Program Length
- 2 Years
Credential
- Diploma
Location Offered
- Nanaimo
Are you ready for a great career as a professional dental hygienist? Get ready to help your patients maintain great smiles with excellent care and expert advice.
Exploring dental hygiene schools in BC? Study on beautiful Vancouver Island with VIU’s Dental Hygiene Diploma program. With a rewarding career in dental hygiene, you can help people live healthier lives while working in a people-oriented atmosphere. VIU’s two-year, full-time diploma program includes both academic study and clinical practice, and prepares you to work in dental clinics.
Change the world, one smile at a time. For a stable, well-paying dental hygiene job, apply at Vancouver Island University.
The Dental Hygiene Diploma Program
The Dental Hygiene Diploma program at Vancouver Island University is a Commission on Dental Accreditation Canada (CDAC) accredited program. The program provides education in the application of preventative and therapeutic methods of oral disease control and oral health promotion.
The concepts of health education, professionalism, critical thinking, life-long learning, and community service are strongly encouraged in the program curriculum. Students have the opportunity to apply knowledge and gain practical experience in public dental clinics and dental health activities in the community. Strong computer literacy is highly recommended prior to admission to the program.
Upon successful completion of the program, students will be granted a diploma which makes them eligible to apply for registration and licensure with the British Columbia College of Oral Health Professionals (as per their criteria) as a Registered Dental Hygienist (RDH).
| YEAR 1 | |
|---|---|
| Semester 1 | Credits |
| DHYG 210 - (Dental Hygiene Foundations I) | 3 |
| DHYG 211 - (Dental Hygiene Preclinic) | 3 |
| DHYG 212 - (Head and Neck Anatomy) | 3 |
| DHYG 213 - (Elements of Dental Hygiene) | 3 |
| DHYG 214 - (Pathology I: Introduction to Periodontal Diseases) | 3 |
| DHYG 218 - (Dental Histology and Embryology) | 1.5 |
| DHYG 219 - (Radiography I) | 1.5 |
| Semester 2 | |
| DHYG 220 - (Dental Hygiene Foundations II) | 3 |
| DHYG 221 - (Dental Hygiene Clinic I) | 3 |
| DHYG 222 - (Pharmacology I: Local Anesthetic) | 3 |
| DHYG 224 - (Pathology II: Oral Diseases) | 3 |
| DHYG 225 - (Dental Materials) | 3 |
| DHYG 227 - (Health Promotion I: Oral Health for Individuals) | 3 |
| DHYG 229 - (Radiography II) | 3 |
| Total Credits | 39 |
| YEAR 2 | |
|---|---|
| Semester 1 | Credits |
| DHYG 310 - (Dental Hygiene Foundations III) | 3 |
| DHYG 311 - (Dental Hygiene Clinic II) | 4 |
| DHYG 312 - (Pharmacology II) | 4 |
| DHYG 314 - (Pathology III: DH Care for Complex Clients) | 3 |
| DHYG 316 - (Research Methodology) | 3 |
| DHYG 317 - (Health Promotion II: Concepts in Dental Public Health) | 1.5 |
| Semester 2 | |
| DHYG 320 - (Dental Hygiene Foundations IV) | 3 |
| DHYG 321 - (Dental Hygiene Clinic III) | 4 |
| DHYG 323 - (Professional Issues in Dental Hygiene) | 3 |
| DHYG 324 - (Pathology IV: DH Care for Medically Compromised Clients) | 3 |
| DHYG 327 - (Health Promotion III: Community Oral Health Interventions) | 3 |
| Three credits of Dental Hygiene electives* | 3 |
| Total Credits | 37.5 |
* Dental Hygiene electives must be chosen from the following: HHS 263, HSD 201, or HSD 202. Not all electives may be offered each year.
Completion Requirements
To be eligible for a Diploma in Dental Hygiene, students must have met all of the learning outcomes and completed all program courses with a minimum "B-" in each course.
Prerequisites
| Course | Credits | Course Options |
|---|---|---|
| English | 6 | Degree English Requirement |
| Anatomy and Physiology | 8* | BIOL 156A/BIOL 156L and BIOL 157A/BIOL 157L or; BIOL 156 and BIOL 157 or; BIOL 151/BIOL 152 and BIOL 153/BIOL 154 |
| Chemistry | 8* | CHEM 140A/CHEM 140L and CHEM 141A/CHEM 142L or; CHEM 140A/CHEM 140L and CHEM 142A/CHEM 142L or; CHEM 140 and CHEM 141 or; CHEM 140 and CHEM 142 |
| Psychology | 6 | PSYC 111 and PSYC 112 or; PSYC 121 and PSYC 122 or; PSYC 131 and PSYC 132 |
| Statistics | 3 | MATH 211 or MATH 161 |
| Elective | 3 | Any 100 or 200 level course (courses without a T or G suffix) |
*Or an approved equivalent course with lower credit value. For example: six (6) credits from another institution may be approved for the prerequisites of Anatomy and Physiology and Chemistry if courses are deemed equivalent. Laboratory and theory components are required.
Note: Students laddering into a Bachelor of Dental Science (Dental Hygiene) degree after completion of the Dental Hygiene Diploma need to check with the receiving institution for transferability of prerequisites.
- General admission requirements apply.
- Students must have completed the minimum requirements listed in the prerequisite list (above), or equivalent.
- Submission of a Personal Profile.
Notes on Admission
Indigenous students can apply for reserve seats by submitting the Access Initiative for Indigenous Students form.
Acceptance into the Dental Hygiene Diploma program is competitive and will be determined by a combination of GPA and Personal Profile scores. Once accepted into the program, students will be required to submit the following information by early August:
- A completed Immunization Requirements Form is required. The Health Immunization form must be signed by the public health nurse.
- Evidence of successfully completing a nationally recognized WHMIS course.
- Evidence of current CPR-Basic Life Support (BLS) certification.
- Criminal Record Check. Fieldwork, practicums, or clinical practice will require a satisfactory criminal record check prior to placement. Criminal Record Checks are requested through VIU. The Registration Centre at VIU will contact prospective students by mail regarding the requirements for a Criminal Record Check. Criminal Record Checks are processed through the Ministry according to the Criminal Records Review Act. A check completed through the RCMP is not sufficient to meet the requirements of the Act.
Progression within the Program
A student may be discontinued in their program for a variety of reasons: course failure; withdrawal for personal, medical, fitness to practice concerns, etc. Since each semester is a pre-requisite for the subsequent semester, a student who does not successfully complete a semester will be discontinued in the program. If the student becomes eligible for re-entry, the student may request re-entry for when that course/semester is next offered. Re-entry is subject to seat availability; a seat will not be set aside for a returning student.
1. Course Failure
- A student who is unsuccessful/fails a program course, cannot proceed into the next semester and will be required to discontinue from the program. The student may request re-entry for the semester when that course is next offered.
- A student who is unsuccessful/fails a practice course, will be required to retake that practice course when it is next offered and may also be required to retake the theory and/or lab/learning centre course(s) that inform that practice course, upon the discretion of the program chair.
- A student who is unsuccessful/fails a single program course, re-enters and retakes the same course and subsequently fails that course (e.g., fails the same course twice), will be required to leave the program. If the student wants to re-enter the program, they must wait a minimum of two years and must apply to semester 1/year 1 of the program with no credit for previously completed program courses.
- A student who is unsuccessful/fails any two program courses (any combination of practice, lab, and/or theory), will be required to leave the program. If the student wants to re-enter the program, they must wait a minimum of two years and must apply as a new student to a semester 1/year 1 of the program with no credit for previously completed program courses.
*'Program courses' are those courses that are core to the program (e.g., electives are excluded).
Re-Entry After Withdrawal from Program
See also section below regarding re-entry to program.
A student who withdraws from the program (e.g., due to personal, financial, health, fitness to practice reasons) may request re-entry for when that semester is next offered.
2. Notice of Discontinuation
A student who is required to be discontinued from the program will first meet with the Program Chair. The re-entry process will be discussed, including any conditions for re-entry and any support services designed to help the student achieve greater success in their future studies. A 'Student Discontinuation Form' will be completed; the student will receive a copy of this form.
Re-entry into the Program
1. Notice of Re-Entry
A student seeking re-entry after withdrawing or being required to discontinue, must make their intent to return known to the Program Chair, in writing (formal letter or email), as soon as possible and no later than four months prior to the desired start date. The approval of a request for re-entry will take into consideration the date which the written notification was received by the Chair of the program.
2. Seat Availability
Re-entry into the program is subject to seat availability.
3. Corrective Learning Plan for Re-entry
In order to facilitate a successful re-entry, prior to offering a re-entry student a program seat, the student will meet with the Program Chair and/or Program Advisor. Each student will be assessed individually and the 'Student Discontinuation Form' notes will be reviewed including recommendations for program re-entry. The student will complete a Corrective Learning Plan of how they have/will ensure competency/currency in their knowledge, skills, and practice; any gaps identified; specific strategies to close those gaps; and a specific timeline of what must be completed prior to re-entry. At the discretion of the Program Chair and/or Program Advisor, the Corrective Learning Plan may include the requirement for the student to complete:
- A Directed Studies Course that focuses on integration of program knowledge, skills, and practice including decision-making and critical thinking. (Level/expectation will be consistent with what would be expected of a student at the level the student is returning to). The course will be structured around that student's specific learning needs.
- OR one or more of the following:
- Med Math (Drug Calculations for Health Care) Exam
- Skills assessment on previously learning skills
- Simulation Scenario and/or comprehensive lab scenario
- Comprehensive Care Plan
- Audit of lab/learning centre and/or theory courses. A student cannot audit a practice course.
- Repeat of lab/learning centre, practice, and/or theory courses.
If the student does not successfully complete the requirements of the Corrective Learning Plan, then the Program Chair may:
- Permit the student to re-enter but at an earlier semester and repeat certain courses.
- Not permit the student to re-enter or re-apply to that program for a minimum of two years.
4. Number of Times for Re-entry
A student who has been discontinued from the program due to course failure, may re-enter the program at the point where they exited the program once only. If the student is requesting a second re-entry into the program, they must first meet with the Dean and Program Chair who will determine the eligibility for re-entry.
Program Requirements
The maximum time for a student to complete all program requirements is 3 years, with no period of absence exceeding 12 months.
Under exceptional circumstances and at the discretion of the Dean and Program Chair, a student may be granted an extension.
Notes on Registration and Licensure
Authorization for a criminal record check is required to register and license as a dental hygienist in British Columbia. A criminal conviction may interfere with eligibility for registration.
Registered dental hygienists are key members of the oral health team. The RDH provides high quality dental care, helps prevent oral disease, and promotes oral health. Graduates apply to the provincial authorities (or equivalent) for registration. Opportunities exist for licensure and registration in over 50 countries where dental hygienists are an integral component of health care.
Graduates can work in a number of settings including: general and specialty dental offices, self-owned independent dental hygiene practices, residential care facilities, hospitals, educational institutions, and community health agencies. RDHs may also work as self-employed contractors, researchers, or sales representatives to dental companies.
Learn more at British Columbia Dental Hygienists' Association (BCDHA).
Domestic Fees
Tuition and Other Mandatory Student Fees
When applying to the program, applicants will be charged a non-refundable application fee.
When applying to graduate, students will be charged a non-refundable graduation and alumni fee.
Some courses have additional fees to pay for extraordinary class–related expenses.
| Fees - Year 1 | Amount |
|---|---|
| Tuition (39 credits x $249.92 per credit) | 9,746.88 |
| Material fee | 4,527.63 |
| Student Activity fee (8 months x $19.97 per month) | 159.76 |
| Student Services fee (8 months x $22.05 per month) | 176.40 |
| VIU Students' Union fee (8 months x $27.60 per month) | 220.80 |
| Health and Dental Plan fee ($285.00 per year) | 285.00 |
| Textbooks (approximate costs) | 1,400.00 |
| Dental Instruments (approximate costs) | 2,400.00 |
| Uniforms, shoes (approximate costs) | 350.00 |
| Total | 19,266.47 |
| Fees - Year 2 | Amount |
|---|---|
| Tuition (37.5 credits x $249.92 per credit) | 9,372.00 |
| Material fee | 3,880.81 |
| Student Activity fee (8 months x $19.97 per month) | 159.76 |
| Student Services fee (8 months x $22.05 per month) | 176.40 |
| VIU Students' Union fee (8 months x $27.60 per month) | 220.80 |
| Health and Dental Plan fee ($285.00 per year) | 285.00 |
| Textbooks (approximate costs) | 400.00 |
| Dental Instruments (approximate costs) | 900.00 |
| Uniforms, shoes (approximate costs) | 300.00 |
| Total | 15,694.77 |
The VIUSU Health and Dental Plan fee is assessed for all students enrolled in 6 credits or more per term, or in Trades/Vocational programs of 5 months or longer.
All fees are subject to change without prior notice and are expected to increase by 2% each year on April 1.
International Fees
Tuition and Other Mandatory Student Fees
When applying to the program, applicants will be charged a non-refundable application fee.
When applying to graduate, students will be charged a non-refundable graduation and alumni fee.
Some courses have additional fees to pay for extraordinary class–related expenses.
| Fees - Year 1 | Amount |
|---|---|
| Tuition (39 credits x $799.77 per credit) | 31,191.03 |
| Material fee | 4,527.63 |
| Student Activity fee (8 months x $19.97 per month) | 159.76 |
| Student Services fee (8 months x $22.05 per month) | 176.40 |
| VIU Students' Union fee (8 months x $27.60 per month) | 220.80 |
| Health and Dental Plan fee ($285.00 per year) | 285.00 |
| Textbooks (approximate costs) | 1,400.00 |
| Dental Instruments (approximate costs) | 2,400.00 |
| Uniforms, shoes (approximate costs) | 350.00 |
| Total | 40,710.62 |
| Fees - Year 2 | Amount |
|---|---|
| Tuition (37.5 credits x $799.77 per credit) | 29,991.38 |
| Material fee | 3,880.81 |
| Student Activity fee (8 months x $19.97 per month) | 159.76 |
| Student Services fee (8 months x $22.05 per month) | 176.40 |
| VIU Students' Union fee (8 months x $27.60 per month) | 220.80 |
| Health and Dental Plan fee ($285.00 per year) | 285.00 |
| Textbooks (approximate costs) | 400.00 |
| Dental Instruments (approximate costs) | 900.00 |
| Uniforms, shoes (approximate costs) | 300.00 |
| Total | 36,314.15 |
The VIUSU Health and Dental Plan fee is assessed for all students enrolled in 6 credits or more per term, or in Trades/Vocational programs of 5 months or longer.
All fees are subject to change without prior notice and are expected to increase by 2% each year on April 1.
Domestic (Canadian)
| Program Start Date | Accepting Applications | Campus | |
|---|---|---|---|
| to | Nanaimo | ||
|
Anticipated intake for someone applying today:
Next Intake(s):
The Dental Hygiene Diploma program has one intake each Fall.
Application Fee:
$45.16
Admissions Assistant:
Name: Melanie Cousins Email: Melanie.Cousins@viu.ca
Chair Contact:
Name: Linda McKay Email: Linda.McKay@viu.ca
Area Contact:
Name: Geri McPherson Email: DHYG@viu.ca
Document Deadline:
All requested transcripts and supporting documents are due March 31st of each year. All course requirements must be completed by May 1st.
Comments:
Please note that the GPA of students accepted in the past admission cycle was between 4.31 - 3.12 (2024 start date). This will vary each year. Admission for the Sept 2025 start date will be based on 60% GPA and 40% Personal Profile results. |
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