Quick Links:

Admissions Process:

• Review the Dental Hygienist information on the website and the Program Admissions Criteria below
• Attend a Dental Hygienist Information Meeting
• Apply to SCTC and declare a HCT/Dental Hygienist Major
• Plan which classes to take and in what order, based on your schedule, class availability and prerequisites classes.  Know your program prerequisites and which classes you need to take.  See Program Checklist.
• Contact or meet with the HCT/Dental Hygienist Enrollment Specialist each semester if you are uncertain of which classes to take or if you need help understanding if you meet the Program Criteria.

Application Process

• Go to www.sctc.edu and fill out the SCTC college application or fill one out in person at the SCTC Admissions Office (St. Cloud Technical College, 1540 Northway Drive, St. Cloud, MN 56303)
• Fill out the SCTC Dental Hygiene Application online
• Send all official college transcripts to SCTC
• Attend a Dental Hygiene Information Session.  To see a list of upcoming sessions, click here.
• Students can only apply to the SCTC Dental Hygiene Program after successfully completing  3 of the 5 pre-requisite science/nutrition courses

Application Criteria

• Applicants must complete the St. Cloud Technical College application process and be accepted  to the college prior to applying to the dental hygiene program at SCTC.  To apply online, click here.
• DH Applicants may apply only after successful completion of 3 of the 5 science/nutrition prerequisite classes.
• Official transcripts must be attached to dental hygiene application. (Apply online)  (PDF version)
• Applications to the Dental Hygiene program will only be accepted from the 3rd Tuesday of September until  February 1 of the following year.
• A cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher from the prerequisite classes is required (sciences & nutrition)
• A minimum GPA of 2.0 must be achieved in each general education course .
• Maximum retake policy for science classes is 1 class and 1 class for general education classes
• Students who have retaken more than 1 science/nutrition prerequisite or more than 1 general education class are not eligible for admission into the SCTC Dental Hygiene program
• There are no waiting lists for this program.  If a student does not make it into the program, they must reactivate their file to be considered for the following year.
• Applications will be kept active for a maximum of 2 years.
• Dental Hygiene uses a selective admissions process

Selection Process

• Students are ranked in order of GPA of  science/nutrition classes completed.
• Preference is given to students who have completed all of general education classes.
• The class of 14 is selected in spring (March/April) with preference given to students who have completed all 5 science prerequisites.
• The applicants who have not completed all 5 science prerequisites by the February 1 application deadline will be considered for admission. These students will be placed on the alternate list upon SCTC receiving an official transcript of successful course completion.
• These students will be ranked according to their science/nutrition coursework.
• There are 14 student admitted into the program each fall semester.
• The dental hygiene program is 4 semesters in length.
• Dental hygiene is a very competitive program.
• Fulfilling prerequisites is not a guarantee to admission into the program.

Informational Meetings

• All students that are interested in the Dental Hygiene program should sign up for an informational meeting. For those interested, the meeting will include a tour of the SCTC Dental Clinic.
• The meeting dates can be found in our Informational Meetings calendar here. You may reserve a seat for an informational meeting by signing up online here.

FAQs, Forms and Information

• Dental Hygiene Program FAQs (.pdf)

Prerequisite and General Courses

Dental Hygiene Prerequisite courses:

General Education/Health Courses:

**All courses and numbers listed above are offered at St. Cloud Technical College. Students may transfer in science and general education course equivalents from other academic institutions.

Other Program Requirements

• 8 hours of dental hygiene observation in a dental office (2 offices- 4 hours each) (PDF documentation form)
• 3 hour observation in the SCTC Dental Clinic (call 320-308-5919 to schedule) (PDF documentation form)
• Minnesota Department of Health Services background check required before starting program
• CPR / Basic Life Support certification card is required upon admissions into the program
• Students must be vaccinated against the Hepatitis B (HBV) or sign release form. *(HBV series must be completed prior to spring semester of first year of dental hygiene)
• Applicants must have current Mantoux test prior to start fall semester classes.
• Attend a Dental Hygiene Information Session to learn more and to tour the SCTC Dental Clinic

SCTC Dental Clinic

The SCTC dental clinic is located in room 1-179. Anyone can make an appointment for a dental exam, cleaning, radiographs, fluoride treatment and many other preventive services.  Call 320-308-5919 to make an appointment. Hours vary each semester and all services are provided by students under the direct supervision of licensed dental hygienists and licensed dentists.