Program Overview
About the Dental Hygiene Program
The Dental Hygiene Program is designed to prepare students for a career as a registered Dental Hygienist. A registered Dental Hygienist is a health professional licensed in dental hygiene to provide preventive, educational, and therapeutic services that support total health through the promotion of optimal oral health.
Program Overview
The program is a rigorous and challenging course of study that prepares students to take the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination and the California Dental Hygiene Board Examination. The program is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation and has a 99% pass rate on the National Board exam.
Program Goals
The program goals are to:
- Provide a student-centered learning environment that stimulates learning and growth
- Prepare students to achieve professional and personal growth through the application of classroom knowledge in clinical, laboratory, and community settings
- Prepare students to assume responsibility for continued professional growth and to meet the emerging challenges of dental health care
- Prepare students to pass the Dental Hygiene National Board Examination and regional clinical licensure examinations
Program Competencies
The program competencies include:
- Discerning and managing ethical issues in dental hygiene practice
- Advancing the profession through active participation and affiliation with professional and community service
- Initiating and assuming responsibility for health promotion and disease prevention activities
- Formulating comprehensive dental hygiene care plans
- Providing treatment that includes preventive and therapeutic procedures
- Evaluating the effectiveness of patient treatment and making necessary modifications
Clinical Immunization Requirements
The clinical immunization requirements include:
- Complete physical examination form
- Positive rubella and rubeola titer or positive antibody screen or MMR vaccine
- Proof of second measles vaccine or MMR
- Proof of negative PPD (TB test)
- Proof of completed Hepatitis B vaccine series
- Proof of Tetanus or tetanus/diphtheria (Tdap) documented within the last 10 years
- Copy of current CPR card
- Evidence of immunity to varicella or proof of Varicella vaccine
- Proof of annual Flu vaccine
Career Opportunities
The program prepares students for employment opportunities in private and specialty dental offices, health clinics, school systems, research facilities, public health departments, education programs, and marketing and sales of dental products. Salaries for Dental Hygienists range from $35 to $55 per hour.
Accreditation and Licensure
The Dental Hygiene associate degree program is accredited by the American Dental Association, Commission on Dental Accreditation. The program has received full accreditation status during each cycle of accreditation. The Commission on Dental Accreditation can be contacted for more information. In accordance with state law, the Dental Hygiene Board of California may deny licensure for crimes substantially related to the practice of dental hygiene.