Health Careers
Pre-Dental Hygiene Resources
Considering a Career as a Dental Hygienist
The American Dental Education Association [ADEA] webpages Why Be a Dental Hygienist? and Dental Hygiene Programs provide a good overview of the profession to prospective students.
CWU Does Not Offer a Dental Hygiene Major. However, we do offer prerequisites commonly found in Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene programs. These prerequisite courses will aid you when you are transferring to another school for a dental hygiene program.
How to Become a Dental Hygienist
TeethTalkGirl Blog: Dental Hygiene Schooling, Programs & Requirements
CWU Coursework Recommended for Pre-Dental Hygiene Students
This sequence of courses requires 2 years to complete at CWU
- BIOL 322 (Introductory Microbiology) OR BIOL 323 (Microbiology)
- BIOL 355 and BIOL 356 (Human Anatomy & Physiology I & II)*
- CHEM 111, 112, 113 (Introduction to Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, & Biochemistry) with labs
- COM 207 (Introduction to Communication Studies)
- ENG 101 (English Composition 1)
- NUTR 101 (Introduction to Human Nutrition)
- PSY 101 (General Psychology)
- SOC 107 (Introduction to Sociology)
- Some professional programs also require a Computer Skills Course: CS 101 (Computer Basics) or IT 101 (Computer Applications)
*BIOL 355 is typically offered Fall Quarter. BIOL 356 is typically offered Winter Quarter.
NOTE: Most courses listed here also require prerequisites to enroll; check the university catalog and confirm with your advisor if you are unsure. Course substitutions from this list may be possible but must be approved by the professional program(s) of interest.
CWU Pre-Dental Hygiene Advisor (General Advising)
Please contact Exploratory Advising to connect with a pre-health advisor with any general advising questions you may have about becoming a dental hygienist.
Other Resources
- ADEA Dental Hygiene Centralized Application Service
- American Dental Hygienists Association [ADHA] List of Dental Hygiene Programs and Accreditation Information
- National Dental Hygienists Association [NDHA] Auxiliary organization to the National Dental Association, a non-profit dental hygiene organization for Africans and African Americans dedicated to the recruitment of minority students to the profession. Scholarships available through NDHA
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