The Dental Hygiene Program

Our Dental Hygiene Associate in Science (AS) degree program is a two-year program that prepares you to work as a dental hygienist.  You will study the biological basis of the health of the teeth and oral cavity, as well as procedures used to prevent decay and to maintain dental health. After completing the program and achieving your license, you will have job opportunities that include working as a licensed dental hygienist in dental offices, public clinics, schools, industry, and research and community health centers.

  • Program Length:

    Two years (full-time)

  • Program Completion:
    • Certificate of Achievement 
    • Associate in Science Degree
    • Eligible for California Licensure Exam
  • Program Accreditation:


    Pasadena City College offers the following allied health education programs (including Dental Hygiene, Dental Assisting and  Restorative Dental Technology programs) and will undergo accreditation by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) on March 26 – 28, 2024.

    In accordance with CODA requirements, Pasadena City College requests comments from interested third party individuals. Comments must be sent to CODA at least 60 days before the scheduled site visit.

    The deadline for Pasadena City College Third Party Comments is January 26, 2024.

    Comments should be emailed to the appropriate CODA staff. Email addresses are available here.  Sherin Tooks, Ed.D., M.S. tookss@ada.org, Daniel Sloyan sloyand@ada.org,  Kathleen Navickas navickask@ada.org.  Comments must pertain only to the standards relative to the predoctoral or advanced education programs as listed above, or policies and procedures used in the accreditation process.
    Third parties include communities of interest and the public such as faculty, students, program administrators, dental-related organizations, patients, and consumers.

    Signed or unsigned comments will be considered. All relevant comments will have names and/or signatures removed and will then be referred to the program at least 50 days prior to the site visit for review and response. Negative comments received after the established deadline of 60 days before the site visit will be handled as a complaint.

    A copy of the appropriate accreditation standards and/or the commission’s policy on third party comments may be obtained by contacting the commission at 1-312-440-4653 or by email.

What is a Dental Hygienist?

A registered dental hygienist (RDH) is a dental health specialist that promotes the prevention of oral and systemic disease, provides non-surgical periodontal therapy, and helps maintain the overall dental health of patients. (CDHA.org)  

Hygienists are trained in therapeutic services such as administering local anesthesia, scaling, root planing, curettage, polishing and application of fluoride and sealants to control oral disease and maintain oral health.Dental hygienists work in general and specialty dental offices that offer many different types of preventative services.Additionally, Dental Hygienists develop educational services for individuals or groups, to aid in the understanding of oral disease. Other career options include education, oral health industry specialist, administration, and consulting. Dental hygienists earn an excellent income, with median, full-time wages reaching almost $80,000 per year often with medical benefits, paid vacation, and sick leave.

Get Started

Applications are accepted from March 1 - April 1.

If the deadline falls on a weekend or holiday, then the deadline is the following business day.

Find Out How to Apply