Diploma in Dental Hygiene

Exploring dental hygiene schools in BC Study on beautiful Vancouver Island with VIU’s Dental Hygiene Diploma program. With a rewarding career in dental hygiene, you can help people live healthier lives while working in a people-oriented atmosphere. VIU’s two-year, full-time diploma program includes both academic study and clinical practice, and prepares you to work in dental clinics.Change the world, one smile at a time. For a stable, well-paying dental hygiene job, apply at Vancouver Island University. The Dental Hygiene Diploma program at Vancouver Island University is a Commission on Dental Accreditation Canada (CDAC) accredited program. The program provides education in the application of preventative and therapeutic methods of oral disease control and oral health promotion.The concepts of health education, professionalism, critical thinking, life-long learning, and community service are strongly encouraged in the program curriculum. Students have the opportunity to apply knowledge and gain practical experience in public dental clinics and dental health activities in the community. Strong computer literacy is highly recommended prior to admission to the program.Upon successful completion of the program, students will be granted a diploma which makes them eligible to apply for registration and licensure with the British Columbia College of Oral Health Professionals (as per their criteria) as a Registered Dental Hygienist (RDH).

Students must have completed the minimum requirements listed in the prerequisite list (English, Anatomy and Physiology, Chemistry, Psychology, Statistics), or equivalent.

Biology and Chemistry prerequisites must have been completed within the last 5 years (prior to admission).

Graduation from high school or equivalent.

Proof of English Language proficiency is required from any country or citizen where English is not the official or first language.

For students who meet the academic requirements but not the English language requirement, conditional acceptance to VIU may be granted. In this case, admission is granted pending completion of VIU’s English Language Centre program (level AP5 for undergrad and Grad Prep for Graduate programs). Exceptions may apply.

International students who are BC high school graduates must have a minimum grade of “C” in English 12 for direct entry into an academic program.

To meet the English language requirements for academic program, students must have completed:

VIU English Language Centre's - Successful completion of University Preparation Level 5
International Baccalaureate English A1/A2 - Higher Level (HL)/ Standard Level (SL) grade 3 or higher
IELTS 6.5 (with no band under 6.0)
TOEFL 550 (with no section under 56)
TOEFL iBT 88 (with no section under 20)
Pearson (PTE) 60 no section below 60
Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English with a minimum Cambridge English Score of 176.
Cambridge Certificate of Advanced English with a minimum Cambridge English Score of 176.