Frequently Asked Questions

Applicants must:

• meet the general admission requirements for the college.
• hold a high school diploma or GED.
• have a cumulative grade point average (GPA) ≥ 2.75 based on the GPA calculated at the most recent institution/college at which you completed at least 12 college credit hours.

If you have not taken 12 college credit hours at any one college by the end of Fall 2025, your high school GPA must be ≥ 2.75.

The following are the prerequisites for Fall 2026 consideration.

Completed by the end of Spring 2026:

• One unit of high school or college chemistry
• BIO 141 Human Anatomy and Physiology I (4 credits with lab)
• SDV 101 Orientation to Health Professions (2 credits)

Completed by the end of Summer 2025:

• BIO 142 Human Anatomy & Physiology II (4 credits with lab)
  Note: BIO 142 is the ONLY prerequisite allowed to be completed in the summer prior to a fall start. BIO 141/142 must be taken within the 5 years prior to the fall semester you are applying for. BIO 231 and BIO 232 with labs are acceptable equivalents.

Each course must be completed with a C or higher.

A high school deficiency in a mathematics course may be satisfied by completing an equivalent or higher-level college course. Sciences must have a lab component.

If your college offers a one-credit SDV 100 and a one-credit SDV 101, we can combine those two courses to equate to the two-credit SDV 101 prerequisite, provided the final grades are a C or higher.  Alternately, if you have completed an Associate degree or higher, upon receipt of the official transcript showing degree completion we can use the previous degree to award credit for prior learning for the two credit SDV prerequisite.

If your college only offers the one-credit SDV, we can use the one credit of SDV and a completed HLT or PED course for the second SDV credit. In addition, several community colleges, including Virginia Western, offer their two credit SDV courses online. You can apply to that college and complete the two credit SDV online.

The total number of qualified applicants considered for admission (including the Joint Venture) for 2024 was 150+. Approximately eighteen (18) students are admitted yearly to the Roanoke Dental Hygiene class, approximately eighteen (18) to the Joint Venture at Laurel Ridge Community College (in even numbered years), and approximately 15-20 to the Joint Venture at Danville Community College (in odd numbered years).

Admissions decisions are based upon:

• academic record and GPA, including science grades (Chemistry and Anatomy and Physiology I)
• TEAS reading comprehension results – the percentile
• previous healthcare experience in dental office.

There is not a waiting list. All applicants who meet the deadline who are minimally qualified and complete the application process will be considered for the program each year.

The curriculum has a heavy emphasis on general and dental hygiene sciences, as well as clinical sessions which demand technical and lecture application skills. All classes included in the AAS Dental Hygiene curriculum must be passed with a grade of C or above to ensure continued enrollment. Continuance in the program is based upon academic criteria and adherence to attendance and other program policies covered at orientation. Satisfactory progress is necessary for eligibility to take licensure examinations.

The Dental Hygiene program utilizes the following grading scale for the DNH courses: A (100-93%); B (92-86%); C (85-77%); D (76-69%); F (≤68%).

Yes. Please refer to the Estimated Cost page for more detailed information.

The CSC: Introduction to Dental Hygiene program consists of specific coursework that is designed to allow applicants to the Dental Hygiene program to complete some of the courses required within the AAS and to offer a job skill option to applicants in case of non-admittance to the program. Not all prerequisite and support classes are included in the CSC. BIO 150 is not included in the CSC and the course options offer either PSY 230 OR PHI 220. 

If you are using financial aid to cover the cost of classes, it will not cover the cost of both PSY 230 and PHI 220 nor will it cover the BIO 150 course.

If you wish to complete those courses prior to entry, you need to plan to pay for those courses out of pocket.  If you are accepted into the AAS Dental Hygiene program, then financial aid will cover those courses.  The plan change for accepted students from the CSC to the AAS typically occurs in late May or early June and will not be effective until the fall term.

Due to the difficulty of the program, some students like to have some of the general support courses (ENG 111, PSY 230, BIO150, and PHI 220) completed prior to beginning the program.

Note: Support courses are not treated as prerequisites and meeting the admission criteria does not guarantee program admission. The HP Program Advisor, Rhonda Perdue, can assist you with course planning. Please direct any inquiries or concerns to healthprofessions@virginiawestern.edu.

Applicants for admission to the dental hygiene program are considered for class positions based on their ability to meet program admission standards, without regard to race, color, sex, age, religion, disability, national origin, or other non-merit factors.

Applicants can complete the GED and submit official scores of the GED to the HPAAO. Applicants can also submit their transcripts to one of the organizations who are members of NACES (National Association of Credential Evaluation Services) and have the official report that verifies completion of United States High School education equivalency sent to the HPAAO. Either the copy of the GED scores or the official report from a NACES organization member must arrive by the application deadline of March 1 to be considered for the fall program. Here is a link to the current members of the NACES.

If you are interested in taking classes to prepare for future entry into the program but you are unsure when you will be eligible, please submit the 2026 Dental Hygiene application with the appropriate transcripts. This will allow us to help you plan and suggest proper courses to begin your studies. The advisor will also evaluate your transcripts for transfer credit and can discuss your placement results.

We have a team of advisors for Health Professions.

• New students should begin with a New Student Advisor in the Enrollment Center.
• Rhonda Perdue is the Health Professions program advisor and provides advising about applying and preparing for health professions programs for continuing Virginia Western Students. Rhonda can assist with career planning and course selection and may be able to assist with preliminary information. You can schedule an appointment with Rhonda Perdue via Navigate.
• Pam Woody or Jasmine Terry will process your academic file and evaluate previously completed coursework after a review of your official transcripts. They will also send the process letter verifying your GPA, prerequisites, and the evaluation of your college course work. 

Submission of all academic materials including application and official transcripts from High School and all colleges attempted should be directed to: Attention: Pam Woody; VWCC; School of Health Professions; 3091 Colonial Avenue, SW; Roanoke VA 24015.

You may also contact the team of advisors at healthprofessions@virginiawestern.edu.

Yes, the 16 hours of observation is still required for those currently working in a dental office. You may observe in the office you are currently practicing; however, the form has has to document the observed procedures and must be signed by a dentist and dental hygienist.  Note: You may submit the Dental Hygiene application prior to the observation form, but everything must be submitted by December 1, 2024.

TEAS is the Test of Essential Academic Skills for Allied Health. The TEAS measures basic essential skills in reading, mathematics, science and English and language usage. We are most interested in the results of the reading comprehension component for Dental Hygiene admission purposes.

Roanoke and Joint Venture TEAS testing is usually conducted mid-March. All qualified early applicants should receive additional details by mid-March 2025 regarding TEAS testing dates. (Danville Community College applicants will be completing the TEAS VII remotely with Virginia Western applicants.)

Applicants can only test once. Those who have applied before and took the TEAS must test again (previous scores cannot be used).

If you completed the TEAS VII after October 1, 2024, you may use your TEAS scores for the fall 2025 admission cycle. You will need to contact ATI and ask for a score transcript to be sent to VA Western CC-AH. Five days after your request, please email Pam Woody at pwoody@virginiawestern.edu to confirm receipt of the TEAS scores from ATI. All previously completed TEAS scores must be received by the HPAAO by the last testing date at Virginia Western, typically in mid-March.

Admission decisions are made by a Dental Hygiene Admissions Committee, which meets near the end of spring semester. Decisions are emailed to applicants as soon as possible, usually mid-to-late May.

Typically your status letter will outline the necessary steps for reapplication to the program. A new application and supporting materials will be required, and any updated transcripts will need to be sent.

Students are responsible for recruiting patient/clients for clinical experiences. Approximately 60 patient/client experiences at specified levels of competency are required for program completion. Resources for client recruitment include:

• previous clinic clients
• students
• college faculty/staff
• Bradley Free Clinic (Roanoke)
• Roanoke Valley Health Department
• friends or family of students

Clinic services are free to the public.

Note: Applicants should be aware that due to the number of students in the program and the number of clinical hours needed, an evening clinical experience may be necessary on a limited basis.

Virginia Western Community College faculty and students must comply with the policies required by clinical facilities with which we have legal agreements. If a student refuses to comply with a clinical facility immunization and vaccination requirement, Virginia Western Community College will attempt, but cannot guarantee, to assign a student to an alternative clinical facility. A student will be placed in an alternative location only if it meets the educational objectives of Virginia Western Community College and program requirements for clinical placement. Faculty also must be available to appropriately supervise students at the clinical facility. Refusal to comply with a clinical facility immunization and vaccination requirement by a student in our health programs may impede your progress in the program or your ability to remain in the program.

Yes! In all 50 states, RDHs are required to pass a regional clinical licensing exam as well as a national written exam. They must also meet additional state requirements in order to obtain a license to work as a RDH. Prospective students should be aware that in Virginia and many other states, a fingerprinting and background check may be part of the licensing process. If students have any concerns regarding possible findings on these reports, they may contact the Virginia Board of Dentistry or the agency of the state in which the prospective student plans to work.