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Program Overview
The two-year Dental Hygienist associate degree program at Madison College prepares you to work side by side with dentists.
The dental hygienist inspects the mouth, administers local anesthesia and chemotherapeutic agents, removes stains and deposits from teeth, applies preventive agents, prepares clinical and diagnostic tests, completes dental x-rays and performs many other services related to mouth care. Dental hygienists also counsel patients about preventive measures such as nutrition, oral hygiene, and dental care.
Top Career Training
The Dental Hygienist Program is widely respected by leading dentists throughout Madison, Wisconsin. Students develop top skills from their hands-on experience at our on-campus dental clinic, which serves real patients from the area. Dental hygiene graduates work for many top dental organizations.
Strong Job Opportunities
In addition to dental technician positions, Madison College graduates work as dental hygienist instructors, dental lab technicians, public school hygienists and more.
Dental Hygienist graduates are required to successfully complete comprehensive written and clinical examinations given under the direction of the State of Wisconsin Dentistry Examining Board, the American Dental Association's Joint Commission on National Dental Examinations, and Central Regional Dental Testing Services, Inc.
Please note: Upon admission to the Dental Hygienist program, you will be required to complete a background check and multiple immunization requirements, and provide documentation of current Health Care Provider CPR certification.
Program Details
Wisconsin law requires background checks for persons who provide care for others or have access to people who receive care. This law applies to students in many School of Health Sciences programs. Please review the Caregiver Background Check information on the School of Health Sciences Forms and Policies.
Students in the Dental Hygienist program must attend full time.
Classes are offered Monday through Friday, 7:30 am to 3:20 pm.
Dental Hygienist classes are offered at the Madison College Truax campus.
Dental Hygienist Program Handbook
YOUR ADVANTAGES AT MADISON COLLEGE
- Study with award-winning Madison College faculty and receive personalized attention and real-world training.
- Get vital hands-on experience, working with patients in our on-campus dental clinic located in Madison College’s state-of-the-art Health Education Center at the Truax campus.
- Our graduates have an exceptionally high first-time pass rate on the required Central Regional Dental Testing Service (CRDTS), a state requirement to practice dental hygiene.
Careers
Graduates of the Dental Hygienist program are able to find employment as the following:
- Dental Hygienist
With additional education and/or work experience, dental hygiene graduates also may find employment as:
- Dental Hygiene Instructor
- Public Health Hygienist
- Dental Laboratory Technician
- Dental Sales Representative
- Member of Dental Examining Board
- Public School Hygienist
- Dental Hygiene Administrator in hospital setting
Accreditation
The Madison College Dental Hygienist program is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA).
The Dental Hygiene Program is seeking comments from the public such as faculty, students, program administrators, dental-related organizations, patients, and consumers as part of its preparation for the periodic accreditation review by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA).
The CODA site visit is scheduled for September 30 - October 1, 2025. It will involve a detailed review of the program to ensure continued compliance with accreditation standards. In accordance with the guidelines, all comments must be submitted to CODA no later than 60 days in advance of the scheduled visit; consequently, the deadline for submission is August 1, 2025. Please see the CODA posting form for third-party comments.The current trend is 3 years between acceptance and the start of core program classes.
Hoping to start college sooner?
Check out our other health programs or get in touch with recruitment for individualized help.
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Curriculum and Experience
Prospective program students, the information below reflects the basic requirements for students admitted for the 2025-2026 academic year. To learn more about Madison College, visit us.
Current and newly admitted program students, go directly to your Degree Progress Report to view:
- Progress toward your specific requirements
- Alternative (in lieu of) courses to meet specific requirements
If you have questions after reviewing your degree progress report (advisement report), please see Advising Services.
Pre-Dental Hygienist CoursesSummer SemesterThe following must be taken prior to fall/first semester:First SemesterSecond SemesterThird SemesterFourth Semester -
Admission
Apply Now - Secure Your Spot on the Waiting List!
This program operates on a waiting list. To be eligible to enroll in program classes, students must first complete academic preparedness requirements and go through the declaration process.
Before submitting an application, be sure to:
- Review the Waiting List section.
- Review the admission requirements for deadlines, materials, and requirements.
- Estimated Wait Time: Up to 3 year wait time between when students are core ready and when they become eligible to enroll in program classes. This timeline may vary depending on how many students complete the declaration process each semester.
- Program Capacity: 44 spots each Fall semester
- Make sure you can meet the program’s essential functions safely, reliably and efficiently within the scope of practice. If you need accommodations, contact our Disability Resource Services office.
Need help? Learn more about the Madison College experience and get support with your application.
Start your application today and take the next step toward your career goals!
Additional Notes
Students are required to meet the current admission requirements, academic preparedness requirements, and complete the declaration process. Requirements are subject to change based on updates to accreditation requirements or Madison College program assessment data.
Questions?
Contact Enrollment Services at EnrollmentServices@madisoncollege.edu or 608.246.6210.
Get Started!
Apply to Madison College and take the first step towards your Dental Hygienist career.
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Waiting List
This program uses a waiting list to manage program admission due to capacity limitations and program demand. This means there are typically more applicants than there are open seats in the program. A waiting list helps us manage applications in a way that is fair and transparent.
This program has academic preparedness requirements that must be completed before beginning core classes. When you’ve completed all academic preparedness requirements, you will complete the declaration process.
Pre-core students can run their Degree Progress Report to confirm which academic preparedness requirements are satisfied/not satisfied and view specific ways to satisfy requirements.
Prerequisites:
- Algebra (testing, college coursework or bachelor’s degree in a related biological science)
- Chemistry (high school or college coursework)
- Biology (high school or college coursework)
- Geometry (high school or college coursework)
- English and Reading (testing, college coursework or bachelor's degree)
Course Requirements:
- General Anatomy and Physiology or Anatomy and Physiology 1&2
- General, Organic and Biological Chemistry
- Microbiology or General Microbiology
Testing Requirement: Within four years (2026-2027 applicants = September 1, 2022 to present)
- ATI-TEAS (formerly TEAS-V): Composite score of 58.7%+
- ACT: Composite score of 20+
Questions?
Contact Enrollment Services at EnrollmentServices@madisoncollege.edu or 608.246.6210.
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Transfer Opportunities
UW System Schools
The terms of the B.S in Human Services Leadership agreement are limited to students who complete selective A.A.S degrees and are admitted to the Human Services Leadership at UW-Oshkosh. Students must have a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higherThe terms of the B.S in Leadership & Org Studies agreement are limited to students who complete selective A.A.S or A.A.A. degrees and are admitted to the Organizational Studies emphasis at UW-Oshkosh. Students must have a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higherThis program-to-program articulation agreement between UW-W and WTCS assures the acceptance of an applied associate degree in an allied health clinical and diagnostic field (see APPENDIX A, 60 to 71 credits) from any WTCS institution, into the UW-W Bachelor of Science-Health and Leadership Studies (HeALS) program (minimum 120 credits). Students transferring under the guidelines of this articulation agreement must: have earned an applied associate degree in an allied health program through WTCS with a grade point average of 2.0 or better (on a 4.0 scale) including coursework from other institutions (if appropriate), and according to UW-W repeat policy.Have applied to and are successfully admitted into UW-W (all UW-W application deadlines apply) beginning fall 2025 and any subsequent terms.Wisconsin Private Schools
Students with an AA, AS or AAS are Advanced Core. Advanced Core requires students to have earned at least 60 credits. Students transferring prior to completion or with less than 60 credits are standard core and credits are evaluated course by course.Student who earn an Associate Degree from Madison College can transfer a minimum of 60 credits and a maximum of 72 credits to Lakeland College to be applied to the requirements of the Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Sciences degree.WTCS wide articulation. Dental Hygiene Applied Associate Degree transfers to the Bachelor's in Dental Hygiene Completion.Completion of an A.A.S. Degree at Madison College after 2015, and meeting admission requirements for the Rader School of Business (RSOB) at the Milwaukee School of Engineering (MSOE) can earn a B.B.A degree in Technical Sales at MSOE.Out-of-State Schools
Students who complete any associate degree at Madison Area Technical College will have no additional general education core curriculum requirements to meet but must satisfy the Kirkpatrick Signature Series requirement.Per the agreement, students must complete the associates of arts, associates of science or associates of applied science with an overall GPA of a 2.0 prior to transferring.Students graduating with an associate degree from MATC with a 2.0 GPA or higher are guaranteed admissions into CSU-Global and can transfer up to 64 semester credits from MATC to be applied toward earning a Bachelor’s Degree at CSU-Global.Franklin University will guarantee acceptance of Madison College graduates with an AA, AS, or AAS. Madison College graduates will have junior standing at Franklin University and may transfer up to 94 additional credits toward their baccalaureate degree. -
Career Outcomes
After completing the Dental Hygienist program at Madison Area Technical College, you will be able to:
- Model dental hygiene professional code of ethics
- Counsel clients/patients to reduce health risks
- Provide community oral health services in a variety of settings
- Manage infection and hazard control
- Assess data on all aspects of patient/client health using methods consistent with dental hygienist scope of practice and legal principles
- Formulate a comprehensive dental hygiene care plan in collaboration with the client and other health professionals
- Provide preventive and therapeutic services that promote oral health according to the needs of the patient/client
- Evaluate the effectiveness of the implemented client/patient dental hygiene care plan
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Graduate Summary
Graduate Report Summary Overview
2022 2023 2024 Number of Program Graduates 35 35 40 Number of Surveys Sent 35 35 40 Number of Surveys Returned 24 13 25 Percent of Surveys Returned Available for Employment 22 13 25 Percent Available for Employment 91.7% 100.0% 100.0% Not in Labor Market Percent Not in Labor Market 4.2% 0.0% 0.0% Available for Employment
2022 2023 2024 Graduates Employed 22 12 25 Percent of Graduates Employed 100.0% 92.3% 100.0% Employed in Related Occupation 22 12 24 Percent Employed in Related Occupation 100.0% 100.0% 96.0% Employed in Unrelated Occupation 0 0 0 Percent Employed in Unrelated Occupation 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% Employed - No Response 0 0 1 Percent Employed - No Response 0.0% 0.0% 4.0% Seeking Employment 0 1 0 Percent Seeking Employment 0.0% 7.7% 0.0% Reaction To Training at Madison College
2022 2023 2024 Student satisfaction Mean (Out of 4) 3.6 3.8 3.6 Number of Satisfaction Responses 23 13 25 Very Satisfied (4) 14 10 16 Percent Very Satisfied 60.9% 76.9% 64.0% Satisfied (3) 9 3 9 Percent Satisfied 39.1% 23.1% 36.0% Unsatisfied (2) 0 0 0 Percent Unsatisfied 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% Very Unsatisfied (1) Percent Very Unsatisfied 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% Primary Reason for Attending Madison College
2022 2023 2024 Number of Primary Reason Responses 23 13 25 Preparation for Getting a Job Percent Preparation for Getting a Job Career Change Percent Career Change Improvement of Existing Skills Percent Improvement of Existing Skills Preparation for Further Education Percent Preparation for Further Education Personal Interest Percent Personal Interest Other Percent Other 0.0% 0.0% 4.0% When Employment was Obtained
2022 2023 2024 Number of When Employment Obtained Responses 22 12 24 Before Enrollment 1 1 3 Percent Before Enrollment 4.5% 8.3% 12.5% While Attending the College 9 4 7 Percent While Attending the College 40.9% 33.3% 29.2% After Training at the College 12 7 14 Percent After Training at the College 54.5% 58.3% 58.3% Location of Employment (related and unrelated)
2022 2023 2024 Number of Employment Location Responses 23 12 25 In College District 17 10 19 Percent In College District 73.9% 83.3% 76.0% In Wisconsin, Not in District 4 2 5 Percent of In Wisconsin 17.4% 16.7% 20.0% Outside of Wisconsin 1 0 0 Percent Outside Wisconsin 4.3% 0.0% 0.0% Employer Location Unknown 1 0 1 Percent Location Unknown 4.3% 0.0% 4.0% Salary Trend 2022 2023 2024 Full Time Employment (Related Job) Full Time Salary Count 14 10 17 Average Monthly Wage $6,205 $6,355 $6,786 Average Hourly Wage $36.07 $36.95 $39.45 Average Work Hours per Week 36.7 35.7 36.8 Part Time Employment (Related Job) Part Time Salary Count 7 1 6 Average Hourly Wage $36.43 $50.00 $41.00 Average Work Hours per Week 27.4 31.5 32.0 -
Graduate Employers
Graduate Employers for academic year: 2024 Employer(s) Job Title City* State** Positions Area Dental Dental Hygienist Watertown Artisan Dental Dental Hygienist Aspen Dental Dental Hygienist Eau Claire Black Bridge Family Dental Dental Hygienist Janesville Byce & Worman Family Dentistry Dental Hygienist Children's Dental Center Dental Hygienist Columbus Family Dental Dental Hygienist Columbus Dane Dental Dental Hygienist Stoughton Dental 4 Madison Dental Hygienist Fard Family Dental Dental Hygienist Middleton First Choice Dental Dental Hygienist Waunakee 2 Green Lake Dental Registered Dental Hygienist Green Lake Madison Family Dental Associates Dental Hygienist Madison Lakes Dental Dental Hygienist Madison Smile Solutions Dental Hygienist Mendota Springs Dentistry Dental Hygienist Fitchburg Mueller Graber Dental Dental Hygienist Oregon Parkview Dental Associates Dental Hygienist Sun Prairie RiverTown Dental Dental Hygienist Holmen Seubert Family Dentistry Dental Hygienist Portage Waunakee Family Dentistry Dental Hygienist Waunakee * - Only cities outside of Madison will display.
** - Only states outside of Wisconsin will display.
*** - If you have a position to post, please contact Career and Employment Services at jobpostings@madisoncollege.edu
