Bachelor of Science Dental Hygiene
The BSc Dental Hygiene program is 3 years in length, preparing graduates for a career as a Dental Hygienist.
NEW: 2026 incoming class statistics have been published
The Dental Hygiene curriculum is comprised of courses in biomedical, behavioural, and oral health sciences. Detailed course information is available in the University Calendar.
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 W â panachakos 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 (e.g., applications for Fall 2026 admission include Fall 2025/Winter 2026 coursework) is considered.
Download the Dental Hygiene Admissions Checklist for a summary of the requirements and deadlines.
Submit an Application
Submit a professional program application with the application fee (Current or previous U of A students: $100; Non-U of A applicants: $150).
Applications Open: July 1
Application Deadline: November 1, 11:59 p.m. MT
MEET ALL ACADEMIC REQUIREMENTS
Applicants must complete at least one year of university-level coursework. All academic requirements must be complete or in-progress/registered at the time of application.
SUBMIT PERSONAL EXPERIENCES
The forms will be available in the application portal (UAlberta Launchpad). The submission deadline is November 1, 11:59 p.m. MT.
SEND cASPER TEST RESULTS
Applicants must complete a situational judgement test (Casper). Results must be received by January 2.
MEET ENGLISH REQUIREMENTs
If applicable, applicants must present proof of English Language Proficiency and Spoken English Proficiency. More information can be found at uab.ca/languagereqs.
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/registered at the time of application.
Applicants must present:
- a minimum of 30 units (equivalent to 10 half-year courses or 5 full-year courses) of transferable post-secondary coursework
- a course load of at least 27 transferable units (equivalent to 9 half-year courses) within one Fall/Winter academic year (September 1 to April 30 inclusive)
- 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.
Courses taken under a specific subject area are NOT guaranteed to transfer as the same subject area. Course evaluations will be completed following the submission of an application and all required documents.
Minimum Required Grade
- Transfer courses (from institutions outside the University of Alberta): C- (or equivalent)
- U of A 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 | U of A 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) |
| Psychology (HL) | PSYCH 104 + 105 (6 units total) |
| Psychology (SL) | PSYCH 104 (3 units) |
A grade of 4 or 5 is required to receive advanced credit.
| AP Course | U of A Course Equivalent |
|---|---|
| Biology | BIOL 107 (3 units) |
| English | ENGL 1XX (3 units) |
| Statistics | STAT 151 (3 units) |
| Psychology | PSYCH 104 (3 units) |
Transfer Tools
- Equivalent course lists for select Alberta institutions
- Transfer Alberta search tool for Alberta institutions
- UofA Transfer Credit search tool for all institutions
For more information, visit our Frequently Asked Questions about Transferring Courses.
The listed U of A courses are intended to assist with the planning of coursework for the Dental Hygiene program. We cannot provide a complete list of all equivalent courses from all institutions.
| Course Subject | Accepted U of A 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) | Any ENGL or WRITE ENGL 150 and WRS are NOT accepted |
| 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 two half-year 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 (Fall/Winters or Spring/Summers) 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, OR
- the only Fall/Winter year 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 (i.e., course load requirements, required courses, etc.) .
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 U of A 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 (uploaded by the applicant) showing completed coursework to date. Must include Fall/Winter registration if currently attending. |
|---|---|
| February 1 | Unofficial transcripts (uploaded by the applicant) showing Fall term grades and Winter term registration, if currently attending |
| June 15 | Final Official transcripts (sent directly from the issuing institution to the U of A) 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 UAlberta 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 ApplyAlberta institutions on your behalf.
University of Alberta transcripts will be requested for current and former UofA students.
Please carefully review the status of your documents in UAlberta Launchpad. You are responsible for requesting all other required transcripts and documents as indicated in UAlberta Launchpad.
Final official transcripts can be sent:
Via email: transcripts@ualberta.ca
Via mail: University of Alberta
Office of the Registrar
3-294 University Commons
Edmonton, AB, Canada
T6G 2R3
Situational Judgement Test (Casper)
Applicants are required to complete Canada Casper 1 ( CSP-10200) by 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 AcuityInsights.app for more information, important dates, and requirements.
For non-U of A applicants: Applicants can register for the Casper test without their UAlberta ID, as institutions can be added to the distribution list after registration or completing the test.
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 UAlberta Launchpad after the application deadline.
If your scores are still missing in December, please contact Dentistry Admissions.
Personal Experiences
The Mike Petryk School of Dentistry values diversity in our Dental Hygiene class. The Personal Experiences section provides you with the opportunity to highlight the life experiences that you feel will enhance your application.
After submitting and paying for your application, the Personal Experiences forms will be available in your UAlberta 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 (includes letters, punctuation, and spaces) 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 (includes letters, punctuation, and spaces) per entry.
Share achievements or experiences that you feel have defined your life and who you are, reflecting on how the experience/achievement has impacted your life values, skills and/or perspectives. This section 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 (includes letters, punctuation, and spaces).
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 (includes letters, punctuation, and spaces).
SUBMISSION DEADLINE: November 1 11:59 p.m. 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.
For ongoing activities, please indicate the application deadline (November 1) as the end date and provide the projected number of hours to be completed by then.
Verifiers
Employment and Leadership/Volunteer Experience activities subsections must be verified. For each activity, an email address for an individual 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 a regularly monitored personal email where possible. Verifiers may lose access to work-related emails. Email domains linked to health services (e.g., Alberta 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
To be announced
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
- Alberta residents: min. 42 seats
- Non-Alberta residents: up to 4 seats*
- Includes international applicants on student visas
*No non-resident shall be admitted who is less competitive than any Alberta 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
Alberta Resident Definition
For admission purposes, a resident of Alberta is defined as a Canadian citizen or Permanent Resident who has been a continuous resident in the Province of Alberta, 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. The Admissions Office reserves the right to correct your residency claim should the Admissions Committee determine that the information in your application and documents does not support your claim. Please see Residence Requirements 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 (Alberta or Non-Alberta) 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
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 personal equipment, textbooks, and other materials outlined in the BSc Dental Hygiene Program Additional Costs document.
Learn more about Scholarships and Awards.
Canadian Citizens or Permanent Residents
Estimated Total Program Cost: $62,640
| Year | Tuition | Non-instructional Fees* | Equipment & Instrumentation Rental Fees |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | $12,603 | $2,583 | $7,011 |
| 3 | $11,411 | $2,583 | $6,677 |
| 4 | $10,830 | $2,583 | $6,359 |
* Learn more about non-instructional Fees set by the Registrar's Office.
International Students
Estimated Total Program Cost: $163,408
| Year | Tuition | Non-instructional Fees* | Equipment & Instrumentation Rental Fees |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | $45,204 | $2,583 | $7,011 |
| 3 | $45,204 | $2,583 | $6,677 |
| 4 | $45,204 | $2,583 | $6,359 |
* Learn more about non-instructional Fees set by the Registrar's Office.
Post-Admission
Admitted students must complete the following:
Complete and fully documented immunization is a program requirement. The vaccination requirements are based on the Alberta Provincial guidelines for healthcare students in a post-secondary institution, and serology/immunization outside the guidelines is not routinely done or recommended. All immunization records need to be written and legible, and a certified translation must be provided for all non-English documentation. Students without acceptable records will be required to complete their primary immunization series, which can take several months; therefore, early action on this requirement is strongly advised.
More information can be found under the University Infectious Diseases Regulation.
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 Alberta, a dental hygienist must be registered with the Alberta College of Dental Hygienists.
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