MCCCD Program Description

Major: 3831 Catalog Year: 2026-2027 Effective Term: 2026 Fall Last Admit Term: 9999 Award: AAS Total Credits: 96-111.5 CIP Code: 51.0602	Primary College: Phoenix College Initiating College: Phoenix College Program Availability: Not Found Program Availability: Shared Program Availability: MC, PC, RS Field of Interest: Health Sciences Instructional Council: Dental Health Professions GPA: 3.25
SOC Code: Upon completion of this program, students may pursue a career as: 29-1292.00 Dental Hygienists

Description: The Associate in Applied Science (AAS) in Dental Hygiene degree prepares students to become primary care oral health professionals. A licensed dental hygienist may provide education, assessment, diagnostic, preventive and therapeutic services, research, and administrative services that support overall health through the promotion of optimal oral health. Hygienists may be employed in general or specialty dental practice in private or public healthcare settings. The program also prepares students for university transfer.

The dental hygiene program offers a rigorous, intensive, science-based curriculum. Students will provide services in clinical settings and will develop a commitment to the community through offsite educational and enrichment experiences serving diverse populations. Successful students will develop and demonstrate critical thinking, as well as ethical and professional behaviors required by the field.

Applicants should possess hand-eye coordination, manual dexterity, attention to detail, and the ability to persevere through a rigorous academic and clinical full-time program workload. Students in an MCCCD Dental Hygiene program will be exposed to bloodborne pathogens and infectious diseases. The program strictly adheres to established policies and procedures regarding infection control as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, American Dental Association, the Organization for Safety and Asepsis Procedures, and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

The Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association (211 E. Chicago Ave., Suite 1900, Chicago, IL 60611-2637; (312) 440-4653) grants accreditation to the Phoenix College, Rio Salado College, and Mesa Community College programs. The Commission is a specialized accrediting body recognized by the United States Department of Education.

This program is designed to meet education requirements for licensure or certification in the State of Arizona. Granting licensure and certification is the sole responsibility of the state board or approval agency. This program is only offered and available to students located in the State of Arizona. The Maricopa County Community College District and colleges define student location within Administrative Regulation 2.2.3(7).

Learning Outcomes
1. Adhere to state and federal laws, recommendations, and regulations in the provision of oral health care. (DHE117, DHE120, DHE125, DHE132, DHE133, DHE201, DHE202, DHE212, DHE213, DHE219, DHE227, DHE232, DHE233, HCC/RES109, [HU]) 2. Systematically assess comprehensive data on the general and oral health needs of patients from diverse populations. (DHE110, DHE112, DHE115, DHE119, DHE120, DHE121, DHE125, DHE127, DHE132, DHE133, DHE201, DHE202, DHE212, DHE213, DHE225, DHE227, DHE232, DHE233, BIO156, BIO181, BIO201, BIO202, BIO205, CHM130, CHM130LL, CHM130AA, CHM151, CHM151LL, CHM151AA, CHM152, CHM152LL, CHM152AA, CHM230, CHM230LL, CHM230AA, CHM235, CHM235LL, CHM235AA, CHM236, CHM236LL, CHM236AA, [CS], [FYC], [MA], [SB], (CRE)) 3. Use critical decision making to interpret data and create a dental hygiene diagnosis. (DHE110, DHE112, DHE115, DHE117, DHE119, DHE121, DHE125, DHE127, DHE132, DHE133, DHE201, DHE202, DHE212, DHE213, DHE225, DHE227, DHE232, DHE233, BIO156, BIO181, BIO201, BIO202, BIO205, CHM130, CHM130LL, CHM130AA, CHM151, CHM151LL, CHM151AA, CHM152, CHM152LL, CHM152AA, CHM230, CHM230LL, CHM230AA, CHM235, CHM235LL, CHM235AA, CHM236, CHM236LL, CHM236AA, [CS], [HU], [MA], [SB], (CRE)) 4. Design and present a patient-centered dental hygiene care plan utilizing evidence-based research and professional standards. (DHE132, DHE133, DHE212, DHE213, DHE232, DHE233, BIO156, BIO181, BIO201, BIO202, BIO205, CHM130, CHM130LL, CHM130AA, CHM151, CHM151LL, CHM151AA, CHM152, CHM152LL, CHM152AA, CHM230, CHM230LL, CHM230AA, CHM235, CHM235LL, CHM235AA, CHM236, CHM236LL, CHM236AA, [FYC], [HU], (CRE)) 5. Implement comprehensive dental hygiene services to achieve and maintain patient`s optimal health. (DHE133, DHE213, DHE233) 6. Evaluate the outcome of dental hygiene care during active and maintenance treatment phases and refer to appropriate healthcare providers if indicated. (DHE213, DHE233, BIO201, BIO202, BIO205, CHM130, CHM130LL, CHM130AA, CHM151, CHM151LL, CHM151AA, CHM152, CHM152LL, CHM152AA, CHM230, CHM230LL, CHM230AA, CHM235, CHM235LL, CHM235AA, CHM236, CHM236LL, CHM236AA, [FYC], (CRE)) 7. Record accurate, consistent, and complete documentation throughout the process of care. (DHE120, DHE133, DHE213, DHE233, BIO156, BIO181, BIO201, BIO202, BIO205, CHM130, CHM130LL, CHM130AA, CHM151, CHM151LL, CHM151AA, CHM152, CHM152LL, CHM152AA, CHM230, CHM230LL, CHM230AA, CHM235, CHM235LL, CHM235AA, CHM236, CHM236LL, CHM236AA, [FYC], [HU]) 8. Employ effective interpersonal communication with patients, families, and the healthcare team in a culturally competent, ethical, and professional manner. (DHE133, DHE213, DHE229, DHE233, [FYC], [HU], [SB], (COM)) 9. Practice professional and ethical behaviors as accepted by healthcare professionals. (DHE110, DHE112, DHE115, DHE117, DHE119, DHE120, DHE121, DHE125, DHE127, DHE132, DHE133, DHE201, DHE202, DHE212, DHE213, DHE219, DHE225, DHE227, DHE229, DHE232, DHE233, BIO156, BIO181, BIO201, BIO202, BIO205, CHM130, CHM130LL, CHM130AA, CHM151, CHM151LL, CHM151AA, CHM152, CHM152LL, CHM152AA, CHM230, CHM230LL, CHM230AA, CHM235, CHM235LL, CHM235AA, CHM236, CHM236LL, CHM236AA, [HU], [SB], (COM), (CRE)) 10. Demonstrate self-assessment and self-regulation strategies for lifelong learning. (DHE110, DHE112, DHE115, DHE117, DHE119, DHE120, DHE121, DHE125, DHE127, DHE132, DHE133, DHE201, DHE202, DHE212, DHE213, DHE219, DHE225, DHE227, DHE229, DHE232, DHE233, BIO156, BIO181, BIO201, BIO202, BIO205, [HU], [SB], (COM), (CRE)) 11. Advocate for healthy communities through the provision of community-based preventive and therapeutic oral healthcare services. (DHE229, [SB], (COM))

Program Notes
Students must earn a grade of C or better in all courses within the program. Students must complete the Basic Science courses with a GPA of 3.5 or better and General Education courses with a GPA of 3.25. Basic Science courses must have been completed within the last five years upon application submission or as determined by the Dental Health Professions Instructional Council. Students must earn a grade of 75% or better in the Required Courses area within the core program. Students should consult with an advisor prior to applying to the program. For students planning to pursue a Bachelor`s completion pathway or to complete an AGEC-A: MHL155 and PHI213 are recommended for the Humanities, Arts and Design area for a total of 6 credits in this area. COM225 with the [L] designation is recommended for the Oral Communication area. PSY101 and SOC101 are recommended for the Social Behavioral area. An additional course(s) may be required to meet NAU Degree completion requirements.

Admission Criteria
High school diploma or GED equivalency is required. Program applications will not be accepted without a copy of an Arizona Department of Public Safety Level One Fingerprint Clearance Card. General education courses must be completed to apply for an available space to begin the core dental hygiene courses. Acknowledgement of ability to fully participate in classroom, laboratory, or clinical setting program activities. Formal application and acceptance to the program is required. After being placed in the program, the following are required: Admission to an Allied Health program requires that students be in compliance with the Maricopa County Community College District Supplemental Background Check policy. Upon conditional program admission, the student must comply with all requirements of the current MCCCD background check policy. Complete and submit the required proof of immunity and health declaration form signed by a licensed health care provider. Submit to a drug screening and demonstrate negative results. Submit current CPR card for Health Care Provider and maintain current status throughout the program.

Required Courses

HCC/RES109 CPR for Health Care Provider (0.5) OR
Current CPR certification at the health care provider Professional rescuer level 0-0.5

+ DHE110 Pharmacology for the Dental Hygienist 3
+ DHE112 Oral Pathology 3
+ DHE115 Emergency Medicine 2
+ DHE117 Dental Radiography 2
+ DHE119 Head and Neck Anatomy 3
+ DHE120 Pre-Clinical Dental Hygiene 6
+ DHE121 Dental Anatomy, Embryology and Histology 2
+ DHE125 Dental Radiography Laboratory 1
+ DHE127 Prevention of Dental Disease 3
+ DHE132 Dental Hygiene Theory I 3
+ DHE133 Dental Hygiene Clinic I 3
+ DHE201 Dental Materials 2
+ DHE202 Dental Materials Laboratory 1
+ DHE212 Dental Hygiene Theory II 2
+ DHE213 Dental Hygiene Clinic II 5
+ DHE219 Practice Management 2
+ DHE225 Periodontics 3
+ DHE227 Dental Anesthesia 2
+ DHE229 Community Oral Health 3
+ DHE232 Dental Hygiene Theory III 2
+ DHE233 Dental Hygiene Clinic III 5

FYE101 Introduction to College, Career and Personal Success (1) OR
FYE103 Exploration of College, Career and Personal Success (3) 1-3

Credits: 59-61.5

Restricted Electives
	Credits:

General Electives
	Credits:

General Education Requirements

General Education Requirement			Credits: 37-46

General Education Core			Credits: 12-18

First-Year Composition			Credits: 6
+ ENG101 First-Year Composition (3) OR + ENG107 First-Year Composition for ESL (3) AND + ENG102 First-Year Composition (3) OR + ENG108 First-Year Composition for ESL (3) 6

Oral Communication			Credits: 3
COM100 Introduction to Human Communication (3) OR COM110 Interpersonal Communication (3) OR + COM225 Public Speaking (3) OR COM230 Small Group Communication (3) 3 COM225 is recommended for students pursuing a CEP or to complete the AGEC-A to meet the Oral Communication and the Literacy [L] designation.

Critical Reading			Credits: 0-3
+ CRE101 College Critical Reading and Critical Thinking (3) OR Equivalent as indicated by assessment 0-3. Students who are exempt from CRE101 must complete a course with an [L] designation if pursuing a CEP or to complete the AGEC-A.

Mathematics			Credits: 3-6
+ MAT140 College Mathematics (5) OR + MAT141 College Mathematics (4) OR + MAT142 College Mathematics (3) OR MAT145 College Mathematics with Review (5) OR MAT146 College Mathematics with Review (6) OR Satisfactory completion of higher level Mathematics course. 3-6 MAT140 or MAT141 or MAT142 or MAT145 or MAT146 or Higher course in the Mathematical Applications [MA] area is required for students pursuing to complete the AGEC-A.

General Education Distribution			Credits: 25-28

Humanities, Arts and Design			Credits: 3-6
Any approved general education course from the Humanities, Arts and Design area. 3-6 MHL155 and PHI213 for a total of 6 credits are recommended for the Humanities, Arts and Design area for students pursuing a CEP or to complete the AGEC-A.

Social-Behavioral Sciences			Credits: 6
Any SOC+++ Any approved SOC general education course from the Social Behavioral Sciences area 3 Any PSY+++ Any approved PSY general education course from the Social Behavioral Sciences area 3

Natural Sciences			Credits: 16-20
Students must complete the following Basic Science courses with a GPA of 3.50. + BIO156 Introductory Biology for Allied Health (4) OR + BIO181 General Biology (Majors) I (4) OR One (1) year of high school Biology 0-4 + BIO201 Human Anatomy and Physiology I 4 AND + BIO202 Human Anatomy and Physiology II 4 AND + BIO205 Microbiology 4 AND + CHM130 Fundamental Chemistry (3) AND + CHM130LL Fundamental Chemistry Laboratory (1) 4 OR + CHM130AA Fundamental Chemistry with Lab (4) OR + CHM151 General Chemistry I (3) AND + CHM151LL General Chemistry I Laboratory (1) 4 OR + CHM151AA General Chemistry I with Lab (4) OR + CHM152 General Chemistry II (3) AND + CHM152LL General Chemistry II Laboratory (1) 4 OR + CHM152AA General Chemistry II with Lab (4) OR + CHM230 Fundamental Organic Chemistry (3) AND + CHM230LL Fundamental Organic Chemistry Laboratory (1) 4 OR + CHM230AA Fundamental Organic Chemistry with Lab (4) OR + CHM235 General Organic Chemistry I (3) AND + CHM235LL General Organic Chemistry I Laboratory (1) 4 OR + CHM235AA General Organic Chemistry I with Lab (4) OR + CHM236 General Organic Chemistry II (3) AND + CHM236LL General Organic Chemistry II Laboratory (1) 4 OR + CHM236AA General Organic Chemistry II with Lab (4) 4 Students who have completed CHM138 and CHM138LL prior to Fall 2019 have fulfilled the CHM requirement for acceptance into the MCCCD Dental Hygiene program. CHM138 and CHM138LL completed Fall of 2019 or after, will no longer meet the MCCCD Dental Hygiene Application Admissions requirement as this class is being phased out. Please note that CHM130 is required for participation in the CEP program through NAU.

+ indicates course has prerequisites and/or corequisites.
++ indicates that any suffixed course may be selected.

MCCCD Governing Board Approval Date: June 24, 2025

All information published is subject to change without notice. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of information presented, but based on the dynamic nature of the curricular process, course and program information is subject to change in order to reflect the most current information available.