process for HGTC's 5 semester Dental Hygiene Degree program. Applicants must complete prerequisite courses, observe in a dental office, maintain a 2.75 GPA, and submit their application by May 15. Acceptance is competitive based on weighted criteria including grades, test scores, experience, and residency. The program costs over $19,000 and requires immunizations, uniforms, instruments, and national exams. Classes are year-round including summer with clinical experience beginning the first semester.

1. Dental Hygiene Degree
5 semester program.
Admission is based on weighted
criteria.
Applications Due:
May 15 of each year to apply for the
following Fall semester (August) class
on the Grand Strand campus.
Late or incomplete applications will not
be reviewed for admission.

2. To Apply for the DHG program you must:
1. Apply to and be accepted at HGTC, which includes
paying the $30 application fee, submitting official
high school and college transcripts, and
submitting the “Additional Admission/Placement
Requirements Affidavit.”(The Affidavit is
viewable on slide 4 and may be printed from the
“Forms” box on the Libguides page.)
2. Complete the 4 prerequisite courses (ENG 101,
MAT 101, BIO 210 (5 yrs.), CHM 105 or 110) with a
grade of C or higher and within the departmental
required time limits.
3. Achieve a 2.75 GPA on all prerequisite/core
courses completed.

3. Continued: To Apply for the DHG program you must:
4. Complete the online Dental Hygiene Department
“Information Session”
(http://libguides.hgtc.edu/healthscience) which
includes reviewing the Technical Standards for the
DHG program.
5. Complete 15 hours of observations in a private dental
office and submit the completed observation form to
the Admissions office. Instructions to complete the
observations will be given during the viewing of the
online Dental Hygiene Departmental Information
Session.
6. Submit your completed application to the Admissions
office on any campus by the application deadline of
May 15.

4. This is an
example of the
Additional
Admission
Placement
Requirement
Affidavit. The
full document
may be found in
the Forms box on
the Libguides
page. Complete
and submit the
Affidavit to the
Admissions office.
Do not complete
the Background
Check or Drug
Screen process
until after
receiving
notification of
being accepted
into your program
and receiving
instructions on
when to do so.

5. Dental Hygiene Prerequisite Courses
Required GPA of 2.75 with only C’s or higher accepted
Prerequisite Courses
BIO 210 ***– Anatomy and Physiology I (5 yr. time limit)
CHM 105 or CHM 110 – General, Organic, and Biochemistry or College Chemistry
ENG 101* – English Composition I
MAT 101 – Beginning Algebra
Core Courses
BIO 211 – Anatomy and Physiology II (5 yr. time limit)
BIO 225 – Microbiology (5 yr. time limit)
SPC 205 – Public Speaking
PSY 201 – General Psychology
SOC 101 – Introduction to Sociology
Humanities – choose one humanities (ART 101, 105, 108, ENG 201, 202, 205, 206,208,
209, 214, 224, FRE 201, 202, HIS 101,102, 201, 202, MUS 105, PHI 101, 110,
201, REL 103, SPA 201, 202, THE 101)
*English Progression/dependent on test scores: ENG 032 - ENG 100 - ENG 101
**Math Progression/dependent on test scores: MAT 032 - MAT 101
***BIO 210 has a prerequisite of BIO 101, BIO 112 or CHM 110 or the required test scores:
Accuplacer: Sentence Skills – 81, Reading – 75, Algebra - 75
Compass: Reading – 85, Writing – 78, Algebra – 46
SAT: Verbal - 480, Math – 460
ACT: Reading -19, English – 19, Math-19

6. Information Session with the Department Chair
This is an online session which the Dental Hygiene faculty
created to tell you about classes, clinicals, fees, jobs, and many
things you need to know about working in the field of Dental
Hygiene - a great time to have your questions answered.
You may access the online Information Session by going to the
top right corner of the Dental Hygiene Tab of the Libguides page,
http://libguides.hgtc.edu/healthscience. You will also need to
review the Information Packet found in this location.
Information and instructions on completing the required 15
hours of observations in a private dental office are included in
this Information Session.
Viewing the online Information Session and completing the 15
hours of observations are requirements that must be completed
before you will be eligible to submit an application for the
Dental Hygiene program.

7. Weighted Criteria for Acceptance
Acceptance into the DHG program is limited and
competitive. There is no guarantee of acceptance.
Your grades are very important. Even though the
minimum GPA requirement is 2.75 you should
strive for a much higher GPA.
The scoring criteria in the next slide is used to
determine which applicants will be accepted into
the Dental Hygiene program. The 18 students with
the highest number of points are accepted each
year.
The number of points needed for selection will
vary each year. Acceptance depends on your points
vs. the points of the other applicants at that time,
therefore admissible points may change each
review period.

8. WEIGHTED VALUES FOR SELECTION PROCESS (max points 34)
CRITERIA
POINT
SCALE
Previous Dental Experience (Letter from employer and/or EDDA certificate must be attached to
application):
 1 year of full-time work in a dental office within the past 36 months
 1 year of part-time work in a dental office within the past 36 months
OR
Graduate of HGTC’s EDDA Program w/ a 2.5 or higher GPA + Certification Status
2 points
1 point
3 points
Academic Performance on Pre-Requisite Courses (maximum 20 points)
BIO 210 _____ CHM 105 _____ ENG 101 _____ MAT101 _____
A = 5 points
B = 3 points
C = 1 point
Academic Rigor: (maximum = 7.0 points)
Number of Dental Hygiene general education courses completed above and beyond the Pre-requisite courses:
GPA 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
2.75-
2.99
3.0
pts
3.5
pts
4.0 pts 4.5
pts
5.0 pts 5.5
pts
6.0 pts
3.00-
3.50
3.5
pts
4.0
pts
4.5 pts 5.0
pts
5.5 pts 6.0
pts
6.5 pts
3.51-
4.00
4.0
pts
4.5
pts
5.0 pts 5.5
pts
6.0 pts 6.5
pts
7.0 pts
Placement Test Scores or Degree:
COMPASS: >Reading—85; Writing—78; Algebra—46 OR
ACCUPLACER: >Reading—75; Sent Skills—81; Elem Algebra—75 OR
ACT: > Reading—19; Writing—19; Math—21 OR
SAT: > Critical Reading —480; Math—460 OR
Bachelor’s degree or higher
3 points
Horry or Georgetown Resident (as established by the College) 1 point

9. Be the Best Applicant You Can Be!
Applying with the highest number of points you can obtain is important!!!
You may increase your points by:
Applying for and obtaining residency status – go to
http://www.hgtc.edu/admissions/residency.html for a residency application.
Obtaining a South Carolina driver’s license and car registration (if the car is in
your name) are normally an important part of this process. Read the
application and instructions carefully.
Applying with the best grades possible! You can also increase your points by
increasing your GPA as you will see in the Academic Rigor section of the point
criteria. You can use the calculator on the Libguides page to see how much
your GPA will increase by retaking or taking a different course in the same
prereq category and receiving a higher grade. Always check with financial aid
before retaking any course.
Completing the Expanded Duty Dental Assisting course at HGTC – view the
STEPS session for Dental Assisting and speak with a Health Science Advisor to
determine if this is a good option for you. If you have completed the EDDA
program be sure to include a copy of your certificate with your DHG
application.
Working in a Dental Office – if you have worked in a Dental office for a full year
within the last three years be sure to submit a letter from your employer, on
letterhead, explaining your duties and providing the dates of your
employment. Your employer’s contact information must be included. The DHG
department will determine if you qualify for the Dental Experience points.

10. The following requirements must be completed AFTER initial
acceptance into the program.
The college will provide you with the instructions about when
and how to complete these requirements if you are notified of
acceptance. Please plan ahead to cover the costs of these items.
Failure to complete these requirements within the designated
time frame will prohibit your progression into the program.
• Submit $500.00 deposit to reserve your seat. This is an out of pocket expense
– not covered by financial aid.
• Pass Certified Background Check and Drug Screening – cost to you is $112.00.
The return of an unfavorable CBS and/or UDS may result in a student being
removed from the desired program. Clinical sites/facilities determine
applicant’s eligibility to participate in clinical studies based on their policies. If
you complete the background check before being instructed to do so you will
have to redo it and pay the $112 again. The Background Check, drug
screening, and payment of $112 will be required each semester while in the
program.
• Complete a Health Physical and submit proof of required immunizations.
(Physical cost is your responsibility so plan ahead financially.)
• Show proof of current Health Care Providers CPR. You may take a class
through HGTC’s Workforce Development Department. Register at
www.hgtc.edu/jobtraining. This course costs approximately $69. You will also
purchase a book and a mask.

11. ITEMS APPROXIMATE
COST
NEED PRIOR TO STARTING CLASSES:
 Complete medical examination (form provided by program) $75.00
 CPR Certification (Must be Healthcare Provider and must be kept
current throughout the entire curriculum). 40.00
 Hepatitis Vaccine (Must have all 3 shots by middle of Second
Semester) 150.00
TOTAL COST $265.00
FIRST SEMESTER, FALL FIRST YEAR
 Tuition (Horry & Georgetown County residents) $1920.00
 Books 800.00
For the following semesters, this will be noted as “Student Fees” at $134.00
Enrollment Fee
25.00
 Liability Insurance 5.00
 Student Activity Fee 24.00
 Technology Fee 50.00
 Parking Fee 35.00
 Instrument Kit 1200.00
 Uniforms, lab coat and clinic shoes 300.00
 Items for Pre-clinic (gloves, glasses, face masks, disinfecting wipes, etc.) 100.00
 Name tag 15.00
 Student Association Dues 85.00
TOTAL $4559.00
SECOND SEMESTER, SPRING FIRST YEAR
 Tuition (Horry & Georgetown County residents) $1920.00
 Books 500.00
 Student Fees 134.00
 Magnification Loupes 800.00
 Stethoscope & Blood Pressure Kit 50.00
 Radiology Lab Kit (1 set of Phosphor Plates) 500.00
 Clinic Items (gloves, face masks, etc.) 50.00
TOTAL $3954.00
EXPENSE STATEMENT FOR ENTERING DENTAL HYGIENE STUDENTS
The following are the major expenses that a student will incur during enrollment in the dental hygiene curriculum. Please keep in mind that these figures are
only approximations; additional expenses may be incurred, and due dates for expenditures may occur earlier than semester costs indicate. Students will also be
required to purchase items such as gloves, face masks, clinical lab coat, and other minor clinical items necessary for patient treatment. Vendor names may be
obtained from the program office. NOTE: Tuition is based on a full time load of 12 credit hours.

12. THIRD SEMESTER, SUMMER FIRST YEAR
 Tuition (Horry & Georgetown County residents) $1920.00
 Books 100.00
 Student Fees 134.00
 Items for Clinic (gloves, face masks, etc.) 50.00
TOTAL
$2204.00
FOURTH SEMESTER, FALL SECOND YEAR
 Tuition (Horry & Georgetown County residents) $1920.00
 Books 700.00
 Student Fees 134.00
 Ultrasonic Instrument Kit 250.00
 Items for Clinic (gloves, face masks, etc.) 100.00
 Student Association Dues 85.00
 National Board Review Course Registration Fee (optional, but
strongly recommended 400.00
TOTAL
$3589.00
FIFTH SEMESTER, SPRING SECOND YEAR
 Tuition (Horry & Georgetown County residents) $1920.00
 Books 100.00
 Student Fees 134.00
 Replacement Instruments for clinical exam (optional) 100.00
 Items for Clinic (gloves, face masks, etc.) 100.00
 National Board Review Course
Hotel & Meals for 3 nights (students sharing rooms)
Transportation
300.00
100.00
 National Board Licensing Exam Fee (Mandatory for licensure) 450.00
 Clinical Board Licensing Exam (Mandatory for licensure)
Registration Fee
Facility Usage Fee
995.00
125.00
 South Carolina Dental Hygiene License Fee (Mandatory for
licensure)
150.00
 Dental Hygiene Pin 50.00
 Dental Hygiene Class Picture (optional) 50.00
TOTAL
$4574.00
TOTAL COST FOR TWO YEARS (approximately) $19145.00

13. Dental Hygiene is a 5 semester Degree beginning each Fall
(August)semester on the Grand Strand Campus. Classes and
clinicals associated with this program are during the day. Once
accepted you will attend class year round, including summer.
Please plan ahead financially as you may not receive financial
aid for the summer.
If you have already completed and passed the core courses,
such as PSY 201, SPC 205, etc., prior to beginning the
program, you do not have to retake them in the program.
FIRST SEMESTER (FALL) SECOND SEMESTER (SPRING) THIRD SEMESTER (SUMMER)
AHS 113 Head & Neck Anatomy DHG 121 Dental Radiography DHG 175 Clinical Dental Hygiene II
BIO 211 Anatomy and Physiology II DHG 141 Periodontology DHG 239 Dental Assisting for Dental Hygienists
BIO 225 Microbiology DHG 165 Clinical Dental Hygiene I PSY201 General Psychology
DHG 125 Tooth Morphology & Histology DHG 243 Nutrition
DHG 151 Dental Hygiene Principles SPC 205 Public Speaking
FOURTH SEMESTER (FALL) FIFTH SEMESTER (SPRING)
DHG 140 General and Oral Pathology DHG 242 Integrated Dental Hygiene II
DHG 143 Dental Pharmacology DHG 265 Clinical Dental Hygiene IV
DHG 230 Public Health Dentistry SOC 101 Introduction to Sociology
DHG 241 Integrated Dental Hygiene I Humanities
DHG 255 Clinical Dental Hygiene III

14. Thank you for completing the Dental Hygiene
STEPS session.
HGTC reserves the right to change the program
admission requirements at any time. You will be
required to adhere to any changes made at the
time you submit your application.
Please review and submit the checklist, below
the STEPS session on the Libguides page, to
receive credit for viewing this required session.
Please include your H number (Student ID
number) when submitting the checklist.