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Printed on 11/21/2024

Dental Hygienist

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10-508-1 Associate Degree (AAS) Full Time 70 Credits Financial Aid Eligible Location*: Appleton

*If general education courses are required, they may be available at multiple locations.

Be the one who helps people achieve and maintain a healthy smile. Dental hygienists are licensed oral health professionals who focus on the prevention and treatment of oral diseases. As a dental hygienist, you’ll work as a member of a dental health team, focusing on prevention, assessment, diagnosis, treatment planning, implementation, evaluation and documentation of oral disease. In this program, your training will include assessing patients for signs, symptoms and risk factors of oral disease. You’ll get the skills needed to expose x-rays for diagnoses of oral disease and will learn how to administer local anesthesia and nitrous oxide/oxygen sedation. You’ll also get training in counseling patients about nutrition, oral hygiene and dental care, and will gain skills in maintaining patient records. Upon completion, you’ll be eligible to take the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination and the Central Regional Dental Testing Service Practical exam to become a licensed registered dental hygienist.

COURSE LIST

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Course list for reference only. Current students please refer to your individualized program plan or see your advisor.
**Outside effort hours are an estimate based on state standards, and may vary from person to person.

    Technical Studies (43 Credits)

    Course Title
    Course Number
    Credits
    Instructional Hours
    Outside Effort Hours**
    Prior Learning Credit Eligibility
  • Dental Health Safety
    10-508-101
    1Credit
    36
    18

    • Instructional Hours: 36
    • Outside Effort Hours: 18
    • Course Number: 10508101
    • Credits: 1.00

    Prepares dental auxiliary students to respond proactively to dental emergencies, control infection, prevent disease, adhere to OSHA Standards, and safely manage hazardous materials. Students also take patient vital signs and collect patient medical/dental histories. This course is a WTCS aligned course required in both the Dental Hygienist and Dental Assisting programs.

    DENTAL HYGIENIST STUDENTS

    Prereq: Student has completed or is in process of completing ALL of the following:

    • DENTAL 10508102 - Oral Anatomy, Embry, Histology (Grade of C or better required)

    • Student is in progress in Dental Hygienist (10-508-1) Program of Study

    DENTAL ASSISTANT STUDENTS

    Prereq: Student has completed or is in process of completing ALL of the following:

    • Student is in progress in Dental Assistant (31-508-1) Program of Study

    Coreq: Student has completed or is simultaneously enrolling in ALL of the following:

    • DENTAL 10508103 - Dental Radiography

    • DENTAL 10508113 - Dental Materials

    • DENTAL 31508302 - Dental Chairside

    • DENTAL 31508304 - Dental & General Anatomy

    • DENTAL 31508306 - Dental Assistant Clinical

    • DENTAL 31508307 - Dental Assistant Professional
  • Oral Anatomy, Embry, Histology
    10-508-102
    4Credit
    72
    144
    N/A

    • Instructional Hours: 72
    • Outside Effort Hours: 144
    • Course Number: 10508102
    • Credits: 4.00

    Prepares Dental Hygienist students to apply detailed knowledge about oral anatomy to planning, implementation, assessment, and evaluation of patient care. Students identify distinguishing characteristics of normal and abnormal dental, head, and neck anatomy and its relationship to tooth development, eruption. and health.

    Prereq: Student has completed or is in process of completing ALL of the following:

    • SCIENCE 10806177 - Gen Anatomy & Physiology (Grade of C or better required)

    • Student is in progress in Dental Hygienist (10-508-1) Program of Study
  • Dental Radiography
    10-508-103
    2Credit
    72
    36

    • Instructional Hours: 72
    • Outside Effort Hours: 36
    • Course Number: 10508103
    • Credits: 2.00

    Prepares dental auxiliary students to operate radiographic equipment and expose bitewing, periapical, extra oral, and occlusal images. Emphasis is placed on protection against x-ray hazards. Students also produce, mount, and evaluate dental images for diagnostic value. This course also provides the background in radiographic theory required for students to make informed decisions and adjustments.

    DENTAL HYGIENIST STUDENTS

    Prereq: Student has completed or is in process of completing ALL of the following:

    • DENTAL 10508101 - Dental Health Safety (Grade of C or better required)

    • DENTAL 10508102 - Oral Anatomy, Embry, Histology (Grade of C or better required)

    • Student is in progress in Dental Hygienist (10-508-1) Program of Study

    Coreq: Student has completed or is simultaneously enrolling in ALL of the following:

    • DENTAL 10508105 - Dental Hygiene Process 1

    DENTAL ASSISTANT STUDENTS

    Prereq: Student has completed or is in process of completing ALL of the following:

    • Student is in progress in Dental Assistant (31-508-1) Program of Study

    Coreq: Student has completed or is simultaneously enrolling in ALL of the following:

    • DENTAL 10508101 - Dental Health Safety

    • DENTAL 10508113 - Dental Materials

    • DENTAL 31508302 - Dental Chairside

    • DENTAL 31508304 - Dental & General Anatomy

    • DENTAL 31508306 - Dental Assistant Clinical

    • DENTAL 31508307 - Dental Assistant Professional
  • Dental Hygiene Process 1
    10-508-105
    4Credit
    144
    72
    N/A

    • Instructional Hours: 144
    • Outside Effort Hours: 72
    • Course Number: 10508105
    • Credits: 4.00

    Introduces Dental Hygiene students to the basic technical/clinical skills required of practicing Dental Hygienists including use of basic dental equipment, examination of patients, and procedures within the dental unit. Under the direct supervision of an instructor, students integrate hands-on skills with entry-level critical thinking and problem-solving skills. The course also reinforces the application of Dental Health Safety skills.

    Prereq: Student has completed or is in process of completing ALL of the following:

    • DENTAL 10508101 - Dental Health Safety (Grade of C or better required)

    • DENTAL 10508102 - Oral Anatomy, Embry, Histology (Grade of C or better required)

    Coreq: Student has completed or is simultaneously enrolling in ALL of the following:

    • DENTAL 10508103 - Dental Radiography
  • Dental Hygiene Process 2
    10-508-106
    4Credit
    180
    36
    N/A

    • Instructional Hours: 180
    • Outside Effort Hours: 36
    • Course Number: 10508106
    • Credits: 4.00

    This clinical course builds on and expands the technical/clinical skills student dental hygienists began developing in Dental Hygiene Process 1. Under the direct supervision of an instructor, students apply patient care assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation skills to provide comprehensive care for calculus case type 1 and 2 patients and perio case patients. Dental Hygiene Process 2 introduces the application of fluoride and desensitizing agents, whole mouth assessments, comprehensive periodontal examinations, application of sealants, and patient classification. Students also begin performing removal of supragingival stain, dental plaque, calcified accretions, and deposits. In addition, they gain further experience in exposing radiographs on patients. The course also reinforces the application of Dental Health Safety skills.

    Prereq: Student has completed or is in process of completing ALL of the following:

    • DENTAL 10508105 - Dental Hygiene Process 1 (Grade of C or better required)

    Coreq: Student has completed or is simultaneously enrolling in ALL of the following:

    • DENTAL 10508108 - Periodontology

    • DENTAL 10508109 - Cariology
  • Dental Hygiene Ethics & Professionalism
    10-508-107
    1Credit
    18
    36
    N/A

    • Instructional Hours: 18
    • Outside Effort Hours: 36
    • Course Number: 10508107
    • Credits: 1.00

    Helps student dental hygienists develop and apply high professional and ethical standards. Students apply the laws that govern the practice of dental hygiene to their work with patients, other members of a dental team and the community. Emphasis is placed on maintaining professionalism which includes confidentiality and informed consent.

    Coreq: Student has completed or is simultaneously enrolling in ALL of the following:

    • DENTAL 10508117 - Dental Hygiene Process 4​
  • Periodontology
    10-508-108
    3Credit
    54
    108
    N/A

    • Instructional Hours: 54
    • Outside Effort Hours: 108
    • Course Number: 10508108
    • Credits: 3.00

    This course prepares student dental hygienists to assess the periodontal health of patients, plan prevention and treatment of periodontal disease, and to evaluate the effectiveness of periodontal treatment plans. Emphasis is placed on the recognition of the signs and causes of periodontal disease and on selection of treatments modalities that minimize risk and restore periodontal health.

    Coreq: Student has completed or is simultaneously enrolling in ALL of the following:

    • DENTAL 10508106 - Dental Hygiene Process 2​

    • DENTAL 10508109 - Cariology

    • DENTAL 10508111 - General & Oral Pathology
  • Cariology
    10-508-109
    1Credit
    18
    36
    N/A

    • Instructional Hours: 18
    • Outside Effort Hours: 36
    • Course Number: 10508109
    • Credits: 1.00

    This course focuses on the characteristics and contributing factors of dental decay. Dental Hygiene students help patients minimize caries risk by developing treatment plans, communicating methods to patients, and evaluating treatment results.

    Coreq: Student has completed or is simultaneously enrolling in ALL of the following:

    • DENTAL 10508106 - Dental Hygiene Process 2
  • Nutrition and Dental Health
    10-508-110
    2Credit
    36
    72
    N/A

    • Instructional Hours: 36
    • Outside Effort Hours: 72
    • Course Number: 10508110
    • Credits: 2.00

    Prepares student dental hygienists to counsel patients about diet and its impact on oral health. Students learn to distinguish between balanced and unbalanced diets and to construct diets that meet the needs of patients with compromised dental/oral health. Students also learn to counsel patients about the effect of eating disorders on dental health.

    Prereq: Student has completed or is in process of completing ALL of the following:

    • DENTAL 10508102 - Oral Anatomy, Embry, Histology (Grade of C or better required)

    • SCIENCE 10806186 - Intro to Biochemistry (Grade of C or better required)
  • General & Oral Pathology
    10-508-111
    3Credit
    54
    108
    N/A

    • Instructional Hours: 54
    • Outside Effort Hours: 108
    • Course Number: 10508111
    • Credits: 3.00

    This course prepares the student dental hygienist to determine when to consult, treat or refer clients with various disease, infection or physiological conditions. Students learn to recognize the signs, causes, and implications of common pathological conditions including inflammatory responses, immune disorders, genetic disorders, developmental disorders of tissues and cysts, oral tissue trauma, and neoplasm of the oral cavity.

    Prereq: Student has completed or is in process of completing ALL of the following:

    • DENTAL 10508102 - Oral Anatomy, Embry, Histology (Grade of C or better required)

    • DENTAL 10508103 - Dental Radiography (Grade of C or better required)​
  • Dental Hygiene Process 3
    10-508-112
    5Credit
    234
    36
    N/A

    • Instructional Hours: 234
    • Outside Effort Hours: 36
    • Course Number: 10508112
    • Credits: 5.00

    This clinical course builds on and expands the technical/clinical skills student dental hygienists developed in Dental Hygiene Process 2. In consultation with the instructor, students apply independent problem-solving skills in the course of providing comprehensive care for calculus case type 1, 2, and 3 patients and case type 0, I, II, and III patients.  Dental Hygiene Process 3 introduces root detoxification using hand and ultra-sonic instruments, laser bacterial reduction, selection of dental implant prophylaxis treatment options, and administration of chemotherapeutic agents. Students also adapt care plans in order to accommodate patients with special needs.

    Prereq: Student has completed or is in process of completing ALL of the following:

    • DENTAL 10508106 - Dental Hygiene Process 2 (Grade of C or better required)

    • DENTAL 10508108 - Periodontology (Grade of C or better required)

    • DENTAL 10508109 - Cariology (Grade of C or better required)

    • DENTAL 10508110 - Nutrition and Dental Health (Grade of C or better required)
  • Dental Materials
    10-508-113
    2Credit
    54
    54

    • Instructional Hours: 54
    • Outside Effort Hours: 54
    • Course Number: 10508113
    • Credits: 2.00

    Prepares dental auxiliary students to handle and prepare dental materials such as liners, bases, cements, amalgam, resin restorative materials, gypsum products, and impression materials. They also learn to take alginate impressions on manikins and clean removable appliances. This course is aligned to serve students in the Dental Hygienist and Dental Assistant programs.

    DENTAL HYGIENIST STUDENTS

    Prereq: Student has completed or is in process of completing ALL of the following:

    • DENTAL 10508101 - Dental Health Safety (Grade of C or better required)

    • DENTAL 10508102 - Oral Anatomy, Embry, Histology (Grade of C or better required)

    • Student is in progress in Dental Hygienist (10-508-1) Program of Study

    ​Coreq: Student has completed or is simultaneously enrolling in ALL of the following:

    • DENTAL 10508105 - Dental Hygiene Process 1

    DENTAL ASSISTANT STUDENTS

    Prereq: Student has completed or is in process of completing ALL of the following:

    • Student is in progress in Dental Assistant (31-508-1) Program of Study

    Coreq: Student has completed or is simultaneously enrolling in ALL of the following:

    • DENTAL 10508101 - Dental Health Safety

    • DENTAL 10508103 - Dental Radiography

    • DENTAL 31508302 - Dental Chairside

    • DENTAL 31508304 - Dental & General Anatomy

    • DENTAL 31508306 - Dental Assistant Clinical

    • DENTAL 31508307 - Dental Assistant Professional
  • Dental Pharmacology
    10-508-114
    2Credit
    36
    72
    N/A

    • Instructional Hours: 36
    • Outside Effort Hours: 72
    • Course Number: 10508114
    • Credits: 2.00

    Prepares student dental hygienists to select safe and effective patient premedication and within the scope of dental hygiene practice. Students will also learn to recognize potential pharmacological contraindications for specific patients and to take measures to avoid negative impact or alert other members of the dental team to possible negative impact.

    Prereq: Student has completed or is in process of completing ALL of the following:

    • SCIENCE 10806186 - Intro to Biochemistry (Grade of C or better required)

    • SCIENCE 10806197 - Microbiology (Grade of C or better required)

    Coreq: Student has completed or is simultaneously enrolling in ALL of the following:

    • DENTAL 10508105 - Dental Hygiene Process 1
  • Community Dental Health
    10-508-115
    2Credit
    36
    72
    N/A

    • Instructional Hours: 36
    • Outside Effort Hours: 72
    • Course Number: 10508115
    • Credits: 2.00

    This course prepares the Dental Hygienist student to play a proactive role in improving the dental health of community members of all ages. Students perform and interpret dental health research to determine community dental health needs.

    Prereq: Student has completed or is in process of completing ALL of the following:

    • DENTAL 10508114 - Dental Pharmacology (Grade of C or better required)

    Coreq: Student has completed or is simultaneously enrolling in ALL of the following:

    • DENTAL 10508112 - Dental Hygiene Process 3
  • Dental Hygiene Process 4
    10-508-117
    4Credit
    216
    0
    N/A

    • Instructional Hours: 216
    • Outside Effort Hours: 0
    • Course Number: 10508117
    • Credits: 4.00

    This clinical course builds on and expands the technical/clinical skills student dental hygienists developed in Dental Hygiene Process 3. With feedback from the instructor, students manage all aspects of cases in the course of providing comprehensive care for calculus case type 0, 1, 2, and 3 patients and for case type 0 I, II, and III patients. Emphasizes maximization of clinical efficiency and effectiveness. Prepares student dental hygienists to demonstrate their clinical skills in a formal examination situation.

    Prereq: Student has completed or is in process of completing ALL of the following:

    • DENTAL 10508112 - Dental Hygiene Process 3 (Grade of C or better required)

    • DENTAL 10508115 - Community Dental Health (Grade of C or better required)

    • DENTAL 10508118 - Dental Anxiety/Pain Management (Grade of C or better required)

    Coreq: Student has completed or is simultaneously enrolling in ALL of the following:

    • DENTAL 10508107 - Dental Hygiene Ethics & Profes
  • Dental Anxiety and Pain Management
    10-508-118
    2Credit
    36
    72
    N/A

    • Instructional Hours: 36
    • Outside Effort Hours: 72
    • Course Number: 10508118
    • Credits: 2.00

    This course prepares the student dental hygienist to work within the scope of dental hygiene practice to manage anxiety and pain for dental patients. Students learn to prepare and administer local anesthesia and nitrous oxide safely. The course also addresses the recommendation of alternative pain control measures.

    Prereq: Student has completed or is in process of completing ALL of the following:

    • DENTAL 10508102 - Oral Anatomy, Embry, Histology (Grade of C or better required)

    • DENTAL 10508114 - Dental Pharmacology (Grade of C or better required)

    Coreq: Student has completed or is simultaneously enrolling in ALL of the following:

    • DENTAL 10508112 - Dental Hygiene Process 3
  • Dental Hygiene, Transition into Practice
    10-508-130
    1Credit
    18
    36
    N/A

    • Instructional Hours: 18
    • Outside Effort Hours: 36
    • Course Number: 10508130
    • Credits: 1.00

    Prepares students for the written licensing and clinical practice examinations. It includes simulated, written and practical exams; an individualized study plan; stress/test anxiety management strategies; and dental hygiene licensing.

    Coreq: Student has completed or is simultaneously enrolling in ALL of the following:

    • DENTAL 10508117 - Dental Hygiene Process 4​

    General Studies (27 Credits)

    Course Title
    Course Number
    Credits
    Instructional Hours
    Outside Effort Hours**
    Prior Learning Credit Eligibility
  • Written Communication
    10-801-195
    3Credit
    54
    108
    N/A

    • Instructional Hours: 54
    • Outside Effort Hours: 108
    • Course Number: 10801195
    • Credits: 3.00

    Develops writing skills which include prewriting, drafting, revising, and editing. A variety of writing assignments are designed to help the learner analyze audience and purpose, research and organize ideas, and format and design documents based on subject matter and content. Also develops critical reading and thinking skills through the analysis of a variety of written documents.

    Prereq: Student has completed or is in process of completing ALL of the following:

    OR ALL of the following:

    • Student is not in progress in Associate Degree, Apprenticeship, or Technical Diploma (31 or 32 level)
  • Oral/Interpersonal Comm
    10-801-196
    3Credit
    54
    108

    • Instructional Hours: 54
    • Outside Effort Hours: 108
    • Course Number: 10801196
    • Credits: 3.00

    Focuses on developing effective listening techniques and verbal and nonverbal communication skills through oral presentation, group activity, and other projects. The study of self, conflict, and cultural contexts will be explored, as well as their impact on communication.

    Prereq: Student has completed or is in process of completing ALL of the following:

    OR ALL of the following:

    • Student is not in progress in Associate Degree, Apprenticeship, or Technical Diploma (31 or 32 level)
  • Gen Anatomy & Physiology
    10-806-177
    4Credit
    108
    108

    • Instructional Hours: 108
    • Outside Effort Hours: 108
    • Course Number: 10806177
    • Credits: 4.00

    Examines basic concepts of human anatomy and physiology as they relate to health sciences. Using a body systems approach, the course emphasizes the interrelationships between structure and function at the gross and microscopic levels of organization of the entire human body. It is intended to prepare health care professionals who need to apply basic concepts of whole body anatomy and physiology to informed decision-making and professional communication with colleagues and patients. (This course also provides the foundation, and is prerequisite to, Advanced Anatomy and Physiology.)

    Prereq: Student has completed or is in process of completing ALL of the following:

    • Accuplacer Reading 263+ OR ACT Reading 20+ OR PREPLEAR 10836123 - Prep for Anatomy & Physiology OR Reading Level 4 Coursework

    • Accuplacer Sentence 250+ OR HS GPA 2.75+ OR ACT English 18+ OR English Level 2 Coursework

    • SCIENCE 10806134 - General Chemistry (Grade of C or better required) OR 1 Year of High School Chemistry
  • Intro to Biochemistry
    10-806-186
    4Credit
    90
    126

    • Instructional Hours: 90
    • Outside Effort Hours: 126
    • Course Number: 10806186
    • Credits: 4.00

    Provides students with skills and knowledge of organic and biological chemistry necessary for application within Nursing and other Allied Health careers. Emphasis is placed on recognizing the structure, physical properties and chemical reactions of organic molecules, body fluids, and acids. Additional emphasis is placed on biological functions and their relationships to enzymes, proteins, lipids, carbohydrates and DNA.

    Prereq: Student has completed or is in process of completing ALL of the following:

    • Accuplacer Reading 250+ OR HS GPA 2.75+ OR ACT Reading 18+ OR Reading Level 3 Coursework

    • Accuplacer Sentence 237+ OR HS GPA 2.75+ OR ACT English 15+ OR English Level 1 Coursework

    • SCIENCE 10806134 - General Chemistry (Grade of C or better required) OR 1 Year of High School Chemistry
  • Microbiology
    10-806-197
    4Credit
    90
    126

    • Instructional Hours: 90
    • Outside Effort Hours: 126
    • Course Number: 10806197
    • Credits: 4.00

    Examines microbial structure, metabolism, genetics, growth and the relationship between humans and microbes. Addresses disease production, epidemiology, host defense mechanisms and the medical impact of microbes. Presents the role of microbes in the environment, industry, and biotechnology.

    Prereq: Student has completed or is in process of completing ALL of the following:

    • SCIENCE 10806134 - General Chemistry (Grade of C or better required) OR 1 Year of High School Chemistry

    • SCIENCE 10806177 - Gen Anatomy & Physiology (Grade of C or better required)
  • Developmental Psychology
    10-809-188
    3Credit
    54
    108
    N/A

    • Instructional Hours: 54
    • Outside Effort Hours: 108
    • Course Number: 10809188
    • Credits: 3.00

    Developmental Psychology is the study of human development throughout the lifespan. This course explores developmental theory and research with an emphasis on the interactive nature of the biological, cognitive, and psychosocial changes that affect the individual conception to death. Application activities and critical thinking skills will enable students to gain an increased knowledge and understanding of themselves and others.

    Prereq: Student has completed or is in process of completing ANY of the following options:

    • SOC STY 10809198 - Intro to Psychology

    • Student is in progress in Practical Nursing (31-543-1) Program of Study

    • Instructor Consent
  • Intro to Sociology
    10-809-196
    3Credit
    54
    108
    N/A

    • Instructional Hours: 54
    • Outside Effort Hours: 108
    • Course Number: 10809196
    • Credits: 3.00

    Introduces students to the fundamental sociological concepts, including sociological perspectives, research methods, the significance of culture in society, and the socialization process. Other topics include deviance, the impact of groups on behavior, societal inequities, global changes, the role of social institutions, and social stratification.

    Prereq: Student has completed or is in process of completing ALL of the following:

    OR ALL of the following:

    • Student is not in progress in Associate Degree, Apprenticeship, or Technical Diploma (31 or 32 level)
  • Intro to Psychology
    10-809-198
    3Credit
    54
    108
    N/A

    • Instructional Hours: 54
    • Outside Effort Hours: 108
    • Course Number: 10809198
    • Credits: 3.00

    This science of psychology course is a survey of multiple aspects of behavior and mental processes. It provides an overview of topics such as research methods, theoretical perspectives, learning, cognition, memory, motivation, emotions, personality, abnormal psychology, physiological factors, social influences, and development.

    Prereq: Student has completed or is in process of completing ALL of the following:

    OR ALL of the following:

    • Student is not in progress in Associate Degree, Apprenticeship, or Technical Diploma (31 or 32 level)
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Expected Competencies

For more information visit our Credit For Prior Learning page.