Dental Hygiene, A.A.S. (A45260)

This program has selective admission requirements. Contact the Health Sciences Enrollment Center for information and application deadlines.

The Dental Hygiene curriculum provides individuals with the knowledge and skills to assess, 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.

The program in dental hygiene is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation and has been granted the accreditation status of accreditation without reporting requirements. The Commission is a specialized accrediting body recognized by the United States Department of Education.

Students, faculty, constituent dental societies, state boards of dentistry, patients, and other interested parties may submit an appropriate, signed, formal complaint to the Commission on Dental Accreditation regarding the program. An appropriate complaint is one that directly addresses a program’s compliance with the Commission’s standards, policies, and procedures. The Commission is interested in the continued improvement and sustained quality of dental and dental-related education programs but does not intervene on behalf of individuals or act as a court of appeal for treatment received by patients or individuals in matters of admission, appointment, promotion or dismissal of faculty, staff or students.

A copy of the appropriate accreditation standards and/or the Commission’s policy and procedure for submission of complaints may be obtained by contacting the Commission at 211 East Chicago Avenue, Chicago, IL 60611 or by calling 1-312-440-4653.

General Education Requirements (16 credits)

Required (13 credits)

ENG 111 - Writing and Inquiry Credit(s): 3
ENG 114 - Prof Research & Reporting Credit(s): 3
BIO 169 - Anatomy and Physiology II Credit(s): 4
SOC 240 - Social Psychology Credit(s): 3

Humanities/Fine Arts Electives (3 credits)

Take 3 credits:

ART 111 - Art Appreciation Credit(s): 3
ART 114 - Art History Survey I Credit(s): 3
ART 115 - Art History Survey II Credit(s): 3
ART 116 - Survey of American Art Credit(s): 3
ART 117 - Non-Western Art History Credit(s): 3
DRA 111 - Theatre Appreciation Credit(s): 3
DRA 112 - Literature of the Theatre Credit(s): 3
HUM 115 - Critical Thinking Credit(s): 3
MUS 110 - Music Appreciation Credit(s): 3
MUS 112 - Introduction to Jazz Credit(s): 3
MUS 113 - American Music Credit(s): 3
MUS 114 - Non-Western Music Credit(s): 3
PHI 230 - Introduction to Logic Credit(s): 3
PHI 240 - Introduction to Ethics Credit(s): 3
REL 110 - World Religions Credit(s): 3
REL 111 - Eastern Religions Credit(s): 3
Credit(s):

Major Requirements (49 credits)

Other Major Requirements

Total Credits: 75

Note:

There are additional requirements for insurance, instruments, books, criminal background checks, drug screens, medical physical exam, and vaccinations. These requirements and expenses are outlined in the Dental Hygiene Information Packet.