collageDental Hygiene AAS
Program Description (Major Code: DH13)
The Dental Hygiene program is a sequence of courses that prepares students for positions in the dental profession. Learning opportunities develop academic, technical, and professional knowledge and skills required for job acquisition, retention, and advancement. Registered dental hygienists work in a variety of professional settings including private and public practice. They provide numerous services designed to detect and prevent diseases of the mouth. These include oral prophylaxis and examination of head, neck, and the oral cavity for signs of disease. Additionally, patient education regarding oral hygiene, performing radiographic examinations, and application of fluoride and/or sealants are services provided by dental hygienists. Registered dental hygienists play a vital role in protecting the oral health of the American public. Program graduates receive a Dental Hygiene Associate of Applied Science degree.
The Dental Hygiene Associate of Applied Science degree at Atlanta Technical College is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation American Dental Association, 211 East Chicago Avenue Chicago, Illinois 6061, 312/440-4653.
www.ada.org
Occupational Trends
Occupational Trends: The demand for dental services will grow because of population growth, older people increasingly retaining more teeth, and a growing emphasis on preventative dental care. To help meet this demand, facilities that provide dental care, particularly dentists offices, will increasingly employ additional dental hygienists to meet the growing need. Ongoing research indicating a link between oral health and general health also will spur additional demand for preventative dental services, which are typically provided by dental hygienists. Nationally the dental hygiene profession is growing to include expanded duties as Advanced Dental Hygiene Practitioner s that will safely providing cost-effective, diagnostic, preventive, therapeutic and restorative services directly to the un-served public. Advancement opportunities usually come from working outside a typical dentist office, and usually require a bachelors or masters degree in dental hygiene. Some dental hygienists may choose to pursue a career teaching at a dental hygiene program, working in public health, or working in a corporate setting.
Employment Trends
Dental hygiene ranks among the fastest growing of occupations. (Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2010 -11th Edition) Employment of dental hygienists is expected to grow 36 percent through 2018, which is much faster than the average for all occupations. This projected growth ranks dental hygienists among the fastest growing occupations, in response to increasing demand for dental care and more use of hygienists. Job prospects are expected to be favorable in most areas, but competition for jobs is likely in some areas. In Georgia alone, the forecasted openings are predicted to be elevated by 25% for the next 5 years. (EMSO Occupational Report) Program graduates may be employed in a variety of settings including private practice clinicians and government positions such as educators, researchers, administrators, managers, preventive program developers, consumer advocates, and consultants.
Admissions Requirements
- Must be 18 years of age
- Official high school or GED transcript is required to apply
- Achievement of minimum program admission scores in Reading, English, and Math
- Teas Exam
- Transfer of previous post-secondary credits will be determined by the Office of Enrollment Services
Other conditions for Admission:
A competitive admissions process is applied using past academic performance, relevant experience, and the program standardized exam as rating guidelines.
Contact dental hygiene program directly at dental-hygieneclinic@atlantatech.edu for information on information session dates.
Dental Hygiene is a limited enrollment-competitive program. After applying to Atlanta Technical College a separate application is required for admittance into the dental hygiene program. Applications should be submitted after prerequisite courses are completed. Acceptance into the college AND the dental hygiene program is required for admission.
Applicants must be at least eighteen (18) years old and be an official high school graduate or GED recipient. All general education course work must be successfully completed prior to selection into the program. All applicants must file an application for admission to ATC and declare Dental Hygiene as their major. International students must meet Atlanta Technical College guidelines regarding International Student admissions for college admission and continued matriculation into specific programs.
- Attend Program Information Session. The Dental Hygiene Program hosts Information Sessions for students interested in a detailed description of the program and the admission process. There are no points for admission awarded for attendance to an informational session, however the student will gain useful information regarding program costs, program requirements, program course information etc.
- Submit application to the Atlanta Technical College Dental Hygiene program. This form is available from February 1st – May 1st annually. The link to the application can be found on the Dental Hygiene program page on the Atlanta Technical College website. Unofficial copies of college transcripts (all colleges with pre-requisite course info.) must be submitted with the Dental Hygiene Program application. Keep one copy of every transcript for your personal records.
- Required for all Dental Hygiene Applicants: criminal background check, drug test, and current American Heart Association CPR (needs to be valid for program duration). Costs associated with the above are the responsibility of the applicant.
- All science/math based courses must have been completed within the past five years with a grade of “B” or better. All other courses have to be within 10 years of completion at time of program acceptance with a grade of “B” or better.
- Complete general education coursework prior to making application to the dental hygiene program. This would include all general education courses required for graduation with an Associate of Applied Science degree from the State of Georgia. Transfer students should have pertinent courses transferred to Atlanta Technical College. This includes the following courses specific to the dental hygiene program:
- English 1101 Composition & Rhetoric
- Speech 1101 Public Speaking
- Psychology 1101 Introduction to Psychology
- Sociology 1101 Introduction to Sociology
- Math 1101 Mathematical Modeling or Math 1111 College Algebra
- Survey of Inorganic Chemistry CHEM 1151 and the lab component or Chemistry I 1211 and the lab component
- Humanities 1101 Introduction to Humanities
- Biology 2113 Anatomy & Physiology I and its lab component
- Biology 2114 Anatomy & Physiology II and its lab component
- Biology 2117 Introductory Microbiology
- COMP 1000 Introduction to Computer Literacy
*GPA of 3.0 required for an applicant to be selected for the dental hygiene program. All prerequisite coursework must be completed with a (B), 80% or higher.
No applications or supportive application documents will be accepted beyond application deadline. Because there are more applicants than space available, once basic criteria are met, program admission is based on points obtained from the following criteria:
- Past academic performance including GPA and course grades
- Program entry exam scoring
- Work/volunteer experience
- Designated alternate status from preceding year
Contact the Program Director and/or the department for detailed information on selection criteria. *Satisfying the required criteria for application into the dental hygiene program is the responsibility of the student. Students should use their resources, plan accordingly and be cognitive of meeting requirements with their best ability as the program is a competitive admissions program and is NOT able to admit all students despite best efforts of all parties.
Blood and Airborne Pathogens: Students enrolled in Category I and II programs at Atlanta Technical College will be performing tasks in which there is a normal occurrence for exposure to blood, other potentially infectious body materials, and airborne pathogens. These tasks will be performed in the classroom, laboratory, and clinical activities for each occupational training program/course. Students will be required to present documentation of Hepatitis B and Tuberculosis immunizations as a result of potential occupational exposure. Students should contact their program directors for more information. Policies and procedures regarding blood and airborne pathogens may be reviewed at https://tcsg.edu/tcsgpolicy/tcsg_policy_manual.pdf.
Additional Information
Students applying for admission into the dental hygiene should complete the pre-requisite general education courses prior to applying for placement in the program. In order to obtain licensure as a dental hygienist a background check without violation is required by the state dental board.
Reference:
The Georgia Board of Dental Examiners and/or other state licensing agencies will request documented information regarding conviction of a felony and/or misdemeanor, pending and/or current criminal charges. State licensing agencies do not issue licensure to individuals with records of criminal and felonious charges and convictions. All applicants for licensure as a dental hygienist shall consent to a criminal background check. Georgia state law OCGA 43-11-71. The board shall have the authority to refuse to grant, revoke, or discipline the license of any licensed dental hygienist if such dental hygienist has any of the following:
- A felony conviction;
- A conviction for any crime involving moral turpitude
- An arrest, charge, or sentence for any felony or crime involving moral turpitude where:
- a plea of nolo contendere was entered
- first offender treatment granted, or
- the adjudication was otherwise withheld
Course Outline
Curriculum
General Education Courses (18 Credits)
Area I – Language Arts/Communication (Both Required)
| ENGL 1101 | Composition and Rhetoric | 3 |
| SPCH 1101 | Public Speaking | 3 |
Area II – Social/Behavioral Science (Both Required)
| PSYC 1101 | Introductory Psychology | 3 |
| SOCI 1101 | Introduction to Sociology | 3 |
Area III – Natural Sciences/Mathematics – Select one of the following Courses
| MATH 1101 | Mathematical Modeling | 3 |
| MATH 1103 | Quantitative Skills & Reasonin | 3 |
| MATH 1111 | College Algebra | 3 |
Area IV – Humanities/Fine Arts
| HUMN 1101 | Introduction to Humanities | 3 |
Non General Education Degree Courses (16 Credits)
| BIOL 2113 | Anatomy and Physiology I | 3 |
| And | ||
| BIOL 2113L | Anatomy & Physiology I Lab | 1 |
| BIOL 2114 | Anatomy and Physiology II | 3 |
| And | ||
| BIOL 2114L | Anatomy & Physiology II Lab | 1 |
| BIOL 2117 | Introductory Microbiology | 3 |
| And | ||
| BIOL 2117L | Introductory Microbiology Lab | 1 |
Select one of the following
| CHEM 1151 | Survey of Inorganic Chemistry | 3 |
| And | ||
| CHEM 1151L | Survey of Inorganic Chem Lab | 1 |
| CHEM 1211 | Chemistry I | 3 |
| And | ||
| CHEM 1211L | Chemistry I Lab | 1 |
Occupational Courses (50 Credits)
| COMP 1000 | Intro to Computers | 3 |
| DHYG 1000 | Tooth Anatomy&Root Morphology | 2 |
| DHYG 1010 | Oral Embryology&Histology | 1 |
| DHYG 1020 | Head & Neck Anatomy | 2 |
| DHYG 1030 | Dental Materials | 2 |
| DHYG 1040 | Preclinical Dental Hygiene Lec | 2 |
| DHYG 1050 | Perclinical Dental Hygiene Lab | 2 |
| DHYG 1070 | Radiology Lecture | 2 |
| DHYG 1090 | Radiology Lab | 1 |
| DHYG 1110 | Clinical Dental Hygiene I Lect | 1 |
| DHYG 1111 | Clinical Dental Hygiene I Lab | 3 |
| DHYG 1206 | Pharmacology & Pain Control | 3 |
| DHYG 2010 | Clinical Dental Hygiene II Lec | 2 |
| DHYG 2020 | Clinical Dental Hygiene II Lab | 2 |
| DHYG 2050 | Oral Pathology/Pathophysiology | 3 |
| DHYG 2070 | Community Dental Health | 3 |
| DHYG 2080 | Clinical Dental Hygiene III | 2 |
| DHYG 2090 | Clinical Dental HygieneIII Lab | 4 |
| DHYG 2110 | Biochemistry & Nutrition | 3 |
| DHYG 2130 | Clinical Dental Hygiene IVLec. | 2 |
| DHYG 2140 | Clinical Dental Hygiene IV Lab | 4 |
| DHYG 2200 | Periodontology | 3 |
Total Credit Hours: 87
Minimum Program Length in Semester Terms: 6 Credits
Estimated Program Cost: $11,650
Best Dental Hygiene/Hygienist colleges in Atlanta 2021
- Best Colleges
- United States
- Georgia
- Atlanta
- Dental Hygiene/Hygienist
Best Dental Hygiene/Hygienist colleges in Atlanta for 2021
Clayton State University Morrow, GA
Clayton State University offers 2 Dental Hygiene/Hygienist degree programs. It’s a medium sized, public, four-year university in a large suburb. In 2019, 29 Dental Hygiene/Hygienist students graduated with students earning 29 Bachelor’s degrees.Based on 1 ReviewsLearn More
We Found The Following Schools with Online Healthcare Programs
Sponsored
At Purdue Global, discover a faster, more affordable way to earn your Nursing degree. Purdue Global is committed to keeping your tuition costs as low as possible and helping you find the most efficient path to your degree.Show moreACCREDITATIONCCNELOCATIONOnline
Enrollment: All states except IA, IL, and WI.
- Health Services – Certificate – Medical Assistant
- Health Sciences – Health Care Administration
- Health Sciences – Masters – Nursing Education
Request Info
Ultimate Medical Academy is a nonprofit allied health school committed to helping students succeed in healthcare careers for the past 26 years. That’s why we offer students a connected support system from the start of their education to beyond graduation. Show moreACCREDITATIONABHESLOCATIONOnline
Enrollment: Nationwide
- Medical Assistant
- Medical Office Adminstrator
- Medical Billing and Coding
Request Info
Walden’s online programs for nursing meet rigorous standards for academic quality and integrity, and the School of Nursing teaching faculty all hold doctorates. With three degree completion options, you can choose a bachelor’s in nursing path that makes sense for your busy, unpredictable schedule.Show moreACCREDITATIONCCNELOCATIONOnline
Enrollment: Nationwide, excluding NY, RI, OK, OR, NH, ID, SD, AK, and MA.
- BS in Healthcare Management
- Master of Healthcare Administration (MHA)
Request InfoAt Liberty, you’ll benefit from 30+ years of learning, growing, adapting, and innovating for the distance learner — and more than a decade of researching the needs of the online student. You can be confident that we’ve taken the time to learn what’s important to you.Show moreACCREDITATIONCCNELOCATIONOnlinePREREQUISITERN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide
- Medical Assistant
Request Info
List of all Dental Hygiene/Hygienist colleges in Atlanta
collage