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2000-2001 Catalog
Health Care
Dental Hygiene (2233)

Associate in Science or Associate in Applied Science

MISSION STATEMENT: Creating competent, ethical, confident entry-level healthcare 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.

THE PROGRAM: This limited access associate degree program in dental hygiene requires a minimum of two years of college education. The program is accredited by the American Dental Association Commission on Dental Accreditation. 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" is required in all natural science and dental hygiene courses.

PREREQUISITES: Four courses should be completed prior to submitting an application to the program:

ENC 1101 English Composition I
CHM 1032C Principles of General Chemistry
BSC 2085C Human Anatomy and Physiology I
BSC 2086C Human Anatomy and Physiology II

APPLICATION PROCEDURE: Dental hygiene is a selective access program and continuance in the program is limited and based upon academic performance and other criteria.

  1. completion of FCCJ admission application
  2. completion of dental hygiene program application
  3. completion of Health Occupations Test (HOT)
  4. forwarding of official college transcripts
NOTE: Students have two degree alternatives in this program: The associate in science (A.S.) and the associate in applied science (A.A.S.). If you intend to pursue further education at the university level, you should enroll in the A.S. option. If you intend to go directly to work after completing your associate’s degree, consider the A.A.S. While the A.A.S. will not provide you with the transfer benefits of the A.S., the A.A.S. will provide you with the skills required to begin working in the field immediately upon graduation. If you are unsure of which option is best for you, please see an advisor for further counseling.

Requirements and Recommended Course Groupings

The following is a presentation of required courses in recommended course groupings for this program. The dental courses (DEH and DES prefix) have limited access and can only be taken following acceptance into the program. The dental courses must be taken in precise sequence shown. However, any of the general education courses listed in the groupings can be taken prior to admission to the dental hygiene program.

Course Grouping One
(First term prerequisites.)
Course Number and Title
Credits
ENC 1101 English Composition I
3
BSC 2085C Human Anatomy and Physiology I
4
Credit Hours
7

Course Grouping Two
(Second term prerequisites.)

Course Number and Title
Credits
CHM 1032C Principles of General Chemistry
4
BSC 2086C Human Anatomy and Physiology II
4
Credit Hours
8

Course Grouping Three

Course Number and Title
Credits
**DES 1021C Dental Anatomy
3
**DES 1200C Dental Radiology
3
**DEH 1001C Introduction to Clinical Procedures
3
**DEH 1002C Dental Hygiene Instrumentation
4
HUN 1201 Human Nutrition
3
Credit Hours
16

Course Grouping Four

Course Number and Title
Credits
**DEH 2530C Dental Hygienists Expanded Duties
2
**DEH 1800C Clinical Dental Hygiene I
5
**DES 1100C Dental Materials and Laboratory
2
**DEH 1720 Preventive Dentistry
2
SOP 1002 Human Relations
3
Credit Hours
14

Course Grouping Five

Course Number and Title
Credits
**MCB 2010C Microbiology
4
**DEH 1802C Clinical Dental Hygiene II
7
**DEH 2602 Periodontics
2
Credit Hours
13

Course Grouping Six

Course Number and Title
Credits
**DEH 2804C Clinical Dental Hygiene III
7
**DEH 2400 Oral Pathology
2
**DEH 2300 Pharmacology and Oral Medicine
2
MAC 1105 College Algebra
3
Credit Hours
14

Course Grouping Seven

Course Number and Title
Credits
**DEH 2806C Clinical Dental Hygiene IV
8
**DES 2601 Dental Emergencies and the Medically Compromised Patient
2
**DEH 2701 Community Dentistry
3
*Humanities
3
Credit Hours
16
TOTAL 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.

NOTE: 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 studentŐs eligibility for licensure when there is an arrest/conviction record. Students should contact the dental program chairperson prior to applying to the dental program.

Students earning an A.S. degree must take MAC 1105, MGF 1106 or a higher level mathematics course. Students earning an A.A.S. degree must take MAT 1033 or a higher level mathematics course.