Skip to main contentSkip to main navigation

Dental Hygiene (HSC.DHY.AAS)

Program Outcomes

Program outcomes represent broad areas of knowledge and skills developed over the duration of the program through a wide range of courses and experiences. These learning outcomes represent what a student should be able to know, think, or do upon successful completion of their program at Oakland Community College.

  • Students use critical thinking to apply theoretical knowledge and clinical experience in the dental hygiene process of care.
  • Students will apply legal and ethical principles to assigned case studies
  • Students will demonstrate effective communication skills while providing dental hygiene care for diverse populations.
  • Students will continuously perform self-assessment for lifelong learning and professional growth.

Program Plan 2025-2026

Full Time - Fall Start

**Students should meet with an OCC counselor before attempting this plan of study**

Year 1 - Fall

Courses    Credits
BIO 1511 Life Science 4
  or BIO 1530 Biology I: Molecular & Cellular      4
COM 1600 Fundamentals of Speech 3
PSY 2510 Introduction to Psychology 3
  TOTAL CREDITS  10

MILESTONE: Attend Dental Hygiene information session. Student must show proof of high school diploma or GED to a Highland Lakes Counselor.

Year 1 - Winter

Courses    Credits
BIO 2630 Human Anatomy and Physiology 4
*CHE 1000 Introduction to Chemistry 4
ENG 1510 Composition 3
SOC 2510 Sociology 3
  TOTAL CREDITS  14

* CHE 1000 is optional

MILESTONE: Student must provide documentation of 10 hours job shadowing with a Registered Dental Hygienist and 5 hours of observation in the OCC Dental Hygiene Clinic before they apply to program.

Year 1 - Summer 

Courses    Credits
BIO 2640 Human Anatomy & Physiology II 4
CHE 1320 Survey of Organic & Biochemistry                          4
  TOTAL CREDITS  8

MILESTONE: Schedule, take, and pass the DHY HESI with a 75th percentile in each section. One retake is permitted.

Year 2 - Fall

Course    Credits
BIO 1570 Microbiology of Health & Disease 3-4
  or BIO 2710 Microbiology 4
Gen Ed Fine Arts/Humanities 3
  TOTAL CREDITS  6-7

MILESTONE: Apply for program with a Highland Lakes Counselor by December 15th.

Year 2 - Winter

Courses    Credits
HEA 1510 Nutrition 3
  TOTAL CREDITS  3

Year 2 - Summer

Courses    Credits
None   0
  TOTAL CREDITS   0

Year 3 - Fall

Courses    Credits
DHY 1230 Oral, Head, and Neck Anatomy 3
DHY 1240 Dental Histology & Embryology 3
DHY 1250 Clinical Techniques 5
DHY 1140 Dental Office Procedures 3
  TOTAL CREDITS  14

Year 3 - Winter

Courses    Credits
DHY 1260 Dental Radiology 3.5
DHY 2210 Oral Pathology 3
DHY 1281 Clinical Dental Hygiene I 4
DHY 1310 Periodontics 2
  TOTAL CREDITS  12.5

Year 3 - Summer

Courses   Credits
DHY 2250 Dental Materials 3
DHY 1282 Clinical Dental Hygiene II 2.5
DHY 1350 Local Anesthesia 1.5
  TOTAL CREDITS  7

Year 4 - Fall

Courses    Credits
DHY 1380 Dental Therapeutics 2
DHY 2280 Dental Health Education 2
DHY 1283 Clinical Dental Hygiene III 5
  TOTAL CREDITS 9

Year 4 - Winter

Courses    Credits
DHY 2240 Dental Specialties 2
DHY 2220 Dental Public Health 1
DHY 2320 Dental Law 1
DHY 1284 Clinical Dental Hygiene IV 5
DHY 2340 Dental Hygiene Board Review (elective) 1
  TOTAL CREDITS 10
TOTAL CREDITS 84.5