Dental Hygiene Program
Information Packet

Welcome Letter

Health Sciences Building
Temple College · 2600 South 1st Street · Temple, TX 76504-7435
Phone: 254-298-8651

Program Admission Criteria

Admission to Temple College does not imply or guarantee admission to the Dental Hygiene Program. The program uses a selective admission process. Students are selected by a Dental Hygiene Selection Committee that considers:

• Pre-entrance departmental aptitude test (ATI TEAS)
• Overall college grade point average
• Prerequisite science GPA
• Interview

Enrollment is limited due to classroom, laboratory, and clinic space, regulating agency requirements, and student-teacher ratios. A point system is used for selection — the committee ranks students according to points received in each admission criterion.

Applicants must meet all of the following requirements:

1. Attend a pre-application Dental Hygiene Program Information Session (required).
2. Complete the Temple College admission procedure and achieve admission to Temple College.
3. Complete a Dental Hygiene Admissions Application form.
4. Be TSI Complete.
5. Provide copies of all relevant transcripts: (1) high school or GED; (2) college/university; and (3) other.

6. Provide official transcript of course grades. Prerequisite courses required prior to the application deadline:

   • BIOL 2401 – Human Anatomy & Physiology I
   • BIOL 2402 – Human Anatomy & Physiology II
   • BIOL 2420 – Microbiology or BIOL 2421
   • CHEM 1405 – Introductory General, Organic, and Biochemistry or CHEM 1411

   Applicants must have a minimum grade of "C" or better in each course. A minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 is required. Biological science courses must have been taken within the past five years.

7. Pass all sections of the pre-entrance departmental aptitude test: ATI TEAS.
8. Observe and submit verification of sixteen (16) total hours of Dental Hygiene observation time in two different dental facilities that employ a dental hygienist.
9. Completion of the above criteria does not guarantee admission. The highest qualified applicants will be ranked according to scores. Twelve applicants will be accepted into the program each year.

10. Upon conditional acceptance, the following must be provided:

    • Essential Qualifications & Technical Standards Document
    • Pre-entry Visual Acuity Exam
    • Online background check
    • Proof of required immunizations

Your application will not be processed if any stated Program Admission Criteria are missing or incomplete. Contact the Dental Hygiene Program office at 254-298-8667 for additional information.

Information Session Mandatory

Information Sessions are held online. Please visit the Dental Hygiene webpage and click on the Information Sessions tab.

There will be a video presentation followed by a short test. You will be required to submit the certificate of completion in order to receive an application for the program.

Information packets and Observation forms may be downloaded from the Application Procedures tab on the Dental Hygiene webpage. Applicants will receive an application at the conclusion of the information session.

ATI TEAS Exam

Applicants must take the ATI Test of Essential Academic Skills (ATI TEAS) as a pre-entrance departmental aptitude test. The score will be factored into the applicant's composite score.

Testing Details — Summer 2027 Admission

• Score validity window: Scores are counted only if taken between July 1, 2026 – January 31, 2027.
• Minimum composite score: 65 to qualify for the Dental Hygiene Program.
• Retesting: Students may retest one additional time per application period if the minimum score is not achieved on the first attempt.
• Test cost: $65.00
• Location: Available at the Temple College Testing Center on a walk-in basis. Visit the Testing Center website or call (254) 298-8586.
• Study guides: Available at the Temple College Bookstore (Arnold Student Center) and at atitesting.com.

Admissions Applications

Temple College Admissions Application

Applicants must file a Temple College Admissions Application with the Admissions & Records Office. The application must be complete and contain the applicant's current mailing address. Refer to the Temple College Catalog for more information.

Dental Hygiene Program Admissions Application

Applicants must file a Temple College Dental Hygiene Admissions Application with the Dental Hygiene Program Director. The application must be complete and contain the applicant's current mailing address. Prospective students are allowed to apply a maximum of three (3) times.

Observation Hours Required

It is important for applicants to have a full understanding of the role of the dental hygienist in the dental practice setting. Therefore, you must observe and submit verification of:

• Sixteen (16) total hours of Dental Hygiene observation time
• Completed at two different dental facilities that employ a dental hygienist

Observation forms may be downloaded from the Application Procedures tab on the Dental Hygiene webpage.

Official College Transcripts

Applicants must order official transcripts to be sent to both:

• The Temple College Admissions & Records office
• The Dental Hygiene Program directly

Transcripts from all colleges, universities, or other educational institutions should be included. Official transcripts must document satisfactory completion of prerequisite courses. Applicants must have a minimum grade of "C" or better in each course and a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5.

Grade Point Average (GPA)

Grades are extremely important in the calculation of your total points. Requirements:

• Overall GPA of at least 2.5
• A grade of "C" or better in each prerequisite course
• Your prerequisite science GPA will be calculated and added as a separate score

Required Prerequisite Courses

Additional points will be awarded for completed general academic requirements. Applications are reviewed by the Selection Committee — incomplete applications will not be considered.

Interview

The top applicants will be asked to interview with the Dental Hygiene Selection Committee. The purpose of the interview is to determine which applicants will be offered positions in the incoming class and which will be placed on the alternate list.

• An interview does not guarantee acceptance into the program.
• Each interview is scheduled for 20 minutes.
• The interview will include a writing component and a manual dexterity component.
• The interview score will be added to the applicant's preliminary score.

The 16 applicants with the highest composite scores will be offered positions in the incoming class. All applicants will be notified of their status by March 15th.

Conditional Acceptance

Upon conditional acceptance into the program, the following must be provided:

• Essential Qualifications & Technical Standards Document
• Pre-entry Visual Acuity Exam
• Online background check
• Proof of required immunizations

Alternate Status & Reapplication

Alternate Status

Alternate status is awarded to some applicants who meet all requirements but do not rank in the top 16. In the event of a vacancy, alternates will be notified according to their ranking on the alternate list.

Reapplication

If you are not selected, you may re-apply. Prospective students are allowed to apply a maximum of three (3) times. When reapplying:

• You will not be required to repeat the information session or observation requirement.
• You will need to submit a new application, ATI TEAS score, and updated transcripts.
• All prerequisite courses must have been taken within five years of the application deadline.

Application Deadline

• By March 15th: The Program Director will send a notice of acceptance, alternate status, or rejection to each applicant who has submitted all necessary Program Admission Criteria.
• By March 31st: Accepted applicants must notify the Program Director in writing of their intention.

Criminal Background Check

Students must complete a criminal background check prior to entry into the program. Students with any infractions that would prohibit state licensure will not be accepted into the Dental Hygiene Program.

Cost: approximately $40.00

Blood-borne Pathogen & Regulatory Policies

Temple College Dental Hygiene Program complies with all institutional, local, state, and federal regulations involving blood-borne pathogens, infectious diseases, ionizing radiation, and hazardous materials. Students will follow all CDC, OSHA, and other infectious disease policies.

Policies Relating to Individuals with Blood-borne Infectious Diseases

These policies pertain to Faculty, Staff, Students, Patients, and Applicants.

1. All dental personnel are obligated to provide patient care with compassion and respect for human dignity, respecting the rights of privacy and confidentiality of patients with infectious diseases.
2. Dental personnel will not refuse to treat or discriminate against a patient solely because the patient has an infectious disease or is at risk of contracting one — including HIV, AIDS, or hepatitis infections. Exception: Patients with active tuberculosis will not be treated in the dental hygiene clinic until treatment is completed and a medical doctor provides clearance.
3. In the event that a student or employee contracts an infectious disease, the college will balance the student's right to education and the right of others to be free from risk of exposure. Note that the State Board of Dental Examiners (SBDE) may deny licensure if a student's infectious disease status affects clinical completion.
4. Temple College will protect the privacy and confidentiality of any faculty, student, or staff member who tests positive for an infectious disease. Dental personnel who pose a risk of transmission must consult with appropriate health-care professionals.
5. Each incident shall be dealt with on an individual, case-by-case basis by a team of appropriate health-care professionals and college personnel following current federal, state, and local guidelines.
6. Students must demonstrate proof of immunity including MMR, hepatitis B, current tetanus, and TB skin test. All dental personnel must demonstrate proof of immunity to hepatitis B or be immunized. Infection control and blood-borne pathogen training is provided at admission and through periodic updates, in compliance with OSHA and CDC guidelines.

Job Opportunities

Employment opportunities for the registered Dental Hygienist are subject to current economic and population conditions. Graduates are not guaranteed employment following graduation. To date, all Temple College graduates have found employment opportunities available, although not necessarily full-time.

Temple College is committed to nondiscrimination practices based upon race, gender, gender identity and expression, disability, age, religion, national origin, genetic information, or veteran status.

Estimated Cost of Dental Hygiene Education

The following costs do not include room and board. All costs are approximate. First-year totals do not include the cost of prerequisite courses.

* Dental Hygiene textbooks only; does not include general academic textbooks.
** Does not include travel or room costs for review.
There is no graduation fee if sophomores apply on time. The late graduation fee is $30.