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Associate in Science - Dental Hygiene

Program Description

The Associate in Science degree in Dental Hygiene (DH-AS) provides the student with a broad foundation in dental hygiene and is designed to prepare the student to master clinical competencies and prepare for all of the roles of a dental hygienist. The program uses a combination of lecture, laboratory, simulation, and clinical instruction.

Program Information

This program is a limited access program, which means program admission and course registration are restricted to a limited number of students each semester due to accreditation requirements addressing student-faculty ratios and clinical resources. A student first will be admitted to Pensacola State College, and after satisfying all admission requirements for this program, the student is considered for admission to the DH-AS  program. Application Pathways exist for students who have been admitted to the College and must complete any of the admission requirements.  Students who do not have an earned Associate in Arts degree or earned baccalaureate degree may be placed in the Associate in Arts Pre-Dental Hygiene Advising Track. Students who have an earned Associate in Arts degree or earned baccalaureate degree may be classified as non-degree seeking. 

The Associate in Science degree in Dental Hygiene accepts 35 students each Summer semester.

The graduate of the program that is seeking to become a licensed dental hygienist must successfully complete the state clinical examination for the state in which they wish to practice and must successfully complete the National Board of Dental Hygiene Examination (NBDHE).

Program Approval and Accreditation

The program Dental Hygiene is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation and has been granted the accreditation status of “approval without reporting requirements.” The Commission is a specialized accrediting body recognized by the United States Department of Education. The Commission on Dental Accreditation can be contacted at (312) 440-4653 or at 211 East Chicago Avenue, Chicago, IL 60611-2678.

Program Admission Requirements

  • High School Diploma or GED
  • College Application
  • Minimum grade of "C" or better and 2.75 GPA on Program Specific General Education Prerequisite Courses.

When the student has met the program admission requirements, the student’s application is evaluated by the Office of Admissions and ranked according to the date on which the student completed the final requirement. Students are selected in that rank order.

 

Program Progression Requirements

Progression through the Associate in Science degree in Dental Hygiene program requires the following.

  • A grade of C or higher in courses in the curriculum.
  • Earn a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 or better in all courses applicable to the program of study.
  • Meet the academic residence requirement of completing at least 25% of the program with classes at Pensacola State College.
  • Satisfactory completion of clinical requirements which include the following:
  • Level II FDLE background screen;
  • Urine drug screen;
  • Immunizations and Vaccines; and

  • Current American Heart Association Basic Life Support for Healthcare Providers Certification or American Red Cross Basic Life Support/CPR for Healthcare Providers Certification

Program Completion Requirements

  • Earn a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 or better in all courses applicable to the program of study.
  • Meet the academic residence requirement of completing at least 25% of the program with classes at Pensacola State College.

Program Contact:

Dr. Mitzie Sowell

Department Head, Allied Health 

(850) 484-2308

msowell@pensacolastate.edu

Degree Requirements

Prerequisites (18 cc)

The following courses MUST be completed with a grade of C or better to be accepted into the Dental Hygiene Program.

BSC 2085Human Anatomy and Physiology I

3 cc
BSC 2085LHuman Anatomy and Physiology I Laboratory

1 cc
CHM 1020Introduction to College Chemistry

3 cc
CHM 1020LIntroduction to College Chemistry Laboratory

1 cc
ENC 1101English Composition I

3 cc
MAC 1105College Algebra

3 cc
MCB 1000Applied Microbiology

3 cc
MCB 1000LApplied Microbiology Laboratory

1 cc

Term 1 (12 cc)

BSC 2086Human Anatomy and Physiology II

3 cc
BSC 2086LHuman Anatomy and Physiology II Laboratory

1 cc
DEP 2004Human Growth and Development

3 cc
DES 1000Dental Anatomy

2 cc
SPC 1608Public Speaking

3 cc

By the end of Term 1, students must possess and maintain a Healthcare Providers CPR card, American Heart or Red Cross only.  Certification can be earned by successfully completing W 00753 CPR for Healthcare Providers.

Term 2 (12 cc)

DEH 1002Fundamentals of Dental Hygiene

3 cc
DEH 1002LDental Hygiene Pre-Clinic

3 cc
DES 1010Head and Neck Anatomy

2 cc
DEH 1130Oral Embryology and Histology

1 cc
DES 1200CDental Hygiene Radiology I

3 cc

Term 3 (13 cc)

DEH 1400Oral Pathology

2 cc
DEH 1800Dental Hygiene I

2 cc
DEH 1800LDental Hygiene Clinic I

4 cc
DEH 2602Periodontics

2 cc
See Choices Social Sciences (General Education Core Course)

3 cc

Term 4 (11 cc)

DEH 1802Dental Hygiene II

1 cc
DEH 1802LDental Hygiene Clinic II

3 cc
DEH 2202Nutrition and Dental Health

2 cc
DES 1051CPain Management

2 cc
DES 1100CDental Materials

3 cc

Term 5 (14 cc)

DEH 2300Pharmacology/Dental Office Emergencies

2 cc
DEH 2702Dental Public Health

2 cc
DEH 2804Dental Hygiene III

2 cc
DEH 2804LDental Hygiene Clinic III

5 cc
See Choices Humanities (General Education Core Course)

3 cc

See general education course list for general education course options.

Term 6 (8 cc)

DEH 2702LDental Public Health Lab

1 cc
DEH 2812Dental Hygiene IV

2 cc
DEH 2812LDental Hygiene Clinic IV

5 cc

Total Credit Hours: 88

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