The University of Texas at Houston –
School of Dentistry
Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene
Prerequisite Courses: 62 credit hours of pre-requisite coursework, including Communication, Natural Sciences, Humanities & Visual and Performing Arts, History, Mathematics, etc.
Observation Hours: A minimum of 20 shadowing hours from a DENTAL HYGIENIST. Shadowing a dentist will not count towards the applicant’s application
Letters of Recommendation: 3 LORs are required in this institution. (2 professors + 1 employer or 3 professors)
GPA: All courses must have a grade of C or higher. A minimum requirement of 2.5 GPA.
Interview: Invitation-only for potential candidates.
Additional Requirements:
Application through Centralized Application Service (ADEA AADSAS).
Observation Hours: A minimum of 20 shadowing hours from a DENTAL HYGIENIST. Shadowing a dentist will not count towards the applicant’s application
Letters of Recommendation: 3 LORs are required in this institution. (2 professors + 1 employer or 3 professors)
GPA: All courses must have a grade of C or higher. A minimum requirement of 2.5 GPA.
Interview: Invitation-only for potential candidates.
Additional Requirements:
- Laboratory times are required to be in person.
- Applicants are required to take a CASPER test. $60 fee. Applicants are allowed to take the exam once per admission cycle.
- Personal Statement
- Deliver official transcripts to the institution’s address.
- TSIA must be completed.
- Courses that are 5 years old or more must be retaken.
- If the applicant did not attend high school in the U.S., it is required to take the TOEFL test. (Unless the applicant possesses an associate's degree or a U.S.-accredited institution.)
Application through Centralized Application Service (ADEA AADSAS).
The University of Texas Health Science Center – San Antonio
Entry-Level Bachelor’s Degree Program
Pre-requisite courses: 60 credit hours of pre-requisite coursework, including Communication, Life & Physical Science, Creative Arts, History, Mathematics, etc.
Observation Hours: A minimum of 16 shadowing hours from a DENTAL HYGIENIST. Shadowing a dentist will not count towards the applicant’s application.
Letter of Recommendation: 2 written LORs are required in this institution.
GPA: All courses must have a grade of C or higher. A minimum of 2.7 GPA.
Interview: Up to 40 applicants can be invited for an interview. The candidate will have the opportunity to meet with other dental hygiene students and write an essay.
Additional Requirements:
Observation Hours: A minimum of 16 shadowing hours from a DENTAL HYGIENIST. Shadowing a dentist will not count towards the applicant’s application.
Letter of Recommendation: 2 written LORs are required in this institution.
GPA: All courses must have a grade of C or higher. A minimum of 2.7 GPA.
Interview: Up to 40 applicants can be invited for an interview. The candidate will have the opportunity to meet with other dental hygiene students and write an essay.
Additional Requirements:
- Applicants must submit all their documents and information to ADEA DHCAS by the due date.
- Personal Statement
- Deliver official transcripts to ADEA DHCAS.
- Required TOEFL score for international applicants.
- $60 application fee.
Pre-requisite courses: At least 60 credit hours of pre-requisite coursework, including Communication, Biology, Chemistry, Social Behaviors, History, Mathematics, etc.
Observation Hours: A minimum of 16 shadowing hours from a DENTAL HYGIENIST. Shadowing a dentist will not count towards the applicant’s application.
Letter of Recommendation: 3 written LORs are required in this institution. (Dental Hygienist, College Professor, and an individual the applicant has known for some time, such as an employer.)
GPA: All courses must have a grade of C or higher. A minimum of 3.0 GPA.
Interview: Invitation-only for potential candidates. Approximately 160 applicants apply, and 30 are accepted each year.
Additional Requirements:
Observation Hours: A minimum of 16 shadowing hours from a DENTAL HYGIENIST. Shadowing a dentist will not count towards the applicant’s application.
Letter of Recommendation: 3 written LORs are required in this institution. (Dental Hygienist, College Professor, and an individual the applicant has known for some time, such as an employer.)
GPA: All courses must have a grade of C or higher. A minimum of 3.0 GPA.
Interview: Invitation-only for potential candidates. Approximately 160 applicants apply, and 30 are accepted each year.
Additional Requirements:
- Courses that are 10 years old or more must be retaken.
- Require 2 years of the same foreign language in high school OR 8 semester hours in college.
- TSI must be completed.
- Personal Statement
- Photograph sized 2x2
- Email official high school transcript.
- Deliver official college transcripts to the institution’s address.
- $35 application fee
Texas A&M University Baylor College of Dentistry – Dallas
Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene
Texas Women’s University
Bachelor Science in Dental Hygiene
Pre-requisite courses: 57 credit hours of pre-requisite coursework, including Communication, Life & Physical Science, Creative Arts, History, Mathematics, etc.
Observation Hours: Hours are optional. However, the institution encourages applicants to have observation hours.
Letter Of Recommendation: Not enough information. However, it is still highly encouraged to shadow a dental hygienist.
GPA: All courses must have a grade of C or higher. A minimum of 3.0 GPA.
Interview: Invitation-only for potential candidates. Approximately 60 applicants are invited, and 32 students are admitted each year.
Additional Requirements:
Observation Hours: Hours are optional. However, the institution encourages applicants to have observation hours.
Letter Of Recommendation: Not enough information. However, it is still highly encouraged to shadow a dental hygienist.
GPA: All courses must have a grade of C or higher. A minimum of 3.0 GPA.
Interview: Invitation-only for potential candidates. Approximately 60 applicants are invited, and 32 students are admitted each year.
Additional Requirements:
- Science courses that are 5 years old or more must be retaken.
- The HESI exam is required within 12 months of applying. (2 Attempts only.)
- Personal Statement
- Deliver official college transcripts to the institution’s address.
- English language proficiency is required for all applicants.
- $50 for domestic applicants; $75 for international applicants.
Houston Community college
Associate of Applied Science in Dental Hygiene
Pre-requisite courses: BIOL 2301 (formerly BIOL 2401) & BIOL 2101, CHEM 1305, ENGL 1301, SOCI 1301 (EDUC 1300 is required if new to college or transferring to HCC with less than 12 credits.)
Additional Bonus courses: PSYC 2301, BIOL 2302 (formerly BIOL 2402) & BIOL 2102, BIOL 2320 (formerly BIOL 2420) & BIOL 2120, SPCH 1318, PHIL 2306
Observation Hours: Not required since Fall 2025. However, it is still highly encouraged to shadow a dental hygienist.
Letter of Recommendation: Not enough information.
GPA: All courses must have a grade of C or higher. A minimum of 2.0 GPA.
Interview: Invitation-only for potential candidates. Approximately 120 applicants apply, and 18 are accepted each year.
Additional Requirements:
The HESI exam is required in this institution. $75 fee. It is required to take the exam at the HCC Coleman College Testing Center. (2 Attempts only.)
Science courses that are 5 years old or more must be retaken.
Personal Statement
Deliver official college transcripts to the institution’s address.
TSIA2 must be completed.