Dental Hygiene Selection Criteria & Application Process
The two-year EFSC Dental Hygiene Associate in Science degree program starts each May with an annual application deadline of February 15. Applicants are responsible for the submission and verification of all required information by that deadline. Please Note: If the deadline has passed, contact a health sciences advisor to see if seats may be available for a late application.
In order to apply, first review the Selection Criteria below that incorporates a point system to evaluate all applicants. Be sure to complete all steps in the Dental Hygiene A.S. Application Process, referring back to the Selection Criteria as needed as you prepare your application materials.
Selection Criteria
Selection into the Dental Hygiene program is guided by a point system. The applicant is responsible for providing all the documentation necessary to support their application. However, the final selection decisions will be made by the Selection Committee based on the criteria listed below.
Selection Criteria
Dental Hygiene program managers use a Points and Ranking System to select students for acceptance.
- Rank by Cumulative GPA (2.5 minimum, MANDATORY, no points awarded)
- Observation of a Dental Hygienist (MANDATORY, no points awarded)
Applicants must observe a Dental Hygienist for at least 16 hours prior to the application deadline. Students should submit the observation form as proof of hours completed. - Advisement Session (MANDATORY, no points awarded)
Meeting with a Health Science Advisor, prior to the application deadline is mandatory; failure to meet with a Health Science Advisor could prevent a student from being accepted. Proper documentation is required – a signed advisement card. The card is valid for 1 year after the issue date and must be turned into Health Science Admissions with the rest of the application materials. No copies or scans will be accepted. - All Science Prerequisite Courses must be completed with a C or better (MANDATORY, no points awarded)
- TEAS VII Scores - All applicants must earn a minimum of 65% on the overall score to be considered. The TEAS test can only be taken once every 12 months, and the scores are good for two years. (MANDATORY, no points awarded)
- All Official Transcripts from other colleges must be evaluated by the EFSC Registrar's Office before the application deadline. (MANDATORY, no points awarded)
Points will be awarded as indicated below.
- Points for Required Prerequisite Science Courses (Max 12 pts) The following program prerequisite courses will be awarded points, according to the
grade earned. Points Awarded: A=3 points, B=2 points, C=1 point. Microbiology, General
Biology, Human Anatomy and Physiology I, and Human Anatomy and Physiology II. All Science Prerequisite Courses must be completed with a C or better before the
application deadline.
- Points for Completed General Education Courses (Max 18 pts) The following program general education courses will be awarded points, according
to the grade earned. Points Awarded: A=3 points, B=2 points, C=1 point. Composition
1, General Psychology, Sociology, Math Core, Humanities Core, and Civic Literacy.
- Points for graduation from a Healthcare program/Prior degree (Maximum 5 points)
Verification is required. The applicant must submit documentation of degree(s) earned. The amount of points awarded will be determined by the committee's review of the type of program completed. - Points for healthcare or dental assisting experience (Maximum 5 points)
Verification is required. The applicant must submit the designated form for Dental Experience as well as the Health Experience Form. The amount of points awarded will be determined by the committee's review of the dental assisting experience documented. - Points for successful completion of all parts of the Dental Assisting National Board
exam. (2 points)
This exam is only applicable to graduates of a Dental Assisting program. -
As of January 4, 2024, BONUS points will no longer be awarded for extra classes which are not part of the Dental Hygiene required curriculum.
Application Process
Applicants must apply following the steps below and are evaluated for admission based upon the Selection Criteria and Point System. For admission, students MUST satisfy program entrance requirements, including the program prerequisite courses outlined in the Selection Criteria. Students who are currently enrolled in one of the above science courses at the annual February 15th application deadline are not eligible to apply as all prerequisite courses must be completed by the application deadline.
Following the application deadline, files are closed to additional information and sent to the Admissions Committee for selection. Incomplete files will not be considered for program admission. All applicants will be notified by email of their status in the program, approximately 6 – 8 weeks after the application deadline.
Seeing a Health Science Advisor before the application deadline for an Advising Session is mandatory for program acceptance. It also helps you make an academic plan to ensure that the required coursework and testing is completed before the application deadline.
Students with myEFSC access should schedule Health Sciences Advising using the link in the Student Services Appointments section of myEFSC. Future Students with no EFSC login, use the guest appointment button.
Students must be current students at Eastern Florida State College before they can apply to the Dental Hygiene program.
NEW STUDENTS: For students new to EFSC, complete the EFSC online application for admission prior to the Dental Hygiene program application deadline. There is a $30 non-refundable application fee that must be paid before the application can be processed.
Please note that application processing can take up to 14 days due to the current volume of applications. Check your email frequently for your acceptance letter.
In addition, new EFSC students need to:
- Submit official High School Transcripts (or GED® scores) to General Admissions.
- Submit official transcripts from any and all colleges attended prior to EFSC (if applicable). ALL college transcripts MUST be evaluated by the Registrar's Office before the application deadline. This process can take several weeks.
- Provide FL Residency documentation, complete the New Student Orientation, and finalize any other EFSC General Admissions requirements.
RETURNING STUDENTS: Returning/readmit students who have not completed a course in the past year must also re-apply online. There is no application fee for a readmit application. Readmit Students need to:
- Submit official transcripts from any and all colleges attended since their last enrollment at EFSC (if applicable). ALL college transcripts MUST be evaluated by the Registrar's Office before the application deadline. This process can take several weeks.
- Provide FL Residency documentation and complete any other EFSC General Admissions requirements.
CURRENT STUDENTS: Current Students may move on to the next step.
Students must complete General Biology, Anatomy and Physiology 1 & 2, and Microbiology before applying to the Dental Hygiene program. The required General Education courses should also be completed prior to program start to lessen the course load once enrolled in the Dental Hygiene core classes.
Students must also complete a minimum of 16 hours of observation of a Dental Hygienist before the application deadline as evidenced on the observation form.
Complete and submit the online Health Sciences Institute Application to apply for admission to the Dental Hygiene program.
Applicants must also submit a $25 non-refundable application fee. The application fee must be paid online or through the Student Accounts office by the application deadline.
An UNOFFICIAL copy of each and every college transcript is required with the Dental Hygiene application. Unofficial EFSC transcripts can be accessed from EFSC's myGPS Degree Audit tool or at the state's Florida Shines website. Students are responsible for providing all unofficial transcripts, including EFSC, to the Health Sciences Admissions office. Note: All transcripts from other colleges MUST be evaluated by the Registrar's Office before the application deadline. This process can take several weeks.
The TEAS (Test of Essential Academic Skills) Test, Version 7, is required. Applicants must earn 65% on the overall score to be considered. The TEAS may only be taken once per year and scores are valid for 2 years. Please see the College's TEAS Testing information (fee applies). ALL applicants must submit a copy of their TEAS scores to the Health Science Admissions Office before the application deadline.
Submit the following documents to the Health Science Admissions office in Cocoa, Building 11, Room 228, by the application deadline:
- Performance Standards form for dental hygiene employment and necessary for successful progression and graduation.
- Dental Experience Form (if applicable)
- Healthcare Experience Form (if applicable)
- Dental Assistant National Board (DANB) Exam scores (if applicable)
- Dental Hygienist Observation Form (mandatory)
- Advising card / point sheet (mandatory)
- Unofficial Transcripts from EFSC and any other colleges attended (mandatory)
- TEAS scores (mandatory)
Review the following information on the Dental Hygiene website:
- Accepted and Alternate information regarding CPR requirements and transfer of dental credits, and required background check and drug testing.
- Curriculum course requirements
- Estimated expenses
Program applicants and students must be aware that the careful management of infection and cross contamination is extremely important in the dental field. The Dental Hygiene program has a Bloodborne Pathogen Plan in keeping with Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standards.
Students enrolled in a Dental program may be exposed to bloodborne pathogens. All students must have a thorough knowledge and understanding of infectious diseases, the mechanism of disease transmission, the OSHA Bloodborne Pathogen Standard, and CDC Guidelines for Infection Control in the Dental Healthcare Setting.
Eastern Florida State College is dedicated to providing a nondiscriminatory environment which promotes equal access, equal educational opportunity, and equal employment opportunity to all persons regardless of age, race, national origin, color, ethnicity, genetic information, religion, sex, gender, sexual orientation, pregnancy, disability, marital status, veteran status, ancestry, or political affiliation in its programs, activities, or employment.
EFSC recognizes the rights of students and applicants with disabilities, including those with hepatitis B, under the protections of the Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act.