Academic Catalog

Dental Hygienist (AA)

Department website: https://www.cerritos.edu/dental-hygiene/

ASSOCIATE OF ART

A registered dental hygienist is a preventive oral health professional licensed in dental hygiene who provides educational, clinical and therapeutic services supporting total health through the promotion of optimal oral health.

The Dental Hygiene Program is a two-year degree program and includes one summer session. Upon completion of the program, graduating students will receive an Associate of Arts Degree in Dental Hygiene and will qualify to take the National Dental Hygiene Board Examination and a Clinical Board Examination. Successful passage of the examinations qualifies the graduate to apply for dental hygiene licensure in the State of California.

A career in dental hygiene offers multiple opportunities in a variety of settings. A registered dental hygienist may work in such practice settings as: private dental offices and dental clinics; federal, state and local health departments or associated institutions; hospitals and nursing homes; school districts or departments of education; educational programs for dental, dental hygiene and dental assisting students; private business/industry; correctional facilities; private and public centers for pediatric, geriatric and other individuals/groups with special needs; or health maintenance organizations. Technical Standards/ Essential Functions are available for you review on the program’s website. They have been designed to give you more information about the profession and important skills/functions. This information will be helpful to assist you in deciding on your career path.

Applicants desiring employment in this field are required to have good vision and the ability to communicate orally. In addition, they must have the capacity to comprehend, analyze, evaluate and record in patients’ charts, and have the dexterity to use small dental instruments to provide dental hygiene care.

GOALS AND PROGRAM COMPETENCIES

The philosophy of the Associate Degree Dental Hygiene Program was developed to reflect the philosophy of Cerritos College. The Dental Hygiene Department believes the program should provide opportunities for the student to reach her/his greatest potential in the profession of dental hygiene so she/he may achieve a sense of dignity, value, and personal worth in the community and in the world of work regardless of age, gender, or ethnicity. 

THE GOALS OF THE DENTAL HYGIENE PROGRAM ARE AS FOLLOWS:

  1.  To graduate an individual who is competent in providing preventive, educational, and therapeutic dental health services.
    1. Graduates must be competent in providing dental hygiene care for the child, adolescent, adult, geriatric, and medically compromised patient.
    2. Graduates must be competent in providing the dental hygiene process of care which includes assessment, planning, implementation, evaluation, and documentation.
    3. Graduates must be competent in providing dental hygiene care for all types of periodontal disease including patients who exhibit moderate to severe periodontal disease.
    4. Graduates must be competent in providing appropriate life support measure for medical emergencies that may be encountered in dental hygiene practice.
  2. To instill within the student a philosophical appreciation of ethical and moral values suited to the laws of the community as outlined by the American Dental Hygienist’s Association and the American Dental Association.
    1. Graduates must be competent in applying ethical, legal, and regulatory concepts to the provision and/or support of oral health care services.
  3. To encourage the student to develop professional behavior that is founded in evidence-based decision making, selfdirected learning, and self-assessment to enhance professional competence.
    1. Graduates must be competent in the application of self assessment skills to prepare them for lifelong learning.
    2. Graduates must be competent in the evaluation of current scientific literature.
    3. Graduates must be competent in problem solving strategies related to comprehensive patient care and management of patients.
  4. To graduate an individual who is competent in providing health education programs to the community supporting total health through the promotion of optimal oral health.
    1. Graduates must be competent in interpersonal and communication skills to effectively interact with diverse population groups.
    2. Graduates must be competent in assessing, planning, implementing, and evaluating community-based oral health programs including health promotion and disease prevention activities.
  5. To promote patient satisfaction of the dental hygiene care provided by the student clinician.

DENTAL HYGIENE PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS 

  1. PREREQUISITES  ​
    1. CHEM 100, A&P 200, A&P 201, (or A&P 150 and A&P 151), HO 152 and MICR 200 or equivalent with grades of Pass or “C” or higher.
    2. The acceptance of college work previously completed is at the discretion of Cerritos College and the Dental Hygiene Department. Factors such as elapsed time since the course was completed and grades will be used in determining whether a previously completed course can be accepted towards fulfillment of the graduation requirement. Five years is usually considered maximum elapsed time.
    3. Graduates of foreign dental and dental hygiene programs will not be given priority. Recency of course work still applies.
    4. In an attempt to increase eligibility by repeating a prerequisite course to obtain a higher grade, the Dental Hygiene Department will allow any prerequisite course to be repeated a maximum of ONE time, and will accept the higher of the two grades earned.
    5. A valid CPR certification in Basic Life Support (BLS) is required prior to enrolling the Dental Hygiene Program and must be keep current. The requirement for CPR certification in Basic Life Support can be met by completion of either: an American Heart Association (AHA) or American Red Cross {ARC) course in Basic Life Support or a Basic Life Support course taught by a provider approved by the American Dental Association’s Continuing Education Recognition program (CERP) or the Academy of General Dentistry’s Program Approval for Continuing Education (PACE).
  2. REQUIRED TESTS AND INFORMATION
    1. A. Cerritos College Assessment Tests Battery Receive satisfactory scores on the Cerritos College Assessment/Placement Tests or achieve clearance by taking the appropriate college courses. a 12th-grade reading level is required for admission into the program. Students must have clearance for ENGL 100, MATH 112/MATH 112S or PSYC 210 or ECON 210
    2. Preliminary Transcript Evaluation It is the student’s responsibility to make an appointment with the Counseling Department at Cerritos College to verify equivalent prerequisites and other courses required in the program. The Preliminary Transcript Evaluation must be filled out and signed by a Cerritos College counselor and then submitted to the Health Occupations Division Office along with your Dental Hygiene application. To complete this procedure, the student must have official copies of all transcripts from previously attended colleges and documentation of courses in progress.
    3. Application forms If not presently enrolled in courses at Cerritos College, apply for admission to the college at the Admissions and Records Office in the Administration building or apply online at www. cerritos.edu. You will be assigned a student number which you will need to make an appointment With a Dental Hygiene counselor or to attend an application workshop.
    4. Work Experience For every related work experience listed, a Verification of Dental Employment form must be completed and mailed to the Health Occupations Division Office. Additional forms are available upon request in the Health Occupations Division Office or online at www.cerritos.edu (dental hygiene). Letters of recommendation are not considered.
  3. SELECTION PROCEDURES
    1. Academic evaluation
      1. All required documents, including Dental Hygiene application, preliminary transcript evaluation, verification of dental employment forms, copy of RDA or RDAEF License, ALL official college transcripts, and work-in-progress must be in our possession in the Health Occupations Division Office, by April 1 (of the year of application). It is the applicants responsibility to verify all information has been received by the deadline.
      2. Points will be earned for the following criteria:
        1. Grade Point Average in prerequisites
        2. Number of units completed up to 60 semester units
        3. Overall Grade Point Average for all college courses d. Additional science courses with a grade of “B” or higher e. Related dental work experience
      3.  Selection will be based upon academic evaluation and data obtained from the application forms. Candidates will be notified of their application status by mail during the month of May. 4. There is no yearly waiting list. Candidates not selected must reapply each year and resubmit all application materials.
    2.  Health Forms Physical examinations, immunization, TB testing and background checks are required prior to patient care and taking the licensure examinations. Health and immunization forms will be issued to those applicants who are accepted in the program. Dental health professionals may be exposed to contagious diseases therefore strict compliance with CDC and OSHA standards are maintained. Policies on bloodborne and infectious diseases are available upon request from the Dental Hygiene Department or can be found on the Dental Hygiene website.
  4. EXPENSES
    1. See Cerritos College catalog for enrollment and outof-state resident fees.
    2. The student may expect to spend approximately $13,000 to $15,000 for books and instruments, equipment, uniforms, immunizations, and miscellaneous fees. Students are strongly encouraged to join the Student American Dental Hygienists’ Association (SADHA) ($65.00 annually). Fees are subject to change. C. Students are responsible for their own living arrangements, uniform, laundry, and transportation to clinical agencies.
  5. V. SCHOLARSHIP, ATTENDANCE, PROMOTION, GRADUATION

Scholarship and Promotion: Successful completion of all levels of course work is necessary for completion of and graduation from the program of study. In order to complete the program, he student must maintain a grade of “C” or higher whether enrolled in combined lecture/ lab courses, practicums, or clinical experiences. When content is tiered, each level must be completed according to identified criteria. Upon successful completion of all program requirements, students are eligible to receive an Associate of Arts degree.

  1. Attendance All students are required to observe the attendance requirements of the college. Due to the nature of the Dental Hygiene program it is expected that student will attend all classes.
  2. Scholarship and Promotion Students are required to maintain a grade of “C” or higher in each dental hygiene and dental education course in order to progress in the program. Courses are designed to prepare the student to successfully complete program competencies. The program requires the student to take as many as seven courses during any one semester. Consequently, commitment to a rigorous study schedule is imperative. Grade requirements of the college are to be met for all other courses.
  3. Graduation Petition for graduation will be permitted if the student meets both the College and the Dental Hygiene program requirements for graduation. Upon completion of the program the graduate will be qualified to take the Dental Hygiene National Board and a Regional Board Examination.
  1. CRIMINAL BACKGROUND CHECKS
    1. Clinical placements are a mandatory component of the curriculum and may require clearance of a criminal background check. Students who do not clear agency requirements are not eligible for clinical placement and will, consequently, be ineligible to continue in the program. If there is any concern regarding clearance of a criminal background check, please contact the Health Occupations Division for additional information.
    2. Applicants for examination of licensure in the State of California must be fingerprinted and report information related to illegal use of controlled substances, infectious or contagious diseases and any convictions or pleas of no contender even if charges are dismissed. In addition, the application requires specific information related to convictions, misdemeanor or felony, associated with state or federal action. If there is any concern that may prevent licensure after graduation, direct inquiries to the, Dental Hygiene Board of California, 2005 Evergreen Street, Suite 1050, Sacramento, CA 95815 prior to applying to the program.

Program Student Learning Outcomes

  • The student critically examines current scientific literature as it applies to dental hygiene skills and knowledge.
  • The student applies ethical, legal and regulatory concepts to the provision and/or support of oral health care services.
  • The student applies self-assessment skills to continually evaluate their clinical skill and knowledge to prepare them for life-long learning.
  • The student demonstrates problem solving strategies related to comprehensive patient care and management of patients.
  • The student demonstrates progressive skill attainment in providing dental hygiene care for all types of classifications of periodontal disease including patients who present with moderate to severe periodontal disease.
  • The student demonstrates progressive skill attainment in providing dental hygiene care to children, adolescents, adults, geriatrics and patients with special needs.
  • The student demonstrates progressive skill attainment in providing the dental hygiene process of care, which includes assessment, diagnosis, planning, implementation, evaluation and documentation.
  • The student employs interpersonal and communication skills to effectively interact with diverse population groups.
  • The student examines the assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation of community-based oral health programs including, health promotion and disease prevention activities.

Program Requirements

Code Number Course Title Units
Major Requirements
First Year
First Semester
DH 110Preventive Dentistry I2.0
DH 111Infection Control and Dental Office Emergencies2.0
DH 112Dental Hygiene Radiography2.0
DH 114Dental Hygiene Clinical Sciences I2.0
DH 115CPre-Clinical Dental Hygiene I2.0
DH 116Head And Neck Anatomy2.0
DH 119Dental Embryology, Histology, and Anatomy2.0
Second Semester
DH 120Preventive Dentistry II2.0
DH 125Dental Hygiene Clinical Sciences II2.0
DH 125CClinical Dental Hygiene II3.0
DH 126General and Oral Pathology2.0
DH 127Pharmacology2.0
DH 128Management of Pain2.0
DH 129Applied Periodontics2.0
Summer Session
DH 150CClinical Dental Hygiene IIA1.0
Second Year
First Semester
DH 232LDental Materials Laboratory1.0
DH 234Dental Care for the Special Patient2.0
DH 235Dental Hygiene Clinical Sciences III2.0
DH 235CClinical Dental Hygiene III4.0
DH 238Community Outreach I1.0
DH 239Introduction to Dental Biostatistics and Research2.0
Second Semester
DH 244Ethical Issues in Dental Hygiene2.0
DH 245Dental Hygiene Clinical Sciences IV2.0
DH 245CClinical Dental Hygiene IV4.0
DH 248Community Outreach II1.0
DH 249Principles of Community Oral Health2.0
Total Units53
1

See Cerritos College General Education requirements for the appropriate lists of courses acceptable for meeting the Humanities and Fine Arts Requirements.

ASSOCIATE OF ARTS DEGREE REQUIREMENTS

Please note, the Dental Hygiene Program requires the student to take as many as seven courses during any one semester. Consequently, commitment to a rigorous study schedule is imperative.

The following requirements also must be completed to qualify for the A.A. Degree:

  1. General Introductory Psychology (PSYC 101)
  2. Communication Studies (COMM 100, COMM 103, COMM 120, COMM 125, COMM 130, COMM 132)
  3. Freshman Composition (ENGL 100 or  ENGL 100S)
  4. American Political Institutions (POL 101 or POL 201) OR
  5. History (HIST 101, HIST 102 or HIST 103)
  6. Introductory Sociology Principles SOC 101, SOC 201 Social Problems SOC 210, SOC 215,PHIL 104, ANTH 100 or ANTH 110)
  7. *Humanities or Fine Arts (3 units)

*See Cerritos College General Education requirements for the appropriate lists of courses acceptable for meeting the Humanities and Fine Arts Requirements.