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.
- Courses
- Learning Outcomes
- Employment
- Special Requirements
- Contact
- Accreditations
- Additional information
| 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 | |
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
- Integrate and apply basic science, dental science and dental hygiene knowledge and skills.
- Recognize sources of information and information gathering techniques that enable them to seek and obtain information when needed.
- Apply computer skills in order to find information, take intraoral photographs, take digital radiographs, obtain periodontal charting information, and manage patient records.
- Provide humane and compassionate care to all patients without discrimination as outlined in the Patient’s Bill of Rights.
- Provide dental hygiene care utilizing the dental hygiene process of assessment, dental hygiene diagnosis, treatment planning, implementation and evaluation.
- Present preventative educational programs in various settings.
Employment Opportunities
- Clinical hygienist
- Dental office manager
Interviews from Dental Hygienist
Special Program Requirements
Download the Information Package for more information.
*To enroll in this program, students must be at least 18 years old.
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 applicants. It is recommended that the applicant take as many core courses (non-DHY) as possible included in the hygiene curriculum prior to applying.
- High School Applicants need SAT scores of Math 600, Reading 600 (minimum). Applicants who have college experience do not have to submit SAT scores.
- College Applicants are required to take the Admission Test for Dental Hygiene
(ATDH). For information on the ATDH, go to the website (https://www.ada.org/education/testing/exams/admission-test-for-dental-hygiene-atdh). The ATDH exam MUST be taken by Feb 1 to be considered for the program.
After completion of the above prerequisites, an application for admission to the Dental Hygiene program should be submitted to the Director of Dental Programs. 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.
Contact Person
Dawn Conley, RDH, M.Ed, Director
(856) 227-7200, ext. 4681
email: dconley@camdencc.edu
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 |
