Fresno City College offers students with two dental hygiene program pathways.

Pathway 1

Pathway 1 is designed to educate and train students for entry level practice, obtain a Bachelor of Science degree and work in a structured health care setting. The program is fully accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA), which allows eligibility to apply for the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination and Clinical Licensure. Students must have completed all CSU or IGETC General Education Breadth Requirements for certification and all dental hygiene pre-requisite courses. Completion of the Pre-Allied Health Associate in Science degree is recommended.

Pathway 2

Pathway 2 - the AS - BSDH Bridge Program is for students who have already earned an associate’s degree in Dental Hygiene and have an active RDH License.

The AS - BSDH Bridge Program curriculum broadens the educational experience of licensed dental hygienists who have graduated from an accredited dental hygiene program by providing a liberal arts and broad-based general education component, including critical thinking, analysis, writing, researching, and reporting. The program will prepare dental hygienists to interact effectively with other health professionals in a competent, collaborative, and ethical manner. The program can be completed in 1 year and will award the Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene degree upon successful completion of all courses and program requirements. Students will take online upper division coursework focused on developing leadership, communication and critical thinking skills necessary for the bachelor's degree. Completing the bachelor’s degree will allow the licensed dental hygienist to pursue career options in education, corporate/industry, research, and public health.

In order to qualify for admission to the program under pathway two, the applicant must have met all of the following conditions to submit a program application:

1. Completion of a minimum of 60 transferable lower division semester units
2. Completed an associate’s degree of science in Dental Hygiene from a CODA-accredited program and an accredited institution
3. Have an active RDH License

Program Information

All Dental Hygiene courses in the program will be offered online. Interested students should complete the interest form in order to receive more information about eligibility and the application process. Classes begin January 2026.

Understanding the requirements to apply and the lottery system.

Dental Hygiene Application Process

Resources

• American Dental Hygiene Association (ADHA)
• California Dental Hygienists' Association (CDHA)
• Central Regional Dental Testing (CRDTS) Services 
• Commission of Dental Accreditation (CODA)
• Dental Hygiene Board of California (DHBC)
• Student American Dental Hygiene Association (SADHA)
• Western Regional Examination Board (WREB)
• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics for Dental Hygienists.