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Dental Hygiene

Program Goals: 
The mission of the Department of Dental Hygiene is to provide high quality educational opportunities for qualified students to prepare them as graduates to assume and maintain the role of ethical, competent, and progressive dental healthcare professionals. It is the goal of the Dental Hygiene Department to help students in the development of their clinical skills and to help develop their critical thinking skills as they acquire a sound knowledge base in the practice of dental hygiene and to prepare them to take the national and regional boards as part of their professional licensing requirements.
Student Learning Outcomes: 
Upon completion of the program graduates will be able to:
  • Provide the Dental Hygiene Process of care to a diverse population, including the child, adolescent, adult, geriatric, compromised patient and patients with all classifications of periodontal disease as well as in assessing the treatment needs of patients with special needs.
  • Demonstrate effective interpersonal and communication skills in the interaction with diverse population groups and other members of the health care team.
  • Assess, analyze data, plan, implement and evaluate community-based oral health programs including health promotion and disease prevention activities.
  • Apply legal and regulatory concepts to the provision and/or support of oral health care services.
  • Apply of the principles of ethical reasoning, ethical decision making and professional responsibility as they pertain to academic environment, research, patient care and patient management.
  • Utilize technology as a learning resource and for information management.
  • Evaluate current scientific literature and research.
  • Manage comprehensive patient care utilizing critical thinking, problem solving skills and apply self-assessment skills in preparation for life-long learning.
  • Represent and support the profession through community service and affiliations with professional organizations.
Admissions Process: 
Admissions inquiries should be directed to admissions [at] qcc [dot] mass [dot] edu .Prospective students may apply to the program of their choice by following the enrollment steps at the following link: http://www.qcc.edu/pages/Enrollment_Steps.html
CORI, SORI, Finger Printing & Drug Testing: 
A Criminal Offenders Record Information (CORI) and Sexual Offenders Record Information (SORI) are required. Finger printing and drug testing may be required.
Additional Cost: 
  • Uniforms/clinical wear
  • Textbooks
  • Required academic or skills remediation
  • Membership in the Dental Hygiene Professional Association
  • Regional and National Board exams
Technical Performance Standards: 
See page 17 in the catalog or the Technical Performance Standards page.
Credit for Prior Learning: 
Students enrolled in this program may be able to earn academic credit for prior learning. Please contact the office of Career Placement Services at careerservices [at] qcc [dot] mass [dot] edu, 508.854.4439, Room 272 A.
Career Outlook: 
Please consult The Massachusetts Career Information System at http://masscis.intocareers.com/ or The Occupational Outlook Handbook at http://www.bls.gov/oco/ for specific occupational information. The CIP code for this program is 51.0602.
Transfer Articulations & Opportunities: 
Prospective students may learn more about transfer articulation agreements at the following link: http://www.qcc.mass.edu/transfer/ArticPathways.html . More information regarding transfer opportunities is available at: http://www.qcc.mass.edu/transfer.
Additional Program Information: 
  • The QCC Dental Hygiene Program is accredited by the ADA’s Commission on Dental Accreditation, 211 East Chicago Avenue, Chicago, IL 60611-267
  • Students accepted to the Dental Hygiene Program must: obtain Health Care Provider level BLS/CPR certification prior to beginning the program.
  • Although every effort will be made to schedule patients for students, ultimately, students are responsible for supplying their own patients to meet their clinical requirements.
  • Clinical rotations may be required during summer sessions or intersession. Clinical rotations may be required off-campus throughout the duration of the program. Students are responsible for their own transportation.
  • Provide documentation of immunization currency & satisfactory health status and be cleared by the QCC Healthcare Data Administrator by July 2nd
  • Students are required to maintain health insurance throughout the students enrollment
  • Annual TB testing required
Curriculum: 
Course Title Course # Offered Plan to Take Grade Credits Prerequisites
Semester 1
Anatomy & Physiology I BIO 111 F/S/SU     4 BIO 101 or AP Biology. Coreq: ENG 101
English Composition & Literature I ENG 101 F/S/SU     3 ENG 100 or approp place score
Semester 2
Anatomy & Physiology II BIO 112 F/S/SU     4 BIO 111
Introduction to the Chemistry of Living Systems CHM 101 F/S/SU     4 CHM 090 or one year of HS Chemistry, MAT 095 or MAT 096
Dental Anatomy DHY 125 SU     1  
Semester 3
Dental Hygiene Process I DHY 111 F     4 BIO 112, CHM 101, DHY 125
Anatomy of the Head & Neck DHY 121 F     2  
Oral Histology & Embryology DHY 123 F     2  
Dental Radiology DHY 131 F     3  
Introduction to Psychology PSY 101 F/S/SU     3 Coreq-ENG 100 or approp place score
Semester 4
Practice Management DHY 116 I     1 DHY 111
Semester 5
Nutrition in Oral and Systemic Health DHY 250 S     2 Prereq: BIO 112, Coreq: DHY 112
Dental Hygiene Process II DHY 112 S     5 BIO 112, CHM 101, DHY 111, DHY 131 Coreq: DHY 250
Periodontology DHY 124 S     2  
Oral Pathology DHY 126 S     2  
Local Anesthesia for the Dental Hygienist DHY 150 S     2 BIO 111, CHM 101, DHY 111, DHY 131, DHY 125, DHY 121, Coreq: DHY 112, BIO 112
Semester 6
Medical Microbiology BIO 232 F/S/SU     4 BIO 112 or CHM 123 or CHM 105
English Composition & Literature II ENG 102 F/S/SU     3 ENG 101
Semester 7
Dental Hygiene Process Summer Clinic DHY 113 SU     1 DHY 112, DHY 250
Semester 8
Health Promotion DHY 201 F     2  
Dental Hygiene Process III DHY 211 F     5 BIO 112, DHY 113
Dental Pharmacology DHY 231 F     2  
Dental Materials DHY 241 F     2  
Introductory Sociology (Principles) SOC 101 F/S/SU     3 Coreq-ENG 100 or approp place score
Semester 9
Dental Ethics, Jurisprudence, & Professional Issues DHY 202 S     2  
Dental Hygiene Process IV DHY 212 S     6 DHY 211
Dental Public Health DHY 243 S     2  
Liberal Arts Elective   F/S/SU     3  
Total credits required: 79  

Program Notes:

BIO 111, BIO 112, BIO 232, CHM 101, and all professional courses must be completed with a grade of “C” or higher in order to continue in the program.