Note: This program may lead to an occupational license for which a prior criminal history may make a student ineligible. For more information, please visit: https://www.dcccd.edu/hb1508.
(Associate of Applied Science Degree)
- Students pursuing this award program are required to meet Texas Success Initiative (TSI) standards and course prerequisites.
- Students must earn at least 25% of the credit hours required for graduation through instruction by the college awarding the degree.
- Students who are accepted into this program must meet the required minimum passing score of "75" for specified courses within the degree plan.
Degree Plan Code: AAS.DENTAL.HYGIENE
The Dental Hygiene Program is a two-year 68 credit hour program leading to the Associate of Applied Science Degree. The program prepares graduates to be eligible to take the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination (NBDHE) and a regional clinical board in order to apply for licensure by the Texas State Board of Dental Examiners to become a Registered Dental Hygienist (RDH). The program is accredited by the American Dental Association Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA): 211 East Chicago Ave.; Chicago, IL 60611; Telephone: 800-621-8099 or 312-440-4653; website: www.ada.org/en/coda.
The program applies classroom and laboratory skills to clinic experience in the on-site dental clinic.
Contact the Assessment Center at El Centro College for the pre-entrance assessment and, Health Occupations Admissions to receive an information packet.
| Course | Course Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| BIOL 2401 | Anatomy and Physiology 1 | 4 |
| BIOL 2402 | Anatomy and Physiology 2 | 4 |
| BIOL 2420 | Microbiology for Non-Science Majors | 4 |
| CHEM 1406 | Introductory Chemistry 1 OR | 4 |
| CHEM 1405 | Introductory Chemistry 1 OR | (4) |
| CHEM 1411 | General Chemistry 1 | (4) |
| Pre-Entrance Requirements Total | 16 | |
| Course | Course Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| DHYG 1301 | Orofacial Anatomy, Histology and Embryology | 3 |
| DHYG 1304 | Dental Radiology | 3 |
| DHYG 1431 | Preclinical Dental Hygiene | 4 |
| DHYG 1227 | Preventive Dental Hygiene Care | 2 |
| Semester Total | 12 | |
| Course | Course Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| DHYG 1207 | General and Dental Nutrition | 2 |
| DHYG 1235 | Pharmacology for the Dental Hygienist | 2 |
| DHYG 1260 | Clinical- Dental Hygiene/Hygienist | 2 |
| DHYG 2201 | Dental Hygiene Care 1 | 2 |
| ENGL 1301 | Composition 1 | 3 |
| Semester Total | 11 | |
| Course | Course Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| DHYG 1219 | Dental Materials | 2 |
| DHYG 1161 | Clinical - Dental Hygiene/Hygienist | 1 |
| Summer Total | 3 | |
| Course | Course Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| DHYG 1239 | General and Oral Pathology | 2 |
| DHYG 1311 | Periodontology | 3 |
| DHYG 2231 | Dental Hygiene Care 2 | 2 |
| DHYG 2361 | Clinical - Dental Hygiene/Hygienist | 3 |
| SPCH 1311 | Introduction to Speech Communication OR | 3 |
| SPCH 1315 | Public Speaking OR | (3) |
| SPCH 1321 | Business and Professional Communication | (3) |
| Semester Total | 13 | |
| Course | Course Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| DHYG 1315 | Community Dentistry | 3 |
| DHYG 2363 | Clinical - Dental Hygiene/Hygienist | 3 |
| DHYG 2153 | Dental Hygiene Practice | 1 |
| PSYC 2319 | Social Psychology | 3 |
| +Elective | Humanities/Fine Arts | 3 |
| Semester Total | 13 | |
| Minimum Hours Required | 68 | |
|---|---|---|
+Humanities/Fine Arts Elective - must be selected from the AAS Core Options for Humanities/Fine Arts.
NOTE: Students enrolling in this program who plan to transfer to a four-year insitution should consult an advisor or counselor regarding transfer requirements and the transferability of these courses to the four-year institution of their choice.
