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.
- Adhere to state and federal laws, recommendations, and regulations in the provision of oral health care. (DHE117, DHE120, DHE125, DHE132, DHE133, DHE201, DHE202, DHE212, DHE213, DHE219, DHE227, DHE232, DHE233, HCC/RES109, [HU]).
- Systematically assess comprehensive data on the general and oral health needs of patients from diverse populations. (DHE110, DHE112, DHE115, DHE119, DHE120, DHE121, DHE125, DHE127, DHE132, DHE133, DHE201, DHE202, DHE212, DHE213, DHE225, DHE227, DHE232, DHE233, BIO156, BIO181, BIO201, BIO202, BIO205, CHM130, CHM130LL, [CS], [FYC], [MA], [SB], (CRE)).
- Use critical decision making to interpret data and create a dental hygiene diagnosis. (DHE110, DHE112, DHE115, DHE117, DHE119, DHE121, DHE125, DHE127, DHE132, DHE133, DHE201, DHE202, DHE212, DHE213, DHE225, DHE227, DHE232, DHE233, BIO156, BIO181, BIO201, BIO202, BIO205, CHM130, CHM130LL, [CS], [HU], [MA], [SB], (CRE)).
- Design and present a patient-centered dental hygiene care plan utilizing evidence-based research and professional standards. (DHE132,DHE133,DHE212, DHE213, DHE232, DHE233, BIO156, BIO181, BIO201, BIO202, BIO205, CHM130, CHM130LL, [FYC], [HU],(CRE))
- Implement comprehensive dental hygiene services to achieve and maintain patients optimal health. (DHE133, DHE213, DHE233).
- Evaluate the outcome of dental hygiene care during active and maintenance treatment phases and refer to appropriate healthcare providers if indicated. (DHE213, DHE233, BIO201, BIO202, BIO205, CHM130, CHM130LL, [FYC], (CRE)).
- Record accurate, consistent, and complete documentation throughout the process of care. (DHE120, DHE133, DHE213, DHE233, BIO156, BIO181, BIO201, BIO202, BIO205, CHM130, CHM130LL, [FYC], [HU]).
- Employ effective interpersonal communication with patients, families, and the healthcare team in a culturally competent, ethical, and professional manner. (DHE133, DHE213, DHE229, DHE233, [FYC], [HU], [SB], (COM)).
- Practice professional and ethical behaviors as accepted by healthcare professionals. (DHE110, DHE112, DHE115, DHE117, DHE119, DHE120, DHE121, DHE125, DHE127, DHE132, DHE133, DHE201, DHE202, DHE212, DHE213, DHE219, DHE225, DHE227, DHE229, DHE232, DHE233, BIO156, BIO181, BIO201, BIO202, BIO205, CHM130LL, [HU], [SB], (COM), (CRE)).
- Demonstrate self-assessment and self-regulation strategies for lifelong learning. (DHE110, DHE112, DHE115, DHE117, DHE119, DHE120, DHE121, DHE125, DHE127, DHE132, DHE133, DHE201, DHE202, DHE212, DHE213, DHE219, DHE225, DHE227, DHE229, DHE232, DHE233, BIO156, BIO181, BIO201, BIO202, BIO205, [HU], [SB], (COM), (CRE)).
- Advocate for healthy communities through the provision of community-based preventive and therapeutic oral healthcare services. (DHE229, [SB], (COM)).
| Course # | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Credits: | 58 | |
| DHE110 | Pharmacology | 3 |
| DHE112 | Oral Pathology | 3 |
| DHE115 | Emergency Medicine | 2 |
| DHE117 | Dental Radiography | 2 |
| DHE119 | Head and Neck Anatomy | 3 |
| DHE120 | Pre-Clinical Dental Hygiene | 6 |
| DHE121 | Dental Anatomy, Embryology and Histology | 2 |
| DHE125 | Dental Radiography Laboratory | 1 |
| DHE127 | Prevention of Dental Disease | 3 |
| DHE132 | Dental Hygiene Theory I | 3 |
| DHE133 | Dental Hygiene Clinic I | 3 |
| DHE201 | Dental Materials | 2 |
| DHE202 | Dental Materials Laboratory | 1 |
| DHE212 | Dental Hygiene Theory II | 2 |
| DHE213 | Dental Hygiene Clinic II | 5 |
| DHE219 | Practice Management | 2 |
| DHE225 | Periodontics | 3 |
| DHE227 | Dental Anesthesia | 2 |
| DHE229 | Community Oral Health | 3 |
| DHE232 | Dental Hygiene Theory III | 2 |
| DHE233 | Dental Hygiene Clinic III | 5 |
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.