FAQ's
Dental Hygiene Questions
How long is the Dental Hygiene Program?
The Dental Hygiene Program is 2 years in length, a summer session is included and all traditional college holidays are observed.
What is the degree granted at the end of the curriculum?
Upon successful completion of the Dental Hygiene Program students are granted an Associate of Applied Science degree.
What is the schedule like?
Students are in class full time on a daytime schedule, five days a week. Each semester is slightly different, but no classes after 5:00 pm. Class and clinic preparation begin at 8:00 am.
How much does the program cost?
Including tuition, books, instruments and clinic supplies, immunizations, uniforms and board exam fees, the cost is approximately $11,000.00. Students are required to purchase scrubs to wear in any lab or clinic setting.
How do I apply?
Where can I get an application?
Applications are available on this website beginning January 23 of each year. Go to Dental Hygiene Requirements.
What entrance Exam is Required?
The pre-entrance exam for dental hygiene applicants is the Health Science Reasoning Test (HSRT). The test is available in the testing center on the LSC-Kingwood Campus during the application process. Go to Dental Hygiene Pre-Entrance HSRT.
When will I be notified?
The top 24 applicants will receive letters inviting them to interview.
Is there a waiting list?
Lone Star College-Kingwood will not keep a waiting list. However, there will be an Alternate List for applicants who will be offered a place in the class if an accepted student does not enter the program.
What else is required?
Once accepted, students will need:
- Negative background check.
- All immunizations must be current including MMR, Tetnus/Diptheria (Td Adult type), Varicella, Hepatitis B series (This is a series of 3 injections that must be complete by first day of class. The series takes 6 months to complete), Negative TB skin test in the past 12 months.
- Current CPR for Healthcare providers.
How do I get a license to practice as a Registered Dental Hygienist?
You must graduate from an Accredited School of Dental Hygiene, You must pass the National Board Dental Hygiene Exam and you must pass the Western Region Examining Board Clinical Examination. Once you have satisfied these requirements, you may make application to the Texas State Board of Dental Examiners for licensure.
The National Board Dental Hygiene Exam is given in the Spring semester of your final year in the Dental Hygiene Program. The Western Region Examining Board Clinical Exam is given upon completion of your final year of the dental hygiene curriculum.
Do I have to take the ACT or SAT examination to be considered for admission?
The ACT or SAT examinations are not specifically required by the program or the college. You will need to meet the Student Success Initiatives (SSI) requirements for admission to the college. College Advisors will be happy to help you with this.
How many times a year will Lone Star College-Kingwood admit a new dental hygiene class?
Our program, like many of the others in the state, accepts and admits one class per year in the Fall semester.
Do I have to have prior work experience in a dental office to be considered for admission?
No, but it is helpful to do some research about the dental hygiene profession to see if the roles and responsibilities of the dental hygienist are in line with your personal goals. If you have no dental office experience it is advisable to speak to your own dentist/dental hygienist about observing in the office.
If I don't have my pre-requisite courses completed by December 31, can I still apply?
No, all prerequisite coursework must be complete in order to apply to the program.
I took Anatomy and Physiology ten years ago. Will I need to retake the course?
BIOL 2401 Anatomy & Physiology 1, BIOL 2402 Anatomy & Physiology 2 and BIOL 2420 Medical Microbiology MUST be no more than 5 years old when applying to the Dental Hygiene Program. Go to Biology Refresher Information.
If I fail a course and retake it, which grade do you consider in the application process?
The higher of the two.
How are students selected for admission?
Go to: Additional Dental Hygiene Requirements for admissions information.
What kind of grades do I need to have to be considered for the Dental Hygiene program?
The first part of the admissions process is based solely on grades:
- Prerequisite course grades (BIOL 2401 A & P 1, CHEM 1405 Intro to Chemistry, ENGL 1301 Composition & Rhetoric , SOCI 1301 Intro to Sociology)
- Grades in other general education courses(BIOL 2402 A & P 2, BIOL 2420 Medical Microbiology, PSYC 2301 General Psychology, SPCH 1318 Interpersonal Communication, PHIL 2306 Introduction to Ethics)
- Grade on the Health Science Reasoning Test (HSRT)
Entrance into the Dental Hygiene is very competitive. It is not unusual for applicants to have a 3.4-3.6 in the pre-requisite courses and more A’s than B’s in the general education courses. The average HSRT for the entering class of 2011 was a 25.
