Dental Hygiene
Located in Bryan, the Blinn College Dental Hygiene Program is a competitive-entry program accepting 14 students each fall semester. Upon satisfactory completion of this two-year program, students earn an Associate of Applied Science Degree in Dental Hygiene and are eligible to take the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination and a regional/state clinical board examination.
In addition to the Dental Hygiene Program, Blinn offers its own dental hygiene clinic to the community. Services are provided by dental hygiene students under the supervision of a general dentist and dental hygiene faculty, all of whom are licensed in the State of Texas. Schedule your appointment by visiting our Dental Clinic page today!
Degree Plan
The Dental Hygiene Program prepares dental hygienists to meet the oral health care needs of the public.
Explore rewarding career opportunities in dental hygiene
Blinn’s comprehensive, two-year Dental Hygiene Program prepares students for careers as dental hygienists with a curriculum that provides hands-on learning opportunities in the classroom and its fully equipped dental hygiene clinic.
“Our faculty bring significant career experience into the classroom and are committed to ensuring that our students receive the knowledge and skills they need for a successful career in this field,” said Lisa Wiese.
Blinn's Give Kids a Smile provides more than $18,000 in free dental care for children
Blinn College District dental hygiene instructor Dana Wood perfectly sums up the theme of this year’s Give Kids a Smile (GKAS) event, which provided more than $18,000 in donated care to 68 children. From cheetahs to zebras and everything in between, safari décor transformed Blinn’s Dental Hygiene Clinic into a place of adventure to help put the evening’s young patients at ease.
“They say it’s a jungle out there, but for one night, it’s a jungle in here!”
The Dental Hygiene program at Blinn College meets the education requirements for the student to sit for the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination, regional clinical examination and the state jurisprudence exam. Upon successful examination completion, the student can apply for a license to practice in the state of Texas.
Blinn College has not determined if the Dental Hygiene program at Blinn College meets the state education for licensure requirements in any other state, any U.S. Territory, or the District of Columbia.
The Blinn College District Dental Hygiene Program (Program) meets college, state, regional and national requirements. At the national level, the accrediting body is the American Dental Association Commission on Dental Accreditation (ADA CODA/Commission). The Commission is a specialized accrediting body recognized by the United States Department of Education and its scope encompasses dental programs, advanced dental programs, and allied dental education like dental hygiene. The Program in Dental Hygiene has been granted the accreditation status of approval without reporting requirements by the Commission on Dental Accreditation based on the 2021 Program review. The next Program site visit by the Commission is scheduled to occur in 2028.
The ADA CODA will accept comments and complaints about our Program. The Commission will consider only formal, written, signed complaints. Unsigned complaints will be considered "anonymous complaints" and oral complaints will not be considered. Anonymous comments/complaints may be received at any time and will be added to the respective program's file for evaluation during the program's next scheduled accreditation site visit. An appropriate complaint is one that directly addresses a program's compliance with the Commission's standards, policies and procedures.
You may contact the Commission at:
The American Dental Association
Commission on Dental Accreditation
401 North Michigan Ave
Chicago, Illinois 60611
Telephone: 1-800-232-6108
www.ada.org/en/coda
The Blinn College District does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, or disability in its programs or activities. For information regarding Title IX, ADA, Section 504 and other anti-discrimination coordinators, see Required Notices .
Program FAQ
Can I take Dental Hygiene classes online?
No, Blinn does not offer online classes in the dental hygiene program. Dental hygiene is an in-person based curriculum where you learn to use dental equipment, master a new skill, and interact with patients on a very personal level under the care of hands-on instructors.
How long is the Dental Hygiene Program?
Upon acceptance, the Dental Hygiene Program is 2 academic years in length with a summer session included. 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, four to five days a week. Each semester is slightly different, but most classes end at 5:00 pm. Clinic preparation begins at 7:30 AM for morning clinic and 12:30 PM for the afternoon clinic. Depending on completion of clinical duties, the afternoon clinic may not dismiss until 5:30 pm.
How much does the program cost?
Including tuition, books, instruments and clinic supplies, immunizations, uniforms, and board exam fees, the cost is approximately $25,000.00 for out-of-district, in-state students. Students are required to purchase and wear scrubs in any lab or clinic setting.
What entrance exam is required?
The pre-entrance exam for dental hygiene applicants is the ATI-TEAS
Do I need to complete all the prerequisite courses before applying?
No, you do not need to complete all prerequisite courses before applying to the program. Applicants may apply with a combination of completed prerequisite and general education courses. However, those with more courses completed will be more competitive than those with fewer.
When will I be notified?
Applicants will be notified mid-March of the results of the application process.
Is there a waiting list?
Blinn College Dental Hygiene will not keep a waiting list from one year to the next. Each applicant must reapply the following year if they accepted to the program by the fall start date. We will, however, maintain an alternate list for the application cycle. Applicants will be ranked in numerical order of points earned in the application cycle. Should an accepted applicant decline entry into the program the next alternate in numerical order will be notified until the class is full.
What else is required?
Once accepted, students will receive a packet of information regarding drug testing, criminal background clearance and immunization requirements.
How do I get a license to practice as a Registered Dental Hygienist?
- Graduation from an accredited dental hygiene program
- Successful completion of the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination (NBDHE)
- Successful completion of a regional clinical examination
- Successful completion of state jurisprudence, laws, rules and regulations
- Once you have satisfied these requirements, you may apply to the Texas State Board of Dental Examiners for licensure in Texas.
- If you are seeking licensure in another state, please investigate licensure requirements for that state.
You are eligible to sit for the National Board Dental Hygiene Exam during the spring semester of your final year in the Dental Hygiene Program. You are eligible to sit for a clinical exam near graduation of your final semester, or after graduation.
How many times a year will Blinn College 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 need prior work experience in a dental office to be considered for admission?
Points are awarded in the application rubric for any work experience. It is helpful to have some dental office experience to solidify your personal and career goals but is not required.
I took Anatomy and Physiology ten years ago. Will I need to retake the course?
BIOL 2402 Anatomy & Physiology 2 MUST be no more than 5 years old when applying to the Dental Hygiene Program. BIOL 2420 Medical Microbiology MUST be no more than 3 years old.
If I fail a course and retake it, which grade do you consider in the application process?
The highest grade earned will be used in the points rubric for course completion. Both grades will be calculated in the GPA.
Contact Us
Blinn College FAQ
How do I apply and register?
Getting started at Blinn is easy using our easy-to-follow Steps to Apply page!
How much will it cost?
Visit our Affordability Page to learn more about tuition and fee rates and financial aid opportunities, including the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), scholarships, grants, veteran’s benefits, and payment plans.
Are financial aid and scholarships available?
Yes! Blinn offers several financial aid options, including endowed scholarships. Visit Blinn’s Financial Aid page to explore how you can make your education more affordable.
Who can help me choose the right courses?
For assistance in choosing the right courses for your college and career goals, contact an academic advisor.
Can I tour the campuses to see which is right for me?
We’d love to show you around! Schedule your visit today at Blinn Campus Tours.
Where can I go for academic assistance?
Blinn offers a variety of resources to help you succeed, including our campus libraries, learning centers, writing centers, and tutoring services.