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Dental Hygiene

Curriculum Description

The Dental Hygiene curriculum provides individuals with the knowledge and skills to access, plan, implement and evaluate dental hygiene care for the individual and the community.

Students will learn to prepare the operatory, take patient histories, note abnormalities, plan care, teach oral hygiene, clean teeth, take x-rays, apply preventive agents, complete necessary chart entries, and perform other procedures related to dental hygiene care.

Graduates of this program may be eligible to take national and state/regional examinations for licensure which are required to practice dental hygiene. Employment opportunities include dental offices, clinics, schools, public health agencies, industry and professional education.

The following represents one way in which the program of study can be completed. Students who aren’t able to follow the recommended curriculum model below should consult their academic advisor to be sure that they take courses in the best order for their success.

Associate in Applied Science

A45260
NC CIP: 51.0602
Day
POS Approved: Fall 2018

Fall Semester

Course	Course Title	Class Hours	Lab/Shop Hours	Credit Hours
BIO 163	Basic Anat & Physiology	4	2	5
ENG 111	Writing and Inquiry	3	0	3
DEN 110	Orofacial Anatomy	2	2	3
DEN 111	Infection/Hazard Control	2	0	2
DEN 112	Dental Radiography	2	3	3
DEN 120	Dental Hyg Preclinic Lec	2	0	2
DEN 121	Dental Hygiene Precl Lab	0	6	2
	Total:	15	13	20

Spring Semester

Course	Course Title	Class Hours	Lab/Shop Hours	Clinical/WBL Hours	Credit Hours
CHM 130	Gen, Org, & Biochemistry	3	0	0	3
CHM 130A	Gen, Org, & Biochemistry Lab	0	2	0	1
DEN 123	Nutrition/Dental Health	2	0	0	2
DEN 124	Periodontology	2	0	0	2
DEN 130	Dental Hygiene Theory I	2	0	0	2
DEN 131	Dental Hygiene Clinic I	0	0	9	3
DEN 125	Dental Office Emergencies	0	2	0	1
	Total:	9	4	9	14

Summer Term

Course	Course Title	Class Hours	Lab/Shop Hours	Clinical/WBL Hours	Credit Hours
BIO 175	General Microbiology	2	2	0	3
DEN 140	Dental Hygiene Theory II	1	0	0	1
DEN 141	Dental Hygiene Clinic II	0	0	6	2
DEN 222	General & Oral Pathology	2	0	0	2
PSY 150	General Psychology	3	0	0	3
	Total:	8	2	6	11

Fall Semester

Course	Course Title	Class Hours	Lab/Shop Hours	Clinical/WBL Hours	Credit Hours
COM 231	Public Speaking	3	0	0	3
DEN 220	Dental Hygiene Theory III	2	0	0	2
DEN 221	Dental Hygiene Clinic III	0	0	12	4
DEN 223	Dental Pharmacology	2	0	0	2
DEN 224	Materials and Procedures	1	3	0	2
SOC 210	Introduction to Sociology	3	0	0	3
	Total:	11	3	12	16

Spring Semester

Course	Course Title	Class Hours	Lab/Shop Hours	Clinical/WBL Hours	Credit Hours
DEN 230	Dental Hygiene Theory IV	1	0	0	1
DEN 231	Dental Hygiene Clinic IV	0	0	12	4
DEN 232	Community Dental Health	2	3	0	3
DEN 233	Professional Development	2	0	0	2
___ ___	Humanities/Fine Arts Elective	**	**	0	3
	Total:	5	3	12	13

Total Credit Hours: 74

Additional Information

Additional admissions requirements:

High school diploma with completion of high school or college credits in biology, algebra and chemistry.
Completion of program orientation requirements.
Grade of C or better in all required related and program specific courses is mandatory for admission and progression in Dental Hygiene.
Completion of the Forsyth Tech Student Medical Form (includes an eye and dental examination).
ONLY after acceptance into the program, scheduled eight (8) hours of observation at a dentist office and completion of appropriate form.

Program Information
This program has limited enrollment and has deadline requirements. Students are chosen by a selective admissions process based on grades earned in required related courses (i.e., biology, communications and psychology). The Admissions Office can provide additional information on the selection process.

Accreditation requires a specific number of class, lab and clinical hours for the student to graduate, so there are strict attendance rules. If the student surpasses the allowed number of hours missed, they will be dropped from the program and will have to readmit the next year. Readmission may be possible but requires reapplying and approval by the college.

Humanities/Fine Arts Elective — Select one: ART 111, HUM 110, HUM 115, HUM 120, HUM 121, HUM 160, MUS 110, PHI 215, PHI 240, or REL 110. Consult an academic advisor concerning other possible electives.

**Hours vary depending on course selection.

Criminal Background Checks/Drug Screening
Clinical agencies require criminal background checks and/or drug screening for students assigned to their facility for clinical education. In addition, national and/or state registry and/or licensure boards may prohibit eligibility for registry or licensure based on criminal background records. Please refer to the Health Technologies section on www.forsythtech.edu.

**Hours will vary depending on course selection.

A45260