Dental Hygiene Application Fall 2027

The following must be completed & submitted by February 1, 2027.

Mount Wachusett Community College seeks to provide equal educational and employment opportunities and does not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, religion, national origin, gender, age, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status, or disability.

Important Application Information

If the application deadline falls on a non-business day, the next business day will be the effective deadline.
Letters of Recommendation are not accepted.
Candidates must submit a completed, printed, signed application and all supporting documents by the application deadline.

Supplemental Documents

You must provide the following supplemental documents along with your printed application:

Attendance at a mandatory Selective Health Information Session within the 12 months prior to the application deadline. Register: mwcc.edu/info
Good Moral Character: Read and understand the Good Moral Character requirements for licensure and understand that this also applies to admissions into MWCC’s selective programs. Visit: mass.gov/how-to/apply-for-a-dental-hygienist-license
Submit Resume: Professional resume documenting work history & patient care experience. Please include this document with this printed application.
Provide copies of dental certifications or other supporting documents. Please include this document with this printed application.
Submit Official High School Transcript/HiSET/GED Please see the application FAQs for instructions on submitting your transcript.
Students whose native language is not English OR Students who have foreign education credentials: Students whose native language is not English and those who have not completed Grades K-12 in the U.S. must demonstrate English proficiency by having completed ENG101 with a grade of C+ or higher, or have completed a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited U.S. college or university, or score 213 on the computerized version or 550 on the paper version of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL scores).

Foreign education credentials, high school and college must be evaluated and translated by a U.S. evaluation company like The Evaluation Company - MWCC Pathway offers discounted services or students can choose evaluators like the Center for Educational Documentation (CED) or World Education Services (WES). A list of additional evaluation services is available at https://naces.org/members.

Students who wish to attend MWCC as an International Student must complete the International Student Application and meet all of the requirements of that application prior to applying to a selective healthcare program. Students seeking an F-1 visa should contact the Admissions Office to schedule an appointment with a Designated School Official (DSO).

Submit official college transcripts to:
MWCC Registrar's Office, 444 Green Street, Gardner, MA 01440
or electronically to: registrar@mwcc.mass.edu

Official College Transcripts/Proof of Minimum Academic Requirements: Please submit official college transcripts from colleges other than MWCC. Photocopies will not be accepted. All transcript requests must be made prior to the application deadline. NOTE: If you have requested your transcript be sent to MWCC, attach a copy of your request confirmation with this printed application.

Submit official college transcripts to:
MWCC Registrar's Office, 444 Green Street, Gardner, MA 01440
or electronically to: registrar@mwcc.mass.edu

Special Program Requirements

Please note that the following information must be received before courses begin:

Students accepted to Health Programs must be in compliance with the current immunization requirements specified by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health for Health Care Personnel (HCP) and in accordance with state law, MGL, Chapter 76, Section 15C and its regulations at 105 CMR 220.700 in order to participate in an externship placement or clinical experience.
Complete physical health examination conducted within the past two years by a licensed health care provider.
Immunization Requirements for Health Science Students: Two (2) doses Varicella (chicken pox) vaccine or positive titre; two (2) doses MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine or positive titers; three (3) doses Hepatitis B vaccine AND Hepatitis B titer showing immunity to the disease; one (1) TDAP (tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis) vaccine within 10 years; one (1) dose Meningococcal vaccine (ages 16-21); annual Influenza vaccine; initial “2 step” PPD or Quantiferon Gold TB blood test or an annual TB testing (negative chest x-ray within 5 years AND annual TB Questionnaire also accepted). Contact Robyn Hartin at rhartin@mwcc.mass.edu for more information.
Although proof of the COVID-19 vaccination is no longer required by our clinical site partners, the clinical site partners retain the right to change student requirements for clinical placements, and students will be required to adhere to their policies. Any changes to specific clinical site requirements will be communicated to students as soon as the new information becomes available.
Liability Insurance of $1,000,000/$3,000,000 coverage is required. Students will be covered under the college’s liability insurance policy, which will be billed through student fees.
CPR Certification (BLS Healthcare Provider through American Heart Association) is required. A certificate of completion must be presented to Robyn Hartin, Compliance Coordinator prior to entry into dental hygiene courses.
All Healthcare students must participate in the Massachusetts Community College Health Insurance Plan or provide current accurate information regarding comparable coverage.
Students are required to have a computer or laptop with working camera.
Clinical sites may require the student obtain certain background checks (state/federal criminal or sexual offender), finger printing and/or drug testing before participating in the clinical experience. Costs for these reviews will be the responsibility of the student.
Students will be taking all program specific coursework at the Fitchburg Campus. Some clinicals will be provided off campus at sites within the region; all students will be expected to complete clinical rotations on and off site.
Upon completion of the program, students will be required to sit for the following licensing exams: National Board Dental Hygiene Exam (NBDHE: $600*), ADEX Dental Hygiene Clinical Exams (clinical & CSCE OSCE: $1,150*), CDCA Dental Hygiene Local Anesthesia Exam ($140*). Exam fees are the responsibility of the student. *Estimated costs.

Background Checks, Drug Testing, and Licensure Requirements

A Criminal Offender Records Information (CORI) review procedure has been implemented for students whose academic programs includes the potential for unsupervised contact with persons from vulnerable populations (i.e., children, the elderly and the disabled).

As part of the coursework in the Dental Hygiene program, students are required to complete practical hours in clinical facilities working with patients under the supervision of licensed providers. Clinical sites may require the student obtain certain background checks (state/federal criminal or sexual offender), finger printing and/or drug testing before participating in the clinical experience. Costs for these reviews will be the responsibility of the student. Refusing to participate in these background checks or drug testing will result in the inability to progress in the program. A positive background check or drug test may also result in the inability to progress in the program.

The prospective student is encouraged to discuss any concerns with the program director prior to acceptance into the Dental Hygiene program. All screenings and background checks are completed AFTER admission/acceptance into the program.

Applicants for initial Massachusetts dental hygiene licensure must report felonies and misdemeanors, convictions and disciplinary action to the Board of Registration in Dentistry in dental hygiene programs for its evaluation of the applicant’s compliance with the Good Moral Character requirement at MGL, c. 112, Section 51 and 52A - G. For details, refer to the Massachusetts Dental Hygiene license information: mass.gov/how-to/apply-for-a-dental-hygienist-license

By signing this application, the prospective student understands his/her responsibility to participate in and pay for these background checks/drug tests, if required by the clinical site. By signing this application, the prospective student also understands the consequences of refusing to test, or refusing to undergo the background checks.

Student Rights and Responsibilities

In compliance with the Clery Act (20 U.S.C. 1092(a) and (f), all prospective students are entitled to review the MWCC Annual Security Report. This report may be accessed online at https://catalog.mwcc.edu/admissions/annualsecurityreport/ or by request through the Office of Admissions.

Mount Wachusett Community College seeks to provide equal educational and employment opportunities and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religious creed, age, physical or mental disability, sex, national origin or ancestry, marital status, sexual orientation, genetic information or veteran status.

Candidates for selective programs at MWCC should read and understand the Good Moral Character requirements for many healthcare licensures in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

In keeping with this licensure standard, the Good Moral Character requirement also applies to several selective programs at Mount Wachusett Community College.

For more information on student rights & responsibilities, college services, policies & procedures, please visit our catalog: catalog.mwcc.edu

Technical Standards

In response to the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, the Dental Hygiene Program at Mount Wachusett Community College has identified physical competencies as essential for a dental hygiene student to function safely and effectively in a variety of clinical settings. While a physical disability should not preclude a student from consideration for admission to the program, the disability must not prevent the student, while enrolled in the program and upon graduation, from performing essential functions as a dental hygienist.

Students entering this program must be able to demonstrate the ability to:

Comprehend textbook material at the 11th grade level.
Communicate and assimilate information in either printed, signed or computer voice format.
Gather, analyze, and draw conclusions from data.
Have the visual acuity with corrective lenses to identify changes in oral tissues.
Discern changes in color, texture and shape of tissues. Ability to differentiate among subtle shades of gray as seen on radiographs.
Have sufficient physical ability to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation in the handling of a medical emergency.
Have sufficient communication (oral and/or written) ability to question the patient about his/her medical condition and to relay information about the patient to others in English.
Have sufficient manual dexterity with two hands to manipulate instruments with precision and control in the oral cavity without causing damage to tissues. This skill may not be fully evaluated until the preclinical portion of the curriculum.
Have a sense of touch that allows for assessment and palpation of oral tissues.
Sit for prolonged (up to four hours) periods of time.
Operate and manipulate mechanical equipment, e.g.: dials, switches, push buttons, syringes, and blood pressure measurement devices.
Pick up items of very small (2mm in width, 21 mm in length minimum) and varying diameters.
Use upper body movements (up to five feet) to grasp, push/pull, reach overhead equipment, and to rotate and reach laterally.
Lift, carry, and move equipment and supplies up to 10 pounds.
Wear protective equipment such as gloves, face masks, face shields, and protective eyewear for prolonged (up to four hours) periods of time.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon graduation from this program, students shall have demonstrated the ability to meet these Program Competencies that guide the dental hygiene curricula and practice:

Communicate effectively and accurately through oral, written and electronic means.
Demonstrate the application of theory to practice in achieving optimal patient care.
Utilize methods of scientific investigation in developing a comprehensive plan of care.
Implement comprehensive education plans that promote health and identify risk behaviors in individuals and groups of patients for both community and clinic settings.
Practice within the legal, ethical and regulatory framework of dental hygiene in accordance with the standards set by the State Practice Act and Code of Ethics for Dental Hygienists.
Demonstrate a commitment to the Dental Hygiene profession through assuming responsibility for lifelong learning and professional growth.

Readmission

Mount Wachusett Community College reserves the right to limit the number of readmissions each academic year. Readmission to the Dental Hygiene program is not guaranteed and is on a space available basis. Students are limited to two admissions to the Dental Hygiene program. Emergency medical conditions will be considered on an individual basis and will require documentation from a physician. Admission to the Dental Hygiene program is selective, and the admissions committee reserves the right to deny readmission to any applicant. The respective program reserves the right to refuse readmission based on, but not limited to, unprofessional behavior, unethical conduct, and client safety issues.

To be considered for readmission, applicants must schedule a meeting with Admissions to review eligibility for readmission. If approved to reapply, students must submit a Dental Hygiene application and all supporting documents by the application deadline.

Accreditation

The program in Dental Hygiene is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation and has been granted the accreditation status of Approval without Reporting Requirements. The Commission is a specialized accrediting body recognized by the United States Department of Education. The Commission on Dental Accreditation can be contacted at 800-232-6108 or 401 North Michigan Ave, Suite 3300, Chicago, Illinois 60611-4250. The Commission’s web address is: ada.org/en/coda

Students seeking enrollment in this program are advised to contact MWCC Admissions at 978-630-9447 or at admissions@mwcc.edu for additional information.

Frequently Asked Questions

What criteria are reviewed for admission?

• Minimum academic requirements

• Official High School Diploma or HiSET (GED) completion and/or overall GPA

• Education background (prior college courses, degrees, GPA)

• Official CLEP Test Scores & AP Scores

• Previous work/volunteer experience in the dental or healthcare field

• Information Session attendance

What happens if I don’t turn in all of my credentials by the deadline?

The applicant is responsible for ensuring that the application file is complete and that all items are received by the deadline. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed.

When will I hear about my admission decision?

Admission is competitive, space is limited and not all applicants are accepted. Applications will be reviewed and candidates will be notified of the admission

decision by mail approximately 60 days after the deadline.

If I am not accepted this year, will I automatically be accepted next year?

No, you are not guaranteed acceptance. All applicants must reapply and should attend an information session after the application is released for the next admission cycle.

I was accepted but cannot take my seat in the program, can I defer my acceptance to next year?

No, MWCC does not defer selective applications nor hold waitlists for any selective programs.

If I am not accepted into the A.S. Dental Hygiene program, will I automatically be enrolled into a general studies program at MWCC?

No. If you would like to apply to another program at MWCC, you must complete the general application.

How do I get started in the A.S. Dental Hygiene program?

Students are encouraged to enter the college as an Interdisciplinary Studies (IDSH) student. With this major, you will be identified as a potential dental hygiene

applicant and will be assigned an advisor that will assist you in establishing an educational plan. As an IDSH student, you may complete any of your non-dental

hygiene courses (i.e., English, mathematics, sciences, etc.) then apply to the program when you have met the requirements for consideration.

How do I submit my High School Transcript/HiSET/GED?

Official copies of your high school transcript or HiSET/GED scores must be sent directly to the college from your high school or testing center. Records can be sent electronically to admissions@mwcc.mass.edu, via fax to 978-630-9554 or by mail to MWCC Admissions Office, 444 Green Street, Gardner, MA 01440.

How do I make an appointment to complete my placement testing?

If you have not yet completed college level English and Math, your next step is to take the placement exam. Students may take the placement exam on our Gardner

or Leominster campuses and options at each of those campuses vary. For more information, please check mwcc.edu/testing or contact Testing Services at 978-

630-9244. An MWCC Student ID number is required for testing. If you have completed placement testing in the past three years, these scores can be used if they meet the program requirements. Students using placement testing for application requirements will still be required to take all courses for degree completion.

Can I speak with an advisor about the Dental Hygiene program?

Yes, all students are first required to attend a selective health information session and you can schedule your session by visiting mwcc.edu/info. Transcript reviews

are not conducted at these sessions, however many questions about the program are answered. After attending an information session, if you have additional

questions, please schedule a one-on-one appointment by visiting: mwcc.edu/admissions/ or contacting the Admissions Office - Phone: 978-630-9447 Email: admissions@mwcc.mass.edu

Transferring Pre-Requisite and Co-Requisite Credits to MWCC

All transfer courses must have been taken at an accredited college and must be approved for transfer credit through the Records Office prior to enrollment into the

semester in which they are required. Transfer credit is not guaranteed.

Can I work and attend classes full-time?

Dental Hygiene and science coursework is rigorous and complex and requires many hours per week of personal commitment to study. Part-time employment

may be appropriate, but will need to be flexible in order to accommodate school requirements. Students are encouraged to balance their employment and school

responsibilities.

Where are the A.S. Dental Hygiene classes held?

A.S. Dental Hygiene classes will be held on the Fitchburg campus and clinicals will be held in the surrounding area.

Where do I attend a clinical setting or placement, and how do I get there?

Dental Hygiene students are responsible for their own transportation to clinical sites which include Community Health Connections (CHC) Dental Services in Fitchburg and other local area healthcare agencies used as dental hygiene practicum sites.

Can the Technical Standards impact my ability to complete the program?

All applicants should review the Technical Standards for their program of choice. It is the responsibility of the applicant to discuss any accommodation that they

may need by contacting Disability Services at 978-630-9330.

Valid Driver’s License	Voter Registration*
Military Home of Record*	Utility Bills*
State/Federal Tax Returns*	Record of Parents’ Residency*
Employment Pay Stub*	Mass. High School Diploma
Valid Car Registration	Signed Lease or Rent Receipt*