Frequently asked questions
See information about applying to Dental Hygiene and application FAQs.
Is the Vanport Building the only location offering this
program?
Yes, all PCC Dental programs are located at the Vanport Building in downtown Portland.
Is it required to be a Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) to apply? Do CDAs have a better chance of being accepted into the program?
No, being a Dental Assisting National Board (DANB) Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) is not required to apply to the Dental Hygiene program. However, applicants who have completed or are in progress with their DANB CDA can earn 7 points in the application scoring for healthcare experience.
What type of degree will I earn upon completing the program?
Graduates of the PCC Dental Hygiene program earn an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree.
What鈥檚 the difference between an associate鈥檚 degree and a bachelor鈥檚 degree in Dental Hygiene?
Both degrees allow graduates to sit for the National Board Dental Hygiene Exam (NBDHE) and other regional board exams required to become a Registered Dental Hygienist (RDH). A bachelor鈥檚 degree offers additional education and prepares dental hygienists for key roles in educational and other settings.
Can I transfer to pursue a bachelor鈥檚 degree?
PCC鈥檚 courses are fully transferable to four-year institutions. PCC Dental Hygiene students can transfer their general education credits and dental hygiene program electives to various institutions for bachelor鈥檚 degree completion programs. It鈥檚 important to speak with an advisor at the institution you plan to transfer to, as they will make the final determination on which PCC credits are transferable and accepted.