Dental Hygiene

Our dental hygiene program will offer students an entry into one of the hottest jobs currently in Canada. The Dental Hygienist performs a key role in the health care community. For over fifty years, this profession provides various dental services and evaluates the oral health of clients. Oxford College’s Dental Hygiene program, which is Accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of Canada, gives students the edge in preparing for a great career.

Next Start Date

August 13, 2012

Career Opportunities

Dental hygienists are most often employed by dentists and work in private dental offices. However, a growing number of dental hygienists are choosing careers in public health, education, hospitals, research, independent practice, dental product development and promotion, and specialty services for those in long-term care facilities

In 2007 the Ontario government allowed dental hygienists to work in independent practices, which allows them to start and run their own businesses. This has greatly opened up the possible opportunities for dental hygienists.

Our Program

Our 18-month dental hygiene program concentrates on teaching students the scientific and medical components of dental health, and how to care for clients using the latest dental hygiene equipment.  Our program is divided into four semesters, each lasting about four-and-a-half months.  The curriculum involves courses in dental sciences, clinical sciences and behavioural sciences.  In the first two semesters, your learning is mostly centred in the classroom, but you will gradually move into the clinical setting where you perfect your instrumentation skills.  In the third semester, you will begin seeing real clients and perform cleanings and other dental hygiene services for them.

Admission Requirements

A. Applicants educated in Canada

  • OSSD with a minimum for Ontario graduates and the equivalent for graduates from all other provinces
  • Grade 12 English (General Level although College level or University is highly recommended),
  • Grade 11 or Grade 12 Biology (General Level although College level or University is highly recommended)
  • Grade 11 Math (General level)
  • Grade 11 Chemistry are highly recommended.

Cooperative Courses in these disciplines are not considered as having met these academic requirements

B. Applicants educated outside Canada/International Students

Candidates educated outside Canada will require an education equivalent to an Ontario Secondary School Diploma, which includes English and Biology, Chemistry is highly recommended. Applicants are required to have their documents assessed by the World Education Service www.wes.org/ca and the courses taken must be equivalent to;

  • Grade 12 English (General Level although College level or University is highly recommended),
  • Grade 11 or Grade 12 Biology (General Level although College level or University is highly recommended)
  • Grade 11 Math (General level)
  • Grade 11 Chemistry are highly recommended.
  • One of the following English proficiency tests will be required: TOEFL with an expected minimum is 230 computer, 500 paper, or 80 internet IELTS, with a minimum score of 6.0

D. Successful results on the Oxford College entrance examination. Minimum 70% is required to successfully pass the written preadmission testing.

Transfer students

Students applying for the Dental Hygiene program at Oxford College from another post-secondary institution that is NOT accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of Canada are NOT eligible for transfer credits from any course and must commence the program from the first semester.

Students applying for the Dental Hygiene program at Oxford College from another post-secondary institution that is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of Canada may be eligible for transfer credits provided the following requirements have been met:

  • Only courses completed with a grade of 70% or better and have similar course content will be considered for transfer credit.
  • Only those behavioural science courses completed at the college or college transfer level may be considered for transfer credit if completed within five years of the current academic year.
  • Courses in science, beyond the introductory level and career related courses may be considered for transfer if completed within five years of the current academic year.
  • The amount of transfer credit is limited by the requirement that at least 75% of the program must be completed at Oxford College

Required Documents for Registration

Applicants are required to successfully complete the Oxford College pre-admission test. Once the applicant is accepted into the Dental Hygiene Program the following documents must be submitted to complete the registration process;

  • Admission Form
  • Legal Proof of Age (driver’s license, passport or birth certificate)
  • Official or Notarized copy of OSSD Transcript or High School equivalent
  • Any post-secondary degrees or diplomas
  • Letter of Reference (previous employer, professors, guidance counselor)
  • Two passport-size photos of yourself
  • Police reference check
  • Other documents that might be required to strengthen the application-please specify
  • Registration Fee of $150.00 (payable by cash, money order, debit card, Visa or Mastercard)

Candidates are encouraged to contact the admissions department at Oxford College for all scheduled test dates. Test dates will also be posted on the Oxford College website.

Applicants meeting the requirements will be invited to a personal interview for further consideration and a conditional offer will be issued to suitable candidates.

 

See also our website, Learn Dental Hygiene, for more information about the program, including:

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