Program Overview

Dental Hygiene

Overview

Specializing in preventive oral health, dental hygienists work collaboratively with other health professionals to provide client-centred care. Equipped with knowledge of current standards of practice, ethical principles and a dedication to oral health, you will give your clients another reason to smile. DC’s Dental Hygiene program emphasizes hands-on learning opportunities and students will hone their skills through clinical practice at the college’s Dental Clinic.

Intakes and Availability

Program Highlights

• Success Stories
• Resources

Admission Requirements

• Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or Mature Student Status
• Grade 12 English (C or U) (minimum 60 per cent average)
• Grade 11 or 12 biology (C, M or U)
• Grade 11 or 12 chemistry (C, M or U)
• Grade 11 or 12 mathematics (C, M or U)

Tuition

• Year one domestic: $8,968 (CAD)

Semester 1 Courses

• Microbiology and Infection Control (BIOL 1104)
• Communications for The Dental Health Professional (COMM 1112)
• Dental Radiography 1 (DENT 1107)
• Orofacial Anatomy 1 (DENT 1108)
• Introduction to Dental Materials (DENT 1109)
• Dental Hygiene Theory and Practice (DENT 1110)
• Introduction to Professional Practice (DENT 1111)

Career Options

• Dental hygienist
• General dentistry practice
• Independent dental hygiene practice
• Institutional and hospital dental clinic
• Public health unit
• Specialty practice such as periodontics and orthodontics

Clinical Practice

Your learning experience will be complemented by a clinical practice component that provides students with the opportunity to demonstrate the knowledge, skills and attitudes necessary to be an effective care provider.

Pre-Placement Requirements

• A clear and current Criminal Reference Check (CRC) with Vulnerable Sector Screening (VSS)
• Current Level C CPR from a recognized provider
• Current standard first aid certification from a recognized provider
• Entry immunization form completed by a health-care provider
• Confirmation of current N95 mask fit test

Program Transfer, Degree Completion and Additional Credentials

Durham College also offers degree completion opportunities with a number of Canadian and international institutions.

Tech Requirements

• Processor: i3
• RAM: 4GB
• Storage: 256GB SSD
• Operating System: Microsoft Windows 10 Professional or Education x64 SP1
• Internet Browser: Internet Explorer 11 or Google Chrome (newest version) or Firefox (newest version)
• Network Adapter: 802.11ac 2.4/5 GHz wireless adapter
• Camera: Webcam/built-in camera
• Internet connection

Program Details

The Dental Hygiene program prepares future dental hygienists to become leaders in the promotion of oral health. Integrating academic studies and clinical practice, the program prepares you to practice with the client and the community, providing collaborative oral health care in a variety of settings.

Program Learning Outcomes

1. Practice in a professional and competent manner within the defined scope of practice and consistent with current regulations and standards of practice.
2. Evaluate the client’s oral health status using determinants of health and risk analysis to identify needs, justify treatment decisions and provide appropriate referrals to other health care professionals, as required.
3. Design, implement and evaluate a range of primary, interceptive, therapeutic, preventive, and on-going oral health care services to meet the unique needs of clients.
4. Analyze oral health issues in need of advocacy identify networks and promote actions that will support change and facilitate access to care.
5. Identify, select, implement and evaluate quality assurance standards and protocols which contribute to a safe and effective working environment.
6. Establish and maintain professional and inter-professional relationships which contribute to client-care safety and positive health-care outcomes.
7. Facilitate the development of specific oral health attitudes, knowledge, skills, and behaviours, in client’s, by selecting and utilizing principles of teaching and learning.
8. Develop and present a model for a dental hygiene practice that addresses relevant business principles, current legislation and standards of practice.

Courses

Semester 1

• Microbiology and Infection Control (BIOL 1104)
• Communications for The Dental Health Professional (COMM 1112)
• Dental Radiography 1 (DENT 1107)
• Orofacial Anatomy 1 (DENT 1108)
• Introduction to Dental Materials (DENT 1109)
• Dental Hygiene Theory and Practice (DENT 1110)
• Introduction to Professional Practice (DENT 1111)

Semester 2

• Anatomy and Physiology (ANAT 1200)
• Dental Radiography 2 (DENT 1208)
• Orofacial Anatomy 2 (DENT 1210)
• Dental Hygiene Practice 2 (DENT 1211)
• Dental Hygiene Theory 2 (DENT 1212)
• Histology and Embryology (DENT 1213)
• Preventive Dental Hygiene (DENT 1214)

Semester 3

• Human Pathophysiology (BIOL 2102)
• Advanced Dental Materials (DENT 2100)
• Dental Hygiene Practice 3 (DENT 2101)
• Dental Hygiene Theory 3 (DENT 2102)
• Periodontics (DENT 2103)
• Indigenous Elective (INDG 0000)
• Pharmacology (PHRM 2100)

Semester 4

• Principles Of Community Health (DENT 2200)
• Dental Hygiene Practice 4 (DENT 2201)
• Dental Hygiene Theory and Advanced Periodontics (DENT 2202)
• Nutrition and Oral Health (DENT 2203)
• Oral Pathology (DENT 2204)
• Research Methods (RSCH 2201)
• Populations and Diversity (SOCI 2201)

Semester 5

• Business Principles for Regulated Health Professionals (DENT 3100)
• Advanced Clinic Practice (DENT 3101)
• Dental Hygiene Theory and EVidenced Informed Practice (DENT 3102)
• Dental Hygiene In Orthodontics (DENT 3103)
• General Education Elective (GNED 0000)
• Interprofessional Practice and Health Policy (HPOL 3100)

Semester 6

• Clinical Case Presentations (DENT 3200)
• Dental Hygiene Administration and Software (DENT 3201)
• Consolidation Of Clinical Practice (DENT 3202)
• Health Promotion and Community Experience (DENT 3203)
• Professional Practice and Jurisprudence (DENT 3204)
• General Education Elective (GNED 0000)

Costs

Dental Hygiene Year 1 Costs

Dental Hygiene Year 2 Costs