According to Mississippi State Law, an individual may not be eligible for employment in a health care agency if the person has ever been convicted of a felony, or plead guilty to, or plead nolo contendere to a felony of possession or sale of drugs, murder, manslaughter, armed robbery, rape, sexual battery, sex offense listed in Section 45-33-23(h), child abuse, arson, grand larceny, burglary, gratification of lust or aggravated assault, of felonious abuse and/or battery of a vulnerable adult.

Applicants must:

• Meet general admission requirements.

• Be a high school graduate or have a satisfactory high school equivalency test score (GED or HiSET).

• Have a minimum ACT score of 18 (15 if taken before October 28, 1989) if entering college for the first time OR a minimum ACT score of 16 to 17 (12 to 14 if taken before October 28, 1989) and have completed at least 12 semester hours with a “C” average or better in courses approved by the DH program.

• Take the TEAS entrance test at the applicant’s own expense. The TEAS test will be remote proctored, must be taken within the last 18 months and can only be taken 2 times 45 days apart during the application year. The TEAS test must be taken prior to application deadline and must be submitted to MDCC, not the student.

• Must be 18 years of age by start of the program

• Observe in the MDCC Dental Hygiene Clinic. 

1. ALL Applicants must FIRST log on to the MDCC website at www.msdelta.edu to submit an online application for admission/readmission to the school.  Please click the APPLY button on the home page of the website and complete all required fields.  No applicant will be considered for admission into a health science program without first applying to MDCC.  You may receive future correspondence from the Office of Admissions regarding your admissions status to MDCC.
   • If you attended MDCC previously, but are not currently enrolled, you will need to complete this step first.
   • If you are currently enrolled at MDCC, you DO NOT need to do this step.
2. E-Script or mail OFFICIAL transcripts to the MDCC Office of Admission.  All transcripts must be on file by March 1.
3. Submit ACT scores to the MDCC Office of Admission.  (*NOTE* ACT scores are NOT recorded on transcripts from colleges or universities.  It is the student’s responsibility to submit these scores.)
4. Complete the “Dental Hygiene Technology Application” when it is active.  Fill out ALL information.  Do not leave any question blank.
5. Register to take the TEAS entrance test.  Instructions are found on the Health Sciences main web page (Entrance Testing  Resources).  The TEAS test can be taken virtually or in person. You must register to take the TEAS through ATI (www.atitesting.com). The TEAS test must be taken within the last 18 months and can only be taken 2 times 45 days apart during the application year. Must be taken prior to March 1st AND must be sent to us directly from ATI, not the student.
6. Attend two clinical sessions in the MDCC Dental Hygiene Clinic (for a total of 8 hours). MDCC observations will be scheduled by appointment only by contacting Jeri Lynn Mitchell at (662) 246-6249.
7. It is the applicant’s responsibility to verify that all necessary information has been received.  Received information can be verified via the DHT program application. If all information is not received by the deadline, the applicant will not be considered for admission into the program.
8. All applicants will be notified of conditional acceptance or non-acceptance.  Notifications of conditional acceptance will include information regarding a required orientation in mid-June.

No applicant will be considered unless the minimum admission requirements are met. Admission requirements are evaluated by the use of a rating scale which includes ACT scores, GPA, entrance test scores, previous degrees awarded, and performance on core courses.  All applicants are considered on a competitive basis. Meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee admission into the program. The number of applicants accepted is limited due to the nature of the program.

All applicants will be notified by letter of their conditional acceptance or non-acceptance into the program.  If an applicant is selected for the program, they will receive a conditional acceptance letter with specific instructions regarding all requirements that must be completed prior to August admission. These requirements are listed below:

• Completion of the following courses with a grade of “C” or better during the summer session or regular session prior to admission to the DH program.

  • Anatomy & Physiology I (BIO 2513/2511) within the last 5 years
  • Anatomy & Physiology II (BIO 2523/2521) within the last 5 years
  • Microbiology (BIO 2923/2921) within the last 5 years
  • Chemistry Elective (CHE 1213/1211 OR CHE 1313/1311) within the last 5 years (note: if taking General Chemistry (CHE 1213/1211) Algebra is a pre-request course

• Satisfactory background check performed by our office

• Acceptable pre-admission drug screen performed by our office

• Health Exam Form completed and signed by a licensed health care provider

• A 2-Step TB skin test is required for all new entering students.  The 2nd step must be completed within 21 days of 1st step.
  • The exception is if  returning student has had a negative TB skin test within the last 12 months.  This student will only require a 1-step TB skin test
• A stamped/signed Form 121 Immunization Record must be submitted.  Shots required include:
  • Tdap booster within the last 10 years
  • Series of 3 Hepatitis B vaccinations
  • Series of 2 MMR vaccinations
  • Proof of Varicella Immunity (either by series of 2 Varicella vaccinations OR Positive Varicella Titer)
  • Flu shot (given only during flu season before October 1st)

Important Update: New Selection Rating Scale Starting with Applications for Academic Year 2025/2026

We are excited to announce the implementation of a new selection rating scale for the upcoming College of Health Sciences admission process. The new rating scale is designed to provide a more comprehensive evaluation of each applicant, considering a wider range of factors to ensure a holistic assessment.

What You Need to Do:

1. Review all admission requirements and guidelines.
2. Review the new selection rating scale for guidance in preparation for application.
3. Reach out to our office if you have any questions or need further assistance.

We understand that this is a significant change, and we are here to support you throughout the process. Please feel free to contact us with any questions or concerns.

Thank you for your attention, and we look forward to reviewing your applications!

 Students who are accepted into the program must:

• attend a DHT orientation session.
• be aware that, in addition to the regular college fees, Dental Hygiene Technology students will incur expenses for items such as uniforms, books, supplies, liability insurance, accident insurance, background check, Hepatitis B vaccination series, national and state certification examination fees and registry review seminars.  Fees are not limited to these listed.
• be responsible for their own transportation to the college campus and community agencies.
• female students are encouraged to follow the pregnancy policy.

A Dental Hygiene Technology student must maintain a grade of “C” in all Dental Hygiene Technology core courses to progress in the program. Additionally, a student must obtain a grade of “C” in all DHT co-requisite courses to graduate from the program..

Prior to patient contact (clinical), students must satisfactorily complete AHA-BLS Provider CPR taught during the DHT program

A student may be considered for readmission to a specific health science program one time only. This applies to courses in any respective health science program, whether at MDCC or at another institution. The only exception may be: a student who had a passing grade in the classroom and clinical setting, but was forced to withdraw due to illness, accident, pregnancy, or family crisis may be considered for a second readmission. If an applicant has ever attended another health science program a letter of good standing from their former school’s program must be sent following MDCC’s program application instructions. A letter of good standing indicates that the student is eligible for immediate readmission into the former program of study.

Each student requesting readmission into a health science program will be considered on an individual basis.  The student should contact the appropriate program director/supervisor for the readmission procedure. Space must be available in the class and clinical setting. No precedent will be set by the decision of an admissions committee.

At the discretion of the Dean of Health Sciences, with the recommendation of the Admission Committee, a student requesting readmission to a Health Science program may be required to take a challenge exam to assess placement. Per program policy, it may be necessary for the applicant to repeat courses.

If an MDCC Health Science student is academically unsuccessful in their program of study and not eligible for readmission, the student may have one transfer to an alternate MDCC Health Science program. Students will be held to the readmission policies of the program. OR

If an MDCC Health Science student is academically unsuccessful in their program of study and not eligible for readmission, the student will be eligible for one additional consideration of readmission after a waiting period of up-to three (3) years from last date of attendance. This shall not bar those applicants who wish to reapply beyond the aforementioned time-period so long as it is their first readmission application. The student must follow all readmission requirements as outlined in the program’s handbook.

Any MDCC student who was unsuccessful and not eligible for readmission due to non-academic dismissal will be eligible for one additional consideration of readmission after a waiting period of up-to five (5) years from last date of attendance. This shall not bar those applicants who wish to reapply beyond the aforementioned time-period so long as it is their first readmission application. The student will be held to the program’s readmission polices as outlined in the program’s handbook.

Any applicant who has ever been accepted and attended a Health Science program at another institution of higher learning and has been unsuccessful more than once will be eligible for one additional consideration of readmission after a waiting period of up-to five (5) years from last date of attendance. This shall not bar those applicants who wish to reapply beyond the aforementioned time-period so long as it is their first readmission application. The student will be held to the program’s readmission polices as outlined in the program’s handbook.

Please Note:

This estimate of costs is meant to be used only as a guide to students, parents, and sponsors.  The figures are based upon previous school year averages and are not binding on the college or the nursing program.

In addition to these estimates, students will incur expenses related to travel necessary for clinical laboratory experiences.  All students are responsible for their own transportation to class and healthcare agencies utilizes in the program’s curriculum. All costs are approximate and subject to change without notice and tax is not included.

Click here for Program Cost Link