Dental Hygiene

Algonquin College’s Dental Hygiene Ontario College Advanced Diploma program is an intensive, two-and-a-half-year program designed to prepare students for a dynamic career in preventive oral health care. Blending theoretical instruction with hands-on clinical experience, the program supports the development of essential skills in client care, health promotion, research, education, and professional advocacy. Students learn to provide safe, effective, and evidence-based dental hygiene care in collaboration with clients, communities, and healthcare teams. Practical training takes place both in Algonquin’s on-site dental clinic—supervised by Registered Dental Hygienists and Dentists—and through off-site placements, helping students build strong clinical and interprofessional skills that enhance employability upon graduation.

Accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of Canada, the program qualifies graduates to write the National Dental Hygiene Certification Exam and pursue registration with the College of Dental Hygienists of Ontario. Throughout the program, students gain the ability to assess oral health, design and implement individualized care plans, and advocate for access to care and improved health outcomes. Emphasis is also placed on quality assurance, ethical practice, and community engagement. Graduates emerge with a comprehensive understanding of the dental hygiene profession, equipped to work in diverse settings and contribute meaningfully to local and global oral health initiatives.

Admission Requirements

• Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or equivalent.

What You’ll Learn

• Deliver safe, client-centered dental hygiene care through clinical practice and community placements.
• Assess oral health, design personalized care plans, and provide preventive and therapeutic services.
• Develop skills in health promotion, advocacy, education, and interprofessional collaboration.
• Apply ethical standards, quality assurance protocols, and business principles in dental hygiene practice.