Dental care provides prevention and treatment of oral diseases such as tooth decay and gum disease. Dental hygienists and assistants are part of the dental team, using specialized skills to help treat patients.
Greenville Technical College’s highly regarded dental program produces dental assistants and hygienists who are well-prepared for the workforce, thanks to a combination of classroom instruction, technology that supports what they are learning, and hands-on experiences. In a simulation lab, students practice hand instrumentation on dental tooth models, which provides excellent experience prior to treating patients. Human patient simulators in the college’s Simulation Technologies and Training Center help prepare graduates to handle the unexpected, as they practice responses to patient emergency situations.
Work in the college’s 33-chair public Dental Hygiene Clinic reinforces skills learned in the classroom and gives students real-world experience in order to enter the workforce with confidence as it provides for the dental health needs of the community. Overseen by a team of highly qualified faculty members, the clinic is equipped with computers in each operatory for patient records management, digital x-rays, intra-oral cameras, and ultrasonic scalers.
If you're seeking a career in a high-demand field, we can help make your education even more affordable.
The Career Pathways Scholarship may cover the cost of tuition, fees and books if you're enrolled in a qualifying program at GTC.
Please note: Pre-Health Sciences students who are currently enrolled as Associate in Science students are not eligible for the scholarship until they are accepted and enrolled into the School of Health Sciences program they have selected.
The demand for dental services continues to grow. With the success of preventive dentistry in reducing the incidence of oral disease, older adults retain their teeth longer and are even more aware of the importance of regular dental care. Dentists need more help than ever to meet the increased demand for dental services.
National Outlook
National employment statistics and employment expectations are available through the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
WHAT YOU'LL LEARN IN THE PROGRAM
Classroom instruction, technology, and hands-on experiences help students learn
The Greenville Technical College Dental programs are accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA).
The Dental Assisting and Dental Hygiene programs are in good standing and accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation. The programs were reaffirmed in 2022 and are fully accredited.
Commission on Dental Accreditation - Third Party Comments Form
Credentialing Exams
Each state has specific regulations regarding the responsibilities of the dental hygienist, and duties vary from one dental office to another. Hygiene graduates are eligible to sit for the Dental Hygiene National Board exam and state licensure exams. In South Carolina, a dental hygienist must be a graduate of an accredited dental hygiene school and must pass the National Board Exam and a state certification exam.
Professional Licensure and Certification Requirements
Students who are considering an academic program that may allow them to pursue professional licensure in another state are strongly encouraged to check that state’s information and contact the appropriate licensing agency for additional information and guidance before beginning the program.
Dental Hygiene information by state »
Expanded Duty Dental Assisting information by state »
Greenville Technical College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award associate and baccalaureate degrees. Degree-granting institutions also may offer credentials such as certificates and diplomas at approved degree levels.
Questions about the accreditation of Greenville Technical College may be directed in writing to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, GA 30033-4097, by calling 404-679-4500, or by using information available on SACSCOC’s website (www.sacscoc.org).
Dental Hygiene
Associate in Applied Science
This program trains students to educate patients on proper oral health care procedures, maintain patient recare systems, and expose and process x-rays. Community service is a major component.
The program is taught in two phases.
Graduates are eligible to sit for the Dental Hygiene National Board exam and a regional or state practical exam.
Dental Hygiene program details from our current catalog »
Students working toward acceptance in select Health Sciences programs are now classified as an Associate in Science major. Want to know more? Check out our FAQ section.
Expanded Duty Dental Assisting
Diploma in Applied Science
This 12-month program prepares students to work as clinical assistants, receiving and preparing patients for dental treatment; assisting chairside, taking x-rays, making temporary crowns and pouring/trimming impressions for study models. The program also includes office management skills such as making appointments, maintaining patient records, filing, and client services.
Phase I includes most of the general education and related course work and may be completed at Greenville Technical College or at any articulating college.
Phase II Clinical Experience Spring and Summer semesters are held off-campus at Greenville County dental offices.
Classes begin in the Fall Semester, with classes, labs, and clinics held on the Barton Campus days and some courses offered evenings.
Completion of the EDDA program leads to Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) certification from the Dental Assisting National Board. Dental Assisting students must pass all three parts of the Dental Assisting National Board while in the program.
Click the program below to view the ideal grouping of courses in order by semester. This plan assumes a full-time schedule. Note, however, that many variables can affect this plan, and not every course is offered every semester. Please see your advisor to map out your own personalized progression toward graduation.
In addition to the Greenville Technical College admissions process outlined in these Enrollment Steps, students interested in the dental assisting and hygiene programs must also:
The Dental programs strictly adhere to all the School of Health Sciences policies, which are detailed on the Health Sciences admissions information page.
Participating in a Career Talk session for your program is a requirement for all Health Sciences students. Career Talk is an information session that covers all program information, the admissions process and all aspects of the career. Due to the complex nature of the weighted admissions process, students are encouraged to review the career talk as soon as they have an interest in the program to make sure they have a clear understanding of the career and the acceptance process.
View the Dental Programs Career Talk (pdf) »
The application submission process for GTC's Dental programs is now electronic. The electronic application will only be accessible during the application acceptance period, January 15 - May 1. Applications are not accepted during any other timeframe and must be submitted electronically by 11:59 p.m. on May 1.
FOR IMPORTANT CHANGES COMING TO SCHOOL OF HEALTH SCIENCES WEIGHTED ADMISSIONS FORMS, visit Health Sciences Program Admissions.
Dental Hygiene Weighted Admission Form
To submit an application, you must log in using your GTC student access.
Access the Dental Hygiene Weighted Admission form »
Dental Assisting Weighted Admission Form
To submit an application, you must log in using your GTC student access.
Access the Expanded Duty Dental Assisting Weighted Admission form »
The Dental Hygiene program is designed as a two-phase program, where Phase I includes your general education and related courses, which may be taken at Greenville Technical College or any articulating college.
Upon successful completion of Phase I, qualified students are eligible to apply for Phase II of the Dental Hygiene program January 15 through May 1.
Admission into the Greenville Technical College Dental Hygiene Phase I program does not guarantee admission into Phase II of the program. Phase II admission is competitive, based on weighted admission scores and the relative scores of the applicant pool each year.
Prospective dental hygiene students are invited to join an upcoming live virtual information session hosted by Dr. Kathryn Freedman, Academic Program Director for Dental Hygiene and Supervising Dentist. This session will provide an overview of the program and address the most frequently asked questions.
To participate in the next session, please email DHGAdmissions@gvltec.edu with the subject line: “Interested in DHG”
The Dental Assisting program is a 12-month program, with certain prerequisite courses. Admission is competitive, based on weighted admission scores and the relative scores of the applicant pool each year. Qualified students are eligible to apply for the Dental Assisting program January 15 through May 1.
Dental Hygiene Academic Program Director
Dr. Kathryn Freedman | Kathryn.Freedman@gvltec.edu | 864-250-8712
Dental Assisting Academic Program Director
Michelle Ashley | Michelle.Ashley@gvltec.edu | 864-250-8234
Instructors
Tiffany Carter
Lauren Cisternino
Debra Grubbs
Martha Macaluso
Renee Nelson
Camela Sowers