The American Dental Hygienists’ Association states, "...in order to become prepared to perform the educational, clinical, and therapeutic services of a licensed professional to the public, the dental hygienist requires an extensive educational background." The curriculum at the Community College of Denver's Dental Hygiene Program is designed to meet this goal. The curriculum is structured, rigorous and designed to prepare selected students to serve in the dynamic and growing health profession of Dental Hygiene. At the successful completion of the program, the student will be eligible to take the National Board and Regional Clinical Examination in Dental Hygiene leading to licensure as a Registered Dental Hygienist (R.D.H.). The program is also designed to accommodate those students who wish to transfer to a four-year college or university to complete a baccalaureate degree.
Dental hygiene classes and clinic assignments are scheduled Monday-Friday on a full-time basis. Time in class averages 27-35 contact hours per week. Additional hours, outside of the classroom, are needed for homework, patient recruitment, patient scheduling, project completion, community service and attendance at the dental hygiene and dental conventions.
Click here to see the Dental Hygiene course descriptions.
Program Prerequisites and General Education Core
In order to apply and be accepted into the dental hygiene program, you will need a High School Diploma or GED, plus at least one year of prerequisite college coursework, including English, Speech, Psychology, Sociology, Human Anatomy and Physiology, Microbiology and Chemistry. (Click here to see a complete listing of the prerequisite courses.)
Success in the dental hygiene curriculum is dependent upon a solid background in general education and the basic sciences. Therefore, applicants are required to complete the designated pre-dental hygiene course requirements no later than the end of the spring semester in the year of application.
It is important for every applicant (new or re-applying) to review the current information on the Dental Hygiene Program the fall semester prior to beginning the application process. All information is kept current on the web site, including Disqualifying Offenses, Expenses and much more. Since class selection procedures are subject to change, this will ensure the applicant receives accurate information about required procedures, documents, and deadlines. It is the applicant’s responsibility to seek current admissions information and to see that his/her file is complete and up-to-date. |