For the past four years, 100 percent of SUNY Orange’s Dental Hygiene program graduates who sought licensure have successfully passed their national and clinical board examinations. This milestone reflects the program’s academic rigor and student success.

During that time, 70 graduates have entered the profession equipped with the knowledge, clinical experience and compassionate patient care skills needed to succeed in today’s dental workforce.

The Dental Hygiene program accepts only 20 students each Fall semester and requires applicants to meet strict admissions standards, including passing a criminal background check and drug testing and maintaining a minimum GPA of 2.5. However, because of the competitive application process, most students enter the program with GPAs between 3.2 and 3.7. Most recently, World Impact Scholar and Phi Theta Kappa member Olena-Yullia Nakonechna was accepted into the program and is looking forward to completing her education at SUNY Orange.

The National Board Dental Hygiene Examination assesses a candidate’s ability to apply learned information through a problem-solving-based exam. The American Board of Dental Examiners administers a nationally recognized licensure exam for dental hygienists. Passing both exams is required to work in the dental hygiene field.

Accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association, the SUNY Orange Dental Hygiene program was established in 1977 and offers a dental clinic on the College’s Middletown campus that is open to the community. The state-of-the-art facility offers a range of services, including dental cleanings, exams, radiographs, and sealants.

The Dental Hygiene program at SUNY Orange has selective admission. To learn more about pursuing this degree, visit www.sunyorange.edu/dentalhygiene, contact an admissions counselor at (845) 341-4030 or email apply@sunyorange.edu.