Three Routes Start
College diploma

Dental hygiene

Dental Hygiene Diploma (VCC/Camosun), BCCOHP registration

24 of 30 verified for BC; "start something" routes use national figures · How we verify
Trades go through SkilledTradesBC (4 levels, Youth Train in Trades lets you start Level 1 in high school). Numbers from WorkBC and Job Bank BC, BCIT, VCC and UBC.
Years to credential3
First real paycheque~3 years
Time in a classroom55%
Total cost$33,600
Typical debt after$22,000
Demand in BCSteady

The first ten years

schoolschoolschoolearnearnearnearnearnearnearn
Mostly in schoolEarning

Earnings by year, roughly

What's in "net by year 10"
Earnings, years 1 to 10$753k3 years at $0 while in school, then $90,670 rising to $114,400 by year five, flat after
Program cost−$34ktuition and fees
Typical (medians)$720kthe number on the card
Low to high$602k to $836kpay 15% under or over the median, cost 15% more or 10% less

Not counted: income tax, rent, food, loan interest, inflation, and unemployment gaps. They apply to every route, so they change the size of each number more than the order. Pay is the British Columbia median before tax from the sources on this page.

The picture

What the day-to-day isCleanings, assessments and patient education in dental offices. Regular hours, no nights.
What actually stops peopleCompetitive admission and expensive instruments and licensing.
The downsideRepetitive physical strain (neck, wrists). Many hygienists work part-time across several clinics rather than one full-time job.
If you're the parentHigh hourly pay and predictable hours in three years. The upfront cost is higher than most diplomas.
Local opportunities in British Columbia

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How to enter

What you need
  • Courses: Biology, Chemistry
  • Average around 75+
Deadlines in BC
  • Apply directly to the college from October; competitive programs fill by February
  • StudentAid BC in spring

Next steps in British Columbia

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In British Columbia2-year diploma plus a prerequisite year of university credits. Instrument kits (~$10,000) and textbooks are extra. Very competitive admission.
www.workbc.ca · www.vcc.ca

✓ Verified 2026-10-09 for BC Sources: WorkBC NOC 32111 (Job Bank BC wages 2025); VCC Dental Hygiene fees (Fall 2026)

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