Please note that enrollment in the Dental Hygiene program is limited, due to limited training space in the regional affiliate facilities, so an early application is strongly recommended.
*All Associate (AA, AS) degrees and Associate in Applied Science (AAS) degrees have a 1 credit hour institutional requirement of EDUC 1100: First-Year Seminar.
The Following Substitutions will qualify for CHEM 1406:
Acceptance into the AC Dental Hygiene Program is based on the combined points for pre-requisite grades, HESI A2 exam points, and additional points. The point system is used to select students for the Dental Hygiene Program. Completion of pre-requisites assigns points to the grade achieved.
Note: Students will receive the highest grade for courses earned per category or repeated; be aware that courses may only be repeated one time
Program applicants complete the HESI A2 Admission Assessment Exam (A2). Exam results must be within the application period (Jan-May) of the application year. Composite score content areas include Math, Reading, and Anatomy & Physiology.
Composite score
Multiplied by .15
Max = 15 points
Max = 5 points
Points based on the required prerequisite courses include:
Max = 40 points
*Note: All Prerequisite courses must be completed prior to application submission.
Learn more about the HESI exam
Verified Alternate Candidate in the Last Five Years = 2 points
In the event of a tie, the applicant with the higher HESI A2 composite score will be given priority.
A select percentage of top-ranking applicants must complete the Casper assessment as part of the 2025/26 admissions process.
Casper is an online, open-response situational judgment test designed to assess personal and professional skills important for success in our program. The test takes 65–85 minutes to complete and complements other tools used in our applicant evaluation process.
The Dental Hygiene Program Admissions Committee reviews all applications to determine top-ranking candidates. Here is the timeline for notifications:
If you are selected, you will receive an email from the Admissions Committee with a registration code and instructions for completing the Casper test.
The Dental Hygiene Program accepts 24 students each year, regardless of the number of applicants or their rankings.
During the last week of May, the points for all applicants will be calculated and the 20 applicants with the highest scores will be selected for entry into the program. In the event that two students have the same number of points, the date of application submission will be used, and the student who submitted their completed application.
The Dental Hygiene Program Admission Committee begins reviewing applications on April 26, 2025, after the April 25th deadline. You will be contacted via your Amarillo College email by May 5, 2025, to verify the information we have received from you, including the points you have been assigned.
You do not need to complete the following Immunizations and Screening Requirements until you are accepted into the program.
Once you are accepted, you are required to have the following:
The following requirements apply to all students enrolled in health-related programs in Texas schools, which will involve direct patient contact in program-affiliated medical care facilities. See the AC Complio website for screening, immunizations and compliance.
All students must present documentation of a negative tuberculin skin test (PPD) administered within one year of beginning clinical activities prior to first patient contact or present evidence of a negative chest x-ray for tuberculosis (T.B.) obtained within one year of beginning clinical activities, if the T.B. skin test is positive. Tuberculosis skin tests must be repeated yearly while students are enrolled in a Health Science Program. Questions concerning Texas immunization requirements should be directed to a private physician or the local or state health department - not to Amarillo College personnel.
As part of the program, students are required to complete the following trainings each year:
These requirements will be thoroughly reviewed during your first orientation. Trainings will be scheduled after the semester begins in August, with detailed instructions provided at that time.
The 10-panel drug screen procedure may take up to 30 days to complete. Students are required to order the drug screen and submit a specimen in sufficient time to be reviewed by the school before starting the clinic.
Incoming students should begin the drug screen process only upon directions from the department. Failure to complete the drug test in the time period required will result in withdrawal from the program. All drug screens must be ordered through the AC Complio website, and urine specimens submitted within 30 days of ordering the drug screen.
For details regarding Drug Screening, refer to the Health Sciences Drug Screening page.
Amarillo College background checks are conducted through the AC Complio website, a firm specializing in background checks for healthcare workers. Your order must be placed online only, and typically takes 3-5 business days to complete.
Complio will not use your information for any other purposes other than a background check. Your credit will not be investigated, and your name will not be given out to any businesses.
Before proceeding with the Criminal Background Check process, you should first view and download the Amarillo College CBC Policy Statement. After reading the policy statement, you will need to sign the attached form and submit the signed form to your program director for placement into your application file. Your application to the program cannot be considered until this signed statement is on file.
Complete all required fields and hit Continue to enter your payment information. The payment of $48.00 plus sales tax for individuals living in Texas can be made securely online with a credit or debit card. You can also pay by money order, but that will delay processing your background check until the money order is received by mail at the Complio office. You will be provided an order confirmation number and instructions on checking the status on the completion of your report by email.
If you need assistance, don't hesitate to contact Complio.
Student orientation is a critical part of your journey into the program and is mandatory for all accepted students. During orientation, you will receive essential information about program expectations, policies, clinical requirements, and resources to help you succeed.
You’ll have the opportunity to:
AC West Campus
6222 W 9th Street
Amarillo, TX 79106
1st Floor Jones Hall Rm 135
In addition to the core Dental Hygiene curriculum, students are required to complete courses in other disciplines, including:
These courses are part of the program's major course requirements. While it is recommended to complete them prior to beginning the program, they can be integrated into your schedule if needed.
Students are encouraged to review the Program Map below to see how these courses can fit into the program structure and plan accordingly.
To successfully progress through and graduate from the program, students must meet the following criteria: