For the Fall 2026 Admissions Cycle

The selection process involves a competitive ranking of major and minor factors. The total application score (up to 100 points) is calculated solely from the major and minor factors listed below.听

Applications must be submitted between November 10th, 2025-February 2, 2026.

Major Factors

• Grade point average of prerequisite science courses through fall quarter/semester
• Cumulative grade point average in all college coursework completed through fall quarter/semester
• Health Sciences Reasoning Test (HSRT) score (31 possible points)
• Holistic Review (32 possible points)
• Interview (40 possible points)

Minor Factors

• Completion of AA-DTA degree at time of application – 0.25 points
• Completion of a Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science, Master of Arts or Master of Science degree – 0.5 points
• Full-time college coursework (15 credits or more per quarter/semester) – 0.5 points
• 51福利社 student (completion of 45+ credits at time of application) – 0.5 points

Evaluation of Qualified Applicants

After the application deadline, qualified applicants are initially ranked based upon:

• 40% of the application value is the GPA in the five (5) priority prerequisite sciences through fall quarter/semester.
• 20% of the application value is the score on the HSRT (Health Sciences Reasoning Test).
• 15% of the application value is the cumulative GPA in all college coursework through fall quarter/semester.
• 15% of the application value is the interview score ( interviews are scored at 0 for the first round.)
• 10% of the application value is the score in the Holistic Review.
• Minor factors (as noted above).

Based upon initial ranking, the top ranking applicants will be invited to submit their Winter Quarter transcripts upon completion of Winter Quarter.听 After the submission of Winter Quarter transcripts, applicants will be ranked based upon:

• 40% of the application value is the GPA in the five (5) priority prerequisite sciences through winter quarter/fall semester.
• 20% of the application value is the score on the HSRT (Health Sciences Reasoning Test).
• 15% of the application value is the cumulative GPA in all college coursework through winter quarter/fall semester.
• 15% of the application value is the interview score
• 10% of the application value is the score in the Holistic Review.
• Minor factors (as noted above).

The 40 top-ranked applicants are accepted to the program and notified by email. The following 10 ranked applicants are put on an alternate list and notified of their position by email.

NOTE: Because enrollment in the program is limited to 40 and the admissions process is competitive, no assurance is given that all applicants who complete the prerequisite coursework and are accepted by 51福利社 will be admitted to the DNHY-BS program.

Each Information Session will be limited to the first 40 individuals who sign up. Sessions will be canceled if less than ten individuals are registered. Once the information sessions have met capacity, we will not be adding additional dates until summer 2025 for the Fall 2026 admission cycle.

Attendance at an Information Session is valid for 2 consecutive admission cycles.

Who: Required for all applicants. Parents and high school students considering a career in dental hygiene are encouraged to attend to assist in academic planning.

Where: A detailed email will be sent to registered attendees 24 hours before the session date.听 The detailed email will contain the exact location for the in-person session and the ZOOM link for the online sessions.

What: The session covers admissions requirements, essential functions of the dental hygienist and bloodborne pathogens. A question and answer session and tour of the dental hygiene facilities will follow.

When:

Wednesday, September 9, 2026 5:30 PST In-Person

Wednesday, October 14, 2026 5:30 PST ZOOM

Wednesday, December 16, 2026 5:30 PST ZOOM

Wednesday, January 27, 2027 5:30 PST ZOOM

Zoom links will be provided in early September 2026 once these meetings are open for registration.

Complete Observation Hours

Please note that individuals who are not licensed or certified may only observe clinical procedures and are not permitted to perform any dental procedures or duties during their observation sessions.听

Regardless of applicants employment experience, all 51福利社 Dental Hygiene applicants must complete the same observation hour requirement.

Please download the to document hours. This form must be completed and signed (hand written) by Licensed/Registered Dental Hygienists regardless of employment experience of the prospective applicant. Observation of a Dentist or EFDA will not count towards required hours. Reference the .

These procedural observations/hours must be completed at a minimum of two different dental offices. There are no specific requirements for the type of dental office you choose. It is the applicant鈥檚 responsibility to schedule these observation hours and arrange placements with the dental offices.

Observation hours are valid for 2 consecutive admission cycles.

Apply听online to 51福利社 and pay the听$60 application fee.

Current 51福利社 students do not have to reapply to 51福利社. As a current 51福利社 student, we already have your transcript information on file.听 If you have taken any courses at a college/university other than 51福利社 since you initially applied to 51福利社, please submit those transcripts to the 51福利社 Admissions Office.

If it has been more than one year since you have registered for courses at 51福利社, you must reapply.

Transfer students, follow these steps:

• Transfer students, please select the application type “Apply as a Transfer.” Do not apply as a freshman.
• Select Fall听semester for your entry term.
• Transfer applicants apply to 51福利社 at least 2 weeks before the 51福利社 Dental Hygiene application deadline.
• Set up your 51福利社 student email. Note: You may submit your dental hygiene application before you receive access to your 51福利社 email.
• Submit all official transcripts to 51福利社 Admissions Office. Applications are considered incomplete if transcripts have not been received by 51福利社 by the application deadline.

If you are submitting an 51福利社 application, you do not need to receive confirmation of your acceptance to Eastern before you submit your dental hygiene application.

A link to the HSRT and instructions on how to complete the test will be sent to you via email after you have paid the dental hygiene application fee. You can submit your application before you have completed the HSRT. There will be a due date for the HSRT listed in the email.

51福利社 Dental Hygiene applications will be accepted November 10th, 2025- February 2nd, 2026. Applications submitted after February 2nd will not be accepted.听

If you have any questions or concerns about the application process, please contact the Dental Hygiene Program Specialist at dentalhygiene@ewu.edu.

For the Fall 2026 Admissions Cycle, the 51福利社 Dental Hygiene program will be holding in person interviews.听 Interviews will be held March 28th, 2026.

Details will be sent in the application status letter on 3/9/26 to your 51福利社 email inbox.

If you have any questions or concerns about the application process, please contact the Dental Hygiene Program Specialist at dentalhygiene@ewu.edu.

By mid-April, the 40 top-ranked applicants are accepted to the program and notified by email. The following 10 ranked applicants are put on an alternate list and notified of their position by email.

BE ADVISED: A letter including deadlines for all required immunizations will be sent to students who are accepted into the program. Failure to adhere to these deadlines will result in retraction of the student’s acceptance and an offer will be made to the next on the alternate list.听

NOTE: Because enrollment in the program is limited to 40 and the admissions process is competitive, no assurance is given that all applicants who complete the prerequisite coursework and are accepted by 51福利社 will be admitted to the program.

Once notified of acceptance to the program, applicants must:

• Notify the Department of Dental Hygiene of their acceptance of the offer.听
• Pay the $100 non-refundable dental hygiene deposit upon acceptance.

Students on the alternate list are ranked and should stay in close contact with the Dental Hygiene Program Specialist if they’re interested in remaining active applicants. Alternates should complete all prerequisite courses as planned. If a candidate on the accepted list withdraws, alternate candidates are contacted.

All applicants for the dental hygiene program must have the following in order to enroll fall semester:

• Required to have a social security number or TIN or be able to obtain either by August 1.
• Ability to pass state and federal background checks per Washington State law prior to treating children and elderly patients. Prior criminal convictions may prohibit a graduate from obtaining a license to practice dental hygiene. Clinical sites may require students to complete additional background checks.听 Depending on the clinical sites background check requirements, a social security number (or TIN) may be required.听 51福利社 will work with students who do not have a social security number (or TIN) to find an alternative clinical site but cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so.听 This could result in delays or an inability to progress in your program to graduation.
• Current immunization records for mumps, measles, rubella, diphtheria, tetanus, varicella and Hepatitis B. Annual flu shots are required prior to each influenza season.
• COVID-19 Vaccination Statement:听 A majority of clinical sites require students to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. When not fully vaccinated it can be difficult to find clinical placement sites that allow you access to their facilities. 51福利社 will work with students who have medical or religious accommodations to find sites that do not require full COVID vaccination but cannot guarantee that we will be able to find a site. This could result in delays or an inability to progress in your program to graduation. As a future healthcare worker, it you are not fully vaccinated you may find reduced job opportunities because of employer and state/federal mandates. This can result in difficulty finding a position post-graduation and/or limited career opportunities, at least at the present time.
• Completed all remaining dental hygiene prerequisites, 51福利社 BACRs and graduation requirements by the end of summer quarter. Dental Hygiene students may not take any quarter-based courses while in the semester-based dental hygiene program.

Failure to provide documentation of the above by Aug 1 may result in an admission rescind.听

Current 51福利社 students have access to the 51福利社 Career Center, which provides 1-on-1 and group interview preparation for program candidates. They offer tailored services, whether that’s mock practice, interview education, or a combination of both. Career Center – 51福利社 – The Region’s Polytechnic

The dental hygiene program at 51福利社 is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation. A Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene signifies the holder is prepared for entry to the dental hygiene profession. The Department of Dental Hygiene has adopted the following essential functions for admission, promotion and graduation for its entry-level professional program. Dental Hygiene is an intellectually, physically and psychologically demanding profession. During the rigorous two-year curriculum, the student begins to develop the qualities needed to practice dental hygiene. Students acquire the foundation of knowledge, attitudes, skills and behaviors needed throughout the dental hygienists鈥� professional career. Those abilities that dental hygienists must possess to practice safely and in a professionally competent manner are reflected in the essential functions that follow.

Students must be able to meet the following minimum standards, with or without reasonable accommodation, for successful completion of degree requirements.

A.听Visual Acuity

• Must be able to read small printed labels on medications and other pertinent supplies.
• Must be able to read small numbers on instruments.
• Must be able to determine detail in small areas of the mouth varying from <5mm to several cm.
• Must possess adequate depth perception to evaluate size, shape and texture in small areas with minimal contrast
• Must be able to determine very slight variations in color.

B.听Speaking Ability

• Verbal expression must be clear and distinct enough to enunciate dental terminology while wearing a face mask.
• Must be able to express thoughts clearly in English.

C.听Motor Skills

Must have sufficient motor function to execute movements reasonably required to provide general care and treatment to patients including:

• The ability to directly operate foot controls using fine movements.
• The ability to operate hand and mechanical dental hygiene instruments around the teeth and structures in the oral cavity.
• The ability to perform palpation, percussion, and other diagnostic maneuvers and procedures.
• The ability to transfer and position disabled patients and to physically restrain patients who lack motor control.
• The ability to position and reposition self around patient and chair in a sitting and standing position.

Must have coordination of both gross and fine muscular movements, equilibrium and integrated use of the senses of touch and vision to execute movements reasonably required to provide general care and treatment to patients as detailed above.

D.听听Adaptive Ability

• Must be able to successfully complete required tasks/functions under stressful conditions.
• Must be able to perform with minimal supervision.
• Must be able to interact appropriately with all members of the dental team, patients, patient representatives (e.g. parents, guardians, family members, interpreters, etc.).
• Must be able to function in a structured environment with time constraints.

E.听听Language Ability

• Must be able to read, write, speak, record and report in English.
• Must be able to comprehend written and oral directions given in English and carry them out.
• Must be able to have conversations in English on the telephone and one-on-one.

F.听听Observation

• Must be able to observe demonstrations in lecture, clinical and laboratory settings. Observation requires the functional use of vision, hearing and somatic sensations.

G.听听Communication

• Must be able to communicate effectively and sensitively with patients, and patient representatives (e.g. parents, guardians, family members, interpreters, etc.), as well as perceive nonverbal communications.
• Must be able to communicate effectively and efficiently with other members of the dental team and health care community to convey information essential for safe and effective care. Communication includes: speech, language, reading, writing and computer literacy.

H.听听Intellectual, Conceptual, Integrative and Quantitative Abilities

Must possess the ability to effectively solve problems:

• Must be able to measure, calculate, reason, analyze, integrate and synthesize information in a timely fashion. For example, the student must be able to synthesize knowledge and integrate the relevant aspects of a patient鈥檚 history and examination findings to develop an effective treatment plan.
• Must be able to comprehend three-dimensional relationships and to understand spatial relationships of anatomical structures.

I.听听Behavioral and Social Attributes

Must possess the psychological ability required for the full utilization of their intellectual abilities to include the exercise of good judgment:

• The prompt completion of all responsibilities inherent to diagnosis and care of clients.
• The ability to demonstrate attributes of empathy, integrity, concern for others.
• Interest, motivation, and development of mature, sensitive, empathetic, and effective relationships with patients.
• The ability to give, receive, and positively respond to constructive feedback.
• The ability to work within the context of a group or a team of peers.
• The ability to demonstrate interpersonal coping skills.
• Must maintain a professional appearance and hygiene.
• Must have the ability to be timely and dependable.
• Must be able to tolerate physically and mentally taxing workloads and function effectively under stress.
• Must be able to adapt to a changing environment, display flexibility and learn to function in the face of uncertainties inherent in the clinical problems of patients.
• Must demonstrate professionally ethical behavior, including the ability to comply with rules, regulations, professional Code of Ethics and policies of the College and Clinical Affiliates.

J.听听Curriculum Requirements

• Must be able to successfully complete, with or without reasonable accommodation, all required essential components of the curriculum.

K.听听Tests and Evaluations

• Must be able to successfully complete both written and practical periodic examinations which are employed by the dental hygiene program as an essential component of the curriculum to evaluate competence.
• Must demonstrate successful completion of these examinations as a condition for continued progress through the curriculum.

L.听听Clinical Assessments

• Must be able to successfully demonstrate, with or without reasonable accommodations, competence of clinical skills in both laboratory and clinical settings.

Dental hygienists are responsible, by law, to the people of the State of Washington for specific standards of dental hygiene conduct:

By law WAC 246-815-160: “The standards of dental hygiene conduct or practice identify minimum responsibilities of the registered dental hygienist licensed in Washington in health care settings as provided in the Dental Hygiene Practice Act, chapter 18.29 RCW, and the Uniform Disciplinary Act, chapter 18.130 RCW. The standards provide consumers with information about quality care and provide the secretary of health (of the department of health), guidelines to evaluate safe and effective care. The dental hygienist assumes the responsibility, public trust and obligation to adhere to the standards of dental hygiene practice鈥�. 18.130.010 鈥淚ntent. It is the intent of the legislature to strengthen and consolidate disciplinary and licensure procedures for the licensed health and health-related professions by providing a uniform disciplinary act with standardized procedures for the licensure of health care professionals and the enforcement of laws the purpose of which is to assure the public of the adequacy of professional competence and conduct in the healing arts.”

The dental hygiene program at 51福利社 addresses all issues and concerns related to bloodborne pathogens, such as Human Immunodeficiency (HIV), Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) and Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) in order to protect patients, students, faculty and staff, as well as protect the rights of our patients who may have a bloodborne infectious disease. Students treat all patients assigned. As a result, the potential exists for transmission of bloodborne and other infectious diseases during patient care services.

Additionally, students may experience exposure to hazardous chemicals or substances, accidental injury, neuromuscular problems, radiation and allergic reactions to latex, anesthetic agents or other chemical agents. Students enrolled in the dental hygiene program are provided with in-depth instructions on OSHA and WISHA safety and infection control policies employed in the program.

Our Bloodborne Pathogen Policy/Exposure Control Plan minimizes the risk of transmission of bloodborne pathogens as well as minimizes the risk to other environmental hazards. Policies are reviewed annually and changes implemented accordingly.

Latex is an integral part of dentistry; although latex free gloves are used in clinic, rubber dams, suction tubes, etc. may contain latex. Individuals with a history of some prior allergic condition, such as hay fever, environmental allergies and drug allergies, may be at risk for latex hypersensitivity. Individuals with a documented latex allergy must submit clearance from a physician prior to participation in pre-clinical or clinical activities.

Please remember these are estimated expenses and are subject to legislative, University, or other changes at any time.听

In accord with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, as amended; The Washington State听Law Against Discrimination, RCW 49.60; and Section 504 of the 1973 Rehabilitation Act, as听amended, which prohibit discrimination against individuals on the basis of disability, Eastern听Washington University strives to make appropriate accommodations for students with听documented special needs. Students with disabilities must register with the 51福利社 Student Accommodations and Support Services (SASS) office which is located in Tawanka 124 if they require special听accommodations. Additional information about reasonable accommodations is contained in听51福利社 Policy 402-03, Accommodating Persons with Disabilities.

Determining what is a reasonable accommodation for students in the 51福利社 dental hygiene program is an interactive process which the student will need to initiate with the Chair of the Dental Hygiene Department and SASS. For more information, students can contact SASS by telephone at 509.359.6871.

It is important to note that the essential functions for the academic portion of a professional听program are different than the essential functions for clinical practicum or professional testing.听The ability to perform certain skills within a specified time frame is part of the skills that are an听essential function of a profession. As a result, the request for accommodations for an extended听time in clinical practicum or professional skills testing will be assessed on different essential听functions than in the academic setting. In other words, in these settings, you may not receive听the same time extension that may be deemed reasonable in a different academic setting.