Toronto College of Dental Hygiene & Auxiliaries Information and FAQs

Is the Dental Hygiene program offered at the TCDHA Accredited?

The Dental Hygiene program offered at TCDHA is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of Canada since 2004.

Students that graduate from the  Dental Hygiene Program  may apply to write the National Dental Hygiene Certification Examination with the Federation of Dental Hygiene Regulators of Canada (FDHRC). Students do not need to take a practical examination. Once the student successfully passes this National examination, they may apply for their registration with the College of Dental Hygienists of Ontario. They may also choose to register with a regulatory body in another province or other country. Applicants must meet all of the regulatory body’s requirements prior to registration in Ontario, in other provinces or other countries.

Graduates may also choose to write the American National Board Exam. Applicants would need to meet all of the American National Board Exam requirements to be eligible.

How do I purchase a transcript?

If you would like to purchase an additional Transcript please fill out the attached form from the link below and submit the form along with a valid piece of Government Issued photo ID to Transcripts@toronto-college-dental.org. The fee for Additional Transcripts is $20.00 (all credit card payments will be charged an additional 4% processing fee totally $20.80). Debit payment must be made in person.
Credit Card Authorization Form

Do we receive a certificate or a diploma once we complete the program at the TCDHA?

Upon successfully completing the program offered at the TCDHA the student will receive an official diploma.

How long is the Dental Hygiene program offered at the TCDHA?

The Dental Hygiene program offered at the TCDHA is 18 months in duration. The program is divided into four semesters with one week off in between semesters.

Students that attend our program appreciate the fact that they are able to finish the program in a short period of time so that they can begin working as a dental hygienist.

The reason that students are able to complete the program in 18 months is a result of not taking extensive summer vacations or holidays.

Does everyone write the National Dental Hygiene Certification Board Exam (NDHCB)?

Yes, all graduates of the Dental Hygiene programs across Canada will write the same “Board Exam” regardless of which province they graduate from.

Are there fees associated with writing the NDHCB exam?

Yes, there is a fee associated with writing the NDHCB exam and is the full responsibility of the student separate of the fees payable to the TCDHA for the dental hygiene program. The fees are determined by the NDHCB and may change annually.

Does the program offer any scheduled breaks and or holidays?

The Dental Hygiene program runs continuous for the 18 months. There is a one week break given in between each of the 4 semesters to the students - 3 weeks in total. If the program runs during the Christmas holidays then the students will be given additional time off for Christmas and New Year’s Day.

What is the cost of the program offered at the TCDHA?

The total program cost is $55,575.00. This includes everything from tuition, textbooks, insurance, instruments and clinical fees.

Does the College have payment options?

Toronto College of Dental Hygiene and Auxiliaries Inc. accepts monthly payments as an option to assist the student with their finances during the program.

Does the Toronto College of Dental Hygiene and Auxiliaries accept Student Loans?

YES! All Provincial Students Loans across Canada are available as an option of payment at TCDHA.

Student Loan options in other Provinces and Territories

Students enrolled in the Dental Hygiene Program may be eligible, if qualified, for loans, grants, or awards granted under the Ontario Students Assistance Program (OSAP). Financial assistance may be available for those who qualify. The OSAP website is as follows: https://osap.gov.on.ca/OSAPPortal

The National Student Loans Service Centre address is as follows:
P.O. Box 4030, Mississauga, Ontario L5A 4M4

Please visit the OSAP website to get an estimate to see if and how much you would be eligible for.

When on the OSAP website you will notice that we are not on their dropdown list. Once you click that we are not on the list a box will appear. However, if you type in “Toronto Coll” you will be connected to our programs offered at TCDHA.

Second Career Funding from the Ontario Government may be another form of funding your payment.
Native Status in Canada may also be a payment option.

Does the College assist students with bank loans or line of credit applications?

YES! There are several financial institutions that will assist students with student loans and student line of credits.

Please call the Toronto College of Dental Hygiene and Auxiliaries Inc. and one of our friendly admission staff will be more than happy to assist you with all of the financial options that may be available to you. Please call 416-423-3099 or toll free at 1-866-923-3099

Are there any hidden fees that we should be aware of at the TCDHA?

There are no hidden fees at the TCDHA. We believe that the student should know what their financial situation is well in advance so that they can prepare themselves for the financial commitment of the dental hygiene program.

What is the admission process?

The candidate must ensure that an original copy of their Canadian high school transcript or a completed Canadian public College diploma/University degree transcript or documentation of equivalency* is provided to the College.

*Qualified academic credential assessment can be submitted as an alternative for those who have been educated outside of Canada. Please check the link provided for more information to show equivalency (http://www.cicic.ca/415/credential-assessment-services.canada)

Are You A Mature Student? Applicants that are applying as a Mature Student who are over the age of 18 year of age and lack a high school diploma or equivalent (as discussed above) must successfully pass the Superintendents approved qualifying test which is called the Canadian Achievement Survey Test at Toronto College of Dental Hygiene and Auxiliaries Inc. Valid identification must be provided to show prove the age requirement.

The mandatory pre-admission test, an interview and entry requirements applies to all applicants.

The applicant must fill out an application form and must successfully achieve a 70% on the entrance exam in order to be granted an interview. During the interview the student will be asked a set series of questions to determine if the student can communicate in and comprehend the English language and will determine if the individual will be likely to succeed in this program.

Please call today 416-423-3099 or toll free 1-866-923-3099 for additional information.

Is there a fee associated with the admission process?

No! The admission process is FREE!

What should I expect on the Entrance Examination?

The pre-admission test consists of 48 multiple choice type questions and includes the following:

  • 25 Marks - English: this includes vocabulary, grammar & reading comprehension
  • 12 Marks - Written Component
  • 8 Marks - Spatial relations
  • 15 Marks - Biology

Applicants should contact The Toronto College of Dental Hygiene and Auxiliaries Inc. for test information and dates.

There are no fees associated with the mandatory pre-admission testing.

Spatial relation type questions can be found in the “DAT” books that Dentists may study from prior to getting accepted into the dentistry program. The section on basic biology is equivalent to grade 11 or 12 science which is offered in Ontario High schools.

Sample questions are available by contacting our Admissions department

How many students are accepted into the dental hygiene program?

There are 182 students that are accepted into the dental hygiene program offered at the TCDHA.

When the students participate in a clinical or hands on component, the students are split up into smaller groups.

In the client clinic there are 1 Instructors for 6 students

Does the Dental Hygiene program accept many out of province students?

Yes, TCDHA accepts students from all across Canada. TCDHA understands that there is a lot of planning involved with attending the dental hygiene program away from home. The admission staff will assist the applicant throughout the entire process until arrival to the College.

How many dental chairs does your facility have?

The Toronto College of Dental Hygiene and Auxiliaries Inc. has a total of 121 dental ops / chairs, 18 of them with x- rays. At the college we also have 3 digital panoramic x-ray machine.

This allows each student to gain access to their own dental chair.

The Dental Hygiene Clinic is 100% paperless using all the latest technology that a modern dental office would use. This includes digital photography, digital x-rays, digital Panoramic x-ray machine, 3D Consult-Pro patient education software to educate the patients, signature pads and fingerprint scanners. Each dental chair is equipped with its own computer.

Do I need university courses to be accepted to the program?

There are many provinces and/or states that require the students to have their first year university transfer courses. If a student attends the Dental Hygiene program at the TCDHA in Ontario, then the student is not required to take their first year university transfer courses prior to applying. In Ontario, the Dental Hygiene programs are considered direct entry programs meaning that the applicant can apply directly from high school and does not need any university prerequisites.

How do I get my Dental Hygiene Registration?

The student would attend the Dental Hygiene program and after successfully completing the program would be offered an official diploma from our accredited program. The individual would then be required to successfully complete the National Dental Hygiene Certification Board Exam

The graduate could register within the College of Dental Hygienists of Ontario to get their dental hygiene registration (if they meet all the requirements of registration) or they could return to their province or state and apply for their dental hygiene registration in the province or state that they would like to practice.

TCDHA has many students that have applied from all across Canada. Once they complete our program and receive their diploma, they must still successfully write and pass the National Board exam. They may then return to their province to commence the process of registration.

Does the College assist with Employment Assistance and Counseling?

Yes, TCDHA provides assistance and/or counseling with job placement in the following ways:

  • TCDHA maintains alumni information and notifies former graduates of potential job opportunities through e-mail
  • TCDHA assists student with resume writing, interview techniques, soft skills, and job preparation skills
  • TCDHA allows students to utilize the facilities to contact potential employers and print resumes
  • TCDHA provides reference letters for their graduates

Toronto College of Dental Hygiene and Auxiliaries Inc. does not guarantee employment for any student who successfully completes a vocational program offered at Toronto College of Dental Hygiene and Auxiliaries Inc.

How do I get additional information?

Please call 416-423-3099 or 1-866-923-3099 (toll free) to speak to an admissions coordinator. We recommend, if possible, to schedule an individualized tour and test date today. One of our friendly admission staff will be happy to assist you throughout the admissions process.

Currently, TCDHA is offering FREE admissions testing to applicants that apply to the program.