Since each state has its own specific regulation regarding responsibilities, the range of services performed by dental hygienists varies from state to state. Patient care services rendered by dental hygienists may include:
- patient screening procedures, such as review of the health history and dental charting
- removing calculus and plaque (hard and soft deposits from the teeth.
- applying preventive materials to the teeth (sealants and fluorides)
- counsel patients regarding good nutrition and its impact on oral health.
- teach patients appropriate oral hygiene techniques to maintain oral health.
Training: A Career in dental hygiene requires a minimum of two years of college education. Some dental hygiene programs are longer that two years, and may culminate in a baccalaureate degree. Because the dental hygiene education program includes dental and basic science course, high school preparation should include biology and chemistry.
After an individual completes a dental hygiene program, he/she is required to take the necessary licensure examinations required by the State Board of Dental Examiners, prior to performing dental hygiene duties.
|
Schools That Offer Dental Hygiene
| College |
Degree |
Telephone |
| Cabrillo College |
AS |
831.479.6471 |
| Cerritos College |
AA |
562.860.2451 |
| Chabot College |
AA |
510.723.6866 |
| Cypress College |
C/AS |
714.484.7292 |
| Diablo Valley College |
C/AS |
925.856.1230 |
| Foothill Community College |
AS |
650.949.7476 |
| Fresno City College |
AS |
559.244.2601 |
| Loma Linda University |
BS |
909.558.4631 |
| Loma Linda University |
AS |
760.324.2091 |
| Oxnard College |
AS |
805.986.5823 |
| Pasadena City College |
AS |
626.585.7545 |
| Riverside Community College |
AS |
909.557.6425 |
| Sacramento City College |
AS |
916.558.2356 |
| San Joaquin (in Cucamonga) |
AS |
559.651.2500 |
| Santa Rosa Junior College |
AS |
707.527.4447 |
| Shasta College |
AS |
530.339.3639 |
| Southwestern College |
AS |
619.216.6668 |
| Taft College |
AS |
661.762.7706 |
| West Coast University |
BS |
714.782.1760 |
| West Los Angeles College |
AS |
310.287.4238 |
| Western Career College |
AS |
916.361.5163 |
| Western Career College at San Jose |
AS |
408.960.0183 |
| USC |
BS |
213.740.1089 |
| University of the Pacific |
BS |
209.946.7394 |
| UC San Francisco |
BA |
415.476.2737 |
C = Certificate AA = Assiciate in Arts AS = Assiciate in Science BA = Bachelor in Arts BS = Bachelor in Science Note: prerequisites for these programs may be different. Please contact these schools to clarify their requirements.
Pasadena City College
| Pasadena City College |
Suggested GCC courses |
| ENGL 1A |
ENGL 101 |
| Microbiology 2 |
BIOL 112 |
| Nutrition 11 |
CULIN 125 |
| Psychology 1 |
PSYCH 101 |
| Sociology 1 |
SOC 101 |
| Speech 1 |
Speech 101 |
| Chemistry 2A or 1A or 22 |
CHEM 120 or 101 |
| Chemistry 2B or 1B |
CHEM 121 or 102 |
|
Anatomy 25 & Physiology 1
(or Physiology 2A & 2B) |
BIOL 120 and 121 |
University of Southern California
USC Dental Hygiene BIOL 120, 121 BIOL 101 CHEM 101 and 102 ENGL 102 or 104 (Writing Requirement) PSYCH 101 SOC 101 (Diversity GE Requirement) SPEECH 101 or any transferable speech course BIOL 112 HEALTH 128 or CULIN 125 |
Loma Linda University
Dental Hygiene, BS Program To be eligible for admission, the applicant must be a minimum of 64 semester units at an accredited college or university. Minimum GPA 3.0 or higher in science courses is recommended. Science courses must be completed within 5 years of Admission. The admission requirements are:
*Required courses
| Loma Linda University |
Suggested GCC courses |
| *Human Anatomy |
BIOL 120 |
| *Human Physiology |
BIOL 121 |
| *Introduction to Chemistry |
CHEM 120, 121 |
| *Microbiology |
BIOL 112 |
| *College Math |
|
| *Cultural anthropology |
ANTHRO 102 |
| *Introduction to Psychology |
PSYCH 101 |
| *Introduction to Sociology |
SOC 101 |
Humanities 14 units must include threa areas of study |
|
| History/Civilization |
|
| Art History & Appreciation |
|
| Music History & Appreciation |
|
| Performing arts (4 units max) |
|
| Literature |
|
| Foreign Language |
|
| Philosophy |
|
| Religion - If attending an Adventist school |
|
|
*English Composition and Literature (one academic year) |
ENGL 101 and 102 |
| *Speech, or interpersonal communication |
SPCH 100 or 101 |
| *Personal Health or Nutrition 2 units |
HLTH 104 or 128 |
| *Physical Education - two activity courses |
|
Dental Hygiene, AS off-campus Program Palm Desert, CA To be eligible for admission, the applicant must have a minimum GPA of 2.5 is required to have a 3.0 science GPA is recommended. Science courses must be completed with 5 years of admission. A minimum of 23 semester units from an accredidted college or university
| Loma Linda University |
Suggested GCC courses |
| Human Anatomy & Physiology |
BIOL 120 & 121 |
| Microbiology |
BIOL 112 |
| Chemistry - 1 year with labs |
CHEM 120 and 121 |
| College Math - one class |
|
| Introduction Psychology |
PSYCH 101 |
| Introduction Sociology |
SOC 101 |
| Speech - one class |
SPCH 101 |
| Physical Education - two activity courses |
|
|
Personal Health or Nutrition 2 units |
HLTH 104 or 128 | |
|
NOTE: AGREEMENTS CONCERNING TRANSFER ARE CONSTANTLY BEING UPDATED, THEREFORE, THE STUDENT IS CAUTIONED TO CHECK WITH A COUNSELOR OR THE TRANSFER CENTER FOR CURRENT TRANSFER INFORMATION. |