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Center for Curriculum and Transfer Articulation Not Found
Major: 3831
Effective Term: 2010 Fall      

Award: AAS
Total Credits: 98-102.5
CIP Code: 51.0602

Instructional Council: Allied Health (51)
GPA: 2.00
SOC Code:


Description: The Associate in Applied Science (AAS) degree in Dental Hygiene prepares students to practice entry-level dental hygiene. Dental hygiene students will provide preventive and therapeutic services, and will develop a commitment to the community through extramural opportunities serving diverse populations. The program is a blend of academic and clinical coursework that requires attention to detail and motivation to complete tasks on a timeline. Graduates are employed in private dental offices, hospitals, schools, and clinics within their community.

The Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association (211 E. Chicago Ave., Chicago, Ill. 60611-2678 (312) 440-4653) grants accreditation to the Phoenix College, Rio Salado, and Mesa programs. The Commission is a specialized accrediting body recognized by the United States Department of Education. Graduates are eligible for board examinations and licensure in all fifty states.

Applicants who are accepted and enroll in a MCCCD Dental Hygiene program will be exposed to blood-borne 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.



Required Courses
+ DHE110 Pharmacology 3
+ DHE112 Oral Pathology 3
+ DHE115 Emergency Medicine 2
+ DHE119 Head and Neck Anatomy 3
+ DHE120 Pre-Clinical Dental Hygiene 6
+ DHE121 Dental Anatomy, Embryology and Histology 2
+ DHE117 Dental Radiography 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 I 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
Credits: 58

Program Competencies
1. Apply effective communication skills with clients, families, and health-care team members. (DHE115, DHE120, DHE127, DHE133, DHE212, DHE213, DHE219, DHE233)
2. Practice ethical standards of behavior as accepted by health care professionals. (DHE110, DHE112, DHE120, DHE117, DHE132, DHE133, DHE213, DHE219, DHE227, DHE229, DHE233)
3. Apply highest standards of infection control and safety to protect the client and operator. (DHE120, DHE117, DHE125, DHE133, DHE201, DHE202, DHE213, DHE227, DHE233)
4. Operate and maintain all dental equipment. (DHE120, DHE117, DHE125, DHE132, DHE133, DHE202)
5. Expose and interpret diagnostic radiographs. (DHE117, DHE125, DHE133)
6. Assess the health of the client by integrating data from the medicodental history, vital signs, oral cancer examination, radiographs, and classification, condition and function of the teeth and periodontium. (DHE110, DHE112, DHE115, DHE120, DHE121, DHE125, DHE127, DHE132, DHE133, DHE201, DHE227, DHE229)
7. Plan, present and receive client consent for an individualized dental hygiene treatment plan, based upon the assessment data, including referral to appropriate health care professionals. (DHE115, DHE120, DHE127, DHE132, DHE133, DHE212, DHE213, DHE225, DHE227, DHE229, DHE232, DHE233)
8. Practice comprehensive dental hygiene therapy including periodontal debridement, administration of pain control agents, oral irrigation, curettage, root planing, application of sealants and caries preventive agents to assist the client on achieving optimal health. (DHE119, DHE120, DHE121, DHE127, DHE132, DHE133, DHE201, DHE202, DHE212, DHE213, DHE225, DHE227, DHE229, DHE232, DHE233)
9. Involve the client in treatment to include dietary choices, oral hygiene techniques, tobacco cessation techniques, home-applied fluorides and anti-microbial agents. (DHE120, DHE127, DHE132, DHE133)
10. Evaluate the outcome of dental hygiene therapy during active and maintenance treatment phases and refer to appropriate health care providers to attain and maintain optimal health. (DHE127, DHE132, DHE133, DHE219, DHE225, DHE229, DHE233)
11. Practice as a team member in all professional settings. (DHE115, DHE120, DHE127, DHE133, DHE202, DHE219, DHE229)
12. Apply technology as a learning source and for information management. (DHE110, DHE112, DHE117, DHE127, DHE132, DHE133, DHE212, DHE213, DHE219, DHE225, DHE229, DHE232, DHE233)
13. Provide services addressing the oral health needs of a racially and culturally diverse community. (DHE133, DHE213, DHE229, DHE232, DHE233)
14. Describe the legal and ethical requirements for continued competence in dental hygiene. (DHE120, DHE127, DHE132, DHE219)
+ indicates course has prerequisites and/or corequisites.
++ indicates that any suffixed course may be selected.
MCCCD Governing Board Approval Date: 4-24-07

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.