Degree and Certificate Programs

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" must be maintained in all natural science and dental hygiene courses in order to continue in the dental hygiene program.

Prerequisites: Three 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

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 associates degree, consider the A.A.S. While the A.A.S. will not provide you with the articulation 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.

Required Courses

The following is a list of courses required for this program presented in a recommended sequence of completion. The sequence is only a suggested guide, and there is no requirement to follow the sequence precisely. Students in this program may register for any course as long as the student has met any prerequisites for that course.

Course Number and Title	Credits
ENC 1101 English Composition I	3
**BSC 2085C Human Anatomy and Physiology I	4
**CHM 1032C Principles of General Chemistry	4
**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
**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
**BSC 2086C Human Anatomy and Physiology II	4
**MCB 2010C Microbiology	4
**DEH 1802C Clinical Dental Hygiene II	7
**DEH 2300 Pharmacology and Oral Medicine	2
**DEH 2804C Clinical Dental Hygiene III	7
**DEH 2400 Oral Pathology 2	2
**DEH 2602 Periodontics	2
SOP 1002 Human Relations	3
MAC 1105 College Algebra	3
**DEH 2806C Clinical Dental Hygiene IV	8
**DES 2601 Dental Emergencies and the Medically Compromised Patient	2
**DEH 2701 Community Dentistry	3
*Humanities	3
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 students 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.