Dental Hygiene, A.A.S.

A key member of the professional dental team, the licensed dental hygienist is on the "front line" of patient care, responsible for providing educational, clinical and therapeutic services that promote total health through good oral health. The growing public awareness of the benefits of oral health, combined with the growth of corporate dental plans, has significantly increased the demand for dental care and has made dental hygiene one of the country's fastest-growing careers. The demand for dental hygienists is expected to grow 46 percent by 2010. Competitive salaries and flexible work schedules are added benefits. Students in JCCC's dental hygiene program prepare for careers as preventive dental professionals who have a choice of working in a variety of settings. Upon successful completion of licensure requirements and board examinations, graduates get jobs in school systems, nursing homes and dental supply firms, as well as private dental offices.

Fully accredited by the American Dental Association Commission on Dental Accreditation, this 83-credit-hour program requires four semesters and one summer session of full-time study. Successful completion leads to an associate of applied science degree. All dental hygiene students gain important practical experience working in JCCC's state-of-the-art clinical facility under the supervision of licensed dental hygienists and dentists.

Enrollment is limited. The deadline for fall semester applications is December 1st. Fall course transcripts are due January 15th. For an application, call the dental hygiene program at 913-469-3808 or download a copy by visiting Dental Hygiene Application Process.

This program requires a professional liability insurance fee. Students will be notified via their JCCC student e-mail account if they are required to pay a $16 fee. The dollar amount for fees is subject to change.

(Major Code 223A; State CIP Code 51.0602)

• Dental Hygiene

Associate of Applied Science Degree

Before Beginning Clinical Courses

CHEM 122	Principles of Chemistry*	5
ENGL 121	Composition I*	3
BIOL 140	Human Anatomy	4
PSYC 130	Introduction to Psychology	3
BIOL 230	Microbiology*	3
BIOL 231	Microbiology Lab*	2

Note: CHEM 122 or BIOL 140 or BIOL 230/BIOL 231 and one of the other prerequisites must be completed by the end of the fall semester.

Note: Transcripts from the fall semester are due January 15. The application deadline is December 1.

First Semester

DHYG 121	Clinical Dental Hygiene I: Pre-Clinic*	5
DHYG 125	Developmental Dentistry*	2
DHYG 135	Dental Materials*	2
DHYG 138	Head and Neck Anatomy*	2
SOC 122	Introduction to Sociology	3
Total Hours		14

Second Semester

DHYG 140	Clinical Dental Hygiene II*	4
DHYG 142	Dental Radiology*	2
DHYG 146	Periodontics*	3
DHYG 148	Dental Health Education*	2
BIOL 225	Human Physiology* ( )	4
Total Hours		15

Summer

BIOL 235	General Nutrition*	3
Humanities Elective ^		3
Mathematics Elective ^^		3
Total Hours		9

^	Humanities Elective
^^	Mathematics Elective

Third Semester

DHYG 221	Clinical Dental Hygiene III*	6
DHYG 225	Pathology*	3
DHYG 230	Dental Therapeutics*	3
DHYG 240	Community Dental Health*	2
Total Hours		14

Fourth Semester

DHYG 245	Nitrous Oxide Analgesia*	1
DHYG 250	Clinical Dental Hygiene IV*	6
SPD 120	Interpersonal Communication	3
or SPD 121	Public Speaking
or SPD 125	Personal Communication
Health and/or Physical Education Elective ^		1
Total Hours		11

^	Health and/or Physical Education Elective

Total Program Hours: 83