Amarillo College's Dental Hygiene A.A.S. prepares students for dental hygiene licensure through coursework and supervised clinical care. Applicants complete science prerequisites, take the TEAS, and follow the program's observation and application instructions. Top-ranked applicants are invited to take Casper before final offers are made.
- Program
- Dental Hygiene A.A.S.
- Credential
- A.A.S.
- Location
- Amarillo, Texas, United States
- Casper
- Required
- Seats
- 24 students
- Length
- Five program semesters (fall, spring, summer, fall, and spring) after prerequisite coursework
Casper Requirement for Amarillo College Dental Hygiene
Amarillo College Dental Hygiene requires Casper for the 2026-2027 cycle.
- Languages
- English
Check available Casper test dates in your Acuity Insights account at takecasper.com.
Casper is required only if the admissions committee invites you after initial application and TEAS scoring. Invited applicants receive registration instructions from the program; applicants who are not invited do not take Casper.
Casper format
Casper is an online, open-response situational judgment test run by Acuity Insights. The current format has 11 scenarios (4 video-response and 7 typed-response) with 2 questions each and takes about 65 to 85 minutes, including optional breaks. Typed-response scenarios allow 3.5 minutes to answer both questions.
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Amarillo College Dental Hygiene Application Deadlines 2026-2027
- Apply through
- Amarillo College Health Science online application, after applying to Amarillo College for general admission
Amarillo College Dental Hygiene Admissions Statistics
Period: Annual program intake
- Seats / class size: 24 students
Seats are limited.
Eligibility Requirements for Amarillo College Dental Hygiene
- Degree / credits
High school diploma or GED
- Residency
Amarillo College publishes in-district, out-of-district, and out-of-state or foreign tuition rates.
Applicants must be at least 18 years of age.
Other requirements
- Health Science information session: Attend an application-process information session.
- Technical standards: Meet the Dental Hygiene Program's technical standards and essential functions.
- Requirements after acceptance: Complete a criminal background check, drug screening, required immunizations, and program compliance requirements before entering clinical training.
Selection Factors Amarillo College Considers
Prerequisites
| Course | Requirement |
|---|---|
| BIOL 2401 Anatomy and Physiology I | required Complete before applying; grade earns admission points. |
| BIOL 2402 Anatomy and Physiology II | required Complete before applying; grade earns admission points. |
| BIOL 2420 Microbiology for Non-Science Majors | required Complete before applying; grade earns admission points. |
| CHEM 1405 Introductory Chemistry I | required Complete before applying; grade earns admission points. Accepted substitutions: CHEM 1406, 1411, 1412, 2423, or 2425. |
| HITT 1205 Medical Terminology I | required Required before entering the program; does not earn admission points. |
GPA
- Minimum
- 2.5 cumulative GPA
- Competitive
- Amarillo College advises that a prerequisite GPA of approximately 3.5 may be needed to compete; this is not the application minimum.
Science prerequisite grades earn admission points.
Admissions tests
- ATI TEAS Version 7 (required): Take the TEAS. Scores used for ranking must be from an exam taken within 12 months of the application deadline; Science, Reading, Math, and English and Language Usage earn admission points.
Experience and volunteer hours
Required.
Complete two full-day dental hygiene observations totaling at least 16 hours before applying. Both days may be at one office, but not an office where you work. Hours are valid for one year; submit the signed Observation Verification Form. Completion earns two admission points. Prior dental-assisting experience does not earn admission points.
Supplementary application
Submit the separate Health Science application. Send transcripts from other colleges to the AC Registrar for evaluation; courses still in progress at application do not earn points.
How applicants are ranked
Applicants receive points for four science prerequisite grades (up to 40), TEAS sections (up to 26), and additional criteria (up to 7). The top 48 advance to Casper, worth up to 20 points. Combined scores determine the 24 admission offers; a prior associate degree or higher, recent alternate-candidate status, observations, and a program information session can earn additional points.
Interview Format at Amarillo College
The admissions process describes an invitation to Casper for top-ranked applicants; it does not list a separate interview.
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Start Practicing FreeCurriculum at Amarillo College Dental Hygiene
- Program length
- Five program semesters (fall, spring, summer, fall, and spring) after prerequisite coursework
- Structure
Blends classroom instruction with clinical practice. Competency-based assessments ensure readiness for national boards.
- Campuses
- Amarillo
The program map lists 68 semester hours across prerequisites and program coursework, plus the college's 1-credit EDUC 1100 institutional requirement. Courses include dental radiology, periodontology, community dentistry, and four clinical courses.
Campus and facilities
Located in Amarillo, Texas, with modern dental hygiene clinics for hands-on training. Facilities support simulation and patient care, with affiliations providing diverse clinical rotations. The campus dental hygiene lab includes equipment such as intraoral cameras and scaling units.
Tuition and Funding at Amarillo College
- District resident, 12 credit hours: $1,068 tuition and basic fees
- Out-of-district resident, 12 credit hours: $1,584 tuition and basic fees
- Out-of-state or foreign student, 12 credit hours: $2,352 tuition and basic fees
Budget beyond tuition for approximately $7,500 in dental instruments, approximately $2,200 in textbooks and software, uniforms, program certifications and training, and licensure examinations.
Amarillo College's Mission and Values
Amarillo College Dental Hygiene Program provides quality technical education leading students toward the profession of Dental Hygiene.
Amarillo College Dental Hygiene Program provides quality technical education leading students toward the profession of Dental Hygiene.
What Applicants Are Saying
Students report that the program culture fosters direct patient interaction from early stages, with senior students seeking community patients for deep cleanings to meet clinical requirements. Students note that observation hours expose you to clinical realities, like patient assessments, without prior experience needed—many enter with zero dental background. Matriculated students describe real-world application, treating community patients needing deep cleanings during senior year to fulfill clinical board requirements. Students report intensive clinicals build confidence quickly, with opportunities to serve locals via pro bono deep cleanings. Classmates range from novices to dental assistants. The program culture emphasizes community impact, as seen in student posts seeking patients for board exams.
Shared by applicants and students on forums and communities. It is anecdotal, not official program information.
How to Prepare Your Amarillo College Dental Hygiene Application
- Complete the four science prerequisites and plan for Medical Terminology.
- Complete and document two full-day dental hygiene observations.
- Apply to Amarillo College and arrange evaluation of outside transcripts.
- Attend a Health Science information session; consider a Dental Hygiene information session for an admission point.
- Prepare for the ATI TEAS Version 7.
- If invited after initial ranking, register for and complete Casper.
- Submit the Health Science application and monitor your AC email.
More About Amarillo College Dental Hygiene
- Program map hours
68 semester hours
- Institutional requirement
EDUC 1100 First-Year Seminar, 1 credit hour
- Program semesters
Five after prerequisites
Frequently Asked Questions About Amarillo College Dental Hygiene
Does Amarillo College Dental Hygiene require Casper?
Casper is required if you are among the top-ranked applicants invited to the final selection stage. The program sends invited applicants registration instructions; other applicants do not take it.
What are the GPA requirements for Amarillo College Dental Hygiene?
The minimum is a 2.5 cumulative GPA. AC advises that a prerequisite GPA around 3.5 may be needed to compete.
Is prior dental experience needed for Amarillo College Dental Hygiene?
Prior dental-assisting experience earns no admission points. Follow the program's instructions for two full-day dental hygiene observations totaling at least 16 hours.
What entrance exam does Amarillo College Dental Hygiene use?
Applicants take the ATI TEAS Version 7. HESI A2 is not listed as an alternative entrance exam.
How competitive is Amarillo College Dental Hygiene admissions?
AC accepts 24 students annually. Initial points determine which 48 applicants advance to Casper; combined points determine offers.
What is the curriculum length at Amarillo College Dental Hygiene?
After prerequisites, the program map schedules five semesters of coursework and clinical training.
Can international students apply to Amarillo College Dental Hygiene?
Amarillo College publishes a foreign-student tuition rate; ask the college about your admission and residency classification.
Does Amarillo College Dental Hygiene have interviews?
The published selection process lists Casper for invited applicants but does not list a separate interview.
Sources
- AC Dental Hygiene
- Steps to Apply
- Application Considerations
- Application Process FAQ
- Prerequisites FAQ
- Misc FAQ
- AC Dental Hygiene Program Map 2026-2027
- Tuition & Basic Fees
Last updated: September 26, 2026