Dental hygiene diploma
Facts checked 7 September 2026
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Part of the route toDental Hygienist·Diploma
A two-year college program that trains you to clean teeth, take x-rays, and provide clinical dental care.
Ways to get this paid for
Government money that can cover this course. Check who qualifies before you pay.
Free adult upgrading
FreeGrade 11 and 12 courses and English classes are free at public colleges and school districts. This covers the Grade 11 and 12 prerequisite courses, not the program itself.
Canada Training Credit
Half your tuition back, up to $5,000 in your lifeFederal tax credit. $250 a year builds up from age 26. Claim it on your tax return.
BC Access Grant
Up to $4,000 a yearFor low and middle income students in full-time programs under two years at public schools. Assessed when you apply through StudentAid BC.
THE ROUTE
How this program works, step by step
Grade 11 to the job. Open any step to see what is inside.
The route (8 steps)
For the best view, open the map full screen.
STEP BY STEP
Step by step
The same route as the map, as a list.
Step 1 of 8
Grade 11
⏱ 1 school year- Grade 11 Chemistry (min 67%)
Step 2 of 8
Grade 12
⏱ 1 school year- High school graduation or mature student status
- Grade 12 English (min 67%)
- Grade 11 or 12 Biology (min 67%)
Step 3 of 8
What you need to get in
- 30 credits of first-year university courses with an overall GPA of 3.0
- First-year university English, Human Anatomy and Physiology, Chemistry, and Psychology
- Admissions test (selection is based on prerequisite GPA and test score)
- Valid Basic Life Support (BLS) CPR certification
- First-year university courses (30 credits) including Anatomy & Physiology (6 cr), English (6 cr), Chemistry (3 cr), Statistics (3 cr), and electives
- English (6 cr), Chemistry (6 cr), Biology/Anatomy & Physiology (6 cr), and Psychology (3 cr)
Step 4 of 8
How to apply
- Submit application to an accredited college (Vancouver Community College or Camosun College)
- Applications open in October for the following September intake
- Submit official secondary and post-secondary transcripts by the January 15, 2027 deadline for the September 2027 intake
- Complete candidate admissions assessment
Step 5 of 8
Dental hygiene diploma
⏱ 2 years- 2-year intensive full-time program with continuous clinical rotations
- Periodontology, oral pathology, radiography, and local anesthesia administration
- Direct patient clinical care in campus public dental hygiene clinics
- Community dental health education placements in schools and community centers
Step 6 of 8
Where to take it
⏱ 6 schools in BC- Camosun College — 2 years (About $19,400 for the whole program)
- College of New Caledonia — 2 years (About $27,100 for the whole program)
- University of British Columbia — 4 years (About $6,900 per year)
- Vancouver Community College — 2 years (About $26,300 for the whole program)
- Vancouver Island University — 2 years (About $10,100 per year)
- Vancouver College of Dental Hygiene — 18 months (About $49,100 for the whole program)
Step 7 of 8
Exams and registration after
- National Dental Hygiene Certification Board (NDHCB) written exam
- Registration with the British Columbia College of Oral Health Professionals (BCCOHP)
Step 8 of 8
Leads to: Dental Hygienist
- Explore Dental Hygienist wages, job outlook, and career pathways
SCHOOLS
Where you can take this(6 schools)
Compare tuitions, campus locations, and delivery formats across approved institutions in British Columbia.
Tuition changes every year. Confirm on the school's page. Last checked 8 September 2026.
Tuition changes every year. Confirm on the school's page. Last checked 8 September 2026.
Tuition changes every year. Confirm on the school's page. Last checked 8 September 2026.
Tuition changes every year. Confirm on the school's page. Last checked 8 September 2026.
Tuition changes every year. Confirm on the school's page. Last checked 8 September 2026.
Tuition changes every year. Confirm on the school's page. Last checked 8 September 2026.