Dental Hygiene, Associate of Science
Career Pathway: Health Sciences
Location(s): General education courses are available at all BC locations. Program specific courses for this program are offered at the A. Hugh Adams Central Campus
Program Entrance Requirements: This is a limited access program. Students are required to complete a supplemental application and meet specific criteria. Please click here for more information.
Program Description: The Associate in Science Degree Dental Hygiene Program is designed to prepare the student for a career as a Registered Dental Hygienist. The Dental Hygiene program is a unique 1 + 1 program format and is designed to offer students employable skills as both a Certified Dental Assistant and a Registered Dental Hygienist. Students must first complete the 12-month American Dental Association (ADA) accredited Dental Assisting Program. The Dental Assisting program must be listed in the Florida Department of Education database of post-secondary courses at public vocational-technical centers, community colleges, colleges, universities and participating non-public institutions. Graduates from the Dental Assisting Program are qualified to take the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB) Examination. Upon successful completion of this examination, the graduate becomes a Certified Dental Assistant (CDA).
With the completion of the Dental Assisting ATD Program and the appropriate course pre-requisites, the CDA student may apply to the 12-month Dental Hygiene Program. The student has up to three years from the date of Dental Assisting graduation to be admitted to the Dental Hygiene program. Students in the Dental Hygiene Program will be qualified to take the Dental Hygiene National Board and upon graduation the Commission on Dental Competency Assessments (CDCA) state practical licensing examination. Upon passing both examinations, the graduate is licensed as a Registered Dental Hygienist (RDH) in the State of Florida. Broward College awards an Associate in Science Degree in Dental Hygiene to each student who satisfactorily completes the required 12-month dental hygiene course of study.
The Dental Hygiene Program is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association (CODA), a specialized accrediting body recognized by the Council on Postsecondary Accreditation and by the United States Department of Education. Upon successful completion of the National Board Dental Hygiene and state licensure exam, the graduate will be awarded the Registered Dental Hygienist (R.D.H.) credential. Visit the program’s website for additional information.
Additional Program Information
One cohort of 16 students is admitted each August. A final grade of "C" or higher must be achieved in each Dental Hygiene course for continuance in the Program. A student who withdraws or is withdrawn from a Dental course will be allowed re-entry into a Health Sciences Program based upon space availability. Only one re-entry will be allowed. The student who re-enters must maintain a “C” or higher in each Dental Hygiene course to continue in a Program. The student receiving a grade of “D” or “F” in any course after re-entry will result in permanent dismissal from the BC Dental Programs. After admission, students are required to complete the Basic Life Support (CAE0062) course. The due date for the course is given in the mandatory, general orientation meeting prior to the beginning of the program.
Program competency
Students interested in applying for the Dental Hygiene program must meet the following program competency:
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| PSY2012 | GENERAL PSYCHOLOGY | 3.00 |
- Dental Assisting, Applied Technology Diploma B007
- Dental Hygiene, Associate of Science 2145
- Bachelor of Applied Science
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Recommended General Education Courses | ||
| ENC1101 | COMPOSITION I | 3.00 |
| MGF1106 | FOUNDATIONS OF MATHEMATICAL REASONING 1 | 3.00 |
| BSC2085 | HUMAN ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY I | 3.00 |
| BSC2085L | HUMAN ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY I LABORATORY | 1.00 |
| GE Course | General Education Humanities Core | 3.00 |
| AMH2020 | HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES SINCE 1877 | 3.00 |
| or POS2041 | NATIONAL GOVERNMENT | |
| BSC2086 | HUMAN ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY II | 3.00 |
| BSC2086L | HUMAN ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY II LABORATORY | 1.00 |
| GE Course | General Education Speech | 3.00 |
| CHM1032 | CHEMISTRY FOR HEALTH SCIENCES | 3.00 |
| SYG2000 | PRINCIPLES OF SOCIOLOGY | 3.00 |
| HUN1201 | HUMAN NUTRITION | 3.00 |
| MCB2010 | MICROBIOLOGY | 3.00 |
| MCB2010L | MICROBIOLOGY LABORATORY | 1.00 |
| DES Electives 1 | 11.00 | |
| Apply to the Program (By June 30th) | ||
| Required Courses | ||
| DEH2840L | ADVANCED DENTAL TECHNOLOGY LAB | 1.00 |
| DEH1002 | CLINICAL DENTAL HYGIENE PROCEDURES | 2.00 |
| DEH1002L | PRECLINICAL DENTAL HYGIENE LAB | 2.00 |
| DEH2400 | GENERAL AND ORAL PATHOLOGY | 2.00 |
| DEH1800 | DENTAL HYGIENE I | 2.00 |
| DEH1800L | DENTAL HYGIENE I CLINIC | 2.00 |
| DEH2300 | DENTAL PHARMACOLOGY | 2.00 |
| DEH1802 | DENTAL HYGIENE II | 3.00 |
| DEH1802L | DENTAL HYGIENE II CLINIC | 4.00 |
| DES1054 | PAIN CONTROL AND DENTAL ANESTHESIA | 2.00 |
| DEH1130 | ORAL HISTOLOGY AND EMBRYOLOGY | 2.00 |
| DEH1602 | PERIODONTOLOGY | 3.00 |
| DEH1602L | PERIODONTOLOGY LAB | 1.00 |
| DEH2701C | COMMUNITY DENTAL HEALTH | 2.00 |
| DEH1934 | DENTAL HYGIENE REVIEW SEMINAR | 1.00 |
| DEH2804 | DENTAL HYGIENE III | 1.00 |
| DEH2804L | DENTAL HYGIENE III CLINIC | 4.00 |
| DEH2806 | DENTAL HYGIENE IV | 1.00 |
| DEH2806L | DENTAL HYGIENE IV CLINIC | 4.00 |
| Total Credits | 88 | |
- 1
Students must complete 11 credits of any combination of DES courses.
Notes:
See General Education course information here.
PSY2012 GENERAL PSYCHOLOGY is a program completion competency and may not be eligible for Federal Financial Aid.
In accordance with Florida Statute and Florida Administrative Code, students may need to satisfy the Civic Literacy Graduation Requirement. Visit the Civic Literacy Graduation Requirement page at broward.edu/civic-literacy.
Students are strongly encouraged to meet with an advisor to create a personalized educational plan.
Program Highlights
Credit for Prior Learning
Accelerate your path to completion with these options:
- Credit by exam
- Earned industry certifications
- Prior Learning Assessment
- And much more…
Related Industry Certifications
Upon completing this program, graduates will be eligible to sit for the following industry certifications/licenses:
- Dental Hygienist
Get an Internship
After completing your first year of coursework make sure to visit Employment Solutions for internship opportunities and helpful tools like virtual job shadow, to help take your career to the next level!
Median Wage and Job Growth Outlook
Broward College has Career Coach! It is designed to help you find a good career by providing the most current local data on wages, employment, job postings, and associated education and training.
Fund Your Education
This program is Financial Aid eligible. Scholarships may be available. This program is part of the Career Source Broward ITA List
Program Learning Outcomes
Graduates from this program will:
- Demonstrate competence in assessing the treatment needs and providing dental hygiene care for a diversity of patient types including children, adolescents, adults, geriatric, and special needs patients.
- Demonstrate competence in assessing oral health, analyzing assessment findings, establishing a care plan for optimal health, providing patient-centered treatment and evidence-based care, and documenting all relevant treatment.
- Demonstrate competence in providing dental hygiene care for all periodontal classifications, from gingivitis to severe periodontal disease.
- Demonstrate competence in interpersonal and communication skills to effectively interact with diverse population groups and other members of the health care team.
- Demonstrate competence in assessing, planning, implementing, and evaluating the effectiveness of community-based oral health and disease prevention programs.
- Demonstrate competence in providing appropriate life support measures for medical emergencies that may be encountered in dental hygiene practice.
- Demonstrate competence in the application of the principles of ethical reasoning, ethical decision-making, and professional responsibility as they pertain to the academic environment, research, patient care, and practice management.
- Demonstrate competence in applying legal and regulatory concepts to the provision and/or support of oral health care services.
- Demonstrate clinical instrumentation proficiency expected of an entry-level dental hygienist.
- Demonstrate clinical proficiency based on their ability to conduct patient assessment and perform treatment.
- Demonstrate proficiency with dental ethics and jurisprudence.
- Demonstrate leadership and teamwork skills needed to accomplish team goals and objectives for a dental hygiene clinic.
- Demonstrate the ability to communicate efficiently.