Dental Hygiene, A.A.S. (A45260)

Offered through a Collaborative Program Agreement with Halifax Community College

The Dental Hygiene curriculum provides individuals with the knowledge and skills to access, 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.

Halifax Community College will accept two students from ECC each year who meet admission requirements for the Dental Hygiene program. Applications for these two slots must be submitted by ECC no later than March 1 of each year. For specific admission requirements, students should consult the Halifax Community College catalog or contact an ECC counselor.

Required Courses

Courses that may be taken at Edgecombe Community College

BIO - 169 Anatomy & Physiology II Credit: 4
BIO - 275 Microbiology Credit: 4
BIO - 168 Anatomy & Physiology I Credit: 4
ENG - 111 Writing & Inquiry Credit: 3
ENG - 114 Prof Research & Reporting Credit: 3
SOC - 240 Social Psychology Credit: 3
Humanities/Fine Arts Elective Credits / Units: 3

Courses that must be taken at Halifax Community College

CHM 130 - General, Organic, & Biochemistry Credit: 3
DEN 110 - Orofacial Anatomy Credit: 3
DEN 111 - Infection/Hazard Control Credit: 2
DEN 112 - Dental Radiography Credit: 3
DEN 120 - Dental Hygiene Pre-clinic Lecture Credit: 2
DEN 121 - Dental Hygiene Pre-clinic Lab Credit: 2
DEN 123 - Nutrition/Dental Health Credit: 2
DEN 124 - Peridontology Credit: 2
DEN 125 - Dental Office Emergencies Credit: 1
DEN 130 - Dental Hygiene Theory I Credit: 2
DEN 131 - Dental Hygiene Clinic I Credit: 3
DEN 140 - Dental Hygiene Theory II Credit: 1
DEN 141 - Dental Hygiene Clinic II Credit: 2
DEN 220 - Dental Hygiene Theory III Credit 2
DEN 221 - Dental Hygiene Clinic III Credit: 4
DEN 222 - Dental and Oral Pathology Credit: 2
DEN 223 - Dental Pharmacology Credit: 2
DEN 224 - Materials and Procedures Credit: 2
DEN 230 - Dental Hygiene Theory IV Credit: 1
DEN 231 - Dental Hygiene Clinic IV Credit: 4
DEN 232 - Community Dental Health Credit: 3
DEN 233 - Professional Development Credit: 2

Elective Courses

Humanities/Fine Arts Elective

Select 3 SHC from the following courses.

ART - 111 Art Appreciation Credit: 3
DRA - 111 Theatre Appreciation Credit: 3
ENG - 231 American Literature I Credit: 3
ENG - 232 American Literature II Credit: 3
HUM - 110 Technology & Society Credit: 3
HUM - 115 Critical Thinking Credit: 3
MUS - 110 Music Appreciation Credit: 3
PHI - 240 Introduction to Ethics Credit: 3
REL - 110 World Religions Credit: 3
REL - 212 Intro to New Testament Credit: 3
REL - 221 Religion in America Credit: 3

Total Semester Hours Credit 74

Upon successful completion of the course requirements, an Associate in Applied Science degree in Dental Hygeine will be awarded by Halifax Community College.