The Dental Hygiene program is now a baccalaureate of applied science program of full-time classroom and clinical instruction. The program enrolls 18 students per year. The educational objective of the program is to prepare the student who, upon graduation and successful completion of the National Written Examination Board and Western Regional Clinical Examination, will be able to serve the community within Washington state. During the last year of the program, students will be required to take both the state clinical and national written board examinations, which have additional costs, prior to being licensed to practice as a dental hygienist. The program in dental hygiene is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation and has been granted the accreditation status of approval without reporting requirements. The Commission is a specialized accrediting body recognized by the United States Department of Education.