Dental Hygiene
The program requirements have been updated effective Winter Quarter 2024. To view the requirements for Summer Session 2023 and Fall Quarter 2023, refer to the Dental Hygiene (summer and fall) listing. If you have any questions, please meet with a Foothill counselor.
Program Description
The dental hygiene program is a bachelor in science degree program authorized under AB 927 and the State Chancellor's Office. The program is highly academic, with an emphasis on evidence-based practice and clinical skills to prepare students to assess the medical/dental status of patients, develop a dental hygiene care plan, implement appropriate dental hygiene care, and evaluate outcomes. The Commission on Dental Accreditation accredits the dental hygiene program. Graduates are eligible to take the National Dental Hygiene Board Examination and qualify for the State or Regional Registered Dental Hygiene licensure examination.
Learn more about the program on the Dental Hygiene website.
Program Learning Outcomes
- Professionalism: The dental hygiene bachelor in science degree graduate will have the skills to implement their role as a health professional at the local, state, and national levels. The graduate will possess the ethics, values, skills, and knowledge integral to all aspects of the profession.
- Health Promotion and Disease Prevention: The dental hygiene bachelor in science degree graduate will be competent in the performance and delivery of oral health promotion and disease prevention services in public health, private practice, and alternative settings. The graduate will be able to exercise evidence-based practice and critical thinking, and communicate effectively in all professional employment settings.
Career Opportunities
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of dental hygienists is expected to grow 9% through 2031, much faster than the average for all occupations. This projected growth ranks dental hygienists among the fastest growing occupations, as there will become an increasing demand for dental care and the greater use of dental hygienists. Opportunities exist for a registered dental hygienist in general or dental specialties such as pediatrics and periodontics. Other career opportunities include public health, sales and marketing, dental hygiene educator, research, consultant, and continuing education.
Award Type(s)
BS = Bachelor in Science Degree
Units Required
- General education and prerequisite courses: 91.5
- Major courses and upper division general education: 107
- Total units: 198.5
Program Application
Admittance to this program is through an application process. Program information, admission criteria, and application to the program can be found on the Dental Hygiene Program website.
Program Prerequisites
Must be completed with a grade of "C" or better.
- High school diploma or equivalent.
- Cumulative college GPA of 2.5 or higher.
- Recency of courses: There is a six-year recency requirement for the biological sciences (anatomy and physiology, microbiology, nutrition, and pharmacology), which must be passed with a GPA of 2.75 or higher.
- Completion of one of the following general education patterns: CSU General Education Breadth Requirements or the Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC).
- The following courses are required for the Dental Hygiene Bachelor in Science degree and must be completed before starting the core dental hygiene courses:
Course List Code Title Units CHEM 30A
& CHEM 30BSURVEY OF INORGANIC & ORGANIC CHEMISTRY
and SURVEY OF ORGANIC & BIOCHEMISTRY10 or equivalentMATH 10 ELEMENTARY STATISTICS 5 or PSYC 7 STATISTICS FOR THE BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES or SOC 7 STATISTICS FOR THE BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES or equivalentHLTH 20 INTRODUCTION TO PUBLIC HEALTH 4-5 or HLTH 21 CONTEMPORARY HEALTH CONCERNS or equivalentPSYC 1 GENERAL PSYCHOLOGY (or equivalent) 5 SOC 1 INTRODUCTION TO SOCIOLOGY (or equivalent) 5 COMM 1A PUBLIC SPEAKING 5 or COMM 1AH HONORS PUBLIC SPEAKING or COMM 1B ARGUMENTATION & PERSUASION or COMM 2 INTERPERSONAL COMMUNICATION or COMM 3 INTRODUCTION TO COMMUNICATION STUDIES or COMM 4 GROUP DISCUSSION or equivalentCOMM 10 GENDER, COMMUNICATION & CULTURE 5 or COMM 12 INTERCULTURAL COMMUNICATION or equivalentBIOL 40A
& BIOL 40B
& BIOL 40CHUMAN ANATOMY & PHYSIOLOGY I
and HUMAN ANATOMY & PHYSIOLOGY II
and HUMAN ANATOMY & PHYSIOLOGY III15 or equivalentBIOL 41 MICROBIOLOGY (or equivalent) 6 BIOL 45 INTRODUCTION TO HUMAN NUTRITION (or equivalent) 4 PHT 58 FUNDAMENTALS OF PHARMACOLOGY 4 D H 200L INTRODUCTION TO DENTAL HYGIENE 1.5 ENGL 1A COMPOSITION & READING 5 or ENGL 1AH HONORS COMPOSITION & READING or ESLL 26 ADVANCED COMPOSITION & READING or equivalentENGL 1B COMPOSITION, CRITICAL READING & THINKING THROUGH LITERATURE 5 or ENGL 1BH HONORS COMPOSITION, CRITICAL READING & THINKING THROUGH LITERATURE or ENGL 1C ARGUMENTATIVE WRITING & CRITICAL THINKING or ENGL 1CH HONORS ARGUMENTATIVE WRITING & CRITICAL THINKING or PHIL 1 CRITICAL THINKING & WRITING or PHIL 7 INTRODUCTION TO SYMBOLIC LOGIC or equivalent
Bachelor Degree Requirements
The Dental Hygiene bachelor in science degree is a 2+2 program: two years of prerequisite courses, including the required general education, science courses, and social sciences courses; then, following an application and acceptance to the dental hygiene program, there are two years of dental hygiene core courses and upper division general education. The bachelor degree requires completion of one of the following general education patterns: CSU General Education Breadth Requirements or the Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC). Completion of the pre-program courses and general education does not guarantee admission to the dental hygiene program. It is strongly recommended that students meet with a counselor to create an education plan.
Note: All courses pertaining to the major must be taken for a letter grade. In addition, a grade of "C" or better is required for all core and support courses used for the degree. All dental hygiene courses must be taken in sequence and must be completed with a grade of "C" or better.
Students who wish to apply for a Board of Governors Fee Waiver pursuant to Education Code Section 76300 shall be required to complete and submit either a Free Application for Federal Student Aid or a California Dream Act application in lieu of completing the Board of Governors Fee Waiver application.
Enrollment Fees and Tuition: Upper Division Coursework Fee (California Education Code (CEC), 78042(g)(5); CCR, title 5, section 58520)—additional upper division course fee of $56/unit for quarter system colleges charged on all upper division courses that are part of an approved Baccalaureate Degree Pilot Program.
Core and Support Courses
Core Courses
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Summer Session | Units | |
| D H 50 | ORIENTATION TO DENTAL HYGIENE | 1 |
| Units | 1 | |
| Fall Quarter | ||
| D H 300A | ORAL BIOLOGY I | 3 |
| D H 302 | ASSESSMENT PROCEDURES IN DENTAL HYGIENE | 3 |
| D H 304 | PRE-CLINICAL DENTAL HYGIENE | 4 |
| D H 305A | INTRODUCTION TO DENTAL RADIOGRAPHY I | 2 |
| IDS 300 | RESEARCH METHODOLOGY FOR HEALTH PROFESSIONALS 1 | 5 |
| Units | 17 | |
| Winter Quarter | ||
| D H 300B | ORAL BIOLOGY II | 3 |
| D H 305B | DENTAL RADIOGRAPHY II | 1 |
| D H 308 | CLINICAL TECHNIQUE | 6 |
| D H 310 | DENTAL MATERIALS | 3 |
| D H 312 | EMERGENCY PROCEDURES | 1 |
| D H 314 | DENTAL HEALTH EDUCATION | 2 |
| Units | 16 | |
| Spring Quarter | ||
| D H 305C | DENTAL RADIOGRAPHY III | 2 |
| D H 316A | PERIODONTICS I | 3 |
| D H 318 | INTRODUCTION TO CLINIC | 7 |
| BIOL 300 | HUMAN PATHOPHYSIOLOGY & PHARMACOLOGY 1 | 4 |
| HLTH 300 | HEALTH ACROSS THE LIFESPAN 1 | 5 |
| Units | 21 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Summer Session | ||
| D H 320A | CLINICAL DENTAL HYGIENE I | 3 |
| D H 322 | LOCAL ANESTHESIA | 2.5 |
| Units | 5.5 | |
| Fall Quarter | ||
| D H 316B | PERIODONTICS II | 2 |
| D H 320B | CLINICAL DENTAL HYGIENE II | 8.5 |
| D H 324 | ORAL PATHOLOGY | 2 |
| D H 326A | COMMUNITY DENTAL HEALTH I | 2 |
| D H 328A | CLINICAL DENTAL HYGIENE THEORY I | 2 |
| Units | 16.5 | |
| Winter Quarter | ||
| D H 305D | DENTAL RADIOGRAPHY IV | 1 |
| D H 320C | CLINICAL DENTAL HYGIENE III | 8.5 |
| D H 326B | COMMUNITY DENTAL HEALTH II | 2 |
| D H 328B | CLINICAL DENTAL HYGIENE THEORY II | 2 |
| D H 330 | NITROUS OXIDE/OXYGEN ANALGESIA | 1 |
| Units | 14.5 | |
| Spring Quarter | ||
| D H 320D | CLINICAL DENTAL HYGIENE IV | 8.5 |
| D H 326C | COMMUNITY DENTAL HEALTH III | 2 |
| D H 328C | CLINICAL DENTAL HYGIENE THEORY III | 2 |
| D H 332 | ETHICS, LAW & BUSINESS PRACTICES | 3 |
| Units | 15.5 | |
| Total Units | 107 | |
- 1
Upper Division General Education courses.
Please note: Total Units listed above includes 14 units of Upper Division General Education courses.
Dental Hygiene Bachelor in Science Completion Track
Program Description
The Dental Hygiene bachelor in science degree completion track broadens the educational experience of licensed dental hygienists who have graduated from an accredited dental hygiene program by providing a liberal arts and broad-based general education component, including critical thinking, analysis, writing, researching, and reporting. The program will prepare dental hygienists to interact effectively with other health professionals in a competent, collaborative, and ethical manner. The program can be completed in 1-2 years and will award the Bachelor in Science in Dental Hygiene degree upon successful completion of all courses and program requirements. Students will take online upper division coursework focused on developing communication and critical thinking skills necessary for the bachelor degree. Completing the bachelor degree will allow the licensed dental hygienist to pursue career options in education, corporate/industry, research, and public health. The completion track is authorized under AB 927 and the State Chancellor's Office.
Learn more about the program on the Dental Hygiene website.
Units Required
- Major: 64 (additional units are required to satisfy prerequisites and general education requirements)
Program Application
Admittance to this program is through an application process. Program information, admission criteria, and application to the program can be found on the Dental Hygiene Program website.
Program Prerequisites
- Associate degree from an accredited two-year community college dental hygiene program.
- Active and in good standing Registered Dental Hygiene license (RDH or RDHAP).
- Completion of one of the following general education patterns: CSU General Education Breadth Requirements or the Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC).
Bachelor Degree Requirements
30 units of core courses in dental hygiene and 14 units of upper division general education courses; active and good standing dental hygiene license; and completion of one of the following general education patterns: CSU General Education Breadth Requirements or the Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC).
Foothill College awards 24 units as credit for prior learning for passing the National Dental Hygiene Board Examination, Regional/State Clinical Licensing Examination, and State Law & Ethics Examination.
It is strongly recommended that students meet with a counselor for evaluation of transcripts and to determine if general education pattern has been completed.
Core and Support Courses
Select one of the following options (option is selected during the application process):
Option 1: One academic year (must begin in spring quarter)
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spring Quarter | Units | |
| IDS 300 | RESEARCH METHODOLOGY FOR HEALTH PROFESSIONALS 1 | 5 |
| HLTH 300 | HEALTH ACROSS THE LIFESPAN 1 | 5 |
| Units | 10 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall Quarter | ||
| D H 350A | DENTAL HYGIENE RESEARCH & CAPSTONE PROJECT I | 5 |
| D H 352 | HEALTH COMMUNICATION & CULTURAL ISSUES | 5 |
| Units | 10 | |
| Winter Quarter | ||
| D H 350B | DENTAL HYGIENE RESEARCH & CAPSTONE PROJECT II | 5 |
| D H 356 | EDUCATION THEORY, PRACTICE & ADMINISTRATION | 5 |
| Units | 10 | |
| Spring Quarter | ||
| D H 350C | DENTAL HYGIENE RESEARCH & CAPSTONE PROJECT III | 5 |
| D H 354 | HEALTH CARE MANAGEMENT | 5 |
| Units | 10 | |
| Total Units | 40 | |
- 1
Upper Division General Education courses.
Please note: Total Units for the completion track is 64 units, which includes Upper Division General Education courses and 24 units awarded as credit for prior learning.
Option 2: Two academic years (must begin in fall quarter)
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall Quarter | Units | |
| D H 352 | HEALTH COMMUNICATION & CULTURAL ISSUES | 5 |
| Units | 5 | |
| Winter Quarter | ||
| D H 356 | EDUCATION THEORY, PRACTICE & ADMINISTRATION | 5 |
| Units | 5 | |
| Spring Quarter | ||
| D H 354 | HEALTH CARE MANAGEMENT | 5 |
| IDS 300 | RESEARCH METHODOLOGY FOR HEALTH PROFESSIONALS 1 | 5 |
| Units | 10 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall Quarter | ||
| D H 350A | DENTAL HYGIENE RESEARCH & CAPSTONE PROJECT I | 5 |
| Units | 5 | |
| Winter Quarter | ||
| D H 350B | DENTAL HYGIENE RESEARCH & CAPSTONE PROJECT II | 5 |
| Units | 5 | |
| Spring Quarter | ||
| D H 350C | DENTAL HYGIENE RESEARCH & CAPSTONE PROJECT III | 5 |
| HLTH 300 | HEALTH ACROSS THE LIFESPAN 1 | 5 |
| Units | 10 | |
| Total Units | 40 | |
- 1
Upper Division General Education courses.
Please note: Total Units for the completion track is 64 units, which includes Upper Division General Education courses and 24 units awarded as credit for prior learning.