Dental Hygiene Technology

Advanced Manufacturing Technology Center

Coming Soon

The Dental Hygiene Technology Program (DHT) is a two-year technical program offered in a face-to-face platform with didactic and clinicals based at the Advanced Manufacturing Technology Center. DHT offers general education and clinical dental hygiene experience to prepare one for a career in the dental hygiene profession. All phases of dental hygiene education are covered and practiced by clinical experience.

This program has begun the initial application process with the American Dental Association’s Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) and anticipates accreditation for students entering in the Fall of 2025. The program must have a pre-accreditation review, complete an on-site evaluation, and be granted Accreditation Status before its graduates will be eligible to sit for the National Board of Dental Hygiene Exam (NBDHE) as well as the ADEX Hygiene Examination consisting of two components-Patient Treatment Clinical Exam and Computer Simulated Clinical Examination.

As the student successfully progresses through the program, the student will be eligible to sit for the National Board of Dental Hygiene Exam (NBDHE) as well as the ADEX Hygiene Examination consisting of two components-Patient Treatment Clinical Exam and Computer Simulated Clinical Examination. The ADEX Dental Hygiene Examination is the examination approved by The American Board of Dental Examiners, Inc. (ADEX). ADEX is a private not-for-profit consortium of state and regional dental boards throughout the United States and some international jurisdictions. The ADEX provides for the ongoing development of a series of common national dental and dental hygiene licensing examinations, these exams are uniformly administered by individual states or regional testing agencies on behalf of participating and licensing jurisdictions. Upon successful completion of the program, the graduate will receive an Associate of Applied Science in Dental Hygiene Technology.

Upon successful completion of the program, the graduate will receive an Associate of Applied Science in Dental Hygiene Technology.

Dental Hygiene Goals

Maintain a comprehensive understanding of dental anatomy, dental procedures, patient communication, infection control, and medical emergencies
Master the necessary dental hygiene competencies, including office and administrative duties, and
Be eligible to take the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination (NBDHE) and become a Licensed Dental Hygienist

Admissions Procedure

Complete online application and be accepted to Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College.
Submit copies of official transcripts of all schools attended to the Office of Admissions. All transcripts must be reviewed for determination of course credits.
Meet all Academic Requirements (listed below) and complete any program pre-requisites or Entry Requirements.
After successful completion of all academic and entry requirements (see section below), the student is eligible to complete the Dental Hygiene Supplemental Application for Program Admission. To complete and submit the online Supplemental Application:
1. Visit Web Services.
2. Select Student.
3. Select School of Nursing and Health Professions Supplemental Application.

Thereafter, the applicant MUST read the guidelines carefully. In order to complete and submit the application, college admission and ALL pre-requisite requirements are required.

The School of Nursing and Health Professions Supplemental Application for Dental Hygiene Technology will not be open until the program has been granted CODA accreditation status.

Academic and Entry Requirements

An official high school transcript from an approved high school or High School Equivalency score (GED or HiSET), if not previously enrolled in college.
Completion of English Composition I (ENG 1113), Anatomy & Physiology I (BIO 2514), Anatomy & Physiology II (BIO 2524), and Microbiology (BIO 2924) with a grade of “C” or better prior to admission to the DH program.
A core grade point average of 2.5 or higher (A core GPA is defined as the average of the best grade achieved for all required courses)
Submission of The Admission Test for Dental Hygiene (ATDH) score.
ACT Score of 18 (If the ACT score is less than 18, an applicant can qualify by successfully completing 21 semester hours of the program’s degree required courses. The 21 credit hours must include English Composition I, Anatomy and Physiology I, Anatomy & Physiology II and Microbiology with a grade of “C” or better in each.)
Submission of a minimum of 8 dental observation hours, 4 hours specifically observing a dental hygienist.
Review the online mandatory Pre-School of Nursing and Health Professions Orientation Session prior to completing the supplemental application for program ranking. The session can be viewed anytime and anywhere you have access to the internet. The Power Point presentation gives you valuable information on topics common to all School of Nursing and Health Professions programs at MGCCC. Even without the ability to speak directly or interact immediately with a School of Nursing and Health Professions advisor, the session speaks to frequently asked questions from program entrance to completion. In order to receive credit for viewing the session, follow the steps below. The information is approximately one (1) hour in length.
To complete this requirement, do the following:
1. Visit Web Services.
2. Select Student.
3. Select School of Nursing and Health Professions Supplemental Application Orientation Session.
4. In order to receive credit, you must review the entire session.
5. Click survey complete so that your log-in information will be recorded in the college’s BANNER system.
Comply with Mississippi law requiring a Criminal Background History Check with Fingerprinting through the Mississippi Department of Health. All students making application to a School of Nursing and Health Professions program at MGCCC are required to obtain a clear or acceptable Criminal Background Check from the MGCCC Campus Police Department at HC, JC, Perkinston, or GC Campus. The criminal background check policy (including testing dates and times) can be viewed at School of Nursing and Health Professions Criminal Background Check Policy.

Selection Process

Program openings are filled based on Selective Admission. Admission requirements are evaluated by the use of a rating scale which includes but not limited to: ACT scores, ATDH score, GPA, and applicable previous degrees/certifications earned. All applicants are considered on a competitive basis. Meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee admission into the program. The number of applicants accepted is limited due to the nature of the program.

Academic Core GPA 10%
Cumulative GPA 30%
ACT Composite 30%
ATDH Exam 30%

DHT Program Policies

All students are required to submit to substance testing in accordance with the substance testing policy and procedures for the School of Nursing and Health Professions. The testing policy can be viewed by clicking here: School of Nursing and Health Professions Substance Testing Policy.
The School of Nursing and Health Professions requires proof of Immunizations and/or CPR. Submission of all required documents will begin following program acceptance. Failure to meet the requirements will result in withdrawal/dismissal.
Upon admission a student must obtain a minimum grade of “C” in all DHT co-requisite courses to graduate from the program.
Adherence to additional clinical affiliation requirements may be necessary depending on clinical rotation placement. (i.e. clinic orientation, HIPAA training, CPR certification)
The School of Nursing and Health Professions Student Manual can be viewed here