Dental Hygiene (AAS.DHY)

Information sessions are offered several times throughout the year and attendance at one is mandatory for admission to the RCBC Dental Hygiene Program. Sessions are held virtually, and advance registration is required.

Attendance Requirement

• Attendance at one full information session is required in order to apply to the Dental Hygiene Program
• Information sessions are valid only for the application cycle in which you apply
  • Sessions expire at the application deadline (January 31)
  • Applicants must attend a new session for each application year

Registration & Access

• Registration is required for all information sessions
• The virtual meeting link will be sent to the email address used during registration
• Call-in attendance is not permitted
  • You must attend using an internet browser or Smartphone/tablet app with full virtual access, not phone call only
• A current list of scheduled information sessions is posted at the bottom of the Dental Hygiene Program website

Attendance Credit & Verification

• Attendance credit is granted only to applicants who join the session through the virtual platform and remain logged in for the full duration
• Attendees must remain logged in for the entire duration of the session
  • Arrival time of more than 5 minutes late or leave the session early
    will not receive credit and must attend another session
• A receipt of attendance will be emailed to the address provided during registration
• Attendance receipts are typically sent 48–72 hours after the session
  • Please check your junk or spam folder

Application Requirement

• The attendance receipt must be uploaded as part of the Dental Hygiene Program application
• Applications submitted without proof of information session attendance will be considered incomplete

Upcoming Information Sessions

Fall 2026 Application 

• Friday, January 30, 2026 | 1:00 – 2:00 PM

Register for one of the Fall 2026 Application Information Session

Fall 2027 Application

• Thursday, April 30, 2026 | 7:00 – 8:00 PM
• Monday, August 17, 2026  | 12:00 – 1:00 PM
• Thursday, November 19, 2026  | 7:00 – 8:00 PM
• Friday, January 29, 2027  | 12:00 – 1:00 PM

Register for one of the Fall 2027 Application Information Session

View required courses under the requirements tab here. 

The Dental Hygiene curriculum is structured as a five-semester, cohort-based program. The curriculum sequence below includes both Dental Hygiene (DHY) courses and non-dental (non-DHY) courses and is shown for planning purposes only.

• Although non-dental courses are not required to be completed prior to submitting an application, applicants are strongly encouraged to complete most—if not all—of these courses before applying.
• Admission decisions are based on a competitive, point-based admissions rubric and the majority of application points are earned from grades in completed non-dental coursework.
• Applicants who apply without completing most non-dental courses typically earn low rubric scores and are not competitive for admission

For this reason, these courses are referred to as “non-dental courses” rather than prerequisites—they are not required to apply, but they are essential to being a competitive applicant.

Science Course Requirement

To ensure academic readiness for the clinical curriculum:

• Anatomy & Physiology I and II and Microbiology must be completed within ten (10) years of beginning the Dental Hygiene program
• Courses completed more than ten years ago must be repeated
• If the original course grade was C or higher, the lecture may be retaken without the laboratory

Completion of Remaining Non-Dental Courses

Applicants who are admitted to the Dental Hygiene Program and still have outstanding non-dental (non-DHY) coursework at the time of admission must complete those courses at or before the semester in which they appear in the curriculum sequence.

Associate of Applied Science – Dental Hygiene (AAS.DHY)

Required Courses & Curriculum Sequence

Semester One

Non-dental courses (italicized) listed below are strongly recommended prior to application

• BIO 110 & 111 or BIO 208/209 – Fundamentals of Anatomy & Physiology I & Lab
• CHE 107/108 or CHE 115/116 – Chemistry & Lab
• DHY 101 – Preclinical Dental Hygiene
• DHY 102 – Principles in Dental Hygiene I
• DHY 110 – Dental Head and Neck Anatomy
• DHY 120 – Dental Radiology
• DHY 130 – Dental and Medical Emergencies

Semester Two

Non-dental courses (italicized) listed below are strongly recommended prior to application

• ENG 101 – College Composition (Non-Dental)
• BIO 114/115 or BIO 212/213 – Fundamentals of Anatomy & Physiology II & Lab (Non-Dental)
• BIO 155/156 or BIO 221/222 – Basic Microbiology & Lab (Non-Dental)
• DHY 140 – Oral Embryology and Histology
• DHY 151 – Clinical Services I
• DHY 152 – Principles in Dental Hygiene II
• DHY 160 – Periodontology I

Semester Three (Summer)

Non-dental courses (italicized) listed below are strongly recommended prior to application

• PSY 101 – General Psychology I (Non-Dental)
• DHY 200 – Dental Pharmacology and Pain Control
• DHY 222 – Local Anesthesia
• DHY 299* – Clinical Services IIA

*DHY 299 is an optional course required only for students who have not met requirements.

Semester Four

Non-dental courses (italicized) listed below are strongly recommended prior to application

• MTH 107 – Introduction to Statistics (Non-Dental)
• CHE 210 – Nutrition (Non-Dental)
• DHY 201 – Clinical Services II
• DHY 202 – Principles in Dental Hygiene III
• DHY 210 – Periodontology II
• DHY 241 – Supportive Therapies

Semester Five

Non-dental courses (italicized) listed below are strongly recommended prior to application

• SOC 101 – Principles of Sociology (Non-Dental)
• SPE 102 – Public Speaking (Non-Dental)
• DHY 220 – Oral Pathology
• DHY 240 – Dental Public Health
• DHY 251 – Clinical Services III
• DHY 252 – Principles in Dental Hygiene IV

Total Credits Required for the AAS.DHY Degree: 75

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

The Dental Hygiene Program admits one cohort per year, beginning each Fall semester, with a maximum of 27 students accepted annually. Due to the limited number of seats, admission into the program is highly competitive.

Meeting minimum admission requirements or submitting an application does not guarantee acceptance. 

Applicants are strongly encouraged to read this admissions page in its entirety prior to applying.

Application Timeline

• Application Opens: November 1
• Application Closes: January 31
• Program Start: Fall semester
• Admission Decisions: Late March (notification sent only to the RCBC student email address)

How to Apply

Step 1: Apply to RCBC

Submit an Admissions Application to Rowan College at Burlington County. Applicants must have an RCBC student ID number and RCBC email address before applying to the Dental Hygiene Program.

Step 2: Submit Official Transcripts

All official transcripts from previously attended colleges and/or universities must be sent directly to the Office of Admissions.

Transfer Credit Notice: Transfer credits are evaluated only by the Office of the Registrar. The Dental Hygiene Department cannot evaluate or advise on transfer credit. Questions should be directed to registration@rcbc.edu.

Step 3: Attend a Mandatory Information Session

Attendance at an information session is required within one calendar year of the application deadline.

Step 4: Review and Complete Application Criteria

Applicants should carefully review the application criteria below and ensure requirements are completed prior to the application deadline.

Step 5: Submit the Online Dental Hygiene Application

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 meet all of the following criteria:

• Be 18 years old prior to the start of the program
• Be an admitted RCBC student with an active RCBC student ID number and RCBC email address
• Submit all official college transcripts to the Office of the Registrar
• Achieve a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75 across all college coursework

Coursework Consideration:
While the required non-dental (general education and science) courses are not required to be completed at the time of application, applicants are strongly encouraged to complete most, if not all, of these courses prior to applying, as grades earned in non-dental coursework are a primary factor in the admissions ranking process.

Applicants should refer to the Program Curriculum tab for a complete list of non-dental courses.

Non-Admissible Applicants

Applicants are not eligible for admission under the following conditions:

• Non-repeated failures in non-dental courses
• More than two failures and/or more than two repeats of required non-dental courses
  • Courses that are eight (8) years old or older are not counted when reviewing failed coursework
• Prior enrollment, failure, or dismissal from another Dental Hygiene program

Admissions Decisions and Ranking

Please see the Admissions Decisions tab to understand how applications are reviewed and ranked.

Admissions Decisions and Ranking

Admission to the RCBC Dental Hygiene Program is based on total points earned on the Dental Hygiene Admissions Rubric.

The rubric evaluates:

• Cumulative GPA
• Performance in the required non-dental courses

Important: Applying and meeting minimum admission standards does not guarantee acceptance.

[Click here to view the admissions rubric]

Applicants should note that the rubric heavily weights completed non-dental coursework, and no points can be given for courses that are not completed. Applying without completing most of these courses typically results in a low application score. Please see “Curriculum Overview” to view the required non-dental courses.

Admissions Decision Timeline

• Late February: Applicants with the highest rubric scores will be notified via their RCBC student email account and invited to participate in a mandatory, in-person interview.
• March: Interviews are conducted by the Dental Hygiene Program Director, Full-time and Adjunct Faculty, and members of the Dental Hygiene Advisory Board.
• Late March: All applicants will be notified of their admissions status via their RCBC student email account, including:
  • Conditional Acceptance
  • Placement on the waitlist
  • Non-acceptance

Candidate Selection & Interview Process

Applicants invited to interview are designated as Candidates to the RCBC Dental Hygiene Program.

The interview is mandatory, in-person, and is used as part of the final admissions ranking. Applicants who are not selected to interview will be notified via their RCBC student email account and may reapply in a future application cycle.

Conditional Acceptance

Following the interview process, candidates who score highest on the Interview Rubric will receive Conditional Acceptance to the RCBC Dental Hygiene Program.

Notification of conditional acceptance will be sent through the applicant’s RCBC student email account.

Waitlist

Candidates who are not conditionally accepted may be placed on a waitlist if a seat becomes available due to a declined offer or unmet acceptance requirements.

• Applicants will be notified if they are placed on a waitlist
• Waitlists are eliminated after the first day of the Fall semester
• Waitlists are not carried over from one application cycle to the next

Applicants not admitted from the waitlist must reapply in a future application cycle.

Non-Acceptance, Declined Admission & Reapplying

Applicants who are not offered admission, who decline an offer of admission, or who are not admitted from the waitlist may apply again in a future application cycle.

• There is no penalty for applying and not being admitted
• Prior application attempts do not negatively impact future admission decisions
• Waitlists are not carried over from one year to the next
• A new application must be submitted for each application cycle

Many successful applicants are admitted after completing additional non-dental coursework and/or strengthening their academic record.

Final Reminder

The Dental Hygiene Program is academically rigorous and highly competitive. Applicants are encouraged to plan coursework strategically, complete non-dental courses early, and attend an information session to gain a clear understanding of program expectations and competitiveness.

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 Holden, RDH, B.S.

Taylor Holden 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.

View tuition and fees.

Conditional Acceptance

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

Admission to the program is conditional and may be rescinded if mandatory requirements are not completed by the stated deadlines.

All required documentation and program requirements must be completed and submitted by the given deadlines. Applicants who do not meet or submit all required items by this deadline will have their acceptance rescinded.

Health & Immunization Requirements

As healthcare providers, dental hygienists are routinely exposed to blood, saliva, and other potentially infectious materials. Due to the high level of occupational exposure in this profession, health clearances and vaccinations are required to participate in the RCBC Dental Hygiene Program.

There are no exemptions to the immunization requirements listed below.

Conditionally accepted students must provide documentation of the following:

• Completion of a physical examination within the past year
• Completion of a comprehensive eye examination within the past year
• Tuberculosis (TB) testing
  • Two-step TB test prior to program entry
  • Single TB test required annually thereafter
• Influenza (flu) vaccine (annually)
• Tetanus vaccination within the past 10 years
• MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) or proof of immunity via titers
• Varicella (chickenpox) or proof of immunity via titers
• Hepatitis B vaccination series or proof of immunity via titers

Compliance & Professional Requirements

Conditionally accepted students must submit proof of the following:

• Medical insurance
• American Heart Association (AHA) BLS with AED CPR certification
  • Must be completed in person (online-only courses are not accepted)
• Clear criminal history background check
• Negative urine drug screening
• Reliable transportation to assigned clinical and externship sites

Students are expected to demonstrate professional behavior consistent with the standards of the dental hygiene profession and to comply with all program, clinical site, and college policies.

Academic Requirements

Accepted students must meet and maintain the following academic standards throughout the dental hygiene program:

• All required coursework — including general education, science, and dental hygiene (DHY) courses — must be completed with a grade of C or higher

Due to the sequential and cumulative nature of the Dental Hygiene curriculum, failure to meet academic requirements may result in delayed progression or dismissal from the program, in accordance with program and college policies.

Attendance 

Enrollment in the RCBC Dental Hygiene Program signifies a commitment to full participation in all academic and clinical components.

• Mandatory attendance is required for all scheduled classes, laboratories, clinics, externship experiences, and orientations.
• Clinical and laboratory sessions are not eligible for make-up
• Unexcused absences may result in missed coursework and/or competencies, inability to meet course outcomes, or delayed program progression

Orientation

• Mandatory orientation sessions are held:
  • Prior to the start of the program
  • Before each academic semester
• Attendance at all scheduled orientations is required to remain in good standing

Important Reminder

The Dental Hygiene Program is academically rigorous, clinically intensive, and professionally demanding. Accepted students are strongly encouraged to begin preparing required documentation as soon as conditional acceptance is received and to plan personal, work, and family obligations accordingly.