Key Details
Program Start Dates
January 2025
September 2025
January 2026
Please visit Ontario College Application Service to learn more about start dates.
Credential
Ontario College Advanced Diploma
Program Duration
6 Semesters / 3 YearsProgram Contacts
Program Coordinator / Professor
Program Overview
Real-life, hands-on training preps you for roles on oral health care teams
Train to be a key member of oral healthcare teams by learning core dental hygiene services like scaling, stain removal, whitening, X-rays, fluoride treatments, pit and fissure sealants, athletic mouth guards, referrals, and oral health assessments and education. You’ll have ample opportunity to put your skills into practice, first with manikins and then followed by practice sessions with your classmates, where you will also assume the role of a client.
As you polish your skills, you will advance to providing clientele from the Sudbury community with dental hygiene services in Cambrian’s on-campus dental clinic. As a graduate, you are eligible to apply to write the National Dental Hygiene Certification Examination (NDHCE).
Program Highlights
Program highlights
- Limited enrolment
- Hands-on, real-world experiences in on-campus dental clinic with clients from the community
- Community fieldwork and placements with many different populations of clientele
- Accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of Canada (CDAC)
- Grads are eligible to apply to write the National Dental Hygiene Certification Examination (NDHCE) conducted by the National Dental Hygiene Certification Board (NDHCB) to gain registration with the College of Dental Hygienists of Ontario (CDHO)
Admissions
Admission requirements
For graduates of the new curriculum (OSS): Ontario Secondary School Diploma (30 credits) or equivalent or mature student status, including:
- Any grade 12 English (C), (U), or (M)
- Any grade 11 (U) or (C) or grade 12 biology (U)
- Any grade 11 (U) or grade 12 chemistry (C) or (U)
Please note: A minimum of 60% is required in each prerequisite courses
Additional admission requirements
Recommendations
- Computer competency in relevant software
Clinical practice requirements
Initially, you will learn clinical/laboratory skills on manikins followed by practice sessions where you can perform these learned skills on a partner. You must be prepared to be a client in these practice sessions. You will then proceed to treatment of clients from the public at the college’s on-site dental clinic as well as rotation experiences in community health settings. You are responsible for all costs incurred as part of your placement experiences, including travel, parking and so on. Clinical rotations and classroom experiences will include evening scheduling.
You are required to complete mandatory medical and non-medical clearances in Semester 1 of the program in order to participate in clinical activities.
Academic Upgrading
Are you missing admission requirements? Strengthen your academic skills for free at your own pace through Academic Upgrading!
Program delivery
Program delivery
2024-2025
Winter term start
- Semester 1: Winter 2025
- Semester 2: Spring 2025
- Semester 3: Fall 2025
- Semester 4: Winter 2026
- Semester 5: Spring 2026
- Semester 6: Fall 2026
2025-2026
Fall term start
- Semester 1: Fall 2025
- Semester 2: Winter 2026
- Semester 3: Fall 2026
- Semester 4: Winter 2027
- Semester 5: Fall 2027
- Semester 6: Winter 2028
Winter term start
- Semester 1: Winter 2026
- Semester 2: Spring 2026
- Semester 3: Fall 2026
- Semester 4: Winter 2027
- Semester 5: Spring 2027
- Semester 6: Fall 2027
Program of Study
Program of study for 2025-26 Academic Year
Semester 1 | Credits | |
---|---|---|
BIO 1107 | Anatomy & Physiology I | 3 |
ENG 1121 | Research & Writing/Health Sciences | 3 |
DEN 1060 | Oral Histology | 3 |
DEN 1103 | Orofacial Anatomy | 3 |
DEN 1106 | Dental Hygiene Practice I | 6 |
DEN 1107 | Dental Hygiene Theory I | 3 |
DEN 1405 | Microbiology and Immunology | 3 |
Credits | 24 | |
Semester 2 | ||
BIO 1207 | Anatomy & Physiology II | 3 |
DEN 1061 | Dental Hygiene Theory II | 3 |
DEN 1112 | Dental Radiography | 4 |
DEN 1067 | Professional Communication and Technology | 2 |
DEN 1128 | Pre-Clinical Dental Hygiene | 8 |
DEN 1311 | Oral Health Promotion | 3 |
One General Education course. 1 | 3 | |
Credits | 26 | |
Semester 3 | ||
DEN 1063 | Diverse Populations | 3 |
DEN 1064 | Evidence based Practice | 3 |
DEN 1114 | Dental Hygiene Theory III | 3 |
DEN 1115 | Intro Clinical Dental Hygiene | 6 |
DEN 1117 | Human Pathophysiology | 3 |
DEN 1118 | Periodontics | 3 |
DEN 1121 | Nutrition in Health Promotion | 3 |
Credits | 24 | |
Semester 4 | ||
DEN 1065 | Community Health | 3 |
DEN 1122 | Dental Hygiene Theory IV | 3 |
DEN 1123 | Intermediate Dental Hygiene | 6 |
DEN 1127 | Individuals with Special Needs | 3 |
DEN 1129 | Oral Pathology | 3 |
DEN 1140 | Pharmacology in Dental Hygiene | 3 |
Credits | 21 | |
Semester 5 | ||
DEN 1066 | Health Care in Canada | 3 |
DEN 1130 | Dental Hygiene Theory V | 3 |
DEN 1131 | Adv Clinical Dental Hygiene | 9 |
DEN 1232 | Health Promotion and Community | 3 |
DEN 2436 | Orthodontics Theory Practice | 3 |
One General Education course. 1 | 3 | |
Credits | 24 | |
Semester 6 | ||
DEN 1135 | Dental Hygiene Theory VI | 3 |
DEN 1139 | Prof Practice Jurisprudence | 3 |
DEN 1146 | Clinical Consolidation | 9 |
DEN 1147 | Community Inter-professnl Care | 2 |
DEN 1148 | Business and Practice Mngmt | 3 |
One General Education course. 1 | 3 | |
Credits | 23 | |
Total Credits | 142 |
- 1
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For more information regarding General Education courses, click here.
Important Notice
Fees presented are estimates based on projections for future academic year(s) of study. Actual fees charged may differ from what is published here. A full detailed listing of all fees is available in myCambrian and updated annually no later than May 1 for the following academic year. Students in Academic Upgrading are responsible for any fees listed on their invoice each term.
Tuition and ancillary fees
Please see our fees page for the breakdown of tuition and mandatory ancillary fees by program and semester for both domestic and international students.
Books and supplies
Books and supplies may be required at the course level over and above what is estimated above. Please consult your professor/instructor for further information.
College may be more affordable than you think!
Have you said, “school can wait another year”? Don’t sacrifice your future any longer – you can do it!
Whether it’s fear, financial reasons, or something else that is impacting your decision to start school, we’re here to listen to you and help in any way we can!
Work-integrated learning (WIL)
Take your education beyond the classroom!
Cambrian programs blend academic learning, hands-on training, and community involvement opportunities to help you achieve your ultimate goal – your dream career. You’ll have the opportunity to apply your knowledge to real-world scenarios within and outside of the classroom through work-integrated learning. Whether it be a capstone project, co-op, practicum, preceptorship component, or placement, you’ll benefit from a practical, job-related experience before you graduate.
Learn more about previous opportunities in this program
Dental Clinic – This placement offered students the opportunity to gain practical work experience at Cambrian’s Dental Clinic. Students experienced opportunities for hands-on practical learning in the College’s on-campus dental clinic where they provide dental hygiene services to clients from the public.
Long-Term Care – During this Dental Hygiene placement, students were offered practical, relevant work experience in community health settings, including in long-term care residences, which allowed dental hygiene students to complete health promotion initiatives.
Field of Study
School of Health Sciences
Cambrian offers a rich assortment of gratifying careers that focus on supporting health and improving well-being. Our on-campus dental and massage clinics provide opportunities for real-world experiences with the local community. Our MRI, medical lab, radiation technologist, and health analytics programs equip you with in-demand skills. From our state-of-the-art fitness lab to occupational and physiotherapy support training, there’s a program to transform your helpful nature into a career.
Specific program pathways
College or university degree opportunities
If you are a graduate of this program, you may continue your studies at a college or university and you may receive credit(s) for your prior college education. Refer to Cambrian’s college and university agreement details for further information.
Career Outcomes
Need a career coach?
Explore how this program can lead to a great career! Cambrian’s Career Coach platform is a user-friendly, online tool that provides up-to-date and comprehensive labour market data to help you explore career options, salary expectations for the Greater Sudbury region, and more!
See where you'll be learning!
Minimum technology requirements
Success in this program requires that you come equipped with some program-specific technology requirements.
Minimum technology requirements
- Regular access to a computer with a reliable Internet connection
- Webcam and headset
- Personal computer
- Windows 8, 8.1, or 10 operating system
- Web browser: Firefox, Chrome, Internet Explorer 10 or higher
- Apple Mac
- OS X operating system
- Web browser: Firefox or Safari
You’ll be accessing industry-standard software as part of your program. Your program coordinator and IT will set you up with access on your computer or within our campus labs. If you have any questions about these technology requirements, please email info@cambriancollege.ca or call (705) 566-8101, ext. 7303.
System requirements for assistive technology
To access the widest range of assistive technology (AT), a Windows-based computer is recommended.
- Recommended OS: Windows 10 or newer
- Recommended CPU: Intel or AMD multicore processor
- Recommended RAM: 8 GB
- Recommended storage for assistive technology: 8 GB of available hard drive of solid state drive space (please note this is not the total drive size and refers specifically to available space needed for assistive technology)
- Recommended audio: Speakers or headphones for text-to-speech and microphone for speech input.
While Apple computers can provide many AT options, some specialized software may not be available/compatible with this platform. Please consult with the Glenn Crombie Centre for further details.
Bring your own device (BYOD)
Cambrian College has implemented a BYOD principle to both enrich the student learning experience in and out of the classroom and to ensure flexibility!
Ready to take the first step?
Start gaining the highest level of skills at Cambrian now – and you’ll be ready to take advantage of the many career opportunities waiting for you just around the corner. The future is yours!
Have Questions? We are here to help.
If you have any questions about programs, funding, OSAP, deadlines, student services, or anything else, reach out to our support team and we are happy to help!