Dental Hygiene

Effective: Fall 2020
Associate in Science Program Map
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This program map from the 2024-2025 catalog year represents one possible pathway to complete this program. Your pathway may vary depending on your transfer plans and also previous college credit, including AP Test scores, concurrent enrollment courses and high school articulated courses.

I'm ready to get started. What do I do next?

  1. Review this program map to get an overview of the required courses
  2. Meet with a counselor to develop your customized student education plan www.chabotcollege.edu/counseling
  3. Use DegreeWorks, an online student education planning tool, to track your progress toward graduation www.chabotcollege.edu / admissions / degreeworks
Program Description
This area of study will provide students with the foundation, knowledge and skills needed to apply for licensure to practice dental hygiene. Students will earn a certificate in Radiation Safety after successful completion of the first year curriculum. Students will earn an AS degree at the completion of the program.

What can I do with this major?

Dental hygienists are preventive oral health professionals who have graduated from an accredited dental hygiene program in an institution of higher education, licensed in dental hygiene to provide educational, clinical, research, administrative and therapeutic services supporting total health through the promotion of optimum oral health." (ADEA, 2012).

Successful completion of the two-year program qualifies the student to take the National Board Dental Hygiene Exam and the regional board exam for licensure as a Registered Dental Hygienist. Students in this program may choose to use their AS degree in Dental Hygiene to continue their education by earning a bachelor's degree.

Career paths include but are not limited to:

  • Clinical Practice
  • Public Health
  • Education
  • Research
  • Sales
  • Entrepreneur

Learning and Career Pathway
  • Health and Wellness

Icon Key

= Critical Course = Prerequisite for Other Courses = Prerequisite Required = Required for Major GE = General Education

All students must be certified in Basic Life Suport (BLS) for the Health Care Provider through the American Heart Association. The Dental Hygiene Program units combined with the Associate in Science Degree (G.E.) requirements will be in excess of the minimum 60 units.

Prerequisites

36 units

Prerequisite courses are required before applying for the Dental Hygiene program and must be completed by the Fall prior to the year of application.

In-progress grades are not accepted.

BIOS 42 General Human Anatomy

5 units
Prerequisite course is BIOS 41 Fundamental of Biology for Health Sciences

BIOS 43 Human Physiology

5 units
Prerequisite is BIOS 42 and CHEM 30A

BIOS 44 Microbiology

5 units
Prerequisite courses are BIOS 41 and CHEM 30A

CHEM 30A Introductory and Applied Chemistry I

4 units
Prerequisite is MTH 53 or higher

CHEM 30B Introductory and Applied Chemistry II

4 units
Prerequisite is CHEM 30A

English 1- Critical Reading and Composition

4 units

SOCI 1 Principles of Sociology

3 units

PSY 1 General Psychology

3 units

COMM 1 Fundamentals of Speech Communication or COMM 10 Interpersonal Communication

3 units

Semester 1

14.5 units

Once admitted into the Dental Hygiene program, all of the required courses below must be completed. 

DHYG 50A
Dental Hygiene Orientation I

0.5 units
Orientation to the dental hygiene program to include information regarding scheduling, course requirements, financial aid considerations, program policies and procedures as well as core competencies.
Course Details:

    DHYG 60
    Dental Anatomy and Morphology

    1.5 units
    Development, eruption, and structures of the intraoral cavity and extraoral structures; structures of the teeth, tooth numbering systems, occlusion and anomalies. Identification of teeth and oral structures.
    Course Details:
    1. Corequisite: DHYG 60S
    2. Corequisite: DHYG 69A
      3. and
    3. Corequisite: DHYG 71A

    DHYG 61
    Head and Neck Anatomy

    2 units
    Anatomy of the head, neck and oral cavity; structure and function of the oral cavity and adjacent structures. Emphasis on clinical recognition of normal structures, , their vascular supply and the regional osteology.
    Course Details:
    1. Corequisite: DHYG 69A
      2. and
    2. Corequisite: DHYG 71A

    DHYG 61S
    Head and Neck Anatomy Independent Study

    0.5 units
    Supplemental instruction on the embryology of the head, neck and oral cavity, structure and function of the oral cavity and adjacent structures. Emphasis on the recognition of normal structures, the anatomical relationships between structures and regional osteology.
    Course Details:
    1. Corequisite: DHYG 61

    DHYG 69A
    Oral Health Care Education

    2 units
    Educational techniques and technical skills used to assist individuals and groups in becoming integrally involved in their dental/oral health care. Information and application of information related to oral health care, oral health promotion and disease prevention.
    Course Details:

      DHYG 71A
      Pre-Clinical Dental Hygiene

      4 units
      Laboratory and clinical experiences in patient assessment, dental hygiene care planning, goal setting and implementation of instrumentation techniques for providing prevention- oriented dental care and non-surgical periodontal therapy. Emphasis on post-treatment evaluation. Application of theory to the treatment of clinical patients.
      Course Details:
      1. Corequisite: DHYG 60
        2. and
      2. Corequisite: DHYG 69A
        3. and
      3. Corequisite: DHYG 71S

      DHYG 71S
      Pre-clinical Dental Hygiene Independent Study

      1 unit
      Supplemental instruction in the use of dental hygiene instruments. Emphasis on instrumentation technique including the use of fulcrum options, modified pen grasp, direct and indirect vision.
      Course Details:
      1. Corequisite: DHYG 71A

      DHYG 74A
      Dental Radiography I

      3 units
      Introduction to the principles of radiography, x-radiation protection, operation of x-ray equipment, infection control procedures and hazardous waste maintenance. Practice in film exposure, processing, mounting and interpretation.
      Course Details:

        Semester 2

        14.5 units

        DHYG 51
        General and Oral Pathology

        4 units
        Oral pathology and dysfunctions of systems of the body which directly affect the oral cavity. Significance of oral and general pathology in relationship to treatment by the dental hygienist. Relationship of oral and general pathology related to the disease process.
        Course Details:

          DHYG 55A
          Dental Materials

          1.5 units
          General, specialty, preventive and restorative materials will be covered, with focus on components, properties, classification and manipulation of specific materials. Lab activities designed to prepare student for use of materials within the dental setting.
          Course Details:
          1. Prerequisite: DHYG 69A

          DHYG 69B
          Treatment and Evaluation in Dental Hygiene

          1 unit
          Continued development of the principles of assessment in dental hygiene care. Prevention, non-surgical periodontal therapy and maintenance through application of the Dental Hygiene process, including assessment, planning, goal setting, implementing and evaluation used in providing dental hygiene care. Emphasis on evaluation of dental hygiene care as an essential component of the dental hygiene process.
          Course Details:
          1. Prerequisite: DHYG 69A
            2. and
          2. Prerequisite: DHYG 71A

          DHYG 71B
          Clinical Dental Hygiene

          4 units
          Continuation of laboratory and clinical experiences in patient assessment with emphasis on dental hygiene care planning, goal setting and implementation of instrumentation techniques for providing prevention-oriented dental care and non-surgical periodontal therapy. Emphasis on post-treatment evaluation. Introduction to the technical skills and procedures used in the clinical practice of dental hygiene.
          Course Details:
          1. Prerequisite: DHYG 71A
          2. Corequisite: DHYG 69B
            3. and
          3. Corequisite: DHYG 75

          DHYG 73
          Educational Theories in Dental Hygiene Care

          1.5 units
          Basics of research processes associated with clinical dental hygiene practice. Teaching, learning, and research processes. Application of principles for patient education. Identification of effective environments for teaching and learning.
          Course Details:
          1. Prerequisite: DHYG 69A
            2. and
          2. Prerequisite: DHYG 71A
          3. Corequisite: DHYG 69B
            4. and
          4. Corequisite: DHYG 71B

          DHYG 74B
          Dental Radiography II

          1.5 units
          Continuation of clinical experience in exposing films, group and individualized criticism of mounted films; principles of Panographic and Digital radiology; special patient needs; occlusal and pedodontic surveys; emphasis on radiographic interpretative skills.
          Course Details:
          1. Prerequisite: DHYG 74A

          DHYG 75
          Medical Emergencies

          1 unit
          Prevention, recognition and management of medical emergencies that occur in the dental setting.
          Course Details:
          1. Corequisite: DHYG 69B
            2. and
          2. Corequisite: DHYG 71B

          Semester 3

          15 units

          DHYG 50B
          Dental Hygiene Orientation II

          0.5 units
          Orientation for second year dental hygiene students focusing on patient management and scheduling as well as policies and procedures for treating periodontally involved patients.
          Course Details:
          1. Prerequisite: DHYG 71B

          DHYG 72S
          Advanced Periodontal Procedure

          0.5 units
          Lecture experiences in advanced instrumentation techniques; workshops on recognizing patients’ medical needs and their relationship to dental treatment.
          Course Details:
          1. Prerequisite: DHYG 71B

          DHYG 52A
          Periodontics

          2 units
          Normal periodontium and the deviations from health, with emphasis on the hygienist's responsibility in examination, data collection and recognition of disease. Dental Hygiene therapy for periodontal disease prevention, active case management and maintenance programs. Contributing factors to disease process and case management. Decision-making for patient referral to the periodontal specialist.
          Course Details:
          1. Prerequisite: DHYG 51

          DHYG 54
          Pharmacology

          2 units
          Sources, dosages, therapeutic action, and side effects of drugs used in dentistry and dental hygiene. Includes legal and ethical aspects of drug usage.
          Course Details:
          1. Corequisite: DHYG 57

          DHYG 56A
          Community Dental Health I

          1 unit
          Study of individual and community oral health problems relative to personal, family, and public health needs.
          Course Details:
          1. Strongly Recommended: COMM 1
            2. or
          2. Strongly Recommended: COMM 10
            3. or
          3. Strongly Recommended: COMM 30
          4. Corequisite: DHYG 80A

          DHYG 57
          Expanded Functions for the Dental Hygienist

          2 units
          Dental hygiene advanced clinical functions including clinical practice in administration of local anesthetics, topical anesthetic agents, nitrous oxide/oxygen analgesia and soft tissue curettage.
          Course Details:
          1. Corequisite: DHYG 54
            2. and
          2. Corequisite: DHYG 81A

          DHYG 80A
          Patient Management

          1 unit
          The focus of this course are patient care competencies in providing dental hygiene care for the child, adolescent, adult and geriatric patient. Students will assess the treatment needs of patients and modify procedures as needed in order to provide effective dental hygiene treatment.
          Course Details:
          1. Prerequisite: DHYG 71B
          2. Corequisite: DHYG 56A
            3. and
          3. Corequisite: DHYG 81A

          DHYG 81A
          Clinical Practice I

          5 units
          Continuation of clinical experience in performing dental hygiene therapy with emphasis on the young child and periodontal patient; patient education in prevention and control of dental disease and emergency procedures.
          Course Details:
          1. Prerequisite: DHYG 69B
            2. and
          2. Prerequisite: DHYG 71B
          3. Corequisite: DHYG 56A
            4. and
          4. Corequisite: DHYG 57
            5. and
          5. Corequisite: DHYG 80A
            6. and
          6. Corequisite: DHYG 83

          DHYG 82A
          Clinical Experience Seminar I

          1 unit
          Discussion and analysis of case-based clinical situations. Case studies addressing client care, protocol and advanced clinical techniques. Exploration of and education in cultural and linguistic competence.
          Course Details:
          1. Corequisite: DHYG 80A

          Semester 4

          15.5 units

          NUTR 1
          Introduction to Nutrition Science

          3 units
          GE
          Scientific concepts of nutrition related to the function of nutrients, sources and recommended intakes. Nutritional assessment and the role of nutrition in the maintenance of health. Major Specific AS Degree Requirement
          Course Details:
          1. Strongly Recommended: CHEM 30A
            2. and
          2. Strongly Recommended: MTH 53
            3. and
          3. Strongly Recommended: ENGL 1A
        1. Transfers to CSU

          2. DHYG 56B
          Community Dental Health II

          1 unit
          Continuation of Dental Hygiene 56A. Emphasis is on the role of the dental hygienist in health promotion and health communication. Focus is on the implementation and evaluation of a community health project, epidemiology, research and social responsibility. Benefits and public concerns related to community water fluoridation.
          Course Details:
          1. Prerequisite: DHYG 56A

          DHYG 50C
          Dental Hygiene Orientation III

          0.5 units
          Orientation for second year dental hygiene students. This course will prepare students for the National Board Dental Hygiene Exam through computerized testing with case based and didactic questions. This course will also review clinical requirements for graduation, patient scheduling, mock boards and the regional clinical board exam.
          Course Details:
          1. Prerequisite: DHYG 81A

          DHYG 52B
          Advanced Periodontics

          1 unit
          Continuation of 52A. Research-based comprehensive periodontal therapy. Focus on systemic diseases and their relationship to periodontal disease and adjunct periodontal treatment modalities through the use of evidence-based research and case studies.
          Course Details:
          1. Prerequisite: DHYG 52A

          DHYG 58
          Dental Office Practice

          1 unit
          Dental office practices based on sound dental economics, legal and ethical framework of the State Dental Practice Act, and patient needs and services.
          Course Details:
          1. Corequisite: DHYG 81B

          DHYG 80B
          Advanced Clinical Topics

          1 unit
          Advanced clinical topics with discussion in patient management, ergonomics, clinical boards, licensure, employment, lasers in dentistry and insurance CDT codes. This course includes guest speakers on various topics and preparation for the work industry.
          Course Details:
          1. Prerequisite: DHYG 80A
          2. Corequisite: DHYG 81B
            3. and
          3. Corequisite: DHYG 82B
            4. and
          4. Corequisite: DHYG 83

          DHYG 81B
          Clinical Practice II

          5 units
          Continuation of clinical experience with a variety of clinical cases of adults and children to include a broad spectrum of clinical applications.
          Course Details:
          1. Corequisite: DHYG 58
            2. and
          2. Corequisite: DHYG 80B
            3. and
          3. Corequisite: DHYG 82B
            4. and
          4. Corequisite: DHYG 83

          DHYG 82B
          Clinical Experience Seminar II

          2 units
          Discussion and analysis of complex case-based clinical situations. Ethical, legal decision making, occupational standards and incident reporting in the clinical setting. Review of materials pertaining to the National Dental Hygiene Board and the Clinical State Licensing exams.
          Course Details:
          1. Corequisite: DHYG 58
            2. and
          2. Corequisite: DHYG 80B

          DHYG 83
          Patients with Special Needs

          1 unit
          Dental Hygiene therapy with emphasis on the management of patients with special needs. Management of this population will include current clinical in-office strategies, as well as applications of mobile dentistry and teledentistry technology.
          Course Details:
          1. Prerequisite: DHYG 80A
          2. Corequisite: DHYG 80B
            3. and
          3. Corequisite: DHYG 81B

          Other (specify)

          Additional General Education courses are required in order to earn an AS in Dental Hygiene.

          Please see a counselor to review the AS General Education pattern. 

          Total Units: 95.5 units
          This program map is not a guarantee of course availability or financial aid applicability.