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Dental hygiene Degree

Dental Hygiene Degree

The Dental Hygiene Program is a nine quarter, sequenced, full time program. You must maintain a 2.0 average (a "C" equivalent) or better in all Dental Hygiene and Allied Health courses in order to proceed to the next quarter in the program of study. There is classroom instruction, laboratory demonstration, and clinical experience. Upon completion of the program, you will be eligible to take the National Board Exam for Dental Hygiene and the State Board Exam for Dental Hygiene.

Courses in the Dental Hygiene Program are offered in designated sequence to prepare students for patient care. Students must earn 70% or better in all courses before proceeding to the next sequenced quarter.

A grade of less than 70% in any course will require that the student withdraw from the Dental Hygiene program sequence and apply for readmission to the next scheduled class with all other applicants. There is no guarantee of readmission. The program has a competitive admission process due to limited space and a high demand for the program. Students will be selected at the end of each summer quarter to begin the program in October (fall quarter).

Career Information and Occupational Outlook:

The links below are to external databases of career and occupational information provided by organizations outside of Columbus Technical College, and will open in new windows.

Program Admission Requirements:

  1. Present official documentation of an earned high school diploma or official GED Scores.
  2. Be at least 16 years old.
  3. No provisional and/or special admission students considered for the program.
  4. Complete prerequisite courses by the end of summer quarter.
  5. Submit proof of paid or volunteer time in dental office (minimum 20 hours), Letter of Intent and Personal Data Form.
  6. Complete a short essay addressing, "Why I want to become a Dental Hygienist". This must be in applicant's handwriting.
  7. Supply current, documented immunization record prior to program admission. Current physical and dental exam are required after you are admitted to the Dental Hygiene Program.
  8. Hepatitis B immunization series must be started upon acceptance.

All requested items must be submitted to the Dental Hygiene Program Administrative Assistant on or before the deadline date of July 15 each year (this deadline has been extended to July 30 for 2009). 

Estimated Cost:

Estimated costs are subject to change without notice. Tuition, fees and books are not included.

1st Quarter

Cost of physical exam and immunizations will vary.
2 Uniforms, lab jacket $180.00
School patches 15.00
SADHA Dues 50.00
Pocket Nurse ADC BP Monitor 50.00
Clinic Lab Supplies 200.00
Dental Typodonts 205.00

2nd Quarter

Instrument kits with 2 cassettes 505.00
Clinical Lab Supplies 175.00
Malpractice Insurance 17.50
Radiation Badge 17.00
Rinn XCP Kit 80.00
Dental Materials Lab Supplies 40.00

3rd Quarter

Handpiece 350.00
Sharpening Stone 85.00
Clinic Lab Supplies 175.00
Radiation Badge 17.00

4th Quarter

Radiation Badge 17.00
Table Clinic Preparation Cost 50.00
Additional Uniforms, lab jacket and shoes 180.00
Clinic Lab Supplies 175.00

5th Quarter

Cavitron Inserts with cassette 205.00
After Five Instruments 65.00
Radiation Badge 17.00
Annual State Meeting 100.00
SADHA Dues 50.00
Clinic Lab Supplies 175.00

6th Quarter

Radiation Badge 17.00
Board Review & Expenses 700.00
Clinic Lab Supplies 200.00
Radiation Badge 17.00
Dental Hygiene Pins 45.00
National Board Exam 160.00
Additional uniforms, lab jacket and shoes 180.00

7th Quarter

Radiation Badge 17.00
Regional Board Exam 825.00
- Extra Expense- Lodging- Patient Payment 300.00-350.00
Malpractice Insurance for Board (Must submit proof) 25.00
Georgia Board of Dentistry License and Test 75.00
Regional Board Site Exam Cost 150.00
Clinic Lab Supplies 200.00

Other supplies and materials for classes:

Items needed for clinic supplies which may be purchased off campus (K-Mart, Wal-Mart, etc.):

Hand mirrors (6" across), Hand magnifying glass (at least 3" across), Black pens, Red/blue pencils, #2 lead pencils, Cart with drawers (specific type), Two pair of safety glasses, clipboard.

A computer is used for CD/ROM and Internet access. (Personal purchase optional)

Throughout the two years of your clinical studies, you will be responsible for purchasing gloves and face masks/shields as well as other disposables used in the clinical setting. Vendor names may be obtained from the program office. Prices are subject to change at any time without prior notice. Courses taken at other institutions are paid at the other institution's rates.

Curriculum:

*Courses ranked for admission

**BIO 2117 is a substitute for DHY 1130

Quarter Course # Course Title Contact Hours Credit Hours
Pre-Requisite BIO 2113* Anatomy and Physiology I 7 5
MAT 1111* College Algebra 5 5
SCT 100 Introduction to Microcomputers 5 3
  Total 17 13
Pre-Requisite BIO 2114* Anatomy and Physiology II 7 5
CHM 1111* Chemistry I 7 5
ENG 1101* Composition and Rhetoric I 5 5
  Total 19 15
1st
FALL
DHY 1000 Tooth Anatomy and Root Morphology 4 3
DHY 1010 Oral Embryology and Histology 2 2
DHY 1060 Introduction to Dental Hygiene 3 1
DHY 1130** Microbiology and Infection Control in the Dental Profession 6 5
PSY 1101 Introduction to Psychology 5 5
  Total 20 16
2nd
WINTER
DHY 1020 Head and Neck Anatomy 3 3
DHY 1030 Dental Materials 4 3
DHY 1040 Pre-clinical Dental Hygiene Lecture 2 2
DHY 1050 Pre-clinical Dental Hygiene Lab 6 2
DHY 2110 Biochemistry and Nutrition 3 3
  Total 18 13
3rd
SPRING
DHY 1070 Radiology Lecture 3 3
DHY 1090 Radiology Lab 3 1
DHY 1100 Clinical Dental Hygiene I Lecture 2 2
DHY 1110 Clinical Dental Hygiene I Lab 9 3
AHS 104 Introduction to Health Care 5 3
  Total 22 12
4th
SUMMER
DHY 2000 Periodontology 4 4
DHY 2010 Clinical Dental Hygiene II Lecture 2 2
DHY 2020 Clinical Dental Hygiene II Lab 12 4
DHY 2060 Pharmacology and Pain Control 4 4
  Total 22 14
5th
FALL
DHY 2050 Oral Pathology 4 4
DHY 2070 Community Dental Health 6 4
DHY 2080 Clinical Dental Hygiene III Lecture 2 2
DHY 2090 Clinical Dental Hygiene III Lab 12 4
  Total 24 14
6th
WINTER
DHY 2130 Clinical Dental Hygiene IV Lecture 2 2
DHY 2140 Clinical Dental Hygiene IV Lab 12 4
SOC 1101 Introduction to Sociology 5 5
SPC 1101 Fundamentals of Speech 5 5
  Total 24 16
7th
SPRING
DHY 2200 Clinical Dental Hygiene V Lecture 2 2
DHY 2210 Clinical Dental Hygiene V Lab 12 4
HUM 1101 Introduction to Humanities 5 5
  Total 19 11

The content of this page does not constitute a contract between Columbus Technical College and its students on either a collective or individual basis. Course curriculum, fee changes, or additional unforeseen changes may occur after publication. Course offerings are contingent upon adequate enrollments. Please contact the school offering the program for the most current information. Academic advising is available to students prior to registration; this information is not a substitute for consulting with an academic advisor.

Last updated: August 3, 2009.