Program Overview

Introduction to the Dental Hygiene Program

The Dental Hygiene program is designed to provide students with the knowledge, skills, and attitudes necessary to function as competent dental hygienists in a variety of settings.

Program Overview

The program consists of a series of courses that cover the theoretical and clinical aspects of dental hygiene. The courses are designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the principles and practices of dental hygiene, as well as the skills and techniques necessary to provide quality patient care.

Course Descriptions

• DHYG 110: Preclinical Dental Hygiene: This course introduces students to the basic scientific principles and current theory of dental hygiene, including the prevention of disease transmission, ethical and professional treatment of patients, and clinical learning preparation.
• DHYG 112: Preclinical Dental Hygiene Lab: This course provides students with the opportunity to apply basic theories and procedures used in dental hygiene practice, including techniques of instrumentation and diagnostic, preventive, and therapeutic services.
• DHYG 114: Oral Histology and Embryology: This course introduces students to the microscopic structures of enamel, dentin, pulp, cementum, periodontal ligament, bone, oral mucosa, and epithelial attachment, as well as the development of orofacial structures.
• DHYG 116: Head and Neck Anatomy: This course provides a comprehensive study of the anatomy of the head and neck regions, including skeletal, nervous, circulatory, lymphatic, and muscular systems.
• DHYG 117: Dental Anatomy: This course provides a detailed study of the nomenclature, morphologic characteristics, and physiologic relationships of human primary and permanent teeth, as well as laboratory activities to develop observation and dexterity skills.
• DHYG 118: Dental Radiology: This course introduces students to the principles of radiation physics, hygiene, and safety theories, as well as the fundamentals of oral radiographic techniques and interpretation of radiographs.
• DHYG 120: Dental Hygiene Theory I: This course continues the theoretical basis for dental hygiene clinical practice, with an emphasis on emergency care, planning dental hygiene care, health promotion, and disease prevention.
• DHYG 122: Clinical Dental Hygiene I: This course provides students with the opportunity to apply dental hygiene procedures on a variety of clinical patients under direct supervision of faculty.
• DHYG 124: General and Oral Pathology: This course introduces students to general pathology, with a focused study of diseases and disorders of the oral cavity and their interrelationship with body systems.
• DHYG 126: Periodontology: This course provides a study of the normal and diseased periodontium, including structural, functional, and environmental factors, as well as etiology, pathology, evaluation of disease, treatment modalities, and therapeutic and preventative periodontics.
• DHYG 132: Clinical Dental Hygiene II: This course continues the development of clinical skills, patient assessment and diagnosis, treatment and appointment planning, preventive techniques, and application of dental hygiene procedures at an intermediate level.
• DHYG 134: Dental Materials: This course provides a study of the composition, chemical and physical properties, manipulations, and uses of dental materials, with an emphasis on materials and procedures for which the dental hygienist is directly responsible.
• DHYG 210: Dental Hygiene Theory III: This course provides advanced theory of dental hygiene, with an emphasis on periodontal therapies relative to the hygienist's role as a co-therapist in clinical practice.
• DHYG 212: Clinical Dental Hygiene III: This course continues the development of clinical skills, patient assessment and diagnosis, treatment and appointment planning, preventive techniques, and application of dental hygiene procedures at the intermediate to competent level.
• DHYG 214: Dental Pharmacology: This course provides a study of the pharmacologic aspects of drugs and drug groups with which the dentist and dental hygienist are directly and indirectly concerned.
• DHYG 215: Medical and Dental Emergencies: This course provides an overview of medical and dental emergencies encountered most frequently in the dental setting, as well as knowledge and techniques on how to address those emergencies.
• DHYG 217: Research Methodology: This course provides an introduction to the principles and application of research methods in social, behavioral, and medical research.
• DHYG 218: Pain and Anxiety Management: This course provides a study of the application of various physical, chemical, and psychological modalities to the prevention and treatment of preoperative and postoperative patient anxiety and pain.
• DHYG 219: Pain and Anxiety Management Clinical: This course provides clinical application of concepts learned in DHYG 218, with an emphasis on the administration and techniques of local anesthesia and monitoring nitrous oxide.
• DHYG 220: Dental Hygiene Theory IV: This course provides theoretical preparation for advanced clinical practice, with an in-depth study of dental hygiene care for patients with special needs.
• DHYG 222: Clinical Dental Hygiene IV: This course combines basic and advanced dental hygiene skills with time management techniques essential for private practice, with an emphasis on comprehensive patient care.
• DHYG 224: Principles of Practice: This course provides an examination of the dental hygienist's role in both traditional and non-traditional employment settings, including career planning, resume preparation, and interviewing.
• DHYG 225: Dental Public Health Education: This course provides a study of the principles and concepts of community public health and dental health education, with an emphasis on dental epidemiology and statistical methods.
• DHYG 255: Special Topics in Dental Hygiene: This course provides a study of special topics related to the advanced practice of dental hygiene, including educational methodology and applications in clinical practice, research, or community service.

Program Requirements

Students must meet the program requirements, including completing all required courses, to be eligible for graduation. The program is restricted to DHYG majors and is only available at Community Colleges campuses.