Dental Hygiene

Curriculum Description

The Dental Hygiene curriculum provides individuals with the knowledge and skills to assess, 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 2023

Fall Semester

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

Spring Semester

Course Course Title Class Hours Lab/Shop Hours Clinical/WBL Hours Credit Hours
CHM 131 Introduction to Chemistry 3 0 0 3
CHM 131A Introduction to Chemistry Lab 0 3 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
  Total: 9 3 9 13

Summer Term

Course Course Title Class Hours Lab/Shop Hours Clinical/WBL Hours Credit Hours
DEN 125 Dental Office Emergencies 0 2 0 1
DEN 140 Dental Hygiene Theory II 1 2 0 2
DEN 141 Dental Hygiene Clinic II 0 0 6 2
DEN 223 Dental Pharmacology 2 0 0 2
PSY 150 General Psychology (Global) 3 0 0 3
Select one:
General Microbiology 2 2 0 3
  OR        
Microbiology (3) (3) (0) (4)
  Total: 8 6 6 13

Fall Semester

Course Course Title Class Hours Lab/Shop Hours Clinical/WBL Hours Credit Hours
DEN 220 Dental Hygiene Theory III 2 0 0 2
DEN 221 Dental Hygiene Clinic III 0 0 12 4
DEN 222 General & Oral Pathology 2 0 0 2
DEN 224 Materials and Procedures 1 3 0 2
SOC 210 Introduction to Sociology (Global) 3 0 0 3
Select one:
Intro Interpersonal Com (Global) (3) (0) (0) (3)
  OR        
Public Speaking (Global) 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 * * * 3
  Total: 5 3 12 13

Total Credit Hours: 75

Additional Information

Additional admissions requirements:

  1. High school diploma with completion of high school or college credits in biology, algebra and chemistry.
  2. Completion of program orientation requirements.
  3. Grade of C or better in all required related and program specific courses is mandatory for admission and progression in Dental Hygiene.
  4. Completion of the Forsyth Tech Student Medical Form (includes an eye and dental examination).
  5. Completion of mandatory TEAS test.

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 may 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, MUS 110, PHI 215, PHI 240, or REL 110. Consult an academic advisor concerning other possible electives.

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