DENTAL HYGIENE - A.A.S. DEGREE

Description:
The two-year program in Dental Hygiene prepares graduates for careers in preventive dentistry.
Working under the supervision of a dentist, the dental hygienist provides patient care through clinical service and dental health counseling. Graduates of the program find employment in private dental offices, hospitals, clinics, and community health agencies.

Admission requirements are: CPR certification (CPR for health professionals, including adult, child and infant - no on-line courses), Sequential Math I, grade of C or better in both high school biology and chemistry. High school geometry is strongly recommended. Early applications are encouraged.

Admission to this program is conditional upon meeting medical requirements, clearance of existing problem(s), and ability to meet technical standards (physical demands) of the program.

The program includes courses in liberal arts, basic dental science and clinical experience. All students will complete off-campus clinical assignments as part of their clinical experience.

A minimum grade of C is necessary in all required Dental Studies courses for continued matriculation in the program. No student may progress to the next Dental Studies course level without successful completion of all courses in the previous level. A student who has been previously enrolled in Dental Studies and earned a grade below C or a W in the course will not be eligible for admission/re-admission to Dental Studies, unless there are documented extenuating circumstances that warrant consideration. A student who believes that there is an extenuating circumstance should speak with an advisor in the Admissions Office or the Advisement Center. Re-admission of students after an unsuccessful attempt requires permission of the department and is always on a space available basis. Such an appeal may be made only one time. Dental Studies is a high-demand, competitive program; therefore, re-admission to the Dental Studies program is rare. Any student who is re-admitted to the Dental Studies program and fails to achieve a grade of C or higher a second time is ineligible to continue in the Dental Studies program. Admission/re-admission is always on a space available basis. Students must follow the sequence of courses semester by semester as presented. A student who fails to achieve the C in the fourth semester DEN courses will be ineligible for graduation. Successful completion of the program permits admission to licensure examinations. Students must also take a clinical exam in the region in which they plan to practice. MCC Dental Hygiene students take the National Board examination in July, after graduation. Dental hygienists must be licensed in order to practice. Prior to clinical experience, students must have a physical examination.

(Housed in the Health Professions Department)

Distribution Requirements	Credit Hours
FIRST SEMESTER*
BIO 134 Human Anatomy and Physiology I OR BIO 142 Human Anatomy	3-4
DEN 110 Dental Health Education	1
DEN 111 Dental Radiography I	2
DEN 112 Oral Anatomy and Physiology I	2
DEN 113 Barrier Precautions and Infection Control Measures	1
DEN 114 Dental Hygiene I	2
DEN 115 Clinical Dental Hygiene I	2
ENG 101 College Composition OR ENG 200 Advanced Composition	3
Physical/Health Education	1
Total	17-18

SECOND SEMESTER*
BIO 135 Anatomy and Physiology II OR BIO 143 Human Physiology	3-4
BIO 202 Microbiology	4
DEN 121 Dental Radiography II**	2
DEN 122 Oral Anatomy and Physiology II	2
DEN 123 Oral Pathology I	1
DEN 124 Dental Hygiene II	1
DEN 125 Clinical Dental Hygiene II**	3
DEN 129 Periodontics I	1
Total	17-18

THIRD SEMESTER*
BIO 217 Nutrition***	3
DEN 211 Dental Materials	2
DEN 212 Community Dentistry I	1
DEN 213 Oral Pathology II	1
DEN 214 Dental Hygiene III	1
DEN 215 Clinical Dental Hygiene III**	4
DEN 216 Dental Therapeutics I	1
DEN 217 Dental Specialties	1
DEN 219 Periodontics II	2
SPT 141 Interpersonal Communication OR SPT 143 Small Group Communication OR SPT 144 Communication and Crisis	3
Total	19

FOURTH SEMESTER*
DEN 222 Community Dentistry II	1
DEN 224 Dental Hygiene IV	1
DEN 225 Clinical Dental Hygiene IV**	4
DEN 226 Dental Therapeutics II	1
DEN 228 Dental Office Management/Business Practice	1
DEN 229 Periodontics III	1
PSY 101 Introductory Psychology	3
SOC 101 Introduction to Sociology	3
Physical/Health Education	1
Total	16

TOTAL CREDITS	69-71

* Completion of all previous semester dental hygiene courses with a grade of C, and passing grades in biology are required for advancement to the next semester. Students may complete BIO courses prior to the sequence listed in the catalog. Students must complete BIO and DEN courses following the semester sequence.
** Enrollment in DEN 121, DEN 125, DEN 215 and DEN 225 is conditional upon satisfactory completion of the medical requirements and clearance from any existing health problem(s). Students are required to recruit patients to meet course requirements.
*** It is recommended that students take BIO 217 during summer session if possible.
**** Students must complete BIO and DEN courses following the semester sequence.
***** Students may complete BIO courses prior to the sequence listed in the catalog.