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Rouse Company Foundation Student Services Building

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

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 required exams for licensure to practice dental hygiene. The dental hygiene program 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. The Commission on Dental Accreditation can be contacted at (312) 440-4653 or at 211 East Chicago Avenue, Chicago, IL 60611. The Commission's web address is: http://www.ada.org/en/coda.

Summer Term

Course NumberTitleCredits
ENGL 121College Composition

3

BIOL 107Fundamentals of Microbiology

4

MATH 138Statistics

4

Suggested Semester 1

Course NumberTitleCredits
BIOL 106Basic Anatomy and Physiology

4

DHYG 100Dental Hygiene Theory and Clinic I

4

DHYG 102Histology and Embryology

2

DHYG 106Oral Anatomy and Tooth Morphology

3

DHYG 111Dental Radiology

3

Suggested Semester 2

Course NumberTitleCredits
CHEM 103Fundamentals of General Chemistry

4

DHYG 150Dental Hygiene Theory and Clinic II

5

DHYG 208Dental Materials

3

DHYG 209Periodontics

2

NUTR 211Nutrition

3

Suggested Semester 3

Course NumberTitleCredits
DHYG 104General and Oral Pathology

3

DHYG 200Dental Hygiene Theory and Clinic III

4

DHYG 210Pharmacology and Pain Management

2

SOCI 101Introduction to Sociology

3

SPCH 105Fundamentals of Public Speaking

3

Suggested Semester 4

Course NumberTitleCredits
DHYG 207Dental Public Health

3

DHYG 250Dental Hygiene Theory and Clinic IV

4

DHYG 257Dental Hygiene Ethics and Jurisprudence

1

PSYC 101General Psychology

3

A graduate should be able to

  1. Utilize the dental hygiene process of care (assessment, planning, implementation of instrumentation, and evaluation) to treat a variety of patients using knowledge of instrumentation and radiology.
  2. Utilize legal and ethical principles to effectively treat a variety of patients without discrimination.
  3. Treat a variety of patients effectively utilizing safe dental practices and infection control practices.

Total Credit Hours: 70

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

A grade of “C” (75%) 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.