Dental Hygiene BAS Information
General Program Information
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The Dental Hygiene program is committed to a humanistic culture and learning environment that is regularly evaluated. Collaboration, mutual respect, cooperation, and harmonious relationships between and among administrators, faculty, students, staff, and alumni is valued. Support is provided to cultivate the development of professionalism and ethical behavior by fostering diversity of faculty, students, and staff, open communication, leadership, and scholarship.
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Program Mission: The mission of the Lake Washington Institute of Technology Dental Hygiene Program is to prepare students to enter the healthcare workforce as entry-level Dental Hygienists who are competent in the provision of safe, ethical and effective dental hygiene care. The program aims to provide students with high quality didactic and clinical education in the cognitive, psychomotor, and affective skills of Dental Hygiene as well as the promotion of life-long learning.
- The Dental Hygiene BAS program is a competitive admission program with prerequisite requirements and application deadline unique to the program.
- This program prepares students, upon graduation, to take the National Board Examination and the clinical licensing examination in the state where they plan to practice as a Dental Hygienist.
As a student who is interested in pursuing admission to the Dental Hygiene BAS program at LWTech, it is important that you have all of the information you need to be the most competitive applicant to this selective admission program.
All prospective Dental Hygiene applicants are required to review this information prior to applying to the Dental Hygiene program.
Dental Hygiene BAS Catalog Info
Estimated Program Costs
| Description | Estimated Cost |
|---|---|
| Estimated Tuition & Fee Cost | $19,427 |
| Estimated Books and Supplies | $14,100 |
| Estimated Class/Lab Fees | $8,440 |
| Estimated Technology Fees | $3,323 |
| Total Program Cost | $45,289 |
Admission and Advising Information
Online Application
- The Dental Hygiene BAS admission application is an online application.
Supporting Information Packet (coming soon)
- The supporting information packet, is for personal use only and not required for the application process.
- This packet includes a scoring table for you to calculate your unofficial score as well as other helpful information.
- Dental Hygiene BAS Application Deadline for 2025 Cohort (deadline extended!)
- January 21, 2025 (new date)
- Proof of required immunizations or proof of positive related titers and TB test due
to Dental Hygiene Candidate Canvas shell
- March 14, 2025 (new date)
- Top 60 applicants selected and notified
- February 3, 2025
- Mandatory on site essay for top 60 applicants
- February 10, 2025, 3 p.m. to 5 p.m., location TBD
- Selected students notified for DHYG program
- March 14, 2025
- Accept/Decline offer of admissions form returned
- March 21, 2025
- Mandatory new cohort orientation, Part I (location/time TBD)
- March 28, 2025
- Mandatory BLS/1st Aid Class (must be completed before Part II)
- June TBD, 2025
- Mandatory new cohort orientation Part II
- June 20, 2025
- Summer term start date
- July 7, 2025
Admission Points Criteria
Stage 1
40 Pts - Cumulative GPA from classes:
- BIOL&241
- BIOL&242
- CHEM&121(or CHEM&161)
- CHEM&131(or CHEM&261)
- BIOL&260
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ENGL&101 and ENGL&102 will both be completed by December 2023.
Multiply your required prerequisite course cumulative GPA by 10 to determine points.
- Meet or exceed a 2.5/B- in the following pre-requisite courses prior to application.
- Science courses must have been completed in the past 7 years.
0 Pts - RDH Observations
- Observe Registered Dental Hygienists in two separate clinical settings for a combined total of 16 hours.
- This is not a points bearing requirement, but is a required application element.
30 Pts - TEAS test (less than 2 years old)
- Multiply Adjusted Individual Total Score by 0.30 for total points to tabulate TEAS points (Minimum score of 70 required for TEAS score)
- Report highest TEAS score taken within 2 years of admission deadline
Total Points in Stage 1: 75 Points
Stage 2
Top 60 applicants from stage 1 by invitation only
Up to 25 Pts: Onsite Essay
Total Possible Points: 100 Points
The top 30 applicants with the highest score out of 100 points invited for admission to the Dental Hygiene BAS program.
Additionally, applicants must have the following completed by the end of winter quarter preceding the start of the Dental Hygiene program with a B-/2.5 or higher.
These courses are not tabulated in the cumulative GPA scoring.
- NUTR&101
- PSYC&100 OR 200
- CMST&210 OR 220
- SOC&101
- MATH&146
- CMST&150 OR HUM&215 (or equivalent. See section on 'pre-requisite courses' below for more information)
It can be helpful for prospective applicants to review the statistics of the students recently admitted to the program. Comparing your scores to the admission statistics can provide a better understanding of how competitive of an applicant you are.
Summer 2023 Admission Statistics
- Total Applicants: 79 (30 spots available)
- Average Cumulative Prerequisite GPA (6 courses): 3.8
- Average TEAS Composite Score: 84.4
- Average Essay: 23.3
- Average Total Points 86.92 (100 points possible)
Summer 2022 Admission Statistics
- Total Applicants: 97 (30 spots available)
- Average Cumulative Prerequisite GPA (6 courses): 3.8
- Average TEAS Composite Score: 81.71
- Average Essay: 20.73
- Average Total Points 83.38 (100 points possible)
The following courses must be completed to apply to the Dental Hygiene program:
GPA Bearing Courses
- BIOL&241
- BIOL&242
- CHEM&121(or CHEM&161)
- CHEM&131(or CHEM&261)
- BIOL&260
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ENGL&101 and ENGL&102 should be completed by December 2023
Non-GPA Bearing Course
- NUTR&101
- PSYC&100 OR 200
- CMST&210 OR 220
- SOC&101
- MATH&146
- CMST&150 OR HUM&215 (or equivalent, see below for details)
Meet or exceed a 2.5/B- in the following courses by end of winter quarter preceding start of the Dental Hygiene program. These courses are not tabulated in the cumulative GPA scoring.
Minimum Grade Requirements
Applicants must meet or exceed a 2.5/B- in the pre-requisite GPA and non-GPA bearing courses. Courses must be taken within time limit of 7 years from the application deadline.
While the minimum grade in each class required is a 2.5/B-, the average cumulative GPA for the 6 GPA Bearing Pre-Requisites for students admitted is a 3.8.
HUM 215 or CMST150 Requirement
The Dental Hygiene program is looking for a Humanities class with diversity content. LWTech offers both HUM 215 and CMST&150 to fulfill this requirement. If you took a class at another college and that class does not obviously fall under an intercultural or multicultural course title, you can check if you have done any of the classes below or send an email to Selective Admissions at selective.admission@lwtech.edu.
These courses are examples of classes that can fulfill the diversity requirement:
- Language and Gender: Introduction to Gender and Stereotypes
- Women and Power in Ancient World
- Introduction to Ethnic Studies
- Race, Ethnicity, Identity in Greco-Roman World
- Introduction to American Cultures
- African Studies
- Chicana/Chicano Literature
- Cultures of Middle Age
- History of Religion in U.S.
- Comparing Global Cultures
- Society and the Arts
- Media Matters: Race, Class and Gender
- Native American Studies
- Language, Culture and Power: The Politics of Language
- Women Writers
Additional Note for Planning
It is important to note that all of the admission pre-requisite courses listed above have pre-requisites. For example:
- BIOL&242 cannot be taken until completion of BIOL&241.
- BIOL&241 cannot be taken until completion of BIOL&160.
- BIOL&160 cannot be taken until completion of ENGL 093 (or placement into ENGL 099 or higher).
Students are highly encouraged to review the College Catalog for further details and to attend a group advising session for further assistance with planning.
Dental Hygienist Observations
Applicants are required to complete 16 hours of observations of a Registered Dental Hygienist at two separate clinical sites. The purpose of this requirement is to provide the candidate with an experience that will demonstrate what a 'day in the life' of a Registered Dental Hygienist will be from start to finish.
The observation form is located within the Dental Hygiene online application.
- Observations must be conducted in at least two separate clinical facilities. This will provide you with an opportunity to see how different practices can be from one another.
- It is not permissible to observe a RDH at the place of your employment while you are also working as a dental assistant. The observation should be 16 hours of shadowing a RDH, and not multi-tasking as a dental assistant.
- Split your hours as evenly as possible between the two RDH sites to make up a combined total of 16 hours.
- Not following RDH Observation Form instructions will result in an incomplete application that will not be considered for admissions.
Observation Sites
LWTech does not provide referrals for where an applicant can complete their observations. It is the applicants responsibility to find observation sites. You may want to call around to different dental offices (including your own) to ask if you can complete your observation hours at their office.
TEAS Test Overview
The TEAS test is the Test of Essential Academic Skills. It is required to apply to the Dental Hygiene BAS program.
The TEAS is divided into the following sections:
- Reading: paragraph comprehension, passage comprehension, and inferences/conclusions
- Math: whole numbers, metric conversion, fractions, decimals, algebraic equations, percentages, and ratio/proportions, statistics
- Science: reasoning, science knowledge, biology, chemistry, anatomy, physiology, basic physical principles, and general science
- English and Language User: punctuation, grammar, sentence structure, contextual words, and spelling
LWTech TEAS Testing Policy
Please submit your highest TEAS score that is no older than 2 years from the application deadline. Minimum TEAS score of 70 or higher required.
Taking the TEAS at LWTech
Go to the LWTech Assessment page and fill out the web form to schedule your TEAS test.
- The test takes approximately 3.5 hours and cost $115 (subject to change).
- Due to COVID-19, the test can be taken remotely through LWTech's Assessment Center.
- Test spots fill quickly.
Sending TEAS Scores to LWTech
- If you took your TEAS test with LWTech, your TEAS score is sent to LWTech automatically. You do not need to contact ATI.
- If you took your TEAS test elsewhere, go to the ATI site and order your TEAS transcript to be sent to the LWTech database .
- ATI charges a fee (approximately $27) to have the results transferred to LWTech.
Studying for the TEAS
- Students are encouraged to review the TEAS study materials listed on the ATI website. They offer practice tests, books, and other preparatory materials.
- Students are highly encouraged to take the TEAS test after they complete their pre-requisite course work and to study for the TEAS prior to taking the exam.
- LWTech's TRIO program created the following presentation to prepare students for the TEAS test.
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TRIO provides additional support to eligible first-generation to college, low-income students, and students with disabilities such as one-on-one tutoring for pre-requisite courses, support completing scholarship and FAFSA forms, help with selective admission advising and completing selective admission applications. For more information, and to see if you qualify, contact TRIO at (425) 739-8361 or by email at Trio@lwtech.edu.
Preparing to Apply
Unofficial Transcript Evaluation
Advisors cannot guarantee that a course from another institution will count towards the pre-requisites for a competitive admission program.
ALL students must submit an official transcript to the college for evaluation to receive official confirmation that the course they are transferring in meets the requirements.
Sending Official Transcripts
To learn more about transferring courses to LWTech, visit the Transferring to LWTech webpage.
Verifying LWTech Received your Transcript
Evaluation results will be available 2-4 weeks after the receipt of official transcripts. The total number of credits transferred in and the institution from which the credits were transferred will be posted to your LWTech transcript.
Additional questions?
Applicants with further questions can contact: Selective.Admission@lwtech.edu
Washington Community & Technical College Courses and Transcripts
- All of the pre-requisite courses for Dental Hygiene admissions are common core academic courses across the community and technical college system. If you took a class with the exact same coding and title, such as ENGL&101 English Composition, at another community or technical college, the course is equivalent and will transfer in. Please note that you must have a 2.0 or higher in a course to transfer it.
Washington State Colleges & Universities
- If you have a course that does not have the exact coding and title as the requirement at a university in Washington State, you can email Selective.Admission@lwtech.edu to ask about course equivalency.
Out of State Colleges & Universities
- If you took courses at an out of state college or university, you must apply for general admission and submit an official transcript for evaluation. This process can take 2-3 weeks from the time we receive the transcript.
Semester Credits
- If you are transferring credits in from a semester school, you can multiply the amount of credits by 1.5 to find the quarter credit amount (It is common for you to have a 3 cr semester credit class that will translate into 4.5 quarter credits. This is OK for the admission process).
Courses Without Decimal or Letter Grades
- For selective admission healthcare programs, LWTech does not accept transfer credits
from colleges that do not
provide a decimal or letter grade for completed classes. - Classes from any college that are graded only as a “pass” or “satisfactory” or credits earned via CLEP, AP, IB, or other testing process will be converted to a 2.0 in the admission process which may make you ineligible for admission.
Major Declaration
The Dental Hygiene program is a competitive entry program. If you have not been admitted to the program, you are not eligible to receive Financial Aid for it.
Students interested in using financial aid while pursuing pre-requisites for Dental Hygiene are strongly encouraged to review information about Health Sciences AAS-T for more information on how this program may be the best fit to help you reach your goals.
Paying for College Resources
LWTech offers many resources to assist students who are interested in pursuing the Dental Hygiene BAS program with paying for college.
Students are encouraged to review the Paying for College webpage.
The Health Sciences AAS-T is a program that embeds all of the pre-requisites for the Dental Hygiene program. Because of this, all classes will provide you progress towards completion of a degree that is not competitive entry, but open to all. There are numerous benefits to this option:
- If you are not admitted to the Dental Hygiene program, you will still be able to move forward in completing this degree, which upon completion gives you the pre-requisites needed to apply to Bachelor of Applied Science options, such as Public Health or Behavioral Health.
- The Health Sciences AAS-T is an open admission program and is an approved program for Financial Aid.
- The Health Sciences AAS-T program allows eligible students to utilize Workforce Development programs.
Students can update their program of study to Health Sciences AAS-T online.
Science Time Limits
- Science courses will have a time limit of 7 years from the admission deadline.
Non-Science Time Limits
- Non-science classes do not have a time limit.
The Advising and Science departments strongly recommend students consider the following:
Sequencing:
- Take the science courses in the following sequence:
- CHEM&121
- BIOL&160
- BIOL&241
- BIOL&242
- BIOL&260
- Take BIOL&241 and BIOL&242 sequentially, without any gap quarters, to ensure you retain information.
- BIOL&260 should be taken last in the sequence even though the pre-requisites allow it to be taken after completion of CHEM&121/BIOL&160.
Course Load:
- With the exception of CHEM&121 and BIOL&160, students never take two sciences together in the same quarter. For some students, even taking CHEM&121 and BIOL&160 in the same quarter can be an overload. Talk to an advisor to determine if taking them together is the right choice for you.
- Start your BIOL&241 and BIOL&242 sequence in fall or winter quarters so that you can take the courses sequentially during the longer quarters. The summer quarter is a short quarter, which can be overwhelming to many students. If students plan to take one of these courses in a summer quarter, they are strongly advised to only take one course.
Studying:
- While not required or considered for admission, work hard and pay close attention to BIOL&160. This course is important to build a strong foundation in preparation for your other science requirements.
- LWTech offers free tutoring for all of the pre-requisites. Students are strongly encouraged to utilize the Learning Lab for their sciences and other requirements.
The Advising Department and the Science Department strongly recommend students consider the following:
Sequencing:
- Take the science courses in the following sequence:
CHEM&121
BIOL&160
BIOL&241
BIOL&242
BIOL&260
- Take BIOL&241 and BIOL&242 sequentially, without any gap quarters, to ensure you retain information.
- BIOL&260 should be taken last in the science sequence even though the pre-requisites allow it to be taken after completion of CHEM&121/BIOL&160.
Course Load:
- With the exception of CHEM&121 and BIOL&160, students never take two sciences together in the same quarter. For some students, even taking CHEM&121 and BIOL&160 in the same quarter can be an overload. Talk to an advisor to determine if taking them together is the right choice for you.
- Start your BIOL&241 and BIOL&242 sequence in Fall or Winter so that you can take the courses sequentially during the longer quarters. The summer quarter is a short quarter, which can be overwhelming to many students. If students plan to take one of these courses in a summer quarter, they are strongly advised to only take 1 course.
Studying:
- While not required or considered for Nursing AAS-T admission, work hard and pay close attention to BIOL&160. This course is important to build a strong foundation in preparation for your other science requirements.
- LWTech offers free tutoring for all of the nursing pre-requisites. Students are strongly
encouraged to utilize the Learning Lab for their sciences and other requirements.
The average cumulative GPA for the 6 GPA bearing courses is a 3.8 or higher.
Students who earn grades lower than this may want to consider retaking courses for a higher grade to be more competitive applicants.
Course Retake Policy
LWTech's Dental Hygiene program does not have a policy about course retakes, you can simply report the course with the highest grade if you retake a course.
Financial Aid and Retaking Classes
Please note that course retakes in cases where you have passed the course (2.0 or higher) and wish to retake it for a better grade are not typically covered by financial aid. Please contact Financial Aid for to inquire about their retake policy.
Other Colleges Retake Policies
Not all other schools allow students to retake classes or accept classes that have been retaken for Dental Hygiene admission. It is important you do your own research to be aware of how retaking courses will impact you if you are applying to other programs. LWTech Advisors cannot advise on other colleges policies.
If you were in progress with a course pre-requisite at the time of application and your grade has not yet been posted, you can submit your application first and check with Selective.Admission@lwtech.edu at a later time for your transcript.
The Dental Hygiene Admission team will evaluate what you have, but they will not call or follow up with you about your transcript.
If the transcript does not arrive at the time we are sending out results; your application will be considered incomplete.
Each Dental Hygiene applicant is required to complete a criminal background check. Instructions to access CastleBranch for the background check will be provided in the Dental Hygiene Candidate Canvas shell prior to being selected into the program.
- Each student is responsible for all associated fees for the background check.
- Fees for this online service vary depending on the number of places in which the student has resided within the past seven years.
- If a criminal check for the particular students shows a “less than satisfactory” rating, clinical extern facilities may deny access to that student.
- While entrance to the Dental Hygiene program may not be denied because of such a rating, without access to the clinical extern facilities such a student may not be able to satisfactorily complete the Dental Hygiene program and will be so advised.
- Throughout the program, Dental Hygiene students may be asked to complete and sign a form which asks for confirmation of the students' present and past criminal history.
Accepted candidates are required to have a physical and eye exam, as well as provide proof of immunizations. Accepted candidates are required to provide proof of immunizations.
| Immunization | Requirement | Documentation Needed |
|---|---|---|
| Hepatitis B | 3 dose series within the last 10 years OR positive titer showing immunity | Lab results |
| Tuberculin test | 2-step tuberculin test OR QuantiFERON®-TB Gold In-Tube test (GFT-GIT) showing no active TB (must be done before entering the program) | One negative test or lab results [Note: If TB test is positive, it is necessary to have a chest x-ray and a TB Assessment signed by a healthcare provider. If a latent TB infection is diagnosed, proof of completion of course of antibiotics is required.] |
| Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR) | Positive titer showing immunity | Lab results |
| Varicella (chickenpox) | Positive titer showing immunity | Lab results |
| Tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis | 1-dose within the last two years or TD within 10 years | Vaccine record |
| COVID vaccination | Full vaccination (2 weeks past final 1 or 2-dose series) before beginning the program | Vaccine record |
Additional documentation may be required for Dental Hygiene students to participate in clinical settings. Documentation may include but is not limited to:
- Tuberculosis screening
- Verification of immunizations
- Background check
- Drug screening
- First aid/CPR for healthcare provider's card
Support Services
Individual Appointments
Prospective Dental Hygiene Applicants:
Prospective Dental Hygiene applicants who are taking pre-requisite coursework at other colleges who have admission questions are encouraged to email Selective.Admission@lwtech.edu for assistance after thoroughly reviewing the online information session linked above.
If you are planning to take pre-requisite coursework at LWTech, you may make an appointment with an academic advisor for support with course planning and registration.
Advisors cannot guarantee that a course from another institution will transfer to LWTech or that it is equivalent to a course LWTech requires.
ALL students must submit an official transcript to the college for evaluation to receive a final decision on whether or not a course will transfer.
Current LWTech Students:
After thoroughly reviewing the online information session linked above, current LWTech students who are pursuing pre-requisites for Dental Hygiene may meet with an advisor for support with course planning and registration. Further information is available on the Advising Webpage.
Current students are encouraged to see if they meet the qualifications for the following support programs, which offer intensive one-on-one advising assistance to eligible students:
- TRIO: The goal of TRIO is to provide services to students who are low-income, first-generation (neither parent nor guardian has a bachelor's degree and neither does the student), or students with disabilities. TRIO offers one-on-one tutoring, academic advising, and more.
- Workforce Development: This department consists of several federal and state funded programs including BFET, Opportunity Grant, Worker Retraining, and WorkFirst. The programs may provide assistance with tuition, books, advising, and individualized support services. Students must qualify for the programs to receive benefits.
Drop-In Advising
Students with advising questions or needs, such as registering for classes, can also access drop-in advising. Schedule and information are available at LWTech.edu/Advising.
Students are highly encouraged to utilize LWTech's free tutoring resources in their pre-requisite coursework.
Tutoring Resources
- The Learning Lab: The Learning Lab is a drop-in tutoring center that supports all LWTech students in math, English, science, social science, pre-requisite, and select program classes. The Learning Lab offers free drop-in tutoring from faculty, staff, and certified tutors to support students in understanding course concepts and accessing resources.
- TRIO: The goal of TRIO is to provide services to students who are low-income, first-generation (neither parent nor guardian has a bachelor's degree and neither does the student), or students with disabilities. TRIO offers one-on-one tutoring, academic advising, and more.
After You Apply
You can check on your application status by logging into the Self-Service Center.
Decisions are posted in the Self-Service Center and will be emailed to you via your
LWTech student email.
If you are offered admission, you must complete and submit a form to accept the offer
of admission. Instructions will be emailed to you with your application decision.
The final decision status will be available on your online account. You can check decision status by logging into your Self-Service Center. To accept the offer of admission, you must return an accept/decline form. Click Respond in the top-right of this letter and submit online. If you experience any difficulty with this form, please email email Selective Admission or call (425) 739-8104 to get assistance.
Students accepted into the Dental Hygiene Program are required to complete two mandatory orientations.
- Orientation Part I: March 29, 2024 (location/time TBD)
- Orientation Part II: June 21, 2024 (location /time TBD)
- Failure to complete the orientation will result in the student's withdrawal from the cohort.
The Dental Hygiene Program admits 30 students per year. There are over 100 applicants per cycle. Unfortunately, this means that even a very strong candidate may not be admitted to the program.
The denial letter will contain your scores and provide averages for the admitted applicants. You are encouraged to review this and glean where you scored lower than those who were admitted.
If you have questions or concerns about why you were denied, you may contact Selective.admission@lwtech.edu. Please note that it may take 2-3 weeks for them to reply with this information.
Alternative Admission Offers
Students who are denied from the Dental Hygiene program who meet the pre-requisites for healthcare related BAS programs at LWTech may be offered admission to those programs, such as Public Health and Behavioral Healthcare.