The Associate in Applied Science (AAS) in Dental Hygiene degree prepares students to become primary care oral health professionals. A licensed dental hygienist may provide education, assessment, diagnostic, preventive and therapeutic services, research, and administrative services that support overall health through the promotion of optimal oral health. Hygienists may be employed in general or specialty dental practice in private or public healthcare settings. The program also prepares students for university transfer.
The dental hygiene program offers a rigorous, intensive, science-based curriculum. Students will provide services in clinical settings and will develop a commitment to the community through enrichment experiences serving diverse populations. Successful students will develop and demonstrate critical thinking, as well as ethical and professional behaviors required by the field.
Applicants should possess hand-eye coordination, manual dexterity, and attention to detail. Students in an MCCCD Dental Hygiene program will be exposed to blood-borne pathogens and infectious diseases. The program strictly adheres to established policies and procedures regarding infection control as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, American Dental Association, the Organization for Safety and Asepsis Procedures, and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration.
The Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association (211 E. Chicago Ave., Suite 1900, Chicago, IL 60611-2637; (312) 440-4653) grants accreditation to the Phoenix College, Rio Salado College, and Mesa Community College programs. The Commission is a specialized accrediting body recognized by the United States Department of Education. Graduates are eligible for board examinations and licensure in all fifty states.
Details
Important information you’ll need when applying for admission:Students must earn a grade of C or better in all courses in the program.
Students must complete the Basic Science courses with a GPA of 3.5 or better and General Education courses with a GPA of 3.25 or better as indicated in the Program Prerequisites.
Basic Science courses must have been completed within the last five years upon application submission or as determined by the Program Director.
Students must earn a grade of 75% or better in the Required Courses area within the core program.
Students should consult with an advisor prior to applying to the program.
For students pursuing a Concurrent Enrollment Program (CEP) or to complete an AGEC-A:
MHL155 and PHI213 are recommended for the Humanities, Arts and Design area for a total of 6 credits in this area.
COM225 with the [L] designation is recommended for the Oral Communication area.
PSY101 and SOC101 are recommended for the Social Behavioral area.
MAT140 or MAT141 or MAT142, MAT145 or MAT146 or higher level is required for the Mathematics area.
An additional course, MAT206 OR PSY230, is required to meet the Computer/Statistics area.
Note: Total credits to obtain a Bachelor of Science degree in Dental Hygiene through NAU as part of the
CEPprogram are 124-129. Some of the courses listed in the prerequisites area are for students pursuing the CEP, and thus are not counted as part of the AAS total program credits.
This pathway map will help you gain the expertise needed to:
- Adhere to state and federal laws, recommendations, and regulations in the provision of oral health care.
- Systematically assess comprehensive data on the general and oral health needs of patients from diverse populations.
- Use critical decision making to interpret data and create a dental hygiene diagnosis.
- Design and present a patient-centered dental hygiene care plan utilizing evidence-based research and professional standards.
- Implement comprehensive dental hygiene services to achieve and maintain patients optimal health.
- Evaluate the outcome of dental hygiene care during active and maintenance treatment phases and refer to appropriate healthcare providers if indicated.
- Record accurate, consistent, and complete documentation throughout the process of care.
- Employ effective interpersonal communication with patients, families, and the healthcare team in a culturally competent, ethical, and professional manner.
- Practice professional and ethical behaviors as accepted by healthcare professionals.
- Demonstrate self-assessment and self-regulation strategies for lifelong learning.
- Advocate for healthy communities through the provision of community-based preventive and therapeutic oral healthcare services.
Successful completion of this degree may lead to employment in a variety of different occupations and industries. Below are examples of related occupations with associated Arizona-based annual median wages* for this program. Education requirements vary for the occupations listed below, so you may need further education or degrees in order to qualify for some of these jobs and earn the related salaries. Please visit with an academic advisor and/or program director for additional information.
Dental Hygienists
$78,140 Show expanded career information for Dental Hygienists
High school diploma or GED equivalency is required.
Completion of program prerequisites.
Program applications will not be accepted without a copy of an Arizona Department of Public Safety Level One Fingerprint Clearance Card.
Acknowledgement of ability to fully participate in classroom, laboratory, or clinical setting program activities.
Formal application and acceptance to the program is required.
After being placed in the program, the following are required:
Admission to an Allied Health program requires that students be in compliance with the Maricopa County Community College District Supplemental Background Check policy. Upon conditional program admission, the student must comply with all requirements of the current MCCCD background check policy.
Complete and submit the required proof of immunity and health declaration form signed by a licensed health care provider.
Submit to a drug screening and demonstrate negative results.
Submit current CPR card for Health Care Provider and maintain current status throughout the program.
The following is the suggested course sequence by term. Please keep in mind:
- Students should meet with an academic advisor to develop an individual education plan that meets their academic and career goals. Use the Pathway Planner tool in your Student Center to manage your plan.
- The course sequence is laid out by suggested term and may be affected when students enter the program at different times of the year.
- Initial course placement is determined by current district placement measures and/or completion of 100-200 level course and/or program requirements.
- Degree and transfer seeking students may be required to successfully complete a MCCCD First Year Experience Course (FYE) within the first two semesters at a MCCCD College. Courses include FYE101 and FYE103. Course offerings will vary by college. See an academic, program, or faculty advisor for details.
- Consult with your faculty mentor or academic advisor to determine educational requirements, including possible university transfer options, for your chosen career field.
Full-time Sequence
Full-time status is 12 credits to 18 credits per semester. See your Academic Advisor or visit NAU's website for more information about the Concurrent Enrollment Program (CEP).
Term 1 - Program Prerequisites
| Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AAA/CPD115 or AAA/CPD150 or AAA/CPD150AC or CPD104 | Creating College Success or Strategies for College Success or Educational and Career Planning or Career and Personal Development | 0–3 | |||
| ENG101 or ENG107 | First-Year Composition or First-Year Composition for ESL | Critical course | FYC | 3 | |
| CHM130 and CHM130LL | Fundamental Chemistry and Fundamental Chemistry Laboratory | SQ | 4 | ||
| SOC+++ | Any Sociology course with the [SB] designation | Recommend SOC101 for students pursuing the Concurrent Enrollment Program (CEP) or to complete an AGEC-A. | SB | 3 |
Term 2 - Program Prerequisites
| Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ENG102 or ENG108 | First-Year Composition or First-Year Composition for ESL | FYC | 3 | ||
| CRE101 | College Critical Reading and Critical Thinking | Critical course OR Equivalent as indicated by assessment; Students who are exempt from CRE101 must complete a course with an [L] designation if pursuing a CEP or to complete the AGEC-A. | L | 0–3 | |
| BIO156 or BIO181 | Introductory Biology for Allied Health or General Biology (Majors) I | OR One year of High School biology. | SQ | 0–4 | |
| PSY+++ | Any Psychology course with the [SB] designation | Recommend PSY101 for students pursuing the CEP (or to complete an AGEC-A) and selecting PSY230 to meet the [CS] designation. | SB | 3 | |
| MAT112 or MAT140 or MAT141 or MAT142 or MAT145 or MAT146 | Mathematical Concepts and Applications or College Mathematics or College Mathematics or College Mathematics or College Mathematics with Review or College Mathematics with Review | MAT14+ or Higher course with the [MA] designation is required for students pursuing the CEP or to complete the AGEC-A. | or MA or MA | 3–6 |
Term 3 - Program Prerequisites
| Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| COM100 or COM110 or COM225 or COM230 | Introduction to Human Communication or Interpersonal Communication or Public Speaking or Small Group Communication | Recommend COM225 for students pursuing the CEP or to complete the AGEC-A to meet the Oral Communication and the Literacy [L] designation. | SB or L | 3 | |
| HU | Humanities, Fine Arts & Design | Recommend MHL155 OR PHI133 for students pursuing the CEP or to complete the AGEC-A. | HU | 3 | |
| BIO201 | Human Anatomy and Physiology I | Critical course Gateway course | SG | 4 | |
| MAT206 or PSY230 | Elements of Statistics or Introduction to Statistics | MAT206 or PSY230 is required for students pursuing a CEP or baccalaureate degree to meet the [CS] designation. | CS | 0–3 |
Term 4 - Program Prerequisites
| Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BIO202 | Human Anatomy and Physiology II | Critical course | SG | 4 | |
| BIO205 | Microbiology | Critical course | SG | 4 | |
| HU | Humanities, Fine Arts & Design | Recommend MHL155 OR PHI133 for students pursuing the CEP or to complete the AGEC-A. | HU | 0–3 | |
| HCC/RES109 | CPR for Health Care Provider | OR Current CPR certification at the health care provider Professional rescuer level | 0–0.5 |
Term 5
| Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DHE115 | Emergency Medicine | 2 | |||
| DHE117 | Dental Radiography | 2 | |||
| DHE120 | Pre-Clinical Dental Hygiene | 6 | |||
| DHE121 | Dental Anatomy, Embryology and Histology | 2 | |||
| DHE125 | Dental Radiography Laboratory | 1 | |||
| DHE127 | Prevention of Dental Disease | 3 |
Term 6
| Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DHE110 or DHE112 | Pharmacology or Oral Pathology | DHE110 Required for PC and MCC or DHE112 Required for RSC and PC | 3 | ||
| DHE119 | Head and Neck Anatomy | 3 | |||
| DHE132 | Dental Hygiene Theory I | 3 | |||
| DHE133 | Dental Hygiene Clinic I | 3 | |||
| DHE201 | Dental Materials | Required for MCC and RSC | 0–2 | ||
| DHE202 | Dental Materials Laboratory | Required for MCC and RSC | 0–1 |
Term 7
| Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DHE110 or DHE112 | Pharmacology or Oral Pathology | DHE110 Required for RSC or DHE112 Required for MCC | 3 | ||
| DHE212 | Dental Hygiene Theory II | 2 | |||
| DHE213 | Dental Hygiene Clinic II | 5 | |||
| DHE225 | Periodontics | 3 | |||
| DHE227 | Dental Anesthesia | 2 |
Term 8
| Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DHE201 | Dental Materials | Required for PC | 0–2 | ||
| DHE202 | Dental Materials Laboratory | Required for PC | 0–1 | ||
| DHE219 | Practice Management | 2 | |||
| DHE229 | Community Oral Health | 3 | |||
| DHE232 | Dental Hygiene Theory III | 2 | |||
| DHE233 | Dental Hygiene Clinic III | 5 |
Gateway Course = Generally the first major-specific course in a pathway.
Critical Course = A course that is highly predictive of future success in a pathway.
- CS = Computer/Statistics/Quantitative Application
- FYC = First Year Composition
- HU = Humanities, Fine Arts, and Design
- L = Literacy & Critical Inquiry
- MA = Mathematics
- SB = Social-Behavioral Sciences
- SG = Natural Sciences General
- SQ = Natural Sciences Quantitative
Students must earn a grade of C or better for all courses required within the program. Students must complete the Basic Science courses with a GPA of 3.5 or better and General Education courses with a GPA of 3.25 or better. Students must earn a grade of 75% or better in their DHE coursework.
Course Sequence total credits may differ from the program information located on the MCCCD curriculum website due to program and system design.
View MCCCD’s curriculum website for the Associate in Applied Science in Dental Hygiene (https://aztransmac2.asu.edu/cgi-bin/WebObjects/MCCCD.woa/wa/freeForm13?id=155160).
At Maricopa, we strive to provide you with accurate and current information about our degree and certificate offerings. Due to the dynamic nature of the curriculum process, course and program information is subject to change. As a result, the course list associated with this degree or certificate on this site does not represent a contract, nor does it guarantee course availability. If you are interested in pursuing this degree or certificate, we encourage you to meet with an advisor to discuss the requirements at your college for the appropriate catalog year.
The pathway map presented above is for the current catalog year and is the intended pathway map for new students. All previous catalog years for this pathway map are available at the link below.
Previous catalog years for Associate in Applied Science (AAS) in Dental Hygiene