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HGTC Dental Hygiene Students Achieve 100% Pass Rate on Written and Clinical Board
Exams
Horry-Georgetown Technical College (HGTC) proudly announces that every student in its 2025 Dental Hygiene cohort has successfully passed both the written National Board Dental Hygience Exam (NBDHE) and the clinical exam by the American Board of Dental Examiners (ADEX), achieving a perfect 100% pass rate. The results reflect the program’s excellence and the student’s dedication to mastering the essential skills needed to provide top-tier dental care.
The National Board Dental Hygiene Exam (NBDHE) is the written portion of the licensure process, designed to assess a dental hygienist’s understanding of key biomedical, dental, and dental hygiene sciences. The exam evaluates how well candidates can apply this knowledge to solve problems related to patient care. State licensing boards use the NBDHE results to help protect public health by determining the qualifications of prospective dental hygienists.
The American Board of Dental Examiners (ADEX) Clinical Exam, on the other hand, assesses a candidate’s clinical skills in performing instrumentation on a patient or typodont (a specialized dental model). This exam ensures that students can meet the practical demands of dental hygiene practice and deliver high-quality care to their patients.
The clinical and written board exams are vital steps in the journey toward becoming a Registered Dental Hygienist. Only after graduating from an accredited program and passing both exams can students obtain their licensure from a state licensing agency.
Examiners conducting the boards were not only impressed by the professionalism of HGTC students but also praised the college’s state-of-the-art dental clinic and the scenic Grand Strand Campus, where the program is housed.
“This is a proud day for HGTC,” said Dr. Marilyn “Murph” Fore, President of Horry-Georgetown Technical College. “We celebrate the academic achievement, dedication, and resilience of our students as well as the exceptional leadership of our Dental Hygiene faculty. The impact these future hygienists will have in our communities is immeasurable, and I couldn’t be prouder of their accomplishments.”
Professor Michelle Meeker, HGTC Program Chair of the Dental Hygiene Program, emphasized the team effort behind this accomplishment, “Our students demonstrated tremendous discipline, clinical skill, and compassion throughout their education. The 100% pass rate on both the written and clinical exams is a reflection of their commitment, the unwavering support of our faculty and staff, and the College’s investment in providing the best possible training environment. We are incredibly proud of each of our graduates and their readiness to provide quality care to patients.”
The Associate in Applied Science in Dental Hygiene degree at HGTC prepares students to deliver direct patient care, focusing on the prevention and detection of oral diseases.
Under the supervision of licensed dentists and hygienists, students gain hands-on experience in HGTC’s on-campus Dental Clinic. Graduates are trained in patient assessment, oral health education, periodontal charting, radiography, nutritional counseling, and more.
HGTC remains committed to preparing students to meet the healthcare needs of the region and beyond, ensuring graduates are equipped to serve with both skill and compassion.
For more information about the Associate in Applied Science Degree in Dental Sciences, contact Professor Michelle Meeker at michelle.meeker@hgtc.edu or 843-839-1091.