Bachelor of Science Dental Hygiene
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The BSc Dental Hygiene program is 3 years in length, preparing graduates for a career as a Dental Hygienist.
The Dental Hygiene curriculum is comprised of courses in biomedical, behavioural, and oral health sciences. Detailed course information is available in the .
Throughout the program, students participate in pre-clinical and clinical experiences in the Simulation Lab and Oral Health Clinic on campus. Students also participate in external practicum experiences within the city and surrounding areas in various community settings, such as hospitals, schools, continuing care facilities, including a mandatory experience in a rural clinic.
All applicants are expected to meet the Technical Standards Policy if admitted to the program.
Are you an Indigenous Applicant?
Click here for more information about our Indigenous admission pathway and the Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry Wâpanachakos Indigenous Health Program.
Admission Requirements
The admissions cycle is a year-long process. Applications are submitted in the year prior to the Fall term admission is sought. The current academic year is considered.
Download the Dental Hygiene Admissions Checklist for a summary of the requirements and deadlines.
01
Submit an Application
Submit a with the application fee .
Applications Open: July 1
Application Deadline: November 1 11:59 PM MT
02
MEET ALL ACADEMIC REQUIREMENTS
Applicants must complete at least one year of university-level coursework. All academic requirements must be complete or in-progress at the time of application.
03
SUBMIT PERSONAL EXPERIENCES
The forms will be available in your U91ÒùĸÊÓƵ Launchpad. The submission deadline is November 1 11:59 PM MT.
04
SEND cASPER TEST RESULTS
Applicants must complete a situational judgement test (Casper). Results must be received by January 2.
05
MEET ENGLISH REQUIREMENTs
If applicable, applicants must present proof of English Language Proficiency and Spoken English Proficiency. More information can be found at .
The discovery that an applicant has omitted necessary information or submitted false information in their application could result in the cancellation of the application, rescission of an offer of admission, or refusal of future applications. Please review the University's Admissions Policy for more information.
Academic Requirements
To be eligible for admission, you must complete at least one year of university-level coursework. All academic requirements must be complete or in-progress at the time of application.
Applicants must present:
- a minimum of 30 units of transferable post-secondary coursework
- a course load of at least 27 transferable units within one Fall/Winter academic year
- required courses with the minimum grade
- minimum overall GPA
At some institutions, all required courses can NOT be completed in one Fall/Winter year.
For more information, visit our Frequently Asked Questions about Academic Requirements.
Required Courses
You must complete all the required courses with the minimum required grade to be considered for admission.
Minimum Required Grade:
- Transfer courses : C- (or equivalent)
- UofA courses: D
Pass/Fail or CR courses are accepted.
Some required courses can be fulfilled through advanced credit from International Baccalaureate (IB) or Advanced Placement (AP) programs.
A grade of 6 or 7 is required to receive advanced credit.
| IB Course | UofA Course Equivalent |
| Chemistry (HL) | CHEM 101 (3 units) or CHEM 103 (3 units) |
| Biology (HL) | BIOL 107 (3 units) |
| English: Literature (HL) or English B: Language (HL) | ENGL 1XX (6 units) |
A grade of 4 or 5 is required to receive advanced credit.
| AP Course | UofA Course Equivalent |
| Biology | BIOL 107 (3 units) |
| English | ENGL 1XX (3 units) |
| Statistics | STAT 151 (3 units) |
Transfer Tools
- Equivalent course lists for select 91ÒùĸÊÓƵ institutions
- for 91ÒùĸÊÓƵ institutions
- UofA Transfer Credit search tool for all instutitions
For more information, visit our Frequently Asked Questions about Transferring Courses.
| Course Subject | Accepted UofA Courses |
| General Chemistry (3 units) | CHEM 101 or 103 |
| Organic Chemistry (3 units) | CHEM 261 or 264 |
| Cell Biology (3 units) | BIOL 107 |
| English (6 units) | ENGL 1XX ENGL 150 does NOT meet this requirement |
| Statistics (3 units) | STAT 151 or equivalent |
| Sociology (3 units) | SOC 100 |
| Psychology (3 units) | PSYCH 104 or 105 |
| Options in any Faculty (6 units) | any 2 half-year transferable courses |
Note: 3 units = one half-year course; 6 units = two half-year courses or one full-year course
Overall GPA (OGPA)
You must present a minimum OGPA of 2.7. OGPA is used competitively to rank applicants for interview and admission selection. See Admission Statistics for the competitive average.
How is OGPA calculated?
OGPA is calculated using all transferable post-secondary work completed during full-time studies.
Full-time study is equivalent to a minimum of:
- 18 units taken during Fall and Winter terms
- 12 units taken during Spring and Summer terms
How Winter 2020 grades are considered
Have at least 4 years of study?
For applicants who have completed four or more years of full-time coursework, the OGPA is calculated with the exclusion of the lowest GPA year, provided it is not:
- the most recent full-time period
- the only Fall/Winter where 27 units were taken
Special Consideration Request
Applicants with extenuating circumstances may submit a request for special consideration to the Admissions Committee to exclude certain years from their Overall GPA. Requests must be received by January 2 in the year admission is sought.
Special Consideration Requests cannot waive admission requirements .
Please contact Dentistry Admissions to request the Special Consideration Form.
Transcript Deadlines
Throughout the application cycle, you must submit several transcripts. Depending on the type, transcripts can either be uploaded by the applicant or must be sent directly to the UofA by the issuing institution.
For more information about transcripts, please visit Frequently Asked Questions.
Post-Secondary Transcripts
If the required documents are not received by February 1, your application will not be considered for an interview.
| November 15 | Unofficial transcripts showing completed coursework to date. Must include Fall/Winter registration if currently attending. |
| February 1 | Unofficial transcripts showing Fall term grades and Winter term registration, if currently attending |
| June 15 | Final Official transcripts with Fall/Winter grades, and Spring grades, if applicable |
Did you study outside of Canada?
In addition to your transcripts, you must provide a detailed course syllabus or course description for each post-secondary course completed outside of Canada by February 1 in the year admission is sought. Please compile all syllabi or course descriptions into one document for upload to U91ÒùĸÊÓƵ Launchpad.
AP and IB transcripts
Applicants may use their Advanced Placement (AP) or International Baccalaureate (IB) credits to fulfill the required courses. Applicants who intend to do so must provide their official AP or IB transcript by January 2 in the year admission is sought.
Requesting Transcripts on Your Behalf
If applicable, we may be able to obtain required transcripts from participating Apply91ÒùĸÊÓƵ institutions on your behalf.
91ÒùĸÊÓƵ transcripts will be requested for current and former UofA students.
Please carefully review the status of your documents in U91ÒùĸÊÓƵ Launchpad. You are responsible for requesting all other required transcripts and documents as indicated in U91ÒùĸÊÓƵ Launchpad.
Final official transcripts can be sent:
Via email: transcripts@ualberta.ca
Via mail:
91ÒùĸÊÓƵ
Office of the Registrar
University Commons
Edmonton, AB, Canada
T6G 2R3
Situational Judgement Test (Casper)
Applicants are required to complete the CSP-10202 Canadian Undergraduate Health Sciences from Acuity Insights.
This test is a standardized two-part online assessment of non-cognitive skills, interpersonal characteristics, and personal values and priorities that are considered important for the dental hygiene profession.
All available test dates offered will allow for test results to be received by the deadline. Visit for more information, important dates, and requirements.
The DDS and Dental Hygiene programs require different Casper assessments. If you are applying to both programs, you must complete the correct assessment for each.
DEADLINE TO RECEIVE: January 2
Note: scores are only valid for the current application cycle
Missing Scores?
Casper scores are added to U91ÒùĸÊÓƵ Launchpad after the application deadline.
If your scores are still missing in December, please contact Dentistry Admissions.
After submitting and paying for your application, the Personal Experiences forms will be available in your U91ÒùĸÊÓƵ Launchpad.
The Personal Experiences section is comprised of four subsections:
Provide a brief description of the nature of the work and responsibilities.
The following information is required:
- start dates
- end dates, if not an ongoing activity
- type (e.g., part-time, seasonal, full-time, etc.)
- average hours per week/month/year, whichever is most applicable
- total number of verifiable hours
Maximum 3 entries. Maximum 350 characters per entry.
Provide a brief description of areas where you have provided a leadership role or volunteer experiences. This applies to scholastic, sports, arts, and community activities.
The following information is required:
- start dates
- end dates, if not an ongoing activity
- average hours per week/month/year, whichever is most applicable
- total number of verifiable hours
Maximum 3 entries. Maximum 350 characters per entry.
Share achievements or experiences that you feel have defined your life and who you are. This can include, but is not limited to, achievements and experiences in:
- education
- arts
- music
- sports
- athletics
- science
- research
- languages
- communication
- cultural and ethnic experiences
- travel
Maximum 2000 characters .
Share a life experience where you encountered challenges and describe how you addressed the situation(s). You are strongly encourged to share an experience that you have not previously addressed in your application which will allow us to learn more about you as an applicant.
Maximum 1000 characters .
SUBMISSION DEADLINE: November 1 11:59 PM MT
At least one Personal Experiences subsection must be completed; applications with no subsection completed by the deadline will be closed.
With the limited character count in place, please keep your items concise and selective. By not including any items in a subsection, you will receive a zero for that subsection.
Verifiers
Employment and Leadership/Volunteer Experience activities subsections must be verified. For each activity, an email address for someone who can confirm the details provided must be entered.
We strongly recommend discussing the information being provided with your verifier and notifying them that they will be contacted. Discrepancies in the information provided may affect your application and eligibility to receive admission.
Do not use yourself as a verifier. Avoid using family members or close friends when possible.
Applicants should ask verifiers for regularly monitored personal email where possible. Verifiers may lose access to a work-related email. Email domains linked to health services (e.g., 91ÒùĸÊÓƵ Health Services), government services, and the military often have firewalls that block verification emails.
Interviews
If your application is considered competitive, you will be invited for an interview to determine if you have the personal qualities necessary for the profession. The interview evaluates your maturity, motivation, initiative, ability to communicate, personal qualities, and interest.
Applicants who fail to submit the required documents by February 1 will not be considered for interview selection.
Short-listed applicants will receive their interview invitation via email by the end of February.
Interview Format
The interview format is a Multiple Mini Interview (MMI). In this format, the interviewee will be exposed without interruption to a series of stations, each of which takes 10 minutes to complete.
At each station, the interviewee will be provided with a question/scenario and given two minutes to read the question and prepare a response. After the two minutes, the interviewee will share their response with the interviewer for the remaining 8 minutes before proceeding to the next station.
Selection Criteria
- Overall GPA (including Fall grades)
- Casper Test results
Interview Date
TBA (March)
Admission Selection
Admission to the Dental Hygiene program is competitive. Meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee admission. See Admission Statistics for recent applicant numbers and competitive averages.
Admission offers are released between mid-May to early July. Admission offers are for the Fall term for which the applicant applied and cannot be deferred.
The Admissions Committee reserves the right to exercise its discretion in individual cases. Admission decisions are final and can not be appealed.
Enrollment is limited to 46 seats annually
- 91ÒùĸÊÓƵ residents: min. 42 seats
- Non-91ÒùĸÊÓƵ residents: up to 4 seats*
- Includes international applicants on student visas
*No non-resident shall be admitted who is less qualified than any 91ÒùĸÊÓƵ resident who is denied admission to the program.
Selection Criteria
Factors include, but are not limited to:
- Overall GPA
- Casper Test results
- Personal Experiences
- Interview score
91ÒùĸÊÓƵ Resident Definition
For admission purposes, a resident of 91ÒùĸÊÓƵ is defined as a Canadian citizen or Permanent Resident who has been a continuous resident in the Province of 91ÒùĸÊÓƵ, Yukon, the Northwest Territories, or Nunavut for at least one year immediately prior to the first day of classes of the Fall term in which admission is sought. The one-year residence period shall not be considered broken where the admission committee is satisfied that the applicant was temporarily out of the province on vacation, in short-term employment, or as a full-time student.
Applicants may be required to present proof of residency status. We reserve the right to correct your residency claim should we feel that the information in your application and documents does not support your claim. Please see for more information.
Indigenous Applicants
The Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry is committed to the recruitment, retention and graduation of Indigenous students. All applicants who self-identify as Indigenous will be flagged for the Indigenous admission pathway, as well as the general (91ÒùĸÊÓƵ or Non-91ÒùĸÊÓƵ) pathway.
All qualified Indigenous applicants who are successful in the Indigenous admissions process will be recommended by the Indigenous Admissions Subcommittee for admission.
For more information on the Indigenous admission pathway process and requirements, we encourage prospective Indigenous applicants to connect with the Wâpanachakos Indigenous Health Program (WIHP).
ConNECT WITH WIHP
wihpadmin@ualberta.ca
780-492-2209
Program Cost
Costs are estimates and subject to change. Fees are paid at the time of registration. Students are responsible for any additional costs associated with loupes, textbooks, and software.
Learn more about Scholarships and Awards.
Estimated Total Program Cost: $56,169
| Year | Tuition | Non-instructional Fees* | Equipment & Instrumentation Rental Fees |
| 2 | $10,683 | $1,944 | $7,010 |
| 3 | $9,491 | $1,944 | $7,010 |
| 4 | $9,133 | $1,944 | $7,010 |
* Non-instructional Fees are set by the Registrar's Office. More information can be found here.
Estimated Total Program Cost: $150,147
| Year | Tuition | Non-instructional Fees* | Equipment & Instrumentation Rental Fees |
| 2 | $41,095 | $1,944 | $7,010 |
| 3 | $41,095 | $1,944 | $7,010 |
| 4 | $41,095 | $1,944 | $7,010 |
* Non-instructional Fees are set by the Registrar's Office. More information can be found here.
Post-Admission
Admitted students must complete the following:
Licensure After Graduation
Possessing a dental hygiene degree does not automatically confer the right to practice dental hygiene in any province of Canada. Each province has its own licensing authority, and graduates of the program desiring to practice in Canada should contact the appropriate provincial licensing body.
The registrar of a provincial licensing body may refuse to issue a registration certificate to practice dental hygiene to any applicant possessing a criminal record. If this is a concern for you, please contact the appropriate licensing body.
To practice in 91ÒùĸÊÓƵ, a dental hygienist must be registered with the .
Apply Now
Applications are open from July 1 to November 1 in the year prior to the Fall term admission is being sought.
Questions?
Contact dentistry admissions:
admissions.dentistry@ualberta.ca
780-492-1319