Dental Hygiene, Associate in Science
The program in dental hygiene is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association, a specialized accrediting body recognized by the Council on Postsecondary Accreditation and by the United States Department of Education.
This is a limited access program with documents required for admission listed in the application materials.
The purpose of this program is to prepare students for employment as a dental hygienist. Upon successful completion of the program, the graduate receives an Associate in Science degree in Dental Hygiene. Students who wish to transfer any credits from this program to another institution must accept the responsibility for securing approval in advance from that institution.
Program Code: AS-DH / APP-DH
Prerequisites
| BSC 1085 | Human Anatomy and Physiology I | 3 cr. |
| BSC 1085L | Human Anatomy and Physiology I Laboratory | 1 cr. |
| BSC 1086 | Human Anatomy and Physiology II | 3 cr. |
| BSC 1086L | Human Anatomy and Physiology II Laboratory | 1 cr. |
| CHM 1025 | Introductory Chemistry | 3 cr. |
| CHM 1025L | Introductory Chemistry Laboratory | 1 cr. |
| AMH 2020 | History of the United States II | 3 cr. |
| | or | |
| POS 2041 | American Federal Government | 3 cr. |
| MCB 2010 | Microbiology | 3 cr. |
| MCB 2010L | Microbiology Laboratory | 1 cr. |
| PSY 1012 | Introduction to Psychology | 3 cr. |
| SPC 2608 | Introduction to Public Speaking | 3 cr. |
| Total Credit Hours: | 25 |
CHM 1025 - or higher-level chemistry course
CHM 1025L - or higher-level chemistry course with lectures
Prerequisites - Note(s): These 25 hours of prerequisites must be successfully completed before application to the program and are included in the 40 hours of General Education Requirements and Support Courses.
Freshman—Session I
| DES 1020 | Oral Head and Neck Anatomy, Histology and Embryology | 4 cr. |
| DES 1020L | Oral, Head, and Neck Anatomy Laboratory | .5 cr. |
| DEH 1002 | Dental Hygiene I | 4.5 cr. |
| DEH 1002L | Dental Hygiene I Clinical | 1.5 cr. |
| DES 1200 | Dental Radiography | 2 cr. |
| DES 1200L | Dental Radiography Lab | 1 cr. |
| Total Credit Hours: | 13.5 |
Freshman—Session III
| DEH 2802L | Dental Hygiene III Clinical | 2.5 cr. |
| | Any Area II Mathematics course listed in the Associate in Science Degree Program Requirements | 3 cr. |
| Total Credit Hours: | 5.5 |
Sophomore—Session II
| DEH 2605 | Advanced Principles of Dental Hygiene Seminar | 1 cr. |
| DEH 2702L | Community Dental Health Clinical | 1 cr. |
| DEH 2810 | Dental Hygiene IV | 2 cr. |
| DEH 2806L | Dental Hygiene V Clinical | 4.5 cr. |
| SYG 2000 | Introduction to Sociology | 3 cr. |
| | Any Area V Humanities course listed in the Associate in Science Degree Program Requirements | 3 cr. |
| Total Credit Hours: | 14.5 |
Note(s): CPR certification, PHSC course NCH 0050, American Heart Association, "Basic Life Support for Health Care Providers," is a requirement of this program.
General Education and Support Courses: 40 Semester Hours
Dental Hygiene Education: 48 Semester Hours
Total Hours: 88 Semester Hours
Special Program Requirements
An academic average of "C" or higher and/or a grade of "Pass" must be earned in each dental science and dental health course in order to continue in the program. Satisfactory completion of 88 semester hours of approved credit with a grade of "C" or higher in required general science, dental science and dental hygiene courses is necessary for graduation. Dental hygiene courses may be repeated only with the recommendation of dental faculty, Dental Programs Co-coordinator, Dean of Nursing and Health Programs and approval of the Executive Vice President and Chief Academic Officer / College Provost and if class space is available.
A minimum of 15 hours of credit in dental hygiene must be completed in residence in classroom instruction at PHSC in 2000-level courses.