Dental Hygiene
The Dental Hygiene program at Northeast College of Dental Hygiene is a limited-enrollment program, accepting only 24 students each Fall semester. Due to this selective capacity, admission is based on a competitive, point-based process. Applicants who are not accepted must reapply annually, as the program does not maintain a waiting list.
Points in the admissions process are awarded based on several criteria, including:
Completion of the eight non-DEN courses listed in the curriculum prior to program admission
Performance on the Admissions Test for Dental Hygiene, administered by the American Dental Association (ADA)
Status as a dental assistant who has graduated from an ADA Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) program or holds Certified Dental Assistant credentials (Note: No points are awarded for non-accredited dental assisting programs)
Holding certifications or licenses in select, employable allied health fields
Participation in the Northeast Boot Camp for Dental Assisting and Dental Hygiene
Completion of a continuing education course, such as Career Exploration in Dental Hygiene (course code HRD-3004CR2), offered through Northeast Career Services
Full details regarding admission requirements—including both minimum criteria and the point-based evaluation system—are provided in the official Admissions Packet.
Prospective students interested in the Dental Hygiene program at Northeast College of Dental Hygiene are required to complete a mandatory information session before meeting with an advisor. Academic advisors will only schedule meetings after this session is completed.
Given the competitive nature of the program—with 80 to 160 applications received each year—we highly recommend that applicants meet with a Health Sciences admissions or academic advisor to develop a clear academic plan.
Please Note: In New Hampshire, the administration of local anesthesia by dental hygienists is legally permitted. As part of the program, students must be comfortable handling needles and performing injections to fulfill curriculum requirements.
Have questions? We’re here to help.
PHONE:1 (800) 906-0954
EMAIL:smilecenterbrand@gmail.com
Ready to Start Your Journey at Northeast College of Dental Hygiene? Follow These Steps:
Apply to Northeast College of Dental Hygiene
Submit official transcripts to: smilecenterbrand@gmail.com
Complete the mandatory Dental Hygiene Information Session
Apply for financial aid and veterans benefits, if applicable
Once admitted, follow the New Student Enrollment Checklist to complete your enrollment
Dental Hygiene Program Application Requirements:
To be considered for selection into the Dental Hygiene program, applicants must:
Meet all minimum admission requirements, including successful completion of ENG-111 and CHM-130 (or equivalent courses)
Complete 20 hours of job shadowing, documented using the official Dental Hygiene Job Shadowing Form. Hours must be unpaid. If you work in a dental office, you must complete shadowing at a different practice
Take the Admissions Test for Dental Hygiene (ATDH) by the application deadline. Be sure to list Northeast College of Dental Hygiene as the recipient of your score report
Submit the Dental Hygiene program application and all supporting documents between August 1 and January 31 to: smilecenterbrand@gmail.com
⚠️ Please Note:
This is a competitive admissions process. Meeting minimum requirements does not guarantee acceptance.
If multiple applicants receive the same point total, selection will be based on the highest ATDH Perceptual Ability Score.
If a tie remains, the Quantitative Reasoning Score, and then the Overall ATDH Score, will be used as tie-breakers.
Transfer and Restart Applicants:
Students who were previously enrolled in the Northeast Dental Hygiene program and wish to restart, or students transferring from another ADA CODA-accredited Dental Hygiene program, must follow the standard admissions process and comply with the additional Restart/Transfer Student protocol.
Important Note for International Students:
Students who are not U.S. citizens or permanent residents may be ineligible for dental hygiene licensure in New Hampshire.
If you are on an F-1 visa or part of the DACA program, please carefully evaluate whether this program aligns with your ability to obtain licensure and employment within the state.
After Acceptance:
All accepted students are required to:
Attend a mandatory departmental orientation
Complete all clinical site onboarding requirements
❗Failure to attend orientation will result in forfeiture of your seat in the program.
Orientation Overview – What to Expect
All students accepted into the Dental Hygiene program at Northeast College of Dental Hygiene must attend a mandatory orientation session. During this session, students will be guided through the following key steps:
Creating a CastleBranch account to upload and manage required documents
Signing and uploading the Dental Hygiene Department Technical Standards via CastleBranch
Registering and paying for a criminal background check
Submitting a completed physical examination form (Northeast official form required)
Meeting all immunization requirements
Obtaining American Heart Association CPR certification (Healthcare Provider Course required)
Reviewing program costs, including purchase of instruments, uniforms, textbooks, and other supplies
Learning important information related to starting the program: schedules, clinic expectations, student club involvement, and more
⚠️ Important:
Failure to meet the documentation upload deadlines provided during orientation may result in forfeiture of your seat in the program.
Need Help with CastleBranch or Background Check Info?
We’re here to support you.
📞 Phone: 1 (800) 906-0954
📧 Email: smilecenterbrand@gmail.com