Dental Hygiene
Higher Education Center at National City
Dean: Christine M. Perri, M.A.
Director: Gay Teel, M.A.
Office: 7101, (619) 216-6670
School/Department Location: www.swccd.edu/hecnclocation
General Description
A dental hygienist is a licensed healthcare professional, oral health educator, and clinician who, as a co-therapist with a dentist, provides preventive, educational, and therapeutic services supporting total health for the control of oral diseases and the promotion of oral health. A registered dental hygienist has graduated from a minimum of two year college program that includes classroom studies and extensive supervised clinical experience.
The program prepares students for a career in dental hygiene through the study of humanities, social and natural sciences, and the field of dental hygiene. Emphasis is on clinical practice in the context of dental hygiene care. Graduates are eligible to apply to take national, and regional examinations to earn the RDH license.
The dental hygienist may work in general and specialty oral health practices. Other areas of employment include programs for research, professional education, and community health; hospital and institutional care of disabled persons; federal programs, such as the armed services; or other health service locations as specified in statute or as authorized by the state board of dentistry/dental hygiene.
Dental hygiene students and all healthcare providers are at higher risk for exposure to infectious disease, bodily fluids, and bloodborne pathogens. The SWC dental hygiene program follows OSHA standards and college requirements for the prevention of exposure to infectious diseases.
Career Options
Although the dental hygienist primarily provides preventive and therapeutic services in a private dental office or clinic, he/she may provide services in public health settings, schools, skilled nursing facilities and mobile clinics. Clinical practice generally requires an associate degree education. The dental hygienist may also serve as an administrator/manager for community dental health programs or dental product companies, an educator in dental hygiene and dental school programs, or a researcher in a university or corporate setting. Many of these roles may require a bachelor’s or graduate-level degree.
Program Goals
Upon completion of the dental hygiene program the graduate will:
- Demonstrate the knowledge to pass the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination (NBDHE).
- Demonstrate the clinical skills necessary to pass the Regional Registered Dental Hygienist Licensure Examination.
- Demonstrate the knowledge to pass the California Dental Law and Ethics Examinations.
- Secure entry-level employment as a dental hygienist.
Degree/Certificate Options | Major Code |
---|---|
Associate in Science Degree: Career/Technical | |
Dental Hygiene | 02380 |
Refer to Dental Hygiene Program within the SWC website for admission requirements.
Consult with a counselor to develop a Student Education Plan (SEP), which lists the courses necessary to achieve your academic goal.
Faculty
Beth Gray, M.S.
bgray@swccd.edu
Karen Kubischta, M.B.A.
kkubischta@swccd.edu
Linda Lukacs, D.D.S.
llukacs@swccd.edu
Kesa Waddell, M.S.
kwaddell@swccd.edu
DH 26
DENTAL HYGIENE CLINICAL LICENSING EXAM PREPARATION
1 UNIT
Pass/No Pass Only
Limitation on Enrollment: Graduation from an accredited dental hygiene program.
Laboratory 4 hours
Offered: ALL
Prepares students for state clinical board examination. Utilize a mock board format to select an appropriate patient and complete forms required during the examination. Practice and enhance clinical dental hygiene skills. [ND]
DH 27
INTRODUCTION TO DENTAL HYGIENE
1 UNIT
Pass/No Pass Only
Lecture 1 hour
Offered: ALL
Introduces the profession of dental hygiene and the Southwestern College Dental Hygiene program. Emphasizes career options of the dental hygienist, requirements and technical standards of the dental hygiene program, and methods to enhance student success. [ND]
DH 101
INTRODUCTION TO CLINICAL CONCEPTS
2 UNITS
Grade Only
Corequisite: DH 108.
Limitation on Enrollment: Enrollment is limited to students enrolled in the Dental Hygiene program.
Lecture 2 hours
Offered: ALL
Introduces skills and clinical procedures required for dental hygiene patient procedures. [D; CSU]
DH 106
SPECIAL NEED PATIENT CARE
2 UNITS
Grade Only
Limitation on Enrollment: Enrollment is limited to students enrolled in the Dental Hygiene program.
Lecture 2 hours
Offered: ALL
Integrates methodologies needed for the dental hygiene treatment of patients throughout their lifespan from infancy through adulthood with special emphasis on geriatric patients and those patients [D; CSU]
DH 108
INTRODUCTION TO CLINICAL PRACTICE
2.5 UNITS
Grade Only
Corequisite: DH 101.
Limitation on Enrollment: Enrollment is limited to students enrolled in the Dental Hygiene program.
Laboratory 8 hours
Offered: ALL
Provides laboratory experience in the skills and clinical procedures required for dental hygiene patient care. Introduces basic instrumentation techniques, infection control application, and management of medical emergencies in a clinical setting. [D; CSU]
DH 109
DENTAL RADIOGRAPHY
3 UNITS
Grade Only
Limitation on Enrollment: Enrollment is limited to students enrolled in the Dental Hygiene program.
Lecture 2 hours, laboratory 3 hours
Offered: ALL
Emphasizes the principle of dental radiography and clinical application of procedures involved in exposing, processing, interpreting, and evaluating radiographs, and images. Includes digital radiography, panorex, and digital camera. [D] (Formerly: DH 111A)
DH 112
CLINIC I
4 UNITS
Grade Only
Prerequisite: DH 108 or equivalent.
Corequisite: DH 113A.
Limitation on Enrollment: Enrollment is limited to students enrolled in the Dental Hygiene program.
Laboratory 12 hours
Offered: ALL
Provides beginning clinical practice of basic dental hygiene treatment procedures. Includes patient assessment, treatment planning, oral hygiene instructions, radiographs, hand scaling, selective polishing, documentation, and related procedures on child, adolescent, adult, geriatric, and medically compromised patients. [D; CSU]
DH 113A
CLINICAL CONCEPTS I
1 UNIT
Grade Only
Corequisite: DH 112.
Limitation on Enrollment: Enrollment is limited to students enrolled in the Dental Hygiene program.
Lecture 1 hour
Offered: ALL
Provides continuation of theory and skill development for clinical procedures required for dental hygiene patient care. [D; CSU]
DH 113B
CLINICAL CONCEPTS II
1 UNIT
Grade Only
Prerequisite: DH 113A or equivalent.
Limitation on Enrollment: Enrollment is limited to students enrolled in the Dental Hygiene program.
Lecture 1 hour
Offered: ALL
Emphasizes intermediate theory and skill development for clinical procedures required for dental hygiene patient care. [D; CSU]
DH 113C
CLINICAL CONCEPTS III
1 UNIT
Grade Only
Prerequisite: DH 113B or equivalent.
Limitation on Enrollment: Enrollment is limited to students enrolled in the Dental Hygiene program.
Lecture 1 hour
Offered: ALL
Emphasizes advanced theory and skill development for clinical procedures required for dental hygiene patient care. [D; CSU]
DH 114
HEAD AND NECK ANATOMY
2 UNITS
Grade Only
Limitation on Enrollment: Enrollment is limited to students enrolled in the Dental Hygiene program.
Lecture 2 hours, laboratory 1 hour
Offered: ALL
Provides an anatomical and morphological study of the structures of the head and neck. Includes muscles, nerves, blood vessels, and lymphatics with hands-on practice in a laboratory setting. [D; CSU]
DH 115
PERIODONTICS
2 UNITS
Grade Only
Limitation on Enrollment: Enrollment is limited to students enrolled in the Dental Hygiene program.
Lecture 2 hours
Offered: ALL
Introduction to periodontics including identification of the normal periodontium and recognition of deviations from normal, etiology, pathogenesis, and classifications of periodontal disease; and examination, diagnostic, treatment, and maintenance procedures. [D; CSU]
DH 116
DENTAL MATERIALS
2 UNITS
Grade Only
Limitation on Enrollment: Enrollment is limited to students enrolled in the Dental Hygiene program.
Lecture 1 hour, laboratory 3 hours
Offered: ALL
Provides a survey of dental materials and a rationale in the techniques of using them. [D; CSU]
DH 118
TRANSITIONAL CLINIC
1.5 UNIT
Grade Only
Prerequisite: DH 112 or equivalent.
Limitation on Enrollment: Enrollment is limited to students enrolled in the Dental Hygiene program.
Lecture 0.50 hours, laboratory 4 hours
Offered: ALL
Provides advanced beginning clinical practice of dental hygiene treatment procedures. Includes patient assessment, treatment planning, oral hygiene instructions, radiographs, hand scaling, selective polishing, documentation, and related procedures on more difficult child, adolescent, adult, geriatric and medically compromised patient cases. Emphasizes beginning experience using local anesthesia and ultrasonic scaling on patients. [D; CSU]
DH 121
PAIN CONTROL
2 UNITS
Grade Only
Limitation on Enrollment: Enrollment is limited to students enrolled in the Dental Hygiene program.
Lecture 1 hour, laboratory 3 hours
Offered: ALL
Introduces the methods of pain control utilized in dental hygiene and in dentistry, including the administration of local anesthesia and the administration of nitrous oxide/oxygen sedation. [D; CSU]
DH 122
CLINIC II
4 UNITS
Grade Only
Prerequisite: DH 118 or equivalent.
Corequisite: DH 113B.
Limitation on Enrollment: Enrollment is limited to students enrolled in the Dental Hygiene program.
Laboratory 12 hours
Offered: SUMMER
Provides intermediate clinical practice of dental hygiene treatment procedures on more difficult cases. Includes complex patient assessment, treatment planning, oral hygiene instructions, radiographs, local anesthesia, advanced hand and ultrasonic scaling, selective polishing, application of chemotherapeutic agents, sealants, documentation, and related procedures on child, adolescent, adult, geriatric, and medically compromised patients. [D; CSU]
DH 123
ORAL ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY
1 UNIT
Grade Only
Limitation on Enrollment: Enrollment is limited to students enrolled in the Dental Hygiene program.
Lecture 1 hour, laboratory 1 hour
Offered: ALL
Provides study of the orofacial region and morphologic aspects of the primary and secondary dentitions and their supporting structure. Emphasizes root structures of each permanent tooth. [D; CSU]
DH 124
ORAL EMBRYOLOGY AND HISTOLOGY
2 UNITS
Grade Only
Limitation on Enrollment: Enrollment is limited to students enrolled in the Dental Hygiene program.
Lecture 2 hours
Offered: ALL
Introduces the embryologic development of the face, neck, and orofacial structures. Examines facial developmental disturbances, tooth development and eruption, the histology of the oral mucosa, gingival, dentogingival junctional tissues, enamel, and supporting structures. [D; CSU]
DH 125
ORAL HEALTH
2 UNITS
Grade Only
Limitation on Enrollment: Enrollment is limited to students enrolled in the Dental Hygiene program.
Lecture 2 hours, laboratory 1 hour
Offered: ALL
Emphasizes the etiology and prevention of dental diseases and introduces patient education strategies. [D; CSU]
DH 200A
COMMUNITY DENTAL HEALTH I
2 UNITS
Grade Only
Limitation on Enrollment: Enrollment is limited to students enrolled in the Dental Hygiene program.
Lecture 2 hours
Offered: ALL
Introduces and study of the philosophy and background of community dental health. Emphasizes program planning, implementation, and evaluation. Includes practical experience implementing programs in various community settings. [D; CSU]
DH 200B
COMMUNITY DENTAL HEALTH II
2 UNITS
Grade Only
Prerequisite: DH 200A or equivalent.
Limitation on Enrollment: Enrollment is limited to students enrolled in the Dental Hygiene program.
Lecture 1 hour, laboratory 3 hours
Offered: ALL
Continues the study of philosophy and the background of community dental health. Emphasizes public health program implementation, evaluation and analysis. Includes practical experience implementing programs in various community settings. [D; CSU]
DH 202
CLINIC III
4 UNITS
Grade Only
Prerequisite: DH 122 or equivalent.
Limitation on Enrollment: Enrollment is limited to students enrolled in the Dental Hygiene program.
Laboratory 12 hours
Offered: ALL
Provides advanced experience in clinical practice of all dental hygiene assessment, planning, educational, treatment, and evaluation procedures and documentation. Includes initial therapy as well as maintenance therapy, and related procedures on child, adolescent, adult, geriatric, and medically compromised patients of all levels of complexity, with increased accuracy and efficiency. [D; CSU]
DH 203
PATHOLOGY
2 UNITS
Grade Only
Limitation on Enrollment: Enrollment is limited to students enrolled in the Dental Hygiene program.
Lecture 2 hours
Offered: ALL
Introduces general pathology with an emphasis on oral pathology to include: histology, physical descriptions, signs and symptoms, and treatment modalities. [D; CSU]
DH 205
ADVANCED PERIODONTICS
2 UNITS
Grade Only
Prerequisite: DH 115 or equivalent.
Limitation on Enrollment: Enrollment is limited to students enrolled in the Dental Hygiene program.
Lecture 2 hours
Offered: ALL
Introduces practical application of treatment planning, advanced principles of periodontal nonsurgical and surgical therapies, and techniques for advanced instrumentation. Includes instruction in soft tissue curettage and local administered antibiotic agents. [D; CSU]
DH 206
DENTAL PHARMACOLOGY
2 UNITS
Grade Only
Prerequisite: DH 114 or equivalent.
Limitation on Enrollment: Enrollment is limited to students enrolled in the Dental Hygiene program.
Lecture 2 hours
Offered: ALL
Provides a broad overview of the pharmacodynamics of drug actions. Includes modes of administration, mechanisms of action, biotransformation, excretion, drug interactions and side effects. Emphasizes those drugs relevant to the practice of dental hygiene. [D; CSU]
DH 211
ETHICS AND JURISPRUDENCE
2 UNITS
Grade Only
Limitation on Enrollment: Enrollment is limited to students enrolled in the Dental Hygiene program.
Lecture 2 hours
Offered: ALL
Introduces fundamental factors necessary to be employed and practice within the ethical and legal framework of the state dental practice act and the code of ethics of the American Dental Hygienists' Association (ADHA). [D; CSU]
DH 214
SEMINAR
2 UNITS
Grade Only
Limitation on Enrollment: Enrollment is limited to students enrolled in the Dental Hygiene program.
Lecture 2 hours
Offered: ALL
Provides independent and seminar study of dental hygiene case studies. Emphasizes practice management aspects of dental hygiene and job search techniques. Includes radiography review for the National Dental Hygiene Board Examination. [D; CSU]
DH 299
INDEPENDENT STUDY
1-3 UNITS
Pass/No Pass or Grade is Allowed
Limitation on Enrollment: Eligibility for independent study.
Lecture 3 hours
Offered: ALL
Individual study or research in some area of dental hygiene of particular interest to the student and not included in regular courses of the college. [D: CSU]