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Oxford College’s 18-month Dental Hygiene diploma at Mississauga and Scarborough campuses is built for people ready to step
into a regulated dental hygiene career.
We have a 20-year track record of training dental professionals. Oxford College’s Dental Hygiene program teaches internationally trained dentists, dental assistants, and healthcare professionals.
HYBRID DELIVERY: THEORY ONLINE, CLINICAL TRAINING IN PERSON.
TWO CAMPUSES: MISSISSAUGA AND SCARBOROUGH.
92.1%
National Dental Hygiene Certification Board (NDHCB) board exam pass rate (2025)
Source: NDHCB, 2025
20 Years
Training dental hygienists at Oxford College
0.5%
Industry unemployment rate vs 7.1% national average
Source: CDHA 2025 Job Market and
Employment Survey, n=3,003.
18 Months
To a diploma
Built for People Ready for a Rewarding Career
This program is for you if:
1. You’re a dental assistant or new to the dental field, you’re already building the patient care and clinical workflow foundation this profession needs, or you’re ready to start. This program is your credentialed step up, from assisting to leading client care as a Registered Dental Hygienist.
2. You’re a mature career changer looking for a credential that leads directly to employment rather than another exploratory program; this is an 18-month commitment that ends in a regulated profession with a 0.5% unemployment rate.
3. You’re a healthcare professional (a nurse, a personal support worker, or a health sciences graduate) looking for a stable, well-paying clinical career with a defined scope and steady demand; dental hygiene offers you career security.
4. You’re an internationally trained dental professional; your clinical knowledge is an asset here. You’ll need to be a Canadian citizen, a permanent resident, or a protected person to register with the College of Dental Hygienists of Ontario (CDHO) and earn your Dental Hygiene credentials, but your existing training gives you a head start.
5. You’re a new graduate, giving you the confidence to start your career. A dentistry background isn’t required.
Why Choose Oxford College’s Dental Hygiene Program
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HYBRID DELIVERY MODEL.- A condensed, full-time program. Theory is taught online. Clinical training happens on campus, at one of two campuses.
- TWO CAMPUSES ACROSS THE GREATER TORONTO AREA.
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- Mississauga and Scarborough, including our new Scarborough facility, which opened in March 2026.
- MULTIPLE INTAKES A YEAR.
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- Cohorts fill every five months. Semester 1 is currently 100% full at both Mississauga and Scarborough.
- OUR ALUMNI COME BACK TO TEACH WITH US
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- We have an average of 1 instructor per 7 students throughout the program.[Anna to Provide]
How Oxford College Compares
You’re comparing a few dental hygiene programs right now. Here’s how we stand out.
| OXFORD COLLEGE |
PUBLIC COLLEGES |
OTHER CAREER COLLEGES |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Duration | 18 months | Up to 36 months | 18 to 22 months |
| Delivery | Hybrid | In-person | Mixed (hybrid and in-person) |
| Campus locations | 2 (Mississauga, Scarborough) |
1 | 1 |
| CDAC accredited | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Years in operation | 20 | 40+ | Varies, 20+ |
| Board exam pass rate published |
92.1% (2025) | Published | Published |
| Tuition transparency | Yes ($39,995, hybrid) | Yes | Inconsistently published |
| Cohort composition | Multicultural, both men and women, equal split, and all ages represented |
Mostly direct-from- high-school entry |
Mixed |
Oxford College is one of the only hybrid dental hygiene programs in this comparison, and the only one offering all four: CDAC accreditation, an 18-month timeline, hybrid delivery, and multiple campus locations.
Outcomes, Faculty, and Alumni
Outcomes
92.1%
NDHCB BOARD EXAM PASS RATE (2025)
91.25%
GRADUATION RATE
Where Our Graduates Work
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Private dental practices- Public health units
- Community dental clinics
- Educational institutions
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- Government agencies
- Long-term care facilities
- Independent dental hygiene practice ownership
- Work internationally (Dubai, UK, Germany, US)
PROGRAM DIRECTOR
Anna Ness, RDH
Program Director
Anna Ness is a Registered Dental Hygienist with more than 15 years of experience spanning private practice, public health, and research.
She is passionate about advancing oral health as an essential component of overall well-being and is dedicated to preparing students to excel not only as skilled clinicians but also as oral health promoters and advocates within their communities.
FACULTY INSTRUCTORS
Zehra Chowdhury
Instructor
Zehra Chowdhury, RDH, MA, BSc, is a dedicated dental hygienist and educator based in Toronto, with over a decade of experience in clinical practice and education.
As a didactic, laboratory, and clinical dental hygiene instructor, she is passionate about mentoring future dental professionals and takes great pride in seeing her students grow into confident, skilled clinicians. Zehra holds a Master of Arts in Oral Health Promotion and is committed to advancing dental hygiene education and the quality of patient care.
FACULTY INSTRUCTORS
Nicole Lee
Instructor, Oxford College Dental Hygiene Program Alumna
Nicole Lee is a proud Oxford College alumna with 8 years of experience in the dental hygiene profession. As a clinical and theoretical dental hygiene instructor, she is enthusiastic about giving back to the school that helped shape her own career.
Nicole is passionate about supporting students, sharing real-world clinical experiences, and helping future dental hygienists feel confident and prepared as they enter the profession. She truly enjoys watching students grow throughout their education and looks forward to continuing to inspire the next generation of dental hygienists!
Graduates Like You
The 18-Month Path to Become A Registered Dental Hygienist
The program runs four semesters over 18 months, including online theory with in-person clinical and lab training at one of our two campuses.
FOUNDATIONS AND APPLIED PRACTICE
SEMESTERS 1 TO 3:
Foundational and applied coursework is delivered online, paired with in-person clinical and lab sessions.
The student-to-instructor ratio is 1:8 at this stage.
Direct client care begins in Semester 3.
PREP FOR ENTRY TO PRACTICE
SEMESTER 4:
Continued clinical training with a 1:7 student-to-instructor ratio, concentrated client-care hours, and preparation for the national board exam.
Advanced theory courses and additional concentrated client-care hours prepare you for board exam success and entry into practice.
TOTAL PROGRAM HOURS:
Total program hours: 1,878
Total client care hours: Over 506 hours
Clinical practice hours by semester:
- Semester 1: 96 hours
- Semester 2: 124 hours
AFTER GRADUATION:
Eligible to write the NDHCB exam, with up to three attempts permitted.
A pass qualifies you for the College of Dental Hygienists of Ontario (CDHO) registration, the credential required to practice as a Registered Dental Hygienist in Ontario.
DURATION
18 months, four semesters
CAMPUSES
Mississauga and Scarborough
CREDENTIAL
Diploma
ACCREDITATION
Commission on Dental Accreditation of Canada (CDAC)
DELIVERY
Hybrid (online theory, in-person clinical and lab)
What You Need to Know Before You Apply
“Is 18 months realistic? Can I work while studying?”
The program is hybrid: theory is taught online, and clinical training takes place in person at Mississauga or Scarborough. It runs on a fixed, intensive schedule, so this is a serious credential, not a part-time exploration.
“Will I pass the board exam?”
Our NDHCB board exam pass rate was 92.1% in 2025.
Cohort intensity and a 1:6 student-to-instructor ratio across Semesters 1 to 3 support that result. Up to three exam attempts are permitted.
“What does the career look like?”
Graduates work internationally in Dubai, the UK, Germany, and the US. They also work in public health units, community dental clinics, educational institutions, and long-term care facilities.
Some go on to own independent dental hygiene practices. The industry unemployment rate is 0.5% (vs. 7.1% national average; CDHA 2025), and the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP) is expanding demand for preventive care.
Ready to Take the Next Step?
THIS IS A FULL-TIME, 18-MONTH HYBRID PROGRAM AT MISSISSAUGA OR SCARBOROUGH.
What happens after you submit the form:
An Oxford College advisor will follow up within 24 hours to walk you through admission requirements, program dates, and financial aid options.
Frequently Asked Questions
Applicants need an Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) with Grade 11 Math, Grade 11 or 12 Biology, and Grade 12 English (or Mature Student Status with Wonderlic).
An Admissions Examination, Dental Office Observation, current immunization, and a clear CPIC (Canadian Police Information Centre) check are also required.
Dental hygienists are regulated healthcare professionals who provide preventative and therapeutic care, including scaling, root planing, and independent client assessment, under the Dental Hygiene Act, 1991.
Dental assistants support clinical procedures under the supervision of a dentist or dental hygienist. Oxford College’s Dental Hygiene program is a credentialed step up for dental assistants moving into the regulated hygienist role.
The median annual salary for dental hygienists in Ontario is $76,960, with a range from $54,205 to $91,520 (Source: Job Bank, Government of Canada).
Nationally, the average hourly wage is $54.85, up 37% since 2013. Ontario’s mean hourly wage is $50.77, with a median of $50.00 (Source: Canadian Dental Hygienists Association (CDHA) 2025 Job Market & Employment Survey).
The program is hybrid: theory is taught online, and clinical training takes place in person at our Mississauga or Scarborough campus. It runs on a fixed, full-time schedule over 18 months and four semesters.
Tuition is $39,995 for the hybrid delivery model, with an estimated $2,690 in books and $6,620 in other fees, bringing the approximate total domestic program cost to $49,305. International students pay an additional fee of approximately $9,999.
Financial aid options include OSAP, Second Career (up to $28,000 for eligible career changers), monthly payment plans, and support from a Financial Aid Advisor.
Oxford College’s NDHCB (National Dental Hygiene Certification Board) exam pass rate was 92.1% in 2025. Students are permitted up to three exam attempts.
Yes. Your clinical background is an advantage in this program. To register with the CDHO (College of Dental Hygienists of Ontario) after graduation, you must be a Canadian citizen, a permanent resident, or a protected person.
Graduates work internationally in Dubai, the UK, Germany, and the US. They also work in public health units, community dental clinics, educational institutions, and long-term care facilities.
The industry unemployment rate is 0.5% (vs. 7.1% national average; CDHA 2025), and demand for preventive care is expanding under the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP).
No. Becoming a dentist or dental surgeon requires completing a separate Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) program. A Dental Hygiene diploma does not lead directly to a dentistry credential.