Special Admissions Requirement: Learn more on the Health Sciences Applicants Page
Official Title of Major: Dental Hygiene, A.A.S.
Award: Associate of Applied Science degree, A.A.S.
Code: AAS.DHY.DENTAL-HYG
Total Credit Hours: A minimum of 70 credits
Learn more about the Dental Hygiene Program
Purpose: Prepares students for employment as entry-level dental hygienists. Dental hygienists are oral health professionals licensed to treat patients and practice prevention and treatment of oral diseases. They are essential members of the dental team who help provide treatment alongside the dentist. Hygienists provide education and oral care services to a diversified group of patients ranging from infants to the elderly to help improve general health. Dental hygienists help patients retain their natural dentition and avoid cavities, gingivitis, and periodontal diseases which supports overall health and wellness.
The Dental Hygiene program is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation. 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 E. Chicago Ave., Chicago, IL 60611. The commission’s web address is: https://coda.ada.org/
AACC cannot confirm whether the course or program meets requirements for professional licensure in states other than Maryland. If you plan to apply for licensure in a state other than Maryland, contact that state’s licensing board to determine whether the AACC course or program meets requirements for licensure in that state. If you need assistance finding contact information for your state, or if you need additional information regarding professional licensure, please contact the School of Health Sciences at 410-777-7310.
Faculty Contact (https://webapps.aacc.edu/directory/): Badal M. Patel
Additional Program Requirements
All Dental Hygiene students must receive a minimum grade of C in each dental hygiene course. This is a selected admissions program. Please visit the Health Sciences admissions page for more information.
Courses to improve skills and prepare for college-level classes may be needed. It is best to see an advisor as you plan your education.
Course/Advising Notes: ________________________________________________________________________
(*) Students must be admitted to the Dental Hygiene major to take DHY courses.
Prerequisites
All six prerequisite courses listed must be completed before applying to the Dental Hygiene program. All prerequisites must be completed with a grade of C or better to be considered for selection. It is required that the science and math prerequisites be taken within seven years of the term the application is submitted.
BIO 223 - General Microbiology and BIO 231 - Human Biology 1 OR BIO 233 - Anatomy and Physiology 1 4 credit hours
Meets college’s Biological and Physical Sciences General Education Courses requirement.
CHE 115 - General, Organic and Introduction to Biochemistry 4 credit hours
Students may take CHE 111 - General Chemistry 1 , CHE 113 - Fundamentals of Organic and Biochemistry , OR CHE 213 - Organic Chemistry 1 to meet their Chemistry General Education requirement
ENG 101 - Academic Writing and Research 1 OR ENG 101A - Academic Writing and Research 1 3 credit hours
ENG 101 and ENG 101A are equivalent courses. Students may take ENG 101 or ENG 101A to meet their English Composition General Education requirement.
MAT 137 - College Algebra 3 credit hours
Meets college’s Mathematics General Education Courses requirement.
OR higher level mathematics
PSY 111 - Introduction to Psychology 3 credit hours
Meets college’s Social and Behavioral Sciences General Education Courses requirement.
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Term 4 (Fall)
Term 5 Spring
