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Camden County College

Camden County College

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Dental Hygiene - DHY.AAS

Dental Hygiene

A licensed dental hygienist is a health care professional, oral health educator and clinician who utilizes scientific knowledge and methods to provide preventative, educational and therapeutic services to support the control of oral diseases and the promotion of oral health. Under the supervision of a dentist, the hygienist records the patient’s dental history, charts the mouth for evaluation and diagnosis by the dentist, scales and polishes teeth, and functions as a dental health educator. The Dental Hygiene program is a two-year, full-time, daytime program that prepares students to take national, regional and state licensure exams in dental hygiene.

 

Apply & Register
Meta Major:
,
Degree/Certificate:
Code Course Credits
First Year / Summer Semester
ENG-101 English Composition I 1 3
BIO-117 Basic Anatomy and Physiology I 4
HPE-181 Basic Life Support “C” AHA 1
    8
First Year / Fall Semester
BIO-118 Basic Anatomy and Physiology II 2 4
DHY-111 Dental Hygiene I Seminar 2
DHY-120 Dental Radiology 4
DHY-130 Dental Anatomy 2
DHY-151 Dental Hygiene I Pre-Clinic 2
DHY-170 Medical Emergencies in the Dental Office 1
CHM-130 General/Organic/Biochemistry for Dental Hygiene 4
    19
First Year / Spring Semester
BIO-121 Basic Microbiology 4
DHY-122 Dental Hygiene II Seminar 3 2
DHY-142 Periodontics I 3 2
DHY-152 Dental Hygiene II Clinic 3 3
DHY-162 Dental Lab Procedures 3 2
DHY-172 Head and Neck Anatomy 4 2
FNS-106 Foundations of Nutritional Science 3
    18
Code Course Credits
Second Year / Summer Semester
ENG-102 English Composition II 5 3
SOC-205 Social Diversity 3
    6
Second Year / Fall Semester
DHY-223 Dental Hygiene III Seminar 6 2
DHY-233 Advanced Techniques in Periodontics 7 1
DHY-253 Dental Hygiene III Clinic 8 6
DHY-261 Pathology 9 2
DHY-271 Pharmacology and Anesthesiology 10 2
    13
Second Year / Spring Semester
DHY-212 Community Dentistry 11 2
DHY-224 Dental Hygiene IV Seminar 12 2
DHY-252 Local Dental Anesthesiology 13 2
DHY-254 Dental Hygiene IV Clinic 14 4
DHY-262 Ethics, Jurisprudence and Practice Management 15 1
PSY-101 Basic Psychology 3
    14
  Total Minimum Credits 78
1 Must test into ENG-101 or complete all appropriate prerequisites
2 Prerequisite: BIO-117
3 Prerequisite: DHY-111, DHY-120, DHY-130, DHY-151, DHY-170
4 Prerequisite: DHY-111, DHY-120, DHY-130, DHY-151, DHY-170
5 Prerequisite: ENG-101
6 Prerequisite: DHY-122 and DHY-152
7 Prerequisite: DHY-122, DHY-142 and DHY-152
8 Prerequisite: DHY-122, DHY-142 and DHY-152
9 Prerequisite: DHY-122, DHY-152 and DHY-172
10 Prerequisite: DHY-122, DHY-152
11 Prerequisite: DHY-111, DHY-120, DHY-130, DHY-142, DHY-151, DHY-152, DHY-162, DHY-170, DHY-172
12 Prerequisite: DHY-223 13 Prerequisite: HPE-181, DHY-271 AND DHY-172; Co-requisite: DHY-224
14 Prerequisite: DHY-253
15 Prerequisite: DHY-111, DHY-120, DHY-130, DHY-151, DHY-170
NOTE: Clinical placements may be a required part of the curriculum and a requirement for graduation. Clinical placements may require a criminal background check, health clearance and/or drug testing before participation is allowed. Clinical sites may deny a student’s participation in the event of a positive finding. Individuals who have been convicted of a felony or misdemeanor may be denied certification or licensure as a health professional. Information regarding eligibility may be obtained from the appropriate credentialing body.
  1. Integrate and apply basic science, dental science and dental hygiene knowledge and skills.
  2. Recognize sources of information and information gathering techniques that enable them to seek and obtain information when needed.
  3. Apply computer skills in order to find information, take intraoral photographs, take digital radiographs, obtain periodontal charting information, and manage patient records.
  4. Provide humane and compassionate care to all patients without discrimination as outlined in the Patient’s Bill of Rights.
  5. Provide dental hygiene care utilizing the dental hygiene process of assessment, dental hygiene diagnosis, treatment planning, implementation and evaluation.
  6. Present preventative educational programs in various settings.

Employment Opportunities

  • Clinical hygienist
  • Dental office manager

Interviews from Dental Hygienist

http://youtu.be/g0F9l1uP-Cs
http://youtu.be/RoVLG9U1R74

Special Program Requirements

Applicants must satisfy the following prerequisites:

  • High school college preparatory course diploma or equivalent
  • Biology course with lab (high school) - Grade “C” or better
  • Chemistry course with lab (high school) - Grade “C” or better
  • Placement into college-level English and mathematics courses based on the results of the College Placement Test (or other approved test)
  • Minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.2 for college transfer applicants. It is recommended that the applicant take as many core courses as possible included in the hygiene curriculum prior to applying.
  • SAT scores of Math 500, Reading 500 (minimum). Applicants who have college experience do not have to submit SAT scores.

After completion of the above prerequisites, an application for admission to the Dental Hygiene program should be submitted to the Office of Admissions and Records and Registration Services. The following will then occur:

  • There will be an academic review of transcripts by the director of dental programs.
  • Competitive candidates will meet with the director of dental programs.
  • Candidates will receive written notification of the admissions committee decision.
  • A physical exam, various immunizations, and proof of health insurance will be required prior to the beginning of class. The dental department has an extensive exposure control/infectious disease policy, which is available upon request.
  • The Office of Admissions will accept applications and documentation for the Dental Hygiene Program ONLY between September 1st and February 1st. A class is accepted once a year.
  • All students must earn a grade of “C” or better in all DHY courses in order to graduate.

Admission to the Dental Hygiene program is very competitive and completion of all prerequisites and core curriculum courses does not guarantee admission to the program. Since there are more applicants than there are positions, admission will be based on the applicant’s documented record. Science courses that were completed five or more years prior to enrollment in the hygiene program will not be accepted for transfer credit. Preference will be given to students who have completed their core curriculum requirements at Camden County College.

Download the Dental Hygiene Brochure

Contact Person

Dawn Conley, RDH, M.Ed, Director
(856) 227-7200, ext. 4681
email: dconley@storesoo.com

Accreditation

  • The program in Dental Hygiene is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation, and recognized by the Commission on Recognition of Post-Secondary Accreditation and by the United States Department of Education. The Dental Accreditation can be contacted at 800-232-6108 or at 211 East Chicago Avenue, Chicago, IL 60611.

Additional information

CIP Code

51.0602
Program Code

DHY.AAS

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