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 DXTTR 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

Course NumberTitleContact HoursCredits
ACA 111College Student Success
1

1

DEN 120Dental Hygiene Preclinic Lecture
2

2

DEN 121Dental Hygiene Preclinical Lab
6

2

DEN 110Orofacial Anatomy
4

3

DEN 111Infection/Hazard Control
2

2

DEN 112Dental Radiography
5

3

CHM 130General, Organic, & Biochemistry
3

3

CHM 130AGeneral, Organic, & Biochemistry Lab
2

1

Total Credit Hours:17

Second Semester

Course NumberTitleContact HoursCredits
DEN 123Nutrition/Dental Health
2

2

DEN 124Periodontology
2

2

DEN 130Dental Hygiene Theory I
2

2

DEN 131Dental Hygiene Clinic I
9

3

DEN 223Dental Pharmacology
2

2

BIO 168Anatomy and Physiology I
6

4

ENG 111Writing and Inquiry
3

3

Total Credit Hours:18

Summer Semester

Course NumberTitleContact HoursCredits
DEN 140Dental Hygiene Theory II
1

1

DEN 141Dental Hygiene Clinic II
6

2

BIO 169Anatomy and Physiology II
6

4

Total Credit Hours:7

Third Semester

Course NumberTitleContact HoursCredits
DEN 220Dental Hygiene Theory III
2

2

DEN 221Dental Hygiene Clinic III
12

4

DEN 222General & Oral Pathology
2

2

DEN 224Materials and Procedures
4

2

BIO 175General Microbiology
4

3

ENG 114Professional Research & Reporting
3

3

Total Credit Hours:16

Fourth Semester

Course NumberTitleContact HoursCredits
DEN 230Dental Hygiene Theory IV
1

1

DEN 231Dental Hygiene Clinic IV
12

4

DEN 232Community Dental Health
5

3

DEN 233Professional Development
2

2

PSY 150General 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.
Course NumberTitleContact HoursCredits