Dental Hygiene, AAS
A45260
Official Program Description registered with the N.C. Community College System:
The Dental Hygiene curriculum provides individuals with the knowledge and skills to access, plan, implement, and evaluate dental hygiene care for the individual and the community.
Students will learn to prepare the operatory, take patient histories, note abnormalities, plan care, teach oral hygiene, clean teeth, take x-rays, apply preventive agents, complete necessary chart entries, and perform other procedures related to dental hygiene care.
Graduates of this program may be eligible to take national and state/regional examinations for licensure which are required to practice dental hygiene. Employment opportunities include dental offices, clinics, schools, public health agencies, industry, and professional education.
Program Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of the Dental Hygiene program, a graduate should be able to:
- Perform assessments and dental prophylaxis on patients with differing levels of dental health at increasingly higher levels of competency with proper infection control.
- Perform dental radiographic procedures including bitewings, full mouth series, and panoramic views on the DXTR simulator and patients with proper infection control.
- Assess, plan, implement and evaluate appropriate dental health prevention and/or education services to diverse patients and groups.
- Perform dental clinic/office support duties.
- Maintain required medical/legal documentation in accordance with the North Carolina Dental Practice Act.
- Demonstrate professionalism with patients, faculty, peers, community organizations and dental associations.
Degree Awarded
The Associate in Applied Science Degree-Dental Hygiene is awarded by the College upon completion of this program.
Graduates are eligible to take the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination, which is administered by the American Dental Association, Joint Commission on Dental Examinations; and the Regional Clinical Exam, which is administered by the Council of Interstate Testing Agencies. A passing grade on both examinations is required in order to apply to the State Board of Dental Examiners for licensure and become a Registered Dental Hygienist in North Carolina.
Program Accreditation
The Dental Hygiene program is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association.
Note
Students must earn a grade of C or better in all curriculum courses in order to progress in the program. Information about the progression and readmission policy is outlined in the Dental Hygiene Admission Policies and Procedures packet available in the Office of Admissions and Records.
In addition to tuition and textbooks, costs of this program include a laboratory fee, uniforms, shoes, instruments, physical and dental examinations, immunizations, health insurance, cost of licensure exams and miscellaneous other fees.
For More Information
The Dental Hygiene program is in the Allied Health and Public Services Division. For more information, call (919) 739-6773 or visit us at our Web site at www.waynecc.edu.
Admissions
Individuals desiring a career in Dental Hygiene should, if possible, take biology, algebra, and chemistry courses prior to entering the program.
- Individuals seeking admission to the program must follow the admissions procedures outlined in this catalog and in the Dental Hygiene Application Policies and Procedures packet available on the WCC Web site, at www.waynecc.edu/admissions/allied-health/uploads/dental-hygiene.pdf.
- Applicants must present evidence of good physical and mental health.
- Students must demonstrate competency in computer skills by attaining a minimally acceptable score (78) on CIS 070 placement test or completion of CIS 070 with a grade of “P.”
First Step To Enroll:
Call the Admissions and Records Office at (919) 739-6720.
First Semester
| ACA 111 | College Student Success |
1
| 1 |
| DEN 120 | Dental Hygiene Preclinic Lecture |
2
| 2 |
| DEN 121 | Dental Hygiene Preclinical Lab |
6
| 2 |
| DEN 110 | Orofacial Anatomy |
4
| 3 |
| DEN 111 | Infection/Hazard Control |
2
| 2 |
| DEN 112 | Dental Radiography |
5
| 3 |
| CHM 130 | General, Organic, & Biochemistry |
3
| 3 |
| CHM 130A | General, Organic, & Biochemistry Lab |
2
| 1 |
| Total Credit Hours: | | 17 |
Second Semester
| DEN 123 | Nutrition/Dental Health |
2
| 2 |
| DEN 124 | Periodontology |
2
| 2 |
| DEN 130 | Dental Hygiene Theory I |
2
| 2 |
| DEN 131 | Dental Hygiene Clinic I |
9
| 3 |
| DEN 223 | Dental Pharmacology |
2
| 2 |
| BIO 168 | Anatomy and Physiology I |
6
| 4 |
| ENG 111 | Writing and Inquiry |
3
| 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | | 18 |
Summer Semester
| DEN 140 | Dental Hygiene Theory II |
1
| 1 |
| DEN 141 | Dental Hygiene Clinic II |
6
| 2 |
| BIO 169 | Anatomy and Physiology II |
6
| 4 |
| Total Credit Hours: | | 7 |
Third Semester
| DEN 220 | Dental Hygiene Theory III |
2
| 2 |
| DEN 221 | Dental Hygiene Clinic III |
12
| 4 |
| DEN 222 | General & Oral Pathology |
2
| 2 |
| DEN 224 | Materials and Procedures |
4
| 2 |
| BIO 175 | General Microbiology |
4
| 3 |
| ENG 114 | Professional Research & Reporting |
3
| 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | | 16 |
Fourth Semester
| DEN 230 | Dental Hygiene Theory IV |
1
| 1 |
| DEN 231 | Dental Hygiene Clinic IV |
12
| 4 |
| DEN 232 | Community Dental Health |
5
| 3 |
| DEN 233 | Professional Development |
2
| 2 |
| PSY 150 | General Psychology |
3
| 3 |
| | Humanities/Fine Arts Elective |
3
| 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | | 16 |
Total Credit Hours: 74
Electives
Humanities/Fine Arts Electives
Choose one course from the
Humanities/Fine Arts list of Optional General Education Courses for AAS Programs.