Dental Hygiene

Program overview

The Dental Hygiene program is an Associate's Degree program that is five semesters in length and is comprised of didactic, clinical, and laboratory courses offered at the Health Science Campus. Students will experience real-life patient interactions through clinical courses and will have the opportunity to work with a variety of patients of diverse backgrounds. Students will also have the opportunity to hone their clinical skills in an on-site, fully-functioning, dental hygiene clinic. Dental hygiene students will be able to study and practice all procedures they will be licensed to perform, including scaling (cleaning) teeth above and below the gum-line, polishing structures above the gum-line, performing infiltration anesthetic procedures, teaching oral hygiene instruction, nutritional counseling, and performing all duties of an Expanded-Duty Dental Assistant.

Courses Required

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Prerequisite

Anatomy And Physiology I

Course Code: BIO-210

This is the first in a sequence of courses, including an intensive coverage of the body as an integrated whole. All body systems are studied. Body systems included are integumentary, skeletal muscular, and nervous. Other topics include anatomical terms, biochemistry, cellular structure, cellular division, tissues and tissue inflammation.

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Anatomy And Physiology II

Course Code: BIO-211

This is a continuation of a sequence of courses, including intensive coverage of the body as an integrated whole. All body systems are studied. Body systems included are cardiovascular, respiratory, lymphatic, endocrine, digestive, urinary, and reproductive. Other topics include fluid and electrolyte balance, genetics, and embryology.

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General Organic & Biochemistry

Course Code: CHM-105

This course is a study of the fundamental principles of chemistry, including atomic and molecular structure, common substances and reactions, introduction to organic chemistry and biochemistry.

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English Composition I

Course Code: ENG-101

This is a (College Transfer) course in which the following topics are presented: A study of composition in conjunction with appropriate literary selections, with frequent theme assignments to reinforce effective writing. A review of standard usage and the basic techniques of research are also presented.

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Semester 1

Head And Neck Anatomy

Course Code: AHS-113

This course provides a detailed study of the structure of the head and neck with special emphasis on structure as it pertains to the study of dental science.

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Medical & Dental Emergencies

Course Code: DHG-115

This course provides a study of the various medical/dental emergencies and appropriate treatment measures. Additionally, it includes managing medical compromised dental patients, and provides for CPR certification.

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Tooth Morphology & Histology

Course Code: DHG-125

This course covers the embryogenesis and histology of the head and neck structures with primary emphasis on the oral cavity. The formation, eruption patterns and morphology of primary and permanent dentitions are studied.

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Preclinical Dental Hygiene

Course Code: DHG-154

This course is a study of the basic principles of infection control, instrumentation, instrument design and fundamental skills necessary to perform in subsequent dental hygiene courses.

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Public Speaking

Course Code: SPC-205

This course is an introduction to principles of public speaking with application of speaking skills. Successful completion of ENG 101 is recommended.

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Semester 2

Basic Microbiology

Course Code: BIO-115

This is a general course in microbiology, including epidemiology, presence, control, and identification of microorganisms. Emphasis is on the organ systems of the human body and their interrelationships.

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Dental Radiography

Course Code: DHG-121

This course provides the application of the principles of radiology with emphasis on exposing, processing, mounting, evaluating and interpreting dental radiographs. Radiation safety is stressed.

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General & Oral Pathology

Course Code: DHG-140

This course provides a correlation of basic pathologic principles to disease processes in the oral cavity. The role of the dental hygienist in early disease detection is emphasized. Diagnosis, treatment and prognosis of diseases affecting the head and neck are discussed.

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Periodontology

Course Code: DHG-141

This course presents a study of the principles, etiologies, classifications and treatments of periodontal disease with emphasis on the role of the dental hygienist.

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Clinical Dental Hygiene I

Course Code: DHG-165

This is an introductory course to the clinical setting for application of dental hygiene skills for patient care.

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Semester 3

Dental Pharmacology

Course Code: DHG-143

This course provides a study of drugs used in dentistry. Emphasis is placed on the physical and chemical properties of the drugs, dosages and therapeutic effects, methods of administration and indications/contraindications for the use of the drug. A study of dental anesthetics is included.

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Clinical Dental Hygiene II

Course Code: DHG-175

This course provides for the continued development of the skills necessary to perform dental hygiene care. Emphasis is placed on total patient care and treatment planning.

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Dental Assisting For DHG's

Course Code: DHG-239

This course introduces the dental assisting role and responsibilities. Emphasis is on four-handed dentistry, the use and manipulations of dental materials, and office management.

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Integrated Dental Hygiene I

Course Code: DHG-241

This course provides for the integration of the basic and dental hygiene sciences with current concepts of clinical dental hygiene practice.

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Semester 4

Dental Health Education

Course Code: DHG-231

This course provides an opportunity for the dental hygiene student to present and apply dental health information to various community groups and organizations. Project implementation and evaluation are included.

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Nutrition & Dental Health

Course Code: DHG-243

This course provides a study of nutrients, their nature, source and utilization. Emphasis is placed on the relationship between diet and oral health. Oral manifestations of nutritional deficiencies are also studied.

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Clinical Dental Hygiene III

Course Code: DHG-255

This course provides for the development of proficiency in the clinical dental hygiene setting with emphasis on the implementation of treatment plans to meet the individual patient's oral health needs.

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Contemporary Statistics & Probability

Course Code: MAT-107

This course introduces common statistical terms and concepts that are widely used to describe data, compute probabilities, estimate parameters, show the degree of relationship between variables, and make decisions. Emphasis is placed on real world examples and applications.

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Introduction to Sociology

Course Code: SOC-101

This course emplasizes the fundamental concepts and principles of sociology, including culture, socialization, interaction, social groups and stratification, effects of population growth, and technology in society and social institutions.

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Semester 5

Public Health Dentistry

Course Code: DHG-230

This course provides a study of oral health and the prevention of oral disease in a community. Emphasis is on assessment of community groups and dental health needs, planning, implementation, and evaluation of community programs.

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Integrated Dental Hygiene II

Course Code: DHG-242

This course provides for the integration of the basic and dental sciences with current dental hygiene concepts. Emphasis is placed on ethical/legal aspects of dental hygiene practice and practice management techniques.

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Clinical Dental Hygiene IV

Course Code: DHG-265

This course permits refinement of clinical techniques and skills, technology and current procedural practices of the dental hygienist with emphasis on self-evaluation and quality assurance.

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General Psychology

Course Code: PSY-201

This course includes the following topics and concepts in the science of behavior: scientific method, biological bases for behavior, perception, motivation, learning memory, development, personality, abnormal behavior, therapeutic techniques, and social psychology.

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Entry Requirements

Student Learning Outcomes