Entry-Level Track

Selection of applicants is based on criteria approved by Foothill College and aligned with the standards of the California Community Colleges Baccalaureate Degree Program, as well as state and federal regulations and accreditation guidelines.

Primary admission criteria include:

• Completion of all prerequisite courses with a minimum grade of “C” or better

• Completion of one of the required general education patterns

• A minimum GPA of 2.75 in required biological sciences: Anatomy & Physiology, Microbiology, and Nutrition

• A cumulative college GPA of 2.50 or higher for all colleges attended

• Compliance with the program’s technical standards (as outlined in the application)

A point-based system is used to evaluate all applicants to the Dental Hygiene Program. Points are awarded based on overall GPA, grades in the required prerequisites which are included the the biological science courses (such as anatomy and physiology, microbiology, and nutrition), and dental related education.

The top 30 qualified applicants with the highest total points will be offered provisional acceptance into the program. All other qualified applicants will be placed on the Alternate List., ranked in order from highest to lowest points total. If a provisionally accepted applicant declines their spot, the next alternate will be offered placement.

All provisionally accepted applicants must register for DH 50: Orientation to Dental Hygiene, offered during the 4-week Summer Quarter. Final acceptance into the program is based on the final grade percentage earned in DH 50.

The top 24 students (based on final DH 50 grades) will be granted final acceptance into the program. The remaining 6 students are placed on the Alternate List for Fall admission. If not selected by the start of Fall quarter, alternate students must reapply for the next application cycle. 

Selections are made by April 1, and all applicants will be notified of acceptance or non-acceptance via email. 

Be sure to check the email associated with your MyPortal account regularly and add important program contacts to your email address book to avoid missing important updates.

The Foothill College Dental Hygiene Program does not maintain a waitlist.  Applicants who are not accepted and wish to reapply must submit a new application during the next application cycle.

The Foothill College Dental Hygiene Program is committed to protecting the health and safety of students, patients, faculty, and staff. Applicants are expected to review the following policies prior to admission.

Infectious Disease & Bloodborne Pathogen Policy

The program follows current CDC, OSHA, and California Department of Public Health guidelines for infection control and bloodborne pathogens. Students must comply with the following requirements:

1. Standard Precautions
   1. All human blood, saliva, and body fluids are treated as potentially infectious.
   2. Personal protective equipment (PPE) — masks, gloves, protective eyewear, and clinical attire — must be worn during all laboratory and clinical procedures.
2. Immunization and Health Requirements
   1. Students must maintain current immunizations (Hepatitis B, MMR, Varicella, TDaP, Influenza, COVID-19) and TB clearance.
   2. Proof of compliance is required prior to clinical participation.
3. Exposure Protocols
   1. Any exposure incident (e.g., needlestick, sharps injury, or contact with blood/body fluids) must be reported immediately to supervising faculty.
   2. Students must wash the affected area, complete an incident report, and follow college procedures for post-exposure evaluation and medical follow-up.
   3. Bloodborne Pathogen Exposure
4. Infection Control Practices
   1. Perform proper hand hygiene before and after all patient and laboratory contact.
   2. Follow program protocols for instrument sterilization, operatory disinfection, and waste disposal.
   3. Eating, drinking, and storage of personal items are prohibited in clinical and laboratory areas.
5. Participation of Students with Infectious Disease
   1. Students with communicable diseases (e.g., active TB, Hepatitis B surface antigen positivity, COVID-19, influenza) must follow college clearance policies before resuming clinical activities.
   2. The program complies with ADA and CDC guidelines, balancing patient safety with student rights.
6. Education and Training
   1. Students receive initial and ongoing instruction in infection control, bloodborne pathogens, and exposure management.
   2. Competency in infection control procedures is required for program completion.

Radiation Safety Policy

The program is committed to protecting all students, patients, faculty, and staff from unnecessary radiation exposure. The following policies reflect ALARA principles (“As Low As Reasonably Achievable”), OSHA standards, and California Department of Public Health Radiologic Health Branch regulations:

1. Training & Competency
   1. Students receive classroom and laboratory instruction in radiation biology, safety, and radiographic techniques before exposing radiographs.
   2. Competency must be demonstrated prior to performing radiographic procedures on patients.
2. Protective Measures
   1. Lead aprons and thyroid collars are required for all patients.
   2. Students and staff must remain behind protective barriers or at least six feet from the source and out of the primary beam during exposure.
3. Equipment & Quality Assurance
   1. Radiographic equipment is inspected and certified according to state and manufacturer requirements.
   2. Routine quality assurance testing is performed on all X-ray machines and digital sensors.
   3. Malfunctioning equipment must be reported immediately.
4. Exposure Protocols
   1. The lowest exposure time and fewest images necessary for diagnosis must be used.
   2. All retakes must be approved and documented by supervising faculty.
   3. Non-diagnostic or unauthorized exposures (e.g., for practice only) are prohibited.
5. Student & Patient Safety
   1. Pregnant students are encouraged to inform faculty so additional accommodations may be provided if desired.
   2. Patients are informed of the necessity and safety of radiographs prior to exposure.

Technical Standards & Health Requirements

Students must meet the physical, cognitive, and behavioral requirements of the program, with or without reasonable accommodations, to participate safely in classroom, laboratory, and clinical activities. These include:

• Manual dexterity and fine motor skills necessary to perform dental hygiene procedures.
• Ability to lift and carry up to 25 pounds.
• Adequate vision, hearing, and sensory function to recognize changes in a patient’s condition.
• Effective communication skills to interact with patients, faculty, staff, and other healthcare providers.
• Emotional and mental stability to handle stressful situations and provide patient support.
• Commitment to following infection control and radiation safety protocols at all times.

To verify that students can meet these requirements, a Technical/Health Standards form must be completed and signed by a licensed physician or healthcare provider. This documentation is required prior to final admission into the program.

Reasonable accommodations may be provided through the Disability Resource Center (DRC), but students must be able to perform the essential functions of a dental hygienist.

Acknowledgment

All admitted students receive the complete Program Policy and Clinic Manuals at the start of every academic year and must sign an acknowledgment form confirming their understanding of these policies.