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Rouse Company Foundation Student Services Building

Dental Hygiene - A.A.S. Degree (Career)

Pending Candidacy for Accreditation Status

APPLICATION CODE 280

For curriculum information, contact the Health Sciences Division—Room HS-236—443-518-1560.

The dental hygiene curriculum is a two-year program that leads to an associate of applied science degree in dental hygiene. This area of study prepares the student to become a licensed primary health care provider and a member of the dental team responsible for the preventive aspects of oral health. Emphasis in this area of study will prepare students to participate in roles that include clinician, educator, researcher, administrator, and public health advocate. Students may also continue their education to receive a baccalaureate or master’s degree in dental hygiene. Students will learn through college-based lectures, laboratory assignments, research, and the treatment of patients in a clinical setting. Graduates of the dental hygiene area of study must take and pass two exams before they can receive a license to practice dental hygiene: the Dental Hygiene National Board Exam, Northeast Regional Board (NERB), and the Maryland State Jurisprudence Exam on dental laws.

General Education Core

Composition

Course NumberTitleCredits
ENGL-121College Composition

3 credits

Humanities, Arts and Literature

Course NumberTitleCredits
SPCH-105Fundamentals of Public Speaking

3 credits

Social Sciences

Course NumberTitleCredits
PSYC-101General Psychology

3 credits

SOCI-101Introduction to Sociology

3 credits

Science

Course NumberTitleCredits
BIOL-106Basic Anatomy and Physiology

4 credits

BIOL-107Fundamentals of Microbiology

4 credits

CHEM-103Fundamentals of General Chemistry

4 credits

Science Core courses must be completed within five (5) years prior to admission to the first dental hygiene course.

Mathematics

Course NumberTitleCredits
MATH-138Statistics

4 credits

Interdisciplinary

Course NumberTitleCredits
NUTR-211Nutrition

3 credits

Required Courses Related to Major

Required Courses

Course NumberTitleCredits
DHYG-100Dental Hygiene Theory and Clinic I

4 credits

DHYG-102Histology and Embryology

2 credits

DHYG-104General and Oral Pathology

3 credits

DHYG-106Oral Anatomy and Tooth Morphology

3 credits

DHYG-111Dental Radiology

3 credits

DHYG-150Dental Hygiene Theory and Clinic II

5 credits

DHYG-200Dental Hygiene Theory and Clinic III

4 credits

DHYG-207Dental Public Health

3 credits

DHYG-208Dental Materials

3 credits

DHYG-209Periodontics

2 credits

DHYG-210Pharmacology and Pain Management

2 credits

DHYG-250Dental Hygiene Theory and Clinic IV

4 credits

DHYG-257Dental Hygiene Ethics and Jurisprudence

1 credit

A grade of “C” or higher is required in dental hygiene, mathematics, and science courses.

Admission requirements also include a minimum overall HCC GPA of 2.25.

DHYG-100, DHYG-150, DHYG-200, DHYG-250: Students will be expected to participate in clinical sessions during the semester in addition to class time. A health form and CPR certification will be required prior to attending the first dental hygiene course.

Total Credit Hours: 70