An Associates in Science (A.S.) degree in Dental Hygiene may be earned by completing the following courses and the general education (G.E.) courses required for the A.S. degree with a grade point average of C in the major AND overall. See your counselor for further information on an A.S. Degree.
Associate of Science Degree in Dental Hygiene
REQUIRED PREREQUISITES FOR ADMISSION* (see bottom for footnotes)
| Course # | Course Title | Units |
| BIOL 240 | General Microbiology | 4.0 |
| BIOL 250 | Anatomy | 4.0 |
| BIOL 260 | Introductory Physiology | 5.0 |
| CHEM 410/420 | Health Sciences Chemistry I & II | 8.0 |
| OR | ||
| CHEM 210/220 | General Chemistry I & II | 10.0 |
| DENH 200 | Introduction to Dental Hygiene | 3.0 |
| ENGL 100 | Composition and Reading | 3.0 |
| CA&S 310 | Nutrition | 3.0 |
| PSYC 100 | General Psychology | 3.0 |
| SOCI 100 | Introduction to Sociology | 3.0 |
| SPCH 100 | Public Speaking | 3.0 |
| OR | ||
| SPCH 120 | Interpersonal Communication | 3.0 |
| Total Prerequisite Units = | 39.0–41.0 |
REQUIRED PROGRAM COURSES**
Summer Session–Pre-First Year
| DENH 205 | Overview of the Dental Profession | 3.0 |
Fall Semester–First Year
| DENH 210 | Pre-Clinical Dental Hygiene (2 lec/9 lab) | 5.0 |
| DENH 211 | Radiology I (2 lec/3 lab) | 3.0 |
| DENH 212 | Dental Sciences (2 lec/3 lab) | 3.0 |
| DENH 213 | Ethics, Jurisprudence and Practice Management (2 lec) | 2.0 |
| DENH 214 | Oral Health Education | 1.0 |
Spring Semester–First Year
| DENH 220 | Clinical Dental Hygiene I (2 lec/9 lab) | 5.0 |
| DENH 221 | Radiology II (2 lec/3 lab) | 3.0 |
| DENH 222 | Oral Pathology (3 lec) | 3.0 |
| DENH 223 | Periodontics I (2 lec) | 2.0 |
| DENH 224 | Head and Neck Anatomy (1 lec/3 lab) | 2.0 |
| DENH 225 | Medical Emergencies (1 lec) | 1.0 |
Summer Session–First Year
| DENH 226 | Local Anesthesia and Nitrous Oxide (2 lec/3 lab) | 3.0 |
Fall Semester–Second Year
| DENH 230 | Clinical Dental Hygiene II (1 lec/15 lab) | 6.0 |
| DENH 231 | Pharmacology (2 lec) | 2.0 |
| DENH 232 | Dental Materials I (1 lec/3 lab – 8 wks) | 1.0 |
| DENH 233 | Periodontics II (2 lec) | 2.0 |
| DENH 234 | Community Dental Health (2 lec/1 TBA) | 3.0 |
| DENH 235 | Patients with Special Needs (1 lec) | 1.0 |
Spring Semester–Second Year
| DENH 240 | Clinical Dental Hygiene III (2 lec/15 lab) | 7.0 |
| DENH 241 | Comprehensive Case Presentations(2 lec – 8 wks) | 1.0 |
| DENH 242 | Dental Materials II (1 lec/3 lab – 8 wks) | 1.0 |
| DENH 243 | Career Opportunities for the Dental Hygienist (2 lec) | 2.0 |
| DENH 244 | Community Dental Health II (1 TBA) | 1.0 |
| Total Program Units = | 63.0 | *** |
REMAINING GENERAL EDUCATION COURSES REQUIRED FOR THE AS DEGREE****
It is strongly recommended these classes be completed prior to beginning the
dental hygiene program. Talk with your counselor about this.
| Additional coursework to satisfy General Education requirements in: | ||
| (a) American History and Institutions, CA State and Local Government | 5.0 - 6.0 | |
| (b) Health Science | 1.0 | |
| (c) Physical Education | 1.0 | |
| (d) Math/Quantitative Reasoning | 0.0 - 0.5 | ***** |
| (e) Humanities | 3.0 | |
| (f) Career Exploration | 3.0 | |
| Total Remaining Units = | 11.0-19.0 |
Total Units for AS Degree in Dental Hygiene: 113.0–123.0
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
| * | All Prerequisite Courses must be completed with a grade of "C" or better. |
| ** | A "C" in all major courses is required for continuation in the program. |
| *** | Does not include DENH 200. |
| **** | Must be completed prior to Spring semester of 2nd year. |
| ***** | Math 120 or a higher level of Math with a grade of "C" or better; or students may satisfy this requirement via placement test. |
