Dental Hygiene

Note

The Dental Hygiene program is subject to the competitive admission process. It opens for application on October 1, and closes on February 15, each academic year. On February 15, paper applications are accepted until 4:30 p.m., and online applications are accepted until 11:59 p.m. (Saskatchewan times). All supporting documentation is required by 4:30 p.m. (Saskatchewan time) on March 1.

As a dental hygienist, it’s your job to provide preventive, educational and therapeutic dental hygiene services to a wide range of clients - from the very young to the very old. Whether you work in a private dental practice or for a health district, in an educational system or for a government agency, you’ll need excellent manual dexterity and good people skills.

Problem solving and critical thinking skills are vital, because a big part of your job is effectively assessing clients and providing treatment plans. Lifelong learning is also important, because you’ll participate in continuing education to stay abreast of changes in technology and techniques.

International applicants are not currently considered for admission to this competitive program.

Dental Hygiene is a nationally accredited three-year advanced diploma program offered at Saskatchewan Polytechnic, Regina Campus. Classroom and lab work combined with clinical experiences and health promotion activities prepare you to deliver a high standard of service in assessment, diagnosis, planning, implementation and evaluation of dental hygiene care. Your studies will focus on:

• oral health education and promotion
• clinical practice
• provision of ethical and professional dental hygiene care

Hands-On Learning in Our Dental Clinic

Hands-on learning in the dental clinic at Saskatchewan Polytechnic, Regina Campus is a great way to integrate classroom learning with real-world practice. Under the supervision of licensed dentists and dental hygienists, get first-hand experience in providing comprehensive dental hygiene care including assessment of oral health, instruction in oral self-care, exposing dental X-rays and more.

Diploma to Degree

This Saskatchewan Polytechnic advanced diploma program will allow graduates to access one-year Dental Hygiene degree completion programs offered by Dental Hygiene baccalaureate programs.

Learning Environment

• 26 students are accepted each year.
• As a student, you will experience a combination of classroom and clinical instruction in the on-campus Dental Clinic.
• Class hours are 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. daily. You will be expected to complete 30-40 hours of homework each week outside of class time. Time management skills are essential.

Your Career

Dental hygienists work in both public and private sectors. General dental practices are major employers, but there also are job opportunities in specialized dental practices, community clinics, health care institutions, educational facilities and government agencies.

Potential Careers

108 weeks

Year 1 - 32 weeks; Year 2 - 36 weeks; Year 3 - 40 weeks

• Regina

Admission Requirements

• Grade 12 with a minimum overall average of 70% in English Language Arts A30, English Language Arts B30, Biology 30, Chemistry 30, and one of Foundations of Mathematics 30 or Pre-Calculus 30*
• English Language Requirement

*Previous Saskatchewan mathematics requirement also accepted:

• One of Math A30, B30, C30, or Calculus 30

Note

• Standard First Aid and CPR Heartsaver 'C' AED or equivalent are required prior to entry into the Dental Hygiene program and must be current to the year of the program.
• Accepted applicants are required to provide evidence of 2015 WHMIS Globally Harmonized System (GHS) certification upon admission into the program. Recertification will be required every three years to remain current. The cost of WHMIS certification is your responsibility.

Admission Method

Competitive

The competitive admissions process is used for programs where the number of qualified applicants regularly exceeds the number of spaces available. In competitive programs, higher admission requirements and/or additional selection criteria may be required. The application period for this program is October 1 to February 15, each academic year. All supporting documentation is required by 4:30 p.m. (Saskatchewan time), March 1.

See Admission Processes for more information about this method of admission.

Selection Criteria

• Phase I for High School Graduates: The admission average is calculated from final marks in high school courses required for admission to the program. The high school average will be compared to any grade point average(s) (UGPA) presented for a minimum of 30 passed post-secondary credits from a recognized post-secondary institution - and the highest average considered for admission. Such applicants must be in good academic standing with the institution. If transcripts from more than one post-secondary institution are submitted, the highest UGPA will be considered against the high school average. Applicants are then ranked in the order of the highest averages.
• Phase I for Current High School Students: The admission average is calculated from final marks provided by March 1. Conditional admission may be granted on this basis. Current high school students must order transcripts to be sent directly to Saskatchewan Polytechnic at the end of Semester 1 and the end of Semester 2 of the grade 12 year. The final grade 12 mark will be used where the course is completed. The final grade 11 mark will be used only in the absence of the grade 12 mark in the same subject.
• Phase II: Additional selection criteria will be applied to those with the highest averages in Phase I:
  • Admission Average = 70%
  • Candidate Portfolio = 20% *
  • Relevant Post-secondary Education = 10%

* Saskatchewan Polytechnic must receive your Candidate Portfolio by April 15.

For more information about the admission requirements and selection criteria for this program, refer to the Dental Hygiene Frequently Asked Questions.

For required information on preparing your application, refer to the Dental Hygiene Program Portfolio Guide.

You may find it helpful to print extra copies of the Validation Form for Work/Volunteer Experiences.

2021/22 Academic Year

Year 1 - $6,920
Year 2 - $13,900
Year 3 - $13,870

Year 1 - Semester 1

ANAT 163

Dental Anatomy

4

BIOL 100

Human Anatomy and Physiology 1

3

CHEM 102

General Chemistry 1

3

ENGL 101

Critical Reading and Writing

3

PSYC 102

Introduction to Psychology 1

3

STAT 100

Introductory Statistics

3

Year 1 - Semester 2

BIOL 101

Human Anatomy and Physiology 2

3

CHEM 103

General Chemistry 2

3

ENGL 102

Literature Survey

3

MICR 261

Microbiology

2

PSYC 103

Introduction to Psychology 2

3

SOCI 171

Culture and Diversity in Canadian Society

3

Year 2 - Semester 3

ANAT 164

Embryology and Histology

2

ANAT 166

Anatomy and Physiology of the Head and Neck

2

DENT 164

Preventive Dentistry 1

2

DHYG 157

Dental Hygiene Fundamentals 1

2

DHYG 161

Health and Safety in the Dental Environment

3

DHYG 164

Assessment 1

2

DHYG 257

Dental Hygiene Fundamentals 2

3

Year 2 - Semester 4

DENT 262

Preventive Dentistry 2

3

DENT 263

Periodontology 1

3

DHYG 165

Preventive Techniques

2

DHYG 200

Introduction to Clinical Dental Hygiene

2

DHYG 256

Assessment 2

3

DHYG 258

Care Planning for Clinical Dental Hygiene

1

DHYG 259

Dental Hygiene Fundamentals 3

2

HLTH 262

Community Oral Health 1

2

PATH 268

General Pathology

2

RDGR 267

Radiology Theory

2

RDGR 268

Dental Imaging Techniques

4

Year 2 - Semester 5

DHYG 201

Clinical Dental Hygiene 1

4

DHYG 279

Clinical Integration 1

2

NUTR 201

Nutrition

2

Year 3 - Semester 6

ANES 262

Local Anesthesia

2

DENT 165

Dental Technology

3

DENT 267

Periodontology 2

3

DHYG 276

Clinical Dental Hygiene 2

4

DHYG 283

Clinical Integration 2

2

HLTH 274

Community Oral Health 2

4

PATH 269

Oral Pathology

2

PHAR 266

Pharmacology

2

Year 3 - Semester 7

DENT 269

Dental Specialties 2

3

DHYG 269

Dental Hygiene Practice

1

DHYG 277

Clinical Dental Hygiene 3

10

DHYG 281

Clinical Integration 3

3

HLTH 275

Community Oral Health Projects

3

Year 3 - Semester 8

DHYG 278

Clinical Dental Hygiene 4

17

DHYG 282

Clinical Integration 4

3

Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition

Saskatchewan Polytechnic recognizes that adults learn in many different ways. This includes acquiring knowledge and skills through life and work experience or non-formal training.  See links below to more information about PLAR and detailed PLAR candidate guides for courses in this program.

• Candidate Guide
• Candidate Guide (Department of Arts and Sciences courses)
  • communications, mathematics, sciences, social sciences
• More about PLAR

Transfer Credit

Many Sask Polytech students benefit from transferring course credit. You may be eligible to transfer credit to Sask Polytech or to another college or university.

Thanks to the generosity of donors and alumni, Saskatchewan Polytechnic gives away more than $2 million in student awards during the academic year.

Saskatchewan Polytechnic offers student awards for every certificate and diploma program at every campus. Not all student awards are based on marks - some are based on financial need or things like community or volunteer involvement.

More about scholarships

• Dental Clinic
• Personal Readiness
• Science and Health Aboriginal Success Strategy (SHASS)

• Dental Assisting