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Programs

Dental Hygiene

DHYGSchool of Health Sciences

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A dental student in teal scrubs stands next to an examination light in a dental office, smiling at the camera.

Key Details

Program Start Dates

January 2025

September 2025

January 2026

Please visit Ontario College Application Service to learn more about start dates.

Program Delivery

Campus / Full-time

Credential

Ontario College Advanced Diploma

Program Duration

6 Semesters / 3 Years
Currently not available for international students

Program Contacts

Erica Mackey

Program Coordinator / Professor

Send email
705-566-8101 ext.6224

Program Overview

A dental student in scrubs and a mask prepares equipment in an office beside a dental chair and computer.

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.

Student in a green polo shirt holds a folder in a modern office setting. Two others sit in the background.

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

Plan of Study Grid
Semester 1Credits
BIO 1107Anatomy & Physiology I3
ENG 1121Research & Writing/Health Sciences3
DEN 1060Oral Histology3
DEN 1103Orofacial Anatomy3
DEN 1106Dental Hygiene Practice I6
DEN 1107Dental Hygiene Theory I3
DEN 1405Microbiology and Immunology3
Credits24
Semester 2
BIO 1207Anatomy & Physiology II3
DEN 1061Dental Hygiene Theory II3
DEN 1112Dental Radiography4
DEN 1067Professional Communication and Technology2
DEN 1128Pre-Clinical Dental Hygiene8
DEN 1311Oral Health Promotion3
One General Education course. 13
Credits26
Semester 3
DEN 1063Diverse Populations3
DEN 1064Evidence based Practice3
DEN 1114Dental Hygiene Theory III3
DEN 1115Intro Clinical Dental Hygiene6
DEN 1117Human Pathophysiology3
DEN 1118Periodontics3
DEN 1121Nutrition in Health Promotion3
Credits24
Semester 4
DEN 1065Community Health3
DEN 1122Dental Hygiene Theory IV3
DEN 1123Intermediate Dental Hygiene6
DEN 1127Individuals with Special Needs3
DEN 1129Oral Pathology3
DEN 1140Pharmacology in Dental Hygiene3
Credits21
Semester 5
DEN 1066Health Care in Canada3
DEN 1130Dental Hygiene Theory V3
DEN 1131Adv Clinical Dental Hygiene9
DEN 1232Health Promotion and Community3
DEN 2436Orthodontics Theory Practice3
One General Education course. 13
Credits24
Semester 6
DEN 1135Dental Hygiene Theory VI3
DEN 1139Prof Practice Jurisprudence3
DEN 1146Clinical Consolidation9
DEN 1147Community Inter-professnl Care2
DEN 1148Business and Practice Mngmt3
One General Education course. 13
Credits23
Total Credits142
1

For more information regarding General Education courses, click here.

Fees

Tuition Cost

Canadian Students

$9,898.09Estimated first year costView fee breakdown

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.

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.

Learn more

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

Employment opportunities

Graduates are prepared for employment opportunities in:

  • General and specialized dental practices
  • Independent dental hygiene practices
  • Public health dental hygiene practices (including home care, long-term care, or community clinics)
  • Military
  • Education
  • Research
  • Industry (sales/marketing of dental products/equipment)
  • Insurance Companies
  • Product development and distribution
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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!

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See where you'll be learning!

Minimum technology requirements

Success in this program requires that you come equipped with some program-specific technology requirements.

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!

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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!

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