Dental Hygiene (AAS.DHY)

Information sessions are offered at several points throughout the year and are mandatory for admission into the dental hygiene program. They are held in a hybrid format where prospective students can opt to attend in person or virtually. Registration is required. 

• Attendance at one information session is mandatory in order to apply to the Dental Hygiene Program
• Information sessions expire annually at the time of application closure, applicants must attend a new session for the year they apply
• Registration is required for the information session
• The list of information sessions is posted at the bottom of the Dental Hygiene Program website
• Applicants are required to stay the entire length of the session, applicants who leave the session early will not receive credit for attending and will need to attend another session
• A receipt of attendance will be emailed to the student using the email address provided in the registration form
• This receipt of attendance will need to be uploaded to your Dental Hygiene Program Application
• This email may arrive 48-72 hours after the session and may go to your junk/spam folder

2024 Information Sessions

• Monday, October 28 (5 - 6 pm) - Click Here to RSVP
• Wednesday, December 4 (12 - 1 pm) Click Here to RSVP

2025 Information Sessions

• Friday, January 31 (3 - 4 pm) Click Here to RSVP

View required courses under the requirements tab here. 

Required Courses

Below is a list of all courses that are required to complete the A.A.S degree in Dental Hygiene. Though not required for applying, it is strongly recommended that all non-dental hygiene courses (14 courses, indicated below by an asterisk*) are taken prior to the application deadline, as these are important criteria for admission to the program. Please speak with an academic advisor for assistance in planning your course load rcbc.edu/advising 

PLEASE NOTE:

• All courses must have a grade of C or higher.
• Anatomy I, Anatomy II and Microbiology must have been taken within ten years of beginning the program. If the course was taken more than ten years ago, the course will need to be retaken. If the older course final grade was a C or better, the course lecture may be taken for a grade without taking a lab.

Prior to application:

Transfer credits are evaluated by the Office of the Registrar. The evaluation process begins after a student sends an official transcript to the Registration office from another accredited College or University. The exact number of credits that will transfer may vary depending on your program; however, RCBC recognizes most equivalent course work from accredited colleges and universities. Please click here for more information regarding transfer credit evaluation.

Please direct all questions regarding transfer courses to the Office of the Registrar:

The Office of the Registrar
Rowan College at Burlington County
900 College Circle
Mount Laurel, NJ 08054
Phone: (856) 222-9311, ext. 1560
Fax: (609) 726-0401
Email: registration@rcbc.edu

After completion of the A.A.S degree at RCBC:

Rowan College at Burlington County provides numerous opportunities for students to transfer successfully to four-year schools in order to continue their education. Click here to visit the transfer page or contact us below.

Contact Us

RCBC Advising
Mount Laurel Campus
Student Success Center, Second Floor
transfer@rcbc.edu
(856) 222-9311, ext. 2737

Students interested in Dental Hygiene (DHY) are required to attend one of our Informational Seminars held periodically throughout the year. Please read the admissions process carefully. All application requirements MUST be completed before submission of the online application.

Admissions Process:

The Dental Hygiene program has a limited number of spaces (maximum of 27 each year) and admission into this program is very competitive. Please note that applying to the program and meeting all rubric requirements does not guarantee acceptance into the program due to the limited number of spaces available each year. 

Deadlines

The Dental Hygiene program accepts one cohort per year every fall semester. Applications open November 1 and close January 31 for the following fall semester. Applicants will be notified of decisions by late March via email only to RCBC student email account.

How to Apply

Applicants to the Dental Hygiene program are evaluated according to the following requirements:

Step 1: Apply to become an RCBC student by completing the Admissions Application to Rowan College at Burlington County.  You will need to have an RCBC student ID number and email address in order to apply the Dental Hygiene program

Step 2: Submit any/all transcripts from previously attended colleges and/or universities. Must be sent to the Office of Admissions.

• Transfer credits are evaluated by the Office of the Registrar. Please reach out to registration@rcbc.edu for specific questions.

Step 3: Attend a mandatory information session within 1 calendar year of the application deadline.

Step 4: Review and complete the application criteria listed below prior to the application deadline.

Step 5: Complete the Dental Hygiene online application during the open application cycle (November 1-January 31) to be considered for the following Fall semester.

Application Criteria

• Applicants must be 18 years old prior to the start of the program
• Submission of proof of high school completion via
  • High school diploma, GED or Translation of Foreign credentials
  • Must be sent to the Office of Admissions
• Submission of ALL college transcripts 
  • Must be sent to the Office of Admissions
  • Transfer credits are evaluated by the Office of the Registrar. Please reach out to registration@rcbc.edu for specific questions.
• Achievement of cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.75 or greater in all college coursework
• It is strongly recommended that all prerequisites (non-dental) are completed prior to the application deadline with a grade of “C” or higher to apply. Pease see program requirements for the list of courses.
• PLEASE NOTE: Anatomy I, Anatomy II and Microbiology must have been taken within ten years of beginning the program. If the course was taken more than ten years ago, the course will need to be retaken. If the older course final grade was a C or better, the course lecture may be taken for a grade without taking a lab.
• Students are non-admissible into the program under the following conditions:
  • Students with non-repeated failures in prerequisites (non-Dental Hygiene courses).
• Students with more than 2 failures and/or more than 2 repeats of the required courses. 
  • NOTE: we do not count courses that are 8 years old or older when looking at failed courses.
• Students who are enrolled/failed/dismissed from other Dental Hygiene schools/programs.

NOTE: Meeting all admission standards DOES NOT guarantee admission into the program.

Admissions Decisions

The Dental Hygiene program has a limited number of spaces (maximum of 27 each year) and admission into this program is very competitive. Please note that applying to the program and meeting all rubric requirements does not guarantee acceptance into the program due to the limited number of spaces available each year. 

Applicants will be selected according to total points earned based on an admission rubric. This rubric will evaluate the academic performance of a student within the pre-requisite courses (14) including all the sciences.

Applicants will be ranked according to total points scored and number of required courses repeated.

Click here to view the rubric. 

Candidates

Applicants who score highest on the Admissions Rubric will become candidates to the RCBC Dental Hygiene program.

• Candidates will be notified through their RCBC student email account in late March to attend a mandatory in-person interview with the RCBC Dental Hygiene Program Director, Full-time and Adjunct Faculty, and members of the advisory board.
• Applicants who have not qualified as a candidate for the interview will be notified through their RCBC student email account in late March. These applicants will be required to re-apply to a future application cycle. 

Conditionally Accepted

The candidates who score the highest on the Interview Rubric will be notified through their RCBC student email account of their Conditional Acceptance to the RCBC Dental Hygiene Program. 

Students are accepted on a conditional acceptance basis and can be denied if mandatory requirements are not met. Applicants that do not meet the complete and submit the following by the deadline of July 15th will have their acceptance rescinded.

As healthcare providers dental hygienists are exposed to infectious agents that can be transmitted to and from clinicians and patients. Dental hygienists are in constant contact with blood and saliva and are at great risk for infection without vaccines to protect them. Therefore, due to the high level of exposure in this profession, vaccinations are required to participate in the RCBC dental hygiene program. There are no exemptions for the following immunization requirements.

• Completion of a physical examination in the last year
• Immunizations, including:
  • Two-step tuberculosis skin test prior to admittance, and a single test must be completed annually thereafter.
  • Influenza/flu shot (annually)
  • Tetanus test (within the past 10 years)
  • MMR (or titers proving immunity)
  • Varicella (or titers proving immunity)
  • Hepatitis B (or titers proving immunity)
• Comprehensive eye examination in the last year
• All non-DHY curriculum courses (14) must be completed with a C or better.
• Mandatory attendance at the June and August DHY Orientation Sessions
  • The dates and times will be announced with Conditional Acceptance to the program.
• Proof of medical insurance
• Proof of “in person” American Heart Association BLS with AED CPR course with card.
• Clear criminal history background checks/urine drug test
• Malpractice insurance (fee for the coverage is part of the tuition rate; therefore, there will be no additional fees to the students for this coverage.)
• Reliable transportation (to clinical sites)

Waitlist

• Candidates that are not conditionally accepted may be put on a waitlist in case of a student rejecting admission or not meeting the acceptance requirements. You will be informed if you are on a waitlist.
• Waitlists are eliminated after the first day of the Fall semester. 
• Waitlists are not maintained from one year to the next, the student must reapply for a future application cycle.

Non-Acceptance or Declined Admission

• Students who are not accepted or decline admission to the Dental Hygiene program, must reapply in a future application cycle.

Registered Dental Hygienists perform tasks in a variety of roles ranging from clinician, health educator, prevention specialist, and counselor. Communication skills are of utmost importance to be effective in these areas when dealing with a diverse population of clients. Our emphasis is the maintenance of health: the total health and well being of those who come under our care. The delivery of quality oral health care is dependent upon the personal integrity of the hygienist to perform more than rote clinical procedures. S/he must be able to think critically, analyze a patient’s individual needs and deliver a total health maintenance package, which includes complex assessment, treatment, education, documentation and evaluation of a variety of treatment options.

The practice of dental hygiene puts the student at risk for exposure to blood borne and infectious diseases. The Rowan College at Burlington County Dental Hygiene Program follows all local, state and federal regulations for the protection of faculty, students, patients and staff. A complete manual of our compliance policies and procedures is available upon request.

Dental Program Mission Statement
The mission of the Rowan College in Burlington County Dental Hygiene Program is to provide affordable education that assures students a foundation for success as dental hygienists who are competent critical thinkers able to assist individuals and groups in the promotion, maintenance, and restoration of oral health.

Dental Hygiene Program Goals

• Integrate basic sciences and technical skills in the application of

  dental hygiene practice;

• Integrate ethical, legal and regulatory guidelines in the provision of professional dental hygiene care;
• Evaluate scientific information as a basis for dental hygiene decision making and research;
• Utilize professional knowledge to evaluate actions and competently care for and educate community members.

How can I find out more about the program?
Information seminars are held virtually and on the Mount Laurel Campus in the Health Sciences Center throughout the year. Attendance at an information session within the calendar year of the application deadline is mandatory. Registration for the information sessions is required. Please check the RCBC event calendar for additional upcoming information session information.

Do you have online or night courses?
At this time, all courses in the dental hygiene program are held in person, with the exception of 1 course delivered 100% online (DHY 200). Courses are typically only offered Monday-Friday, between the hours of 8am and 5pm.

I've had my dental x-ray license for many years. Do I still have to take DHY 120 Dental Radiology?
 Yes. All students accepted to the program will be requires to take the DHY 120 Dental Radiology course during the program, regardless of previous courses taken.

 I have a degree from another college. Will any of my credits transfer?
Transfer credits are evaluated by the Office of the Registrar. The evaluation process begins after a student sends an official transcript to the Registration office from another accredited College or University. The exact number of credits that will transfer may vary depending on your program; however, RCBC recognizes most equivalent course work from accredited colleges and universities.

Please direct all questions regarding transfer courses to the Office of the Registrar:

The Office of the Registrar
Rowan College at Burlington County
900 College Circle
Mount Laurel, NJ 08054
Phone: (856) 222-9311, ext. 1560
Fax: (609) 726-0401
Email: registration@rcbc.edu

I'm an adult learner. Will I be out of place? Will I be the oldest student in class?
There are many adult learners in RCBC courses and dental hygiene is no exception. The mix of students varies from year to year but we have had students ranging in age from 20 to 50. People who are serious about their education and dedicated to succeeding in the program are never out of place.

I have no dental experience. Is it necessary to have worked in a dental office to be accepted? Will I be able to understand what is going on if I have never been employed in the dental field?
Dental experience is not a prerequisite to entry into the DHY Program. It can be helpful, but not necessary. We do not award extra points in the admission process for previous dental assisting experience.

If I have several years of experience and all of the non-dental hygiene courses completed prior to starting the program, how long will it take to graduate?
The program will still take 2 years (5 semesters). The dental hygiene courses must be taken in sequence. You cannot take Clinical Services I prior to or in conjunction with Preclinical Dental Hygiene. Nor can you take any of the other DHY courses out of sequence.

 How much does the program cost?
 To view current tuition and fees for RCBC, please click here.

Although we work hard to maintain low tuition costs, tuition has risen slowly to meet the economic constraints of cuts in Federal and State funding. If you look at our curriculum, and take all of the non-dental hygiene courses prior to coming into the program, then you will not be taking a full 12 credit load by the time you enter, so you'll have to figure out the costs based on when you take which courses.

You should also plan on spending another $2-3,000 for instruments, books, uniforms and supplies over the course of the program. Of course, you will be asked to join the student component of the American Dental Hygienists' Association, and there will be various events, conferences and meetings that you may also have to help fund. Students fund raise to help defray the cost, but we can't guarantee that you won't be required to pay a portion of the expenses.

If you are interested in scholarships, the Foundation Website is very helpful, and there are ADHA scholarships and the Delta Dental Foundation Scholarship too.

Do you keep a waiting list, and if so, how long is it? If not, do I have to reapply each year?
We do NOT maintain a waiting list from year to year. If you are waitlisted, your instructions will say that if you are not called before the start of fall classes, you must reapply for the following year. Being waitlisted just means that if someone does not accept placement into the RCBC Dental Hygiene Program, or drops out before the start of classes, you may be called to fill their spot.

Do I need to be CPR certified in order to be accepted into the program?
You need to be CPR certified in order to participate in clinical activities, and this certification must remain valid throughout the entire program.  CPR certification is NOT part of the application process, but completed once the candidate is conditionally accepted.

 I understand that I will need to have a physical exam. Should I do that before I apply?
Physicals are NOT part of the application process. You need to complete a physical and eye exam once you are conditionally accepted to the program.

 When do I start working on patients?
 During your first semester, as part of DHY 101 Preclinical Dental Hygiene you will be working on mannequins and on your fellow students. Students are required to sit as patient partners as part of the educational experience. In the second semester during DHY 151 Clinical Services I you will be seeing patients other than your student partner.  In DHY 120 you will need one patient to meet radiology requirements.

 Does the school supply the patients?
 Some of the patients you will be seeing are supplied through our facility's data base but it is the student's responsibility to supply an adequate number of patients to meet course requirements. During your tenure as a dental hygiene student you will be required to see a number of patients with a variety of oral conditions. Each clinical course has a specified number of requirements outlined clearly in the syllabus.

 Will I need a computer for the Dental Hygiene Program?
 Yes, laptops are required to complete in class assignments. There are resources to rent laptops through RCBC if needed. All dental hygiene courses; lectures, labs and clinic sessions, are in person unless posted otherwise. Our courses are delivered via Blackboard Learning Systems and WebCT formats. Participation is part of the grade for every course and logging on to the website is mandatory. Supported browsers include: Microsoft Edge, Chrome, AOL, Mozilla Firefox, and Safari.

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Director of Dental Hygiene
Amy Shah, RDH MDH

Amy Shah is an accomplished and dedicated professional in the field of dental hygiene education. She graduated from The Ohio State University in 2013 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Dental Hygiene. Striving to achieve a career in education, Amy pursued a Master’s degree in Dental Hygiene education from The Ohio State University, which she completed in 2015.

Her career began as a clinical dental hygienist, where she honed her skills and developed a profound understanding of patient care. Transitioning to academia, Amy quickly became known for her innovative teaching strategies and her ability to inspire students to achieve their full potential. She has held several academic positions at RCBC, including Adjunct Instructor and Lab Coordinator, before stepping into her current role as Program Director.

Amy's career in academia began in 2016 when she joined the RCBC Dental Hygiene program as an adjunct instructor. Her exceptional teaching skills and commitment to student success led to her full-time appointment in 2021. Amy is passionate about research and is dedicated to incorporating evidence-based teaching strategies into her curriculum, ensuring that her students receive the most current and effective education in dental hygiene.

Known for her communication and leadership abilities, Amy excels in building strong relationships and fostering trust among her colleagues and students. Her commitment to lifelong learning drives her to continuously seek out and implement innovative ideas for program improvement, enhancing the overall educational experience for her students. She knows the importance of integrating cutting-edge technology and evidence-based practices into the program, ensuring that graduates are well-prepared to meet the evolving demands of the dental profession.

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Assistant Professor
Faith Zimnes, RDH, M.S.

Faith Zimnes is a devoted educator and leader in dental hygiene, currently serving as a full-time Associate Professor at RCBC. She began her academic journey at the College of New Jersey, graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Geoscience. She then obtained her dental hygiene degree through RCBC, graduating in 2010.

In 2013, Ms. Zimnes joined the RCBC faculty as an adjunct instructor. Her exceptional teaching abilities and commitment to student success led to her full-time appointment in 2016. As the faculty lead for both freshmen and senior clinic sessions, Ms. Zimnes plays a crucial role in guiding students through their clinical education, ensuring they gain the skills and knowledge needed for professional excellence.

Ms. Zimnes's dedication to mentorship and education was recognized with the 2017 Faculty Mentorship Award from the New Jersey Dental Hygienist Association. Her ongoing commitment to her students and her contributions to the field of dental hygiene make her an invaluable asset to the RCBC community.

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Lab Coordinator
Taylor Paglione, RDH, B.S.

Taylor Paglione is an enthusiastic professional in dental hygiene education, serving as the Dental Hygiene Lab Coordinator at RCBC. She graduated with an Associate in Applied Science from RCBC’s dental hygiene program in 2018. While working as a pediatric dental hygienist, Taylor continued her academic journey and earned a Bachelor’s degree in Health Sciences from Wilmington University in 2020.

As the Dental Hygiene Lab Coordinator, Taylor ensures the smooth operation of lab and clinical activities, creating an optimal learning environment for students. Her commitment to student success and community health initiatives exemplifies RCBC's core values.

Taylor's dedication to excellence in education and her passion for fostering a supportive and effective learning atmosphere make her an asset to the RCBC Dental Hygiene program.

Adjunct Faculty

View tuition and fees.