MCC’s (DH04) prepares students for licensure and practice as a Registered Dental Hygienist (RDH). Upon successful completion of requirements, students will graduate with an Associate of Applied Science degree and are eligible to take the National Board and regional licensing examinations.

The program is offered in the fall semester only. There are 5 seats available 2025, 2027, 2029.

• Eligible students must reside in Jefferson or Lewis counties.
• Clinical courses will be taken in-person at North Country Family Health Center in Watertown, NY.
• Didactic courses will be taken in the SUNY BrightSpace Learning Management System.

Applicants must meet all admission requirements and apply by the deadline to be eligible for the program (see “How to Apply” at the end of this document).

Admission is competitive; therefore, meeting the minimum admission requirements does not guarantee admission.

Students are strongly encouraged to work with an advisor at Jefferson CC or MCC when planning for this program.

• A minimum grade of C is required in all prerequisite and program coursework. Grading notations that indicate only a passing grade will not count. High school courses must be at least one credit and science courses must include a lab. Equivalent transfer credit is accepted.
• Math: level 6 placement or MTH 096, 098, 099, 104, 160 (or higher).
• Biology: high school biology/living environment or BIO 120, 132/133, 134, 144, or 155
• Chemistry: high school chemistry or CHE 100, 124, 145, or 151
• English: students must be English 101 ready.
• All official transcripts, including high school, AP, IB, CLEP, dual credit, and any previously attended institutions, must be on file with the Admissions office.
• A 2.75 cumulative GPA or a 2.5 cumulative GPA with a 3.0 in any completed quality point classes (MCC Courses: BIO 134/135/144/145/202/217, ENG 101/200, PSY 101, SOC 101 and equivalent courses from Jefferson CC - see below, or other institutions).
• Cumulative GPA is calculated using credit bearing coursework from ALL institutions attended. MCC GPA must be at least a 2.0, even if other coursework meets the requirement.
• NYS residency or, if international, must have resided in NYS for one year.

• When the number of qualified applicants exceeds the number of seats available, a quality point system will be used to determine admission.
• Applicants are awarded quality points based on the grades earned in the classes listed below and are then ranked from highest to lowest number of quality points. The applicants with the highest number of quality points are admitted.
• Mandatory quality point courses must be completed with a C or better prior to the application deadline to count.
• Applicants do not need to have the additional quality point classes completed to apply, but the more they have completed and the higher the grade, the more competitive they will be. Please refer to the quality point chart at the end of this document.
• Anatomy & Physiology quality points are increased by 25%.

The following courses are required prior to admission; equivalent courses from JCC or other institutions will be evaluated. A student entering the program must be ENG 101 ready:

• MCC BIO 134 Essentials of Human Anatomy & Physiology I (3 credits) or BIO 144 Human Anatomy & Physiology I (4 credits) or JCC BIO 251 Anatomy and Physiology I (and lab)
• MCC BIO 135 Essentials of Human Anatomy & Physiology II (3 credits) or BIO 145 Human Anatomy & Physiology II (4 credits) or JCC BIO 252 Anatomy and Physiology II (and lab)
  
• It is recommended to work with an advisor when choosing the Anatomy & Physiology sequence. Given the same grade, MCC BIO 144/145 or JCC BIO 203/204 is worth more quality points than MCC BIO 134/135.
• MCC BIO 202 Microbiology (4 credits) or JCC BIO 202 Microbiology and Lab
• MCC ENG 101 College Composition (3 credits) or ENG 200 Advanced Composition (3 credits) or JCC ENG 101 Research and Composition

The following courses may be taken prior to entry for additional quality points or while in the program and can be taken at MCC online or Jefferson CC.

• MCC BIO 217 Nutrition (3 credits) or JCC BIO 220 Nutrition
• MCC PSY 101 Introduction to Psychological Science (3 credits) or JCC PSY 133 Intro to Psychology
• MCC SOC 101 Intro to Sociology (3 credits) or JCC SOC 144 Intro to Sociology

Additional points are awarded for the following criteria:

• Military Service (current or honorably discharged veteran) – 1 point
• Bachelor’s degree – 1 point
• Master’s degree – 2 points
• Completion of one of MCC’s dental assisting programs (DA01 or DART) – 1 point
• Current NYS licensure as a Registered Dental Assistant (copy of license must be on file with Admissions) – 1 point
• Applicants who provide proof of current NYS licensure as a Registered Dental Assistant may earn an additional two (2) points based on employment. The applicant’s supervising dentist will need to submit a notarized letter indicating that the applicant has worked a minimum of 1000 hours as a NYS licensed Registered Dental Assistant within the past three years. The notarized letter must be submitted to the Admissions Office and be dated prior to the January 31^st application deadline.

Once the top-ranking applicants are admitted, the next group is placed on a waitlist and notified by email of their waitlist number. If any of the admitted students decline their seat, the seat is offered to the next person on the waitlist. The waitlist closes approximately one month prior to the start of the semester and does NOT carry over from year to year. If not admitted, students will be notified when the waitlist closes and must reapply during the next application window.

• Anatomy & Physiology coursework (BIO 134/135 or BIO 144/145 or JCC BIO 203/204) and Microbiology (BIO 202 or JCC BIO 202) must be no more than seven years old at the time of admission.
  
• Students are permitted no more than one unsuccessful attempt in any combination of Anatomy & Physiology coursework within the past seven years (BIO 134, 135, 144, and 145 or JCC BIO 203, 204, and 202). More than one unsuccessful attempt within seven years will result in a student being ineligible for MCC’s program. Unsuccessful attempts include withdrawals, grades of C- or below, or any other unsatisfactory completion. This policy includes attempts at other institutions. Unsuccessful attempts during 2020 (spring, summer, or fall) will NOT be counted due to the pandemic.
• If admitted, all dental hygiene program coursework must be completed with a grade of C or better to remain in the program.
• Admission is conditional on medical clearance and the ability to meet the program's essential functions. More information: Dental Studies Technical Standards & Essential Functions and Health and Wellness.
• If admitted to the program, students must be available to take classes during the day and evening clinical site schedule. Exact schedules are assigned by the Dental Studies Department.
• Admitted students MUST complete CPR for the Health Care Provider (with AED) provided by the American Red Cross or the American Heart Association by August 15th. Online courses not accepted. Course can be arranged on campus during the summer via the Health Professions Department.
• Students are required to recruit patients in order to meet clinical requirements. Clinical sites have patient waitlists to supplement recruitment but cannot be relied upon.
• Students who have previously been matriculated in the Dental Hygiene program at MCC, or at another institution, should refer to the readmission policy in the Dental Hygiene program of study and should speak with an advisor or admissions representative to determine eligibility.