Dental Hygiene Program
Dental Hygienists change lives one smile at a time! Choose a career path in which
the future is literally in your hands.
In the process of earning your Bachelor of Applied Science (BAS) in Dental Hygiene
Degree, you will gain practical skills, knowledge and confidence to make a lasting
and positive impact on the lives of your patients.
Earn your Bachelor of Applied Science in Dental Hygiene at CBC!
The Dental Hygiene program demands full-time classroom and clinical commitment and
spans eight quarters total:
• Seven quarters dedicated to dental hygiene (DHYG) instruction
One additional quarter for online 300-level bachelor courses, recommended to be taken
the summer before commencing the on-site DHYG courses.
• This program has limited enrollment of up to 24 students each year.
At the CBC Dental Hygiene Program, our clinic serves both new and longstanding patients,
offering a dynamic environment for hands-on experience. However, it's essential to
understand that graduating requires fulfilling specific patient requirements and clinical
assessments. Consequently, students are in charge of their schedules, including booking
appointments and communicating with patients. While the program provides a foundational
patient pool, students must be proactive in managing their patient interactions; the
dental hygiene program does not solely oversee student scheduling.
The educational objective of the program is to prepare students who, upon graduation
and successful completion of the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination (NBDHE)
and Regional Board exams in Local Anesthesia, Restorative and Clinical Dental Hygiene,
will be able to apply for licensure and practice Dental Hygiene.
Commitment to a Humanistic Culture and Learning Environment
Columbia Basin College’s Dental Hygiene Program is committed to fostering a humanistic
culture and learning environment that is grounded in compassion, integrity, diversity,
and professionalism. This commitment directly aligns with Columbia Basin College’s
(CBC) strategic priorities, which emphasize student success, inclusive and equitable
teaching practices, and creating a welcoming community for all. By integrating CBC’s
goals into our curriculum and clinical practices, the Dental Hygiene Program ensures
that students receive high-quality, culturally responsive education, preparing them
to serve diverse patient populations effectively and ethically.
Infection Control Policy
In accordance with CODA (Commission on Dental Accreditation) standards, CBC maintains
a comprehensive Infection Control Policy. This policy ensures compliance with Centers
for Disease Control (CDC) guidelines and Organization for Safety, Asepsis, and Prevention
(OSAP) best practices to protect students, patients, and faculty. All students receive
thorough infection control training and are expected to adhere strictly to safety
protocols throughout the program.
Dental Hygiene Program Accreditation and Licensure
The Columbia Basin College Dental Hygiene program is fully accredited by the Commission
on Dental Accreditation (CODA), the nationally recognized accrediting agency for dental
and dental-related education programs. The next CODA site visit is scheduled for October
2025. This accreditation assures that the curriculum meets rigorous national standards,
preparing students for professional licensure and successful careers in dental hygiene.
For more information about CODA, visit the Commission on Dental Accreditation website
above.
In Washington State, licensure as a dental hygienist requires graduation from a CODA-accredited
program, successful completion of national and regional board examinations, and compliance
with the Washington State Department of Health’s regulations. CODA accreditation is
a vital step toward meeting licensure requirements and practicing safely and effectively
within the state’s scope of practice.
For more details on Washington’s dental hygiene licensure requirements, visit the
Washington State Department of Health Dental Hygiene Licensing page.
Key Abilities and Requirements for Dental Hygienists
The Columbia Basin College Dental Hygiene program signifies that graduates have been
educated to competently practice in their chosen health profession and are prepared
to pursue any required licensure, certification, or credentialing examinations relevant
to their field.
The curriculum requires students to participate in learning activities, laboratory work, and clinical or practicum experiences essential for acquiring the knowledge, skills, and professional behaviors consistent with safe and effective practice in their discipline.
Students with documented disabilities who wish to request accommodations under the
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) must follow Columbia Basin College’s established
procedures for requesting accommodations. The College reserves the right to deny requests
for accommodations that would fundamentally alter the nature of the educational program,
lower academic standards, cause undue hardship to the College, or pose a direct threat
to the health or safety of the student, patients, fellow students, faculty, staff,
or others. Additional information related to Disability Support Services and accommodations
can be found on CBC's website under Disability Support Services.
Students must meet essential abilities and technical standards required for admission
and successful completion of the program, as well as to ensure the health and safety
of patients, clients, fellow students, faculty, and other healthcare providers.
Below are a few of the essential abilities and requirements commonly associated with
a career in dental hygiene. For a complete and detailed overview, please visit the
O*NET OnLine Dental Hygienist Summary. O*NET OnLine is a trusted resource that offers
comprehensive information on occupations, supporting students, job seekers, educators,
and career advisors in exploring professional pathways.
Key Abilities and Requirements
Physical Coordination and Dexterity
• Arm-Hand Steadiness: Ability to maintain steady hand and arm movements while performing
precise clinical procedures.
• Finger Dexterity & Manual Dexterity: Ability to manipulate instruments with precision,
and to grasp, assemble, or move small objects, especially in clinical settings.
• Wrist-Finger Speed: Capability for fast, repeated movements of the hands and wrists
required during procedures.
Vision and Perception
• Near Vision: Ability to clearly see details at close range, essential for examining
patients’ oral health.
• Visual Color Discrimination: Ability to distinguish between different shades and
colors, vital for identifying changes in oral tissues and conditions.
• Far Vision: Ability to see details at a distance, ensuring awareness of the patient's
overall posture and positioning.
Communication Skills
• Oral Comprehension & Expression: Ability to understand and communicate complex information
clearly and effectively with patients, faculty, and healthcare teams.
• Speech Clarity & Recognition: Ability to speak clearly for patient instruction and
to recognize the speech of others in noisy environments.
Cognitive and Problem-Solving Abilities
• Problem Sensitivity & Inductive Reasoning: Ability to recognize when something
is wrong or likely to go wrong, and to make informed decisions based on available
data.
• Deductive Reasoning: Ability to apply general rules to solve specific problems related
to patient care.
• Written Comprehension & Expression: Ability to read and understand written health
documentation, as well as accurately record patient information.
Motor and Physical Endurance
• Multilimb Coordination & Trunk Strength: Ability to coordinate movements involving
both arms, legs, and the torso, necessary for proper patient care and performing clinical
procedures.
• Stamina: Ability to work effectively for extended periods, managing physical demands
without fatigue.
• Dynamic Strength & Static Strength: Ability to exert force repeatedly or in a sustained
manner, essential for tasks requiring lifting or physical resistance.
Sensory Abilities
• Hearing Sensitivity & Auditory Attention: Ability to detect and focus on sounds
critical for patient assessment and communication in clinical environments.
• Depth Perception & Spatial Orientation: Ability to assess distances and positioning,
ensuring proper alignment and safe handling of dental tools and equipment.
Professionalism and Ethical Standards
• Students are expected to demonstrate professionalism, ethical behavior, and always
maintain patient confidentiality.
• Ability to manage emotionally challenging situations with composure, while providing
compassionate care to patients.
Scope of Practice
The scope of practice for licensed dental hygienists in Washington State is defined
under RCW 18.29.050. This statute outlines the functions a dental hygienist is legally
permitted to perform, including preventive and therapeutic dental procedures, under
varying levels of supervision. Dental hygienists may be employed in dental offices,
public health settings, schools, and other healthcare environments. The level of required
supervision, general or direct, depends on the specific procedures being performed
and the setting. For detailed information, please refer to the full statute: RCW 18.29
– Dental Hygienists
Information Sessions are offered regularly throughout the year to give you an opportunity to meet the Director of Dental Hygiene, Counseling and Financial Aid. Information is provided regarding required prerequisites, the application process, and progression through the curriculum. Attendees will have the opportunity to ask specific questions about the program.
Information sessions are scheduled for one hour and are free and open to anyone interested in a CBC Health Sciences program.
The Dental Hygiene program at CBC requires an expenditure of approximately $37,000 for tuition, books, uniforms, supplies and equipment during the two-year program. These figures are estimates and subject to change. Approximately $7,000 will be needed prior to the beginning of the first quarter. Upon graduation, students must take the NBDHE (National Board Dental Hygiene Exam) and a Regional board exam that includes Clinical boards on Local Anesthesia, Restorative (placing fillings on a typodont) and a Clinical board on a patient. These costs are in addition to the quoted cost of the program and are the responsibility of the student. Successful completion of these exams are required for licensure.
The Dental Hygiene program offers low cost dental care to adults, teens and children
in our community. Procedures are performed by students in the program and are supervised
by local dentists and also registered dental hygienists who are faculty members in
the program.
Dental Hygiene Clinic
Support the Patient Care Fund
Your support enables CBC Dental Hygiene students to provide non-surgical periodontal
therapy (NSPT) to those in need in our community. In order for the students to provide
comprehensive inital periodontal therapy for one patient, it costs our clinic $312.
The Patient Care Fund provides funds to cover the cost of four quadrants (full mouth)
of NSPT, re-evaluation, and one periodontal maintenance cleaning. This service provides
vital training to our students while making a real and tangible difference in the
lives of our patients.
Donate Today!
Accreditation Site Visit - Public Notice
The Dental Hygiene program at Columbia Basin College will undergo a site visit by
the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) on October 1–2, 2025, as part of the
accreditation process.
In accordance with CODA policy, third-party comments related to the program’s compliance
with accreditation standards or CODA policies are being accepted. Comments must be
submitted in writing by August 2, 2025, and sent directly to CODA via email.
For details on how to submit comments, please refer to the document below:
Comments
