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