So many teeth, so little time. Sure, a hygienist cleans them – but there’s so much more. Play a vital role in patient health.
dental student working on a patient
40
Recent Graduates
There are 40 recent graduates of this Madison College program.
100%
Student Satisfaction
100% of our recent graduates report they are satisfied with their Madison College education.
$81k
Annual Salary
Our recent graduates of this program reported an average starting salary of $81,432.

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Dental Hygienist
Program Number: 105081
Your Degree:
Associate Degree
Area of Study:
Health Sciences
Delivery Method:
Some Online/Some In Person
Estimated Time to Complete:
70 Credits | Finish degree in 2 years
financial aid icon Financial Aid Available
transfer icon Program Transfers
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What You'll Pay
Use our Net Price Calculator to estimate your tuition costs.
Estimated Program Cost
$15,028.94
Financial Aid
Applying for financial aid and scholarships help you pay for your education.
  • 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

    The Madison College Dental Hygienist program is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA)

    High Demand Program

    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. 

  • 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 Courses
    10-806-177
    4 credits
    10-806-186
    4 credits
    10-806-197
    4 credits
    Summer Semester
    The following must be taken prior to fall/first semester:
    10-508-101
    1 credit
    First Semester
    10-508-102
    4 credits
    10-508-103
    2 credits
    10-508-105
    4 credits
    Second Semester
    10-508-106
    4 credits
    10-508-108
    3 credits
    10-508-109
    1 credit
    10-508-110
    2 credits
    10-508-113
    2 credits
    10-809-198
    3 credits
    10-999-999
    1 credit
    Third Semester
    10-508-111
    3 credits
    10-508-112
    5 credits
    10-508-114
    2 credits
    10-809-196
    3 credits
    Fourth Semester
    10-508-115
    2 credits
    10-508-107
    1 credit
    10-508-117
    4 credits
    10-801-195
    3 credits
    10-801-198
    3 credits
    10-809-188
    3 credits
  • Admission

    To Apply

    Students need to complete the petition process to get into core-program classes for this program. Before submitting an application, it’s important to review the Petition Process webpage which also includes estimated wait times for each program.

    • View the admission requirements for application deadlines, materials, and requirements
       
    • There is currently 3 years between acceptance into pre-program and the start of core classes. The estimated time to enter the core program is subject to change based on the variable number of students ready to petition each semester.
       
    • During the course of the program, you must demonstrate the ability to perform these essential functions safely, reliably and efficiently within the scope of practice. If you need accommodations to help you perform these functions, contact our Disability Resource Services office.
       
    • Learn more about the Madison College experience and get help with the admissions process

    After Acceptance

    Once you have been accepted in a pre-program status, your next step is to complete the Petition Requirements. See the Petition information in the next section.

    Additional Notes

    Students are required to meet the current admission and petition requirements. Requirements are subject to change based on updates to accreditation requirements or Madison College program assessment data.

    apply for admission

    Get Started!

    Apply to Madison College and take the first step towards your Dental Hygienist career.

    It's Free to Apply

  • Petition

    After Admission (Petition Requirements)

    Run a Degree Progress Report to confirm which pre-program requirements are satisfied/not satisfied and specific ways to satisfy requirements.

    Complete the Petition Requirements for Dental Hygienist. Courses must be completed with a grade of C or better. A grade of C- will not be accepted.

    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 (2025-2026 applicants = September 1, 2021 to present)

    • ATI-TEAS (formerly TEAS-V): Composite score of 58.7%+
    • ACT: Composite score of 20+

    Petitioning

    This program petitions for entry into the following term:

    • Fall - Petition window opens on April 1

    Review the Petition Process for details on how and when to petition.

    After Petitioning

    If awarded a seat, you will receive instructions regarding the below required items. If you do not complete the required items, it may result in losing your seat and starting the application process from the beginning. 

    • Healthcare Provider CPR Certification
    • Health Screening Form
    • Background Information Disclosure Form (Criminal Background Check). An acceptable background check is required prior to starting clinical courses.
    • Enrollment in core program courses. Students who are awarded a seat are expected to start the core program courses for the awarded term. Students who choose not to begin the core program courses or are not able to begin core program courses may be discontinued from pre-program status.

    Questions?

    Contact Enrollment Services at EnrollmentServices@madisoncollege.edu or 608.246.6210.

  • 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 higher
    The 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 higher
    This 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
    • Graduate Summary

      Graduate Report Summary Overview

      202220232024
      Number of Program Graduates353540
      Number of Surveys Sent353540
      Number of Surveys Returned241325
      Percent of Surveys Returned
      Available for Employment221325
      Percent Available for Employment91.7%100.0%100.0%
      Not in Labor Market
      Percent Not in Labor Market4.2%0.0%0.0%
      Available for Employment

      202220232024
      Graduates Employed221225
      Percent of Graduates Employed100.0%92.3%100.0%
      Employed in Related Occupation221224
      Percent Employed in Related Occupation100.0%100.0%96.0%
      Employed in Unrelated Occupation000
      Percent Employed in Unrelated Occupation0.0%0.0%0.0%
      Employed - No Response001
      Percent Employed - No Response0.0%0.0%4.0%
      Seeking Employment010
      Percent Seeking Employment0.0%7.7%0.0%
      Reaction To Training at Madison College

      202220232024
      Student satisfaction Mean (Out of 4)3.63.83.6
      Number of Satisfaction Responses231325
      Very Satisfied (4)141016
      Percent Very Satisfied60.9%76.9%64.0%
      Satisfied (3)939
      Percent Satisfied39.1%23.1%36.0%
      Unsatisfied (2)000
      Percent Unsatisfied0.0%0.0%0.0%
      Very Unsatisfied (1)
      Percent Very Unsatisfied0.0%0.0%0.0%
      Primary Reason for Attending Madison College

      202220232024
      Number of Primary Reason Responses231325
      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 Other0.0%0.0%4.0%
      When Employment was Obtained

      202220232024
      Number of When Employment Obtained Responses221224
      Before Enrollment113
      Percent Before Enrollment4.5%8.3%12.5%
      While Attending the College947
      Percent While Attending the College40.9%33.3%29.2%
      After Training at the College12714
      Percent After Training at the College54.5%58.3%58.3%
      Location of Employment (related and unrelated)

      202220232024
      Number of Employment Location Responses231225
      In College District171019
      Percent In College District73.9%83.3%76.0%
      In Wisconsin, Not in District425
      Percent of In Wisconsin17.4%16.7%20.0%
      Outside of Wisconsin100
      Percent Outside Wisconsin4.3%0.0%0.0%
      Employer Location Unknown101
      Percent Location Unknown4.3%0.0%4.0%
      Salary Trend
      Salary Trend202220232024
      Full Time Employment (Related Job)Full Time Salary Count141017
      Average Monthly Wage$6,205$6,355$6,786
      Average Hourly Wage$36.07$36.95$39.45
      Average Work Hours per Week36.735.736.8
      Part Time Employment (Related Job)Part Time Salary Count716
      Average Hourly Wage$36.43$50.00$41.00
      Average Work Hours per Week27.431.532.0
    • Graduate Employers

      Graduate Employers for academic year: 2024
      Employer(s)Job TitleCity*State**Positions
      Area DentalDental HygienistWatertown
      Artisan DentalDental Hygienist
      Aspen DentalDental HygienistEau Claire
      Black Bridge Family DentalDental HygienistJanesville
      Byce & Worman Family DentistryDental Hygienist
      Children's Dental CenterDental Hygienist
      Columbus Family DentalDental HygienistColumbus
      Dane DentalDental HygienistStoughton
      Dental 4 MadisonDental Hygienist
      Fard Family DentalDental HygienistMiddleton
      First Choice DentalDental HygienistWaunakee2
      Green Lake DentalRegistered Dental HygienistGreen Lake
      Madison Family Dental AssociatesDental Hygienist
      Madison Lakes DentalDental Hygienist
      Madison Smile SolutionsDental Hygienist
      Mendota Springs DentistryDental HygienistFitchburg
      Mueller Graber DentalDental HygienistOregon
      Parkview Dental AssociatesDental HygienistSun Prairie
      RiverTown DentalDental HygienistHolmen
      Seubert Family DentistryDental HygienistPortage
      Waunakee Family DentistryDental HygienistWaunakee

      * - 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

Contact the School of Health Sciences

Madison Truax Campus
Health Building, 300

1705 Hoffman Street
Madison, Wisconsin 53704

healthsciences@madisoncollege.edu
608.616.1250

Hours

  • Monday – Thursday: 8 am - 4 pm
  • Friday: 8 am - 12 pm (Help by phone or email)
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