Welcome to Cabrillo College Dental Hygiene!

Cabrillo College Dental Hygiene Program will be accepting the next incoming class in 2024.

Admission is based on placement to the program waitlist. Learn more about the program on our Getting into the Program page.

After graduation from the Dental Hygiene A.S. Program, you will be prepared to find a rewarding career as a dental hygienist. The Cabrillo College Dental Hygiene Program has placed a high value on educational excellence at the core of its curriculum since 1967. You’ll enter an affordable program that has great transfer rates to four year colleges and universities, and excellent pass rates on the National Board and Regional Board Exams.

Those who are ready to apply to the program and earn their Associate of Science degree or are interested in the field of dental hygiene are encouraged to attend the DH Informational Night each fall and spring.

Did you know? A dental hygiene degree from Cabrillo cost less than other dental hygiene programs. At Cabrillo the cost is about $22,000 for the entire two year program.


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student with patient
student viewing xray
Instructor with dental hygiene student
Watch this video for a tour of our clinic and testimonials from students and instructors
Dental Hygiene students
What You’ll Learn on Getting into the Program page

Everything you need to know to prepare and get into the program is found on this page. You’ll find program requirements for graduation, FAQs, meeting with a counselor, how to apply and the application form, waitlist information, what happens once accepted, clinical compliance, financial information, deferral policies, accessibility, the handbook, contact form, and more. Bookmark it and visit often!.

Dental Hygiene student
Other Courses
  • Our Continuing Education courses are DBC approved. We offer CA Infection Control and CA Dental Practice Act annually in October.

  • A Dental Infection Control Coordinator ensures that a dental practice provides the safest environment for patients and employee. They oversee infection control standards, provide education and training, and ensure compliance with protocols and procedures.

  • Expanded Duties is a board approved course which allows dental hygienists to gain board required training in local anesthesia, nitrous oxide sedation, and soft tissue curettage. This is a required course for out of state hygienists to get licensed in CA.

dental infection coordinator
Mission and Goals

The Cabrillo College Dental Hygiene Program inspires graduates to develop a deep sense of commitment and responsibility towards the overall health and well-being of the patients entrusted to their care, the health and wellness of their communities and the advancement of the dental hygiene profession. The program strives to prepare graduates to deliver the highest standard of care based on the most current scientific evidence and to embody the values of equity and collaboration to enrich the oral health of the individuals and communities that they serve.

Cabrillo College Dental Hygiene Program is accredited by the Commission of Dental Accreditation (CODA) and follows the guidelines of the Dental Hygiene Board of California (DHBC), the DH program's licensing body. Read about Licensure/Nolo Contendere.