Harper College

Program Highlights and Accreditation

  • The Dental Hygiene program is a limited enrollment program; to maintain compliance with the American Dental Association’s Accreditation Standards for Dental Hygiene Programs regarding required clinical hours, only thirty-six (36) students can be accommodated in the program. Thirty-six students are admitted each year.
  • Admission to the program is competitive and begins anew each year; the Dental Hygiene program does not keep a waiting list.
  • Dental office experience is not required for admission to the program.
  • Dental assisting experience or graduation from a dental assisting program does not exempt students from any courses, labs or clinical experiences.
  • Once admitted, the program begins in the fall semester.
  • The Dental Hygiene program is a full-time, two-year, six-semester curriculum. In both years of the program dental hygiene class meets during the summer, fall, and spring semesters. The summer semesters are 8 weeks. 
  • The Dental Hygiene program cannot be completed as a part-time student at this time.

  • Accreditation: The Dental Hygiene Program is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation and has been granted the accreditation status of approval without reporting requirements until the next accreditation site visit in 2022. The Commission is a specialized accrediting body recognized by the United States Department of Education. The Commission on Dental Accreditation can be contacted at 312-440-4653 or at 211 East Chicago Avenue, Chicago, IL, 60611-2678.
  • Commission on Dental Accreditation’s Complaint Policy
    The Commission on Dental Accreditation will review complaints that relate to a program's compliance with the accreditation standards. The Commission is interested in the sustained quality and continued improvement of dental and dental-related education programs but does not intervene on behalf of individuals or act as a court of appeal for treatment received by patients or individuals in matters of admission, appointment, promotion or dismissal of faculty, staff or students. 

    A copy of the appropriate accreditation standards and/or the Commission's policy and procedure for submission of complaints may be obtained by contacting the Commission at 211 East Chicago Avenue, Chicago, IL 60611-2678 or by calling 1-800- 621-8099 extension 4653.

 

Last Updated: 8/21/24