Diploma in Dental Hygiene

Expected duration: 3 years

Licensure information

After successfully passing the National Dental Hygiene Certification Board Examination, graduates in Manitoba must complete the following steps to practice as dental hygienists:

1. Apply to the College of Dental Hygienists of Manitoba for a license to practice.
2. Meet the requirements set by provincial regulatory authorities.

NOTE: The minimum educational credential required for licensure in Manitoba is the Diploma in Dental Hygiene.

Continuing education

Licensed dental hygienists have the opportunity to further their education by completing a Bachelor of Science Degree in Dental Hygiene.

Professional status

Dental hygiene is a self-regulated health service profession. As licensed professionals, dental hygienists operate within a scope of practice defined by provincial legislation.

Sample course offerings

• HYGN 1232: Oral and Dental Anatomy (3 credit hours)
• HYGN 1236: Dental Hygiene Theory and Practice I (4 credit hours)
• HYGN 1270: Biology of the Head and Neck (3 credit hours)
• HYGN 1340: Communications (2 credit hours)
• HYGN 1352: Community Health I (3 credit hours)
• HYGN 2280: Pharmacology (2 credit hours)
• HYGN 2300: Pathology (3 credit hours)
• HYGN 2316: Dental Hygiene Clinical Practice III (4 credit hours)
• HYGN 2370: Nutrition in Dentistry (2 credit hours)
• HYGN 2380: Pain Management (2 credit hours)

For full course descriptions, please visit the Academic Calendar.

Direct entry

Direct entry applicants are those who have not attended a post-secondary institution or have completed fewer than 24 credit hours at a recognized university or college. To qualify as a direct entry applicant, you must meet the following requirements:

Requirements for direct entry applicants

• High school graduation: You must have graduated from a Manitoba high school with 5 full credits at the Grade 12 level in courses designated as S (Senior), G (General), or U (University).
• Minimum average: You need a minimum average of 85% in the following courses, with no less than 60% in each course:
  • English 40S
  • Applied Mathematics 40S or Pre-Calculus Mathematics 40S
  • Chemistry 40S
  • One additional academic 40S course

Note: For more details, you can view the direct entry admission requirements.

Advanced entry

Advanced entry is for applicants who have completed a minimum of 30 credit hours of university-level study, including several required and recommended courses at the University of Manitoba or another recognized post-secondary institution.

Requirements for advanced entry applicants

We encourage you to review the dental hygiene advanced entry admission requirements for details on the following:

• Required courses for admission
• Adjusted Grade Point Average (AGPA) calculation and requirements
• English language proficiency requirements
• Transfer credit
• Applying as a student from another institution

Additional information

For more information, you can view the advanced entry admission requirements.

NOTE: If you do not meet the requirements for direct or advanced entry into the Diploma in Dental Hygiene program, you can apply for admission to University 1, the Faculty of Arts, or another program.

Program inquiries

Dr. Gerald Niznick College of Dentistry – School of Dental Hygiene, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences
Room D212
780 Bannatyne Avenue
University of Manitoba (Bannatyne campus)
Winnipeg, MB R3E 0W2

dent_hygiene@umanitoba.ca
Phone: 204-789-3683
Fax: 204-789-3948