Dental Hygiene Program Workshop Handout

STUDENT SELECTION PROCEDURES

Students seeking admission to the Cypress College Dental Hygiene Program are advised to attend an information workshop. Information about these workshops can be found at: https://careers.cypresscollege.edu/programs/registered-dental-hygiene/ (click on the link for “Workshop Handout”). The following is a summary of the Cypress College Dental Hygiene Program student selection procedures. Since selection criteria may change, it is recommended that you contact the Health Science Dental Hygiene Counselor periodically and/or visit our website for current information.

Initial application may be made after completion of the following prerequisite courses and general education requirements are completed with a “C” or better at the time of application. Once a passing grade is achieved, courses may not be repeated for a higher grade.

Science Prerequisites

Science prerequisites must be completed within five (5) years of filing the application and with an overall GPA of 2.75.
CHEM 101C – Chemistry for Health Science Majors I (4.0 units)
CHEM 201C – Chemistry for Health Science Majors II (4.5 units)
BIOL 220C – Medical Microbiology (4.0 units)
BIOL 231C – General Human Anatomy (4.0 units)
BIOL 241C – General Human Physiology (4.0 units)

General Education Prerequisites

PSY C1000 – Introduction to Psychology (3.0 units)
COMM C1000 – Human Communication (3.0 units)
SOC 101C – Introduction to Sociology (3.0 units)
ENGL C1000C/C100E/ or ESL 110C – English Composition (4.0 units)
Math -College level Math meeting GE requirement (3.0 units)
HRC 100C – Nutrition (3.0 units)
Ethnic Studies * -See Ethnic Study course options (3.0 units)

General Education Requirements

Arts + – Category 3A (3.0 units)
Humanities +- Category 3B (3.0 units)

* Individuals with Cypress College catalog rights prior to Fall 2025, see a Health Science Counselor.
+ May be waived based on completion of an associate degree or higher at an accredited institution in the U.S.

Dental Hygiene 100C (DH 100C)

Passing this course is required for all accepted and alternate students to be eligible to start the program in the fall. This course will be offered at Cypress College in the summer following the application period – Dates TBD. Failure to pass DH 100C prohibits future applications.

RANK ORDER LIST:

Ranking will be based on a 55-point system in accord with the procedures listed below in Section I-III. The Rank Order List will contain the names of all currently eligible applicants ranked by points from highest to lowest. In the event of applicants with identical points, rank order will be determined by assigning priority based on grade point average (GPA) of all program prerequisite courses. When ties still occur, rank is then determined by GPA of Critical Thinking and Composition course used within the application, then random selection. A candidate will be able to advance the position on the Rank Order List once a year by reapplying and editing their application (during the application period) and submitting evidence for additional points in the categories that follow.

I. Science Prerequisite Program Course Points (16 points maximum)

Points will be awarded for overall GPA of the prerequisite program courses. A minimum passing grade of “C” must be achieved. Once a passing grade has been achieved, courses cannot be repeated for a better grade.

4.0 = 16 points, 3.6 = 12 points, 3.2 = 8 points, 2.8 = 4 points

3.9 = 15 points, 3.5 = 11 points, 3.1 = 7 points, 2.7 = 3 points

3.8 = 14 points, 3.4 = 10 points, 3.0 = 6 points

3.7 = 13 points, 3.3 = 9 points, 2.9 = 5 points

II. Overall Dental Hygiene Application GPA (16 points maximum)

All coursework used within the Health Science Dental Hygiene application will be used to calculate overall application GPA.

4.0 = 16 points , 3.6 = 12 points, 3.2 = 8 points, 2.8 = 4 points

3.9 = 15 points , 3.5 = 11 points, 3.1 = 7 points, 2.7 = 3 points

3.8 = 14 points , 3.4 = 10 points, 3.0 = 6 points, 2.6 = 2 points

3.7 = 13 points, 3.3 = 9 points, 2.9 = 5 points, 2.5 = 1 point

III. Dental Assisting License or Certificate, or Dental Fieldwork Experience (15 points maximum)

One of the following can be submitted:

Dental Assisting License – RDA or CDA (15 points)
Dental Assisting Certificate showing completion of a dental assisting program (15 points)
Completion of at least 200 hours of direct patient care dental office experience (up to 10 points)
1. Work experience must have been active within the past 3 years. Letter from current/former employer verifying employment on company letterhead with an original signature and must include all of the following: the applicant’s name (must match name on application), start date, end date (if applicable), number of hours per week (or total hours worked to date), and example of duties including patient interaction.
2. Experience points:

4-5+ years = 10 points, 3-4 years = 8 points, 2-3 years = 6 points, 1-2 years = 4 points, 0-1 year = 2 points

IV. Additional Science Points (5 points maximum)

One point for each additional Biology or Chemistry course, with a lab, with a grade of ‘C’ or better and not being used to meet a Dental Hygiene prerequisite. Not to exceed five points.

V. Critical Thinking and Composition Course (3 points maximum)

Three points for completing a Critical Thinking and Composition course, with a grade of ‘C’ or better. Course must fulfill CALGETC AREA 1B, or equivalent.