Apr 04, 2026

2026-2027 Catalog [PREVIEW]

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2026-2027 Catalog [PREVIEW]

Dental Hygiene (A.A.S.)

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Special Admissions Requirement: Learn more on the Health Sciences Applicants Page

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: 70

Learn more about the Dental Hygiene Degree 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.

Range of Occupations

Dental hygienists
Educators
Researchers
Administrators

Additional Program Requirements

All Dental Hygiene students must receive a minimum grade of C in each dental hygiene course.

It is required that the science and math prerequisites be taken within seven years of the term the application is submitted.

This is a selected admissions program. Please visit the Health Sciences admissions page for more information.

Graduation Requirements

Refer to Academic Regulations on Graduation Requirements for college-wide graduation requirements.

Honors Program Courses

If you qualify for the Honors Program, you may take honors versions of some courses (such as ENG 101H , ENG 102H , etc.).

Planning Tool: Two-Year Sequence of Courses

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Prerequisites

All six prerequisite courses must be completed with a grade of C or better in each course before submitting your application.

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 4 credit hours AND
BIO 231 - Human Biology 1 4 credit hours
OR
BIO 233 - Anatomy and Physiology 1 4 credit hours
Meets college’s Biological and Physical Sciences General Education requirement.
CHE 115 - General, Organic and Introduction to Biochemistry 4 credit hours
Students may take CHE 111, CHE 113, OR CHE 213 to meet their Chemistry General Education requirement.
ENG 101 - Academic Writing and Research 1 3 credit hours
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 OR higher level mathematics
Meets college’s Mathematics General Education requirement.
PSY 111 - Introduction to Psychology 3 credit hours
Meets college’s Social and Behavioral Sciences General Education requirement.

Total credit hours: 21

Program Requirements

Term 1

DHY 100 - Dental Hygiene Theory 1 2 credit hours
DHY 102 - Dental Hygiene Clinical 1 2 credit hours
DHY 104 - Oral Histology and Embryology 2 credit hours
DHY 106 - Dental Anatomy and Tooth Morphology 2 credit hours
DHY 108 - Dental Hygiene Radiology 4 credit hours

Total credit hours: 12

Term 2

DHY 110 - Dental Hygiene Theory 2 2 credit hours
DHY 112 - Dental Hygiene Clinical 2 2 credit hours
DHY 114 - Periodontology 2 credit hours
DHY 116 - Dental Materials and Procedures 2 credit hours
SOC 111 - Introduction to Sociology 3 credit hours
Meets the college’s Diversity Requirement.

Total credit hours:11

Term 3

DHY 120 - Dental Hygiene Biochemistry and Nutrition 2 credit hours
DHY 122 - Dental Hygiene Theory 3 Pain Management 2 credit hours
DHY 124 - Dental Hygiene Clinical 3 Pain Management 2 credit hours

Total credit hours: 6

Term 4

DHY 200 - Dental Hygiene Theory 4 2 credit hours
DHY 202 - Dental Hygiene Clinical 4 2 credit hours
DHY 204 - Dental Hygiene Pharmacology 2 credit hours
DHY 206 - General and Oral Pathology 2 credit hours
COM 111 - Fundamentals of Oral Communication 3 credit hours

Total credit hours: 11

Term 5

DHY 220 - Dental Hygiene Theory 5 2 credit hours
DHY 222 - Dental Hygiene Clinical 5 4 credit hours
DHY 224 - Dental Hygiene Public Health 2 credit hours
DHY 226 - Dental Hygiene Ethics and Jurisprudence 1 credit hour

Total credit hours: 9

Diversity Requirement

Satisfied by SOC 111 .

Technology Requirement

Students enrolled in this program will satisfy this requirement by completing the Dental Hygiene degree sequence.

Wellness Requirement

Students enrolled in this program will satisfy this requirement by completing the Dental Hygiene degree sequence.

Program Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this program, students will be able to:

Provide comprehensive dental hygiene care by assessing, planning, implementing, evaluating, and documenting based on the individual needs of each patient.
Apply legal and ethical principles to comply with all state regulation within the scope of practice in dental hygiene to provide optimal care to an array of patients based on their needs without discrimination or bias.
Use critical thinking and problem solving skills to remain current in the latest validated evidence based research and regulation governing the scope of practice of dental hygiene.
Utilize written and verbal communications skills to educate patients, practice universal safety protocol, CDC protocols, OSHA protocols, and State protocols to ensure a safe practice environment.
Collaborate with peers, dentist, and health professionals to deliver comprehensive dental care individualized specific to the patient’s needs.
Apply clinical and theoretical knowledge to pass national and state board examination to obtain licensure to practice within the scope of dental hygiene.

This program aligns with all the college’s core competencies.

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