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2024 - 2025 Catalog
Dental Hygiene - AAS
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 Return to: Programs by Division
Program Code: AAS.20515 As a graduate of the Delta College Dental Hygiene program, the student will have the knowledge and skills to provide preventive and periodontal treatment The responsibilities of a registered dental hygienist generally include: scaling and root debridement, delivery of local anesthesia, nitrous oxide sedation, topical fluoride, antibiotic and antimicrobial medicament placement, impressions, diagnostic models, dental radiographs, dental education, nutritional counseling, and various laboratory procedures. The treatments and services are prescribed under the supervision of the dentist. The Dental Hygiene program at Delta College is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association (CODA). CODA is a specialized accrediting body recognized by the Council on Postsecondary Accreditation and the U.S. Department of Education. Upon successfully completing the CODA accredited Dental Hygiene program at Delta College, the student will be eligible to take the National, Regional and State Board Examinations for Dental Hygiene licensure. There are various employment opportunities for the registered dental hygienist. The registered hygienist may choose employment in a general or specialty dental practice, schools, clinics, hospitals, HMOs, public health, or governmental agencies. The dental hygienist may also be employed in the area of management, research, sales, consulting or education.
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Total Semester Credits: 15
Winter First Year:
- BIO 203W - General Microbiology Credits: 4
- DH 101 - Dental Anatomy I Credits: 2
- ENG 112 - College Composition II Credits: 3
ENG 112A , ENG 112H , ENG 113 or ENG 211 can be taken in place of ENG 112 - POL 103W - American Politics Credits: 3
POL 105W , POL 212W , POL 215W , POL 220W , POL 221W , POL 223W , POL 225W , POL 228W , HIS 221W , HIS 222W or HIS 237W can be taken in place of POL 103W - SOC 211W - Principles of Sociology Credits: 3
Total Semester Credits: 15
Fall First Year Clinical:
Total Semester Credits: 18
Winter First Year Clinical:
Total Semester Credits: 17
Spring First Year Clinical:
Total Semester Credits: 8.5
Fall Second Year Clinical:
Total Semester Credits: 17.5
Winter Second Year Clinical:
Total Semester Credits: 12
Notations
- Students must complete the Validation Application and receive a "Semester and Year of Validation" to be eligible to enter the program. It is recommended that this application be submitted during the final semester of pre-requisite courses. Validation is a process that allows the Registrar's Office to review and confirm that the student has completed pre-requisite courses and requirements of this program. 20 students are accepted for DH courses each Fall semester.
- For students considering the dental hygiene program it is highly recommended to schedule an appointment with a Health and Wellness Advisor. This will be an opportunity to review the dental hygiene prerequisites, discuss the student’s career choice, and possible transfer credits prior to starting the dental hygiene prerequisites.
- Validation requirements: 1) completion of pre-requisite courses BIO 140W or BIO 152W and BIO 153W or BIO 240 and BIO 241 , ENG 111 , ENG 112 or course equivalents with a “B” (3.0) minimum grade; completion of POL 103W , PSY 101W , and SOC 211W , BIO 203W , COM 112W, or COM 114W , DH 100 , DH 101 , with a “C” (2.0) minimum grade; 3) Students must maintain a 3.0 GPA or higher in the pre-requisite courses required for valildation. 4) Completion of BIO 140W , or BIO 152W and BIO 153W , or BIO 240 and BIO 241 , or equivalents within the past five years is required for validation. If this time period is exceeded, an approved biology course must be taken to refresh this content. Please see the Dental Hygiene program coordinator to determine which course(s) must be taken. 5) During final semester of pre-requisite courses students must submit the validation application to the Registrar’s Office.
- Students who anticipate pursuing a Bachelor’s Degree are recommended to take the following courses: BIO 152W and BIO 153W , PSY 211W , and ENG 112 . Students should meet with an advisor to discuss transfer options.
- Dental hygiene students are required to successfully complete DH 101 for Dental Anatomy. However, DA 113W Oral Anatomy & Physiology may be substituted for DH 101 if a “B” (3.0) or higher was achieved in the course.
- According to State rules and regulations, licensure may be delayed or denied depending on the history of convictions involving felonies, misdemeanors, and/or involving controlled substances (including traffic violations). Questions dealing with this issue should be directed to the Michigan State Office of Health Services at (517) 335-0918.
- Background check is required prior to applying for licensure.
- Once validated, students must waitlist themselves each year during the Special Clinical Registration Period to be eligible to begin the program and to remain validated. Failure to complete the waitlist process annually will result in removal from the validation list. See the validation page on the website for more information and dates.
- Following entry to the program via special clinical registration, students are required to complete health requirements including but not limited to 1) physical exam with completion of physical form, 2) current CPR certification for the healthcare provider/professional rescuer certification, 3) an annual TB skin test, 4) immunization records including MMR, Td/Tdap, Varicella, and Hepatitis B or signed waiver. These requirements will be discussed at the required orientation. All certifications and immunizations must be up-to-date and remain current throughout the program. It is highly recommended that the student talk to a physician about receiving the hepatitis vaccine before the student starts the dental hygiene program.
- In addition to tuition, fees, and textbook costs, students should plan for the following expenses following successful clinical entry: immunizations and CPR certification to meet health requirements, laboratory coats, clinic shoes, scrubs, safety glasses, dental hygiene instrument kits, board examination fees, board review fees, and additional miscellaneous purchases. Program costs are published in the DH Program Student Handbook. Students are responsible for paying the cost of any medical care that might be necessary if they are injured or become ill as a result of clinical practice activities. The College does not provide insurance coverage for such situations.
- Dental hygiene courses are offered mostly during day hours with some evening and Saturday hours. Clinical courses must be taken together in the sequence shown.
- Students must achieve a minimum “C” (2.0) grade in each Dental Hygiene course to be eligible to continue in the program.
- Students must achieve a minimum “C” (2.0) grade in LW 206A , LWA 206B , and LWA 206C to be eligible to continue in the program. These courses meet the Lifelong Wellness graduation requirement.
- Students who have a first course failure or withdrawal within the second or subsequent semester of their clinical program may complete a request for reentry. Reentry guidelines are published in the DH Student Handbook.
- Also see “Dual Degrees.”
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