Program Requirements
Shot record to include the following:
- Tetanus-Diphtheria or dTap within past 10 years
- Measles, Mumps & Rubella —2 on or after the first birthday
- TB test within past 3 months
- HEP B injection 1st series
- HEP B injection 2nd series
- HEP B injection 3rd series
- Meningitis
- COVID-19
Needed by first day of class every semester:
- Proof of Insurance (Invoice from TSTC Business Office) for:
- Malpractice (only once a year)
- Accident
- Needlestick
- Other:
- Books for DHYG courses
- Valid Texas driver’s license or Texas identification
Application Process
STEP 1 – Apply for general acceptance to TSTC by submission of Admission Application. Applications to the college may be done on-line by contacting https://www.tstc.edu/
NOTE: This is in addition to the Dental Hygiene Application.
STEP 2 – Communicate with a TSTC advisor, 956-364-4775 to discuss eligibility to become TSI complete. TSI measures Reading, Writing, and Math skills.
STEP 3 – Take the Admission Test for Dental Hygiene (ATDH) Examination. The ATDH is an admission test designed to provide a means to assess a candidate’s readiness and potential for success in dental hygiene programs. The exam is composed of multiple-choice test questions (items) presented in the English language and assesses critical thinking. The exam focuses on candidate skills in the following areas: Reading Comprehension, Language Usage, Quantitative Reasoning, Perceptual Ability, Biology, and General Chemistry. ATDH is administered at Prometric Testing Centers during fixed time periods referred to as “administration windows.” In the Rio Grande Valley, the Prometric Testing Center is located in the Fountain View Plaza 801 W. Nolana Ave., McAllen, TX, 78504.
Prior to scheduling the ATDH exam, you must first register for a DENTPIN. You can register for a DENTPIN here. Candidates can then submit an application 60 to 90 days prior to taking the ATDH for a fee of $140.00. You can apply to take the ATDH here. Once a candidate’s application is processed, testing appointments can be scheduled on Prometric.com
First-time candidates must complete the ATDH exam during a “regular” administration window. The TSTC Dental Hygiene Program will only accept exams taken during the Thursday, September 1 through Monday, October 31, 2022 “regular” window, no exceptions. For TSTC Dental Hygiene Program application, candidates are allowed one (1) exam retake. Only retake exams taken during the Thursday, December 15, 2022 through Wednesday, January 18, 2023 “retake” window will be accepted. The highest score will be used for application. Test dates and times are done through appointments only, no walk-ins will be accepted.
For further questions regarding acquiring a DENTPIN and for the ATDH, including preparing for the exam, please refer to the ATDH website.
STEP 4 – A completed TSTC Dental Hygiene Program application must be filed by March 1, 2023 using the form available in this packet. Candidates must attach TSI verification to the application. Candidates will receive notification of their acceptance into the program by the middle of April, 2023. If accepted, you will be asked to have a background check done through GroupOne Background Screening immediately and submit the results along with your Letter of Intent to the Dental Hygiene Program, by the date specified on the letter (specific details about the background check will be noted on the Letter of Intent). NOTE: Prospective candidates must attend an informational session with one of the dental hygiene faculty members to ensure understanding of the application process.
STEP 5 – Upon acceptance into the DHY Program, the following basic program courses must be completed with a grade of “C” or better, and a cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) of 3.0 must be maintained. NOTE: Because dental hygiene treatment is a very important part of the overall health of a patient, dental hygiene students are challenged to maintain very high standards in the training that they receive in our program. Therefore, the students must maintain at least a 78% in all dental hygiene classes, didactic and lab, to be able to advance through the Dental Hygiene Program each semester. Anything less than 78 is not a passing grade.
These courses MUST be completed prior to beginning the DHY program in August, 2023:
- BIOL 2301 & 2101 Anatomy and Physiology I
- CHEM 1305 &1105 Introduction to Chemistry
- ENGL 1301 Composition I
- SPCH Speech Elective (student can choose between 1311, 1315, or 1318)
Failure to complete these courses by the start of the Fall semester 2023 with a 3.0 or better will result in the loss of the candidate’s acceptance status in the Dental Hygiene Program. The candidate will be dropped from the program and an alternate candidate who has successfully passed the core classes will be accepted.
*NOTE: IT IS STRONGLY RECOMMENDED THAT THE CANDIDATE COMPLETE ALL NON-DENTAL HYGIENE COURSES BEFORE THE AUGUST START DATE TO FACILITATE SUCCESS IN THE RIGOROUS DENTAL HYGIENE PROGRAM.
