The prerequisite courses that must be completed prior to applying to the Cabrillo College Dental Hygiene program consists of:
A minimum GPA for College Composition – ENG 1A is 2.0. For ALL of the science prerequisites, a GPA of at least 2.7 is needed. These new GPA requirements went into effect in 2015. Although not a requirement, Cabrillo College recommends taking the 2 unit Anatomy and Physiology review course. Also recommended, but not mandatory, is having at least some front office or dental assisting experience. It is also recommended that prospective students for the Cabrillo College dental hygiene program take the DHAT(Dental Hygiene Aptitude Test). All of your science prerequisites must have been finished within the last 6 years. For all of your General Education classes, you must have a C or higher.
For 2016/2017, the Cabrillo College Dental Hygiene program estimates the waiting period between 1 to 2 years. They’ve changed how applicants are accepted. Effective January 2017, 50% of students accepted into the program will come from the ordered waitlist. The remaining 50% will be chosen randomly from the entire waitlist. So, once your application has been accepted and you’ve received your number on the waitlist, there’s still a chance you could be accepted during the random drawing…..so keep your fingers crossed!! Applications are accepted year-round, so as soon as you complete your prerequisites, it’s advisable to send in your application as soon as possible. Your order on the waitlist is determined by the postmark on your application.
Unfortunately, the cost of attending college in California continues to skyrocket. The Cabrillo College dental hygiene program is no different. For the 2 year Dental Hygiene Program, total costs are now estimated at $25,000. The biggest cost is the required “Dental Hygiene Student Kit” which is currently running approximately $8,000.
So, with the cost per unit now at $46, tuition alone for the 2 year program is estimated at $2,400(53 total units required, so 53 units x $46.00 per unit = $2,438). Add to this the cost of books, which in total will come out to approximately $1,700, and the rest is for needed equipment, uniforms, State Board fees, etc. It’s a heavy financial burden, but keep in mind a couple of things: First, dental hygienists make an outstanding salary, with starting pay in California now between $70,000 to $85,000, depending upon different factors, especially which city you will be working in. The other thing to keep in mind is access to not only student loans, but also the many scholarships, grants, tuition waivers, and other ways of saving money. Make sure you check with the Financial Aid office at Cabrillo College to find out what type of assistance you qualify for!
Cabrillo College Dental Hygiene Program 6500 Soquel Dr Aptos, CA 95003 831-477-5269
Dental hygienists are licensed professionals that specialize in preventive oral care and typically focus on techniques in oral hygiene and teach their patients valuable dental hygiene tips. It is a highly sought after job, especially for accomplished professionals. This guide will give you some basic information on the dental hygienist requirements and how much you can expect to make when entering this field.
Currently, becoming a dental hygienist is considered one of the most sought after jobs in the market. Most people who have appropriate qualification for becoming a hygienist are in demand as the dental field expands. A dental hygienist salary depends mainly on the geographic location of the employment’s place. The statistics says that, in the year 2006, dental hygienists were earning $30.12 for an hour. In the year 2008, the basic salary of the dental hygienist was $32.00. Moreover, most of the hygienists obtain great medical benefits. Currently, the average annual earning of a dental hygienist is about $65,590.
The dental hygienist requirements are pretty good considering the salary potential. If you are planning to enroll for a dental hygienist course, you should be at least eighteen years old as well as possess a high school diploma or GED. Dental hygienist students also have an option to pursue a certification, bachelor’s degree, associate’s degree or even master’s degree. However, in most of the states, you should at least have an associate’s degree to become a dental hygienist. Currently, there are over 200 accredited programs to become a dental hygienist in the United States, and 28 accredited dental hygiene schools in California.
Dental hygienists play a crucial in the operation of a dental center. Therefore, when you are hired for the position, you may have to perform various tasks like cleaning and examining teeth, assist dentists as well as teach the patients about oral health. As you will be provided with many responsibilities, it is very important to undergo proper training before you start the career. Before you graduate from the program, you will be asked to complete various hours of supervised work.
Hours that you spend for practice are called “Clinicals”. Undergoing this training will help you learn vital information on the treatment related to dental problems. This is also the place where you can get a note of recommendation for future employment. Therefore, if you are planning to get into the medical domain as a dental hygienist, this could be the right time for you to build your career. The dental field is highly stable and you will have no problem finding employment if you choose this career path.