Dental Hygiene

Everyone likes to see a beautiful smile. Would you like to be the one to help create happy and healthy smiles? Dental Hygiene may be the career for you. Immerse yourself in this exciting and challenging career field. You can become a registered dental hygienist in less than two years after taking national and state licensing examinations. The dental hygiene program at GTCC is nationally accredited by the American Dental Association’s Commission on Dental Accreditation.

Program Effectiveness Data

Dental Hygiene (2-Year Associate Degree)
Cohort Year
2019 2020 2021
Students Enrolled 32 32 32
Students Graduated 26 26 20
Completion Rate 81.25% 81.25% 66.70%
Employment within 6 Months of Graduation 100% 100% 100%
National Board Passed on First Attempt 100% 100% 95%

 

CODA Program Accreditation

The Dental Hygiene program at Guilford Technical Community College is accredited by the American Dental Association’s Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA), 211 E. Chicago Ave., Chicago, Illinois 60611; telephone: 1-800-232-6108; website: https://coda.ada.org/.

Regional Accreditation

Guilford Technical Community College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award associate degrees. GTCC also may offer credentials such as certificates and diplomas at approved degree levels. Questions about the accreditation of GTCC may be directed in writing to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097, by calling 404-679-4500, or by using information available on SACSCOC's website (www.sacscoc.org).

Admission Information

Credentialing Options

Dental Hygiene, AAS - CIP Code: 51.0602

A 45 26 0

Contact: (336) 334-4822, ext. 50256

Limited Enrollment Program: Contact the Enrollment Services Office for Program admission requirements and program application deadlines.

The Dental Hygiene curriculum prepares individuals with the knowledge and skills to assess, plan, implement, and evaluate dental hygiene care for the individual and the community.

Students will learn to prepare the operatory, take patient histories, note abnormalities, plan care, teach oral hygiene, clean teeth, take x-rays, apply preventive agents, complete necessary chart entries, and perform other procedures related to dental hygiene care.

Graduates of this program may be eligible to take national and state/ regional examinations for licensure which are required to practice dental hygiene. Employment opportunities include dental offices, clinics, schools, public health agencies, industry, and professional education.

Program Outcomes:

In accordance with the North Carolina Dental Practice Act, including rules and regulations, upon successful completion of the Dental Hygiene program, the graduate should be able to:

  • Apply the dental hygiene process of care using evidence-based practices for the child, adolescent, geriatric, medically-complex and periodontally-involved patient.
  • Complete radiographic images according to diagnostic and technical standards.
  • Prepare oral health strategies for diverse groups utilizing the principles of assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation.
  • Apply ethical, legal and regulatory concepts to the provision of oral health care services.
  • Apply self-assessment skills to prepare for life-long learning.
  • Complete successfully the National Dental Hygiene Examination and a state/regional clinical examination.

Fall Semester I

Total Credits: 18

Spring Semester I

Total Credits: 17

Summer Semester I

Total Credits: 9

Fall Semester II

Total Credits: 15

Spring Semester II

Total Credits: 16-19

Total credit hours required for degree: 75-78

Electives

1. Social/Behavioral Science Electives

Humanities/Fine Arts Elective Pick List

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Associate in Arts, Pre-Dental Hygiene Pathway

A 10 10 0 DH

Contact: (336) 334-4822, ext. 50256

Limited Entry Pre-Health Program Pathway

GTCC is an open access institution, however many of our programs have enrollment requirements for admission.  Limited Enrollment Pathways help to identify students who are awaiting acceptance into Limited Enrollment Programs while they complete entry requirements to qualify for admission.  Students who are unable to qualify for admission to Limited Enrollment Programs within one year will be removed from the Limited Enrollment Pathway, and will remain enrolled in the Associate in Arts (A10100) degree program.

Semester I

Total Credits: 12

Semester II

Total Credits: 16

Semester III

Total Credits: 15

Semester IV

  • Humanities/Fine Arts Elective Credits: 3 
  • Social/Behavioral Science Elective Credits: 3 
  • General Education Electives: 3 
  • Natural Sciences Elective Credits: 4 
  • General Education Electives: 4 

Total Credits: 17

Course Requirements for Associate in Arts, Pre-Dental Hygiene Pathway (60 Credits)

General Education Requirements

The general education common course pathway includes study in the areas of English, communication; humanities and fine arts; social and behavioral sciences; natural sciences and mathematics.

English Composition

The following two English compositions courses are required:

Humanities/Fine Arts

The following courses are required:

Humanities/Fine Arts Electives

Choose two courses from the following list:

Social/Behavioral Sciences

The following courses are required:

Social/Behavioral Science Electives

Choose two courses from the following list:

Mathematics

The following course is required:

Natural Sciences

The following courses are required:

Natural Sciences Electives

Select four credits from the following course(s):

Other Required Hours

An additional 19 credits of courses should be selected from courses classified as pre-major, elective, or general education courses within the CAA. 

Academic Transition and Pathway Requirements

The following courses are required:

Additional Required General Education Electives

Select four (4) credits from the following list:

Other Required Hours/Pre-Major Electives

Select three (3) credits from the following courses:

Footnotes:

1. Non-transferable course that can only be utilized as the 61st hour of the program.

Total Credits: 60

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Frequently Asked Questions

Kelly Cook, director

Laura Lemmer, instructor

Brooke Hutchins, instructor

Jennifer Carbon, instructor

Yes, Financial aid is available if you qualify. Please visit the Financial Aid web page or contact the Financial Aid office at 336-334-4822 Option 3.

Dental hygienists are well-trained professionals who work independently under the supervision of the dentist. A dental hygienist is responsible for removing deposits from the teeth and teaching patients about how to take care of their dental health. They are trained to take x-rays of the teeth and to apply preventive materials, such as fluoride and sealants.

Private dental offices in a variety of specialties, hospital clinics, public health, education, sales, research.

You must be a high school graduate or have a GED. Because admission to this program is competitive, your application will be reviewed and points will be assigned for pre-requisite coursework in high school and/or previous college based on the grades you earned. You will need to refer to the current Dental Hygiene Admission Packet document, linked above under the "Admission Information" section for more specific information about this process.

Specific Program Costs
ITEM COST
Books $2,544
Instruments, Models, Supplies $2,230
Uniforms $300
GTCC Chapter of ADHA $190
Board Exams and Licensing Fees $1,800
Magnification Loupes (Optional) $1,000

These are only estimates and do not include expenses incurred in obtaining your medical, dental and eye examinations, immunizations and/or titers, and CPR certification.

You must take National Board Dental Hygiene Examination, a comprehensive, computer-based examination which is administered at an independent testing site. This examination must be completed prior to sitting for the state clinical licensing exam. The dental hygiene license will be issued upon successful completion of both examinations.

An estimated cost to take the national and state board examinations is approximately $1,800.00.

 

Yes, for the state licensing exam, there is a background check that must be done. All potential applicants for the dental hygiene program should be aware of this, and be prepared for possible explanation of any legal situation.