Associate in Science/Associate in Applied Science

Dental Hygiene 2300

MISSION STATEMENT: Creating competent, ethical, confident entry-level health care practitioners committed to professional development through life-long learning in a positive, non-discriminatory and supportive learning environment.

THE CAREER: Dental hygienists are licensed preventive oral health professionals who provide educational, clinical and therapeutic services. They support total health through the promotion of optimal dental health. A dental hygienist clinician works with the licensed dentist and other dental auxiliaries as a member of an oral health care team. A dental hygienist must obtain a license by completing both a written and a clinical examination before practicing. For more information on this career, you can visit the web sites of the American Dental Hygienists Association or the American Dental Association.

THE PROGRAM: This selective access associate degree program in dental hygiene requires a minimum of two years of college education.

Expected Job Growth: Nearly 50% in the next three years.

Starting Salary: $18 - $20 per hour

 

Certification and Licensing
Upon completion of the program, graduates must take a written and clinical exam prior to licensing. You must be state licensed in order to work as a dental hygienist. (This program prepares students to take the State of Florida licensing exam, thus preparing students to work in the State of Florida only. Those interested in obtaining employment in another state should check with that state's licensing requirements.)
Articulations
This program articulates into a bachelor’s degree in health care management at Franklin University, and a bachelor’s degree program in health science at the University of North Florida and Nova Southeastern University.
Accreditation
This program is accredited by the American Dental Association Commission on Dental Accreditation.

 

Application Procedure

Because the Dental Hygiene program includes dental and basic science courses, high school preparation should include biology and chemistry. In addition, the program includes courses in liberal arts (such as English and social psychology), basic sciences (such as anatomy, microbiology and pathology) and clinical sciences (such as dental hygiene, dental radiology and dental materials). Students are strongly advised to take the basic sciences before applying for the program. A minimum grade of "C" must be maintained in all natural science and dental hygiene courses in order to continue in the Dental Hygiene program.

Prerequisites: These courses should be completed prior to submitting an application to the program

**CHM 1032C Principles of General Chemistry
**BSC 2085C Human Anatomy and Physiology I
**MCB 2010C Microbiology
MAC 1105 College Algebra (AS option)
MAC 1033 Intermediate Algebra (AAS option)

Dental Hygiene is a selective access program. Acceptance into the program is limited and based upon academic performance and other criteria. To be considered as a qualified applicant, individuals must complete the following by the application deadline:

1. Be accepted for admission to Florida Community College
2. Have a complete dental hygiene application on file
3. Complete the Health Occupations Test (HOT) and include the results in your application
4. Forward official college transcripts to both Florida Community College and the Dental Program
5. Provide evidence of current CPR certification for health care providers (infant, child, adult)

Curriculum

General Education Courses
**BSC 2085C Human Anatomy and Physiology I (4)
ENC 1101 English Composition I (3)
SOP 1002 Human Relations (3)
*MAC 1105 College Algebra (3)
*Humanities (3)

Credit hours: 16


Required Professional Courses
**BSC 2086C Human Anatomy and Physiology II (4)
**CHM 1032C General Chemistry (4)
**MCB 2010C Microbiology (4)

Credit hours: 12

Dental Hygiene Courses (Students may only enroll after being admitted to the program)
**DES 1000 Oral and Dental Anatomy (1)
**DES 1000L Oral and Dental Anatomy Laboratory (1)
**DEH 1930 Introduction to Clinical Procedures (4)
**DEH 1931C Dental Hygiene Instruction (3)
**DES 1030 Oral Histology and Embryology (1)
**DES 1010 Head and Neck Anatomy (1)
**DES 1820 Dental Office Emergencies (1)
**DES 1820L Dental Office Emergencies Laboratory (1)
**DEH 1720 Preventive Dentistry (2)
**DEH 1800 Clinical Dental Hygiene I (2)
**DEH 1800L Clinical Dental Hygiene I Laboratory (3)
**DES 1200 Dental Radiology (3)
**DES 1200L Dental Radiology Laboratory (1)
**DEH 1802 Clinical Dental Hygiene II (1)
**DEH 1802L Clinical Dental Hygiene II Laboratory (4)
**DEH 1933 General and Oral Pathology (3)
**DEH 1934 Periodontics (3)
**DEH 2530 Dental Hygienists Expanded Duties (1)
**DEH 2530L Dental Hygienists Expanded Duties Laboratory (1)
**DES 1101 Dental Materials (1)
**DES 1101L Dental Materials Laboratory (1)
**DEH2804 Clinical Dental Hygiene III (1)
**DEH 2804 L Clinical Dental Hygiene III Lab (4)
**DEH 2701 Community Dentistry (3)
**DEH 1932 Pharmacology and Oral Medicine (3)
**DEH 2821 Medically Compromised Patient (1)
**DEH 2930 Clinical Seminar (1)
**DEH 2806L Clinical Dental Hygiene IV Laboratory (4)
**DES 2710 General & Oral Nutrition (2)
**DEH 2811 Dental Ethics, Jurisprudence and Problem Issues (1)
**DEH 2701L Community Oral Health Practicum (1)

Credit hours: 60

Total Program Credit Hours 88

*Refer to A.S. degree General Education Requirements.
**Minimum grade of "C" is required in all dental hygiene and in all natural science courses.

 

Notes

IMMUNIZATIONS: Prior to contact with patients or patient specimens, students must furnish proof of childhood immunizations and Hepatitis B immunization. Contact program chairperson for additional information.

Record of Conviction of a Crime: The Florida State Board of Dentistry, in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Florida Division of Medical Quality Assurance, will determine a dental hygiene student's eligibility for licensure when there is an arrest/conviction record. Students should contact the dental program chairperson prior to applying to the dental program.

Clinical agencies may require students to undergo drug screening and criminal background checks prior to placement in the agencies for clinical experiences. Students whose drug screening and criminal background checks are unsatisfactory may be denied access to clinical experiences by the clinical agencies. Withdrawal from the program may be necessary if students cannot be placed for clinical experiences.

Tuition and Fees: Estimated tuition*, books and materials: $8,300 (*for Florida residents, as of 7/04)

 

Need More Information? Contact:

Jackie Mack, North Campus, jlmack@fccj.edu 904.766.6571

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