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 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics suggests the dental hygiene profession is expected to grow 20 percent from 2016 to 2026, much faster than that for all occupations. 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 find 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 79-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.

For more information about the career paths of the dental hygiene professional, see the American Dental Hygiene Association website.

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 the Dental Hygiene Application Process.

(Major Code 223A; CIP Code 51.0602)

Dental Hygiene Program web page

Program Outcomes

Johnson County Community College (JCCC) is committed to offering high-quality affordable programs that focus on developing knowledge and skills conducive to life-long learning. Both the General Education Student Learning Outcomes and Institutional Learning Outcomes convey JCCC's approach to programmatic outcomes. Additionally, students who successfully complete the Dental Hygiene, AAS from JCCC will be able to:

  • Graduates must be competent in providing the dental hygiene process of care including assessment, diagnosis, planning, implementation, evaluation and documentation to people of all stages of life, ages, and cultural backgrounds.
    • Individualized client treatment includes preventive and therapeutic interventions designed to achieve and maintain oral health.
    • Graduates must be competent in providing the dental hygiene process of care including assessment, diagnosis, planning, implementation, evaluation and documentation to people of all stages of life, ages, and cultural backgrounds.
    • Individualized client treatment includes preventive and therapeutic interventions designed to achieve and maintain oral health.
    • Obtain the client’s informed consent after thorough case presentation.
    • Evaluate the effectiveness of clinical, preventive, and educational interventions provided to the client and modify as necessary.
    • Recommend and/or provide subsequent treatment and referral based on evaluation of medical and dental findings.
  • Graduates must be competent in their ability to assess, plan, implement, and evaluate the oral health needs of community-based programs.
  • Graduates must be competent in communication skills with individuals, colleagues, and other professionals from diverse backgrounds.
  • Graduates must be competent in ethical and professional standards both in their conduct and in the delivery of evidence-based dental hygiene care.
  • Graduates must be competent in the use of critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
  • Graduates must be competent in health and safety precautions.
  • Graduates must be competent in their ability to continuously self-assess their work throughout their educational career, developing skills to increase growth in knowledge and practice.
  • Graduates must be competent in assessing professional and social networks to assist initiatives for health promotion and disease prevention and promote activities for lifelong learning and professional growth.