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Dental Hygiene Program Prerequisites FAQ

Below you will find answers to many of your questions about the Dental Hygiene Prerequisites.

*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.

  1. BIOL 2401 Anatomy & Physiology I
  2. BIOL 2402 Anatomy & Physiology II
  3. BIOL 2421 Microbiology for Non-Science Majors
  4. CHEM 1406 General Organic & Biological Chemistry

On average, it takes most students one year or two 16-week semesters to complete their prerequisites. 

It is the applicant’s responsibility to request that their official transcripts be sent to Amarillo College. Once they are sent to AC, there is a process to evaluate the coursework. It is important to have this done as early on as possible. That will allow the registrar the needed time to evaluate your coursework and for it to appear on your AC transcript under “Transfer Information.”  View Registrars FAQs

Yes, all science courses completed must be within five years of the application.

No, however, it is helpful to gain some observation experience. We recommend that our applicants observe various dental hygiene procedures if possible. This allows the applicant to ask questions and gain insight into what dental hygienists do in the workplace. Hopefully, in doing so, each applicant will feel that the dental hygiene profession is right for them.

You must attend a mandatory information session through the Health Science division. Dates and times are listed for you.

We value your experience as a dental assistant; however, it is not considered in the admission process.

Science is foundational to the study of dental hygiene and your success in the Program. That is why courses like Anatomy and Physiology need to be current. Current is defined as taken within five years of admittance to the Program. *Each prerequisite course can only be retaken once.*

No, the content of these courses creates a foundation necessary to support your success in the first year of the Program. If you do not complete the required prerequisites by the deadline, your application will be considered incomplete and thus will not be considered for admission to the Program.

No, unfortunately not. Prerequisite science courses can only be retaken once for the retake grade to qualify.

Coursework that has been repeated one time will be considered. The highest of the two attempts will be accepted.