Dental Hygiene

Dental Hygiene pic

Program Information

  • Location: Downtown Milwaukee Campus
  • Pathway: Healthcare
  • Program Code: 10-508-1
  • Offering: In-class
  • Degree Type: 2-Year Degree (Associate)
  • Start Dates: August/January

About the Dental Hygiene Degree

Description

Help patients maintain their oral health as a dental hygienist. Working under a dentist’s supervision, dental hygienists perform such duties as teeth cleaning, fluoride treatments, X-ray processing and dental health counseling. You will gain clinical experience in MATC’s dental hygiene clinic and at external sites. Graduates are eligible to complete the National Board of Dental Hygiene examination, and state or regional practical examinations.

Employment prospects for licensed dental hygienists are good. Positions may be found in private dental offices, nursing homes and school settings.

This program features exploratory courses that count toward a credential. Contact an MATC advisor for information.

Additional program details: Program graduates are eligible to complete the National Board of Dental Hygiene examination, and state or regional practical examinations for states in which you seek licensure. Licensure is required to work as a dental hygienist. The American Dental Hygienists' Association website provides additional professional information at www.ADHA.org.

While we follow all standard precautions and infection control protocols, there is potential for exposure to blood and other potentially infectious materials. The Bloodborne Pathogen policy is available by contacting the Dental Hygiene Program.

 

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Use the buttons below to get more information, visit the college or apply now. 

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Related Programs

Dental Assistant program pic

Dental Assistant

Attain the skills required to assist with dental procedures under the supervision of a dentist. You will learn a variety of patient care techniques that are performed under the supervision of the dentist during examination and treatment of patients.

Dental Hygiene pic

Dental Hygiene

Help patients maintain their oral health as a dental hygienist. Working under a dentist’s supervision, dental hygienists perform such duties as teeth cleaning, fluoride treatments, X-ray processing and dental health counseling. You will gain clinical experience in MATC’s dental hygiene clinic and at external sites. Graduates are eligible to complete the National Board of Dental Hygiene examination, and state or regional practical examinations.

Detailed Program Information

2023-24 Curriculum

Course Course Name Credits
BIOSCI-177 Gen Anatomy & Physiology ‡
(or) BIOSCI-201 Anatomy & Physiology 1 ‡ 
and BIOSCI-202 Anatomy & Physiology 2 ‡
4
DENHYG-101 Dental Health Safety ‡ 1
DENHYG-102 Oral Anatomy, Embryology and Histology ‡ 4
DENHYG-103 Dental Radiography ‡ 2
DENHYG-105 Dental Hygiene Process 1 ‡ 4
 ENG-195 Written Communication ‡
(or) ENG-201 English 1 ‡
3
BIOSCI-197 Microbiology ‡ 4
CHEM-186 Introductory Biochemistry ‡
(or) CHEM-207 General Chemistry ‡
and CHEM-208 Survey of Biochemistry ‡
4
DENHYG-106 Dental Hygiene Process 2 ‡ 4
DENHYG-107 Dental Hygiene Ethics and Professionalism ‡ 1
DENHYG-108 Periodontology ‡ 3
DENHYG-109 Cariology ‡ 1
DENHYG-110 Nutrition and Dental Health ‡ 2
DENHYG-111 General and Oral Pathology ‡ 3
ENG-196 Oral/Interpersonal Communication ‡
(or) Any 200-level ENG or SPEECH course
3
DENHYG-112 Dental Hygiene Process 3 ‡ 5
DENHYG-113 Dental Materials ‡ 2
DENHYG-114 Dental Pharmacology ‡ 2
DENHYG-115 Community Dental Health ‡ 2
DENHYG-118 Dental Anxiety and Pain Management ‡ 2
PSYCH-199 Psychology of Human Relations
(or) Any 200-level PSYCH course
3
DENHYG-117 Dental Hygiene Process 4 ‡ 4
ELECTIVES (One 100-level credit needed) 1
SOCSCI-172 Introduction to Diversity Studies
(or) Any 200-level HIST or SOCSCI course
3

TOTAL CREDITS

67

‡ Prerequisite required.

Program curriculum requirements are subject to change.

This Associate in Applied Science program will transfer to one or more four-year institutions.

Current MATC students should consult their Academic Program Plan for specific curriculum requirements.

Search for available classes now (link) to see course descriptions, class times and locations.

Already a student? You can visit Self-Service (link) and choose Student Planning to register for classes.

 

2023-24 Program Cards

View/print pdf (link)

Important Dates

Fall start: Petition for program in February

Spring start: Petition for program in September

Deadlines and important dates can be found on:
Cost & Aid Deadlines

Also, you can find dates and deadlines on the MATC Events Calendar

Program Outcomes

  • Model dental hygiene professional code of ethics
  • Counsel clients/patients to reduce health risks
  • Provide community care oral health services in a variety of settings
  • Manage infection and hazard control
  • Assess data on all aspects of patient/client health using methods consistent with dental hygienist scope of practice and legal principles
  • Formulate a comprehensive dental hygiene care plan in collaboration with the client and other health professionals
  • Provide preventive and therapeutic services that promote oral health according to the needs of the patient/client
  • Evaluate the effectiveness of the implemented client/patient dental hygiene care plan

Career Outlook

Employment prospects for licensed dental hygienists are good. Positions may be found in private dental offices, clinics, hospitals, nursing homes, school settings and private enterprise. The clinical practice includes administering oral preventive treatments, fluoride and local anesthetic; exposing and processing dental X-ray films; non-surgical roles in peridontal surgery; and dental health counseling.

Possible Career

Dental Hygienist

Admission Requirements

This program admits students through a petition selection process.
Learn more about the petition process

The following are required for admission:

  • HP-A2 pre qualifying exam, minimum composite score of 80%
  • B- or higher in the following courses:
    • BIOSCI 177* or BIOSCI 201* and 202*
    • CHEM 186* or CHEM 207* and 208* 
    • BIOSCI 197* 
  • Fall start: Petition for program in February
  • Spring start: Petition for program in September

Scholarships

Accreditation

This program is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation. The Commission is a specialized accrediting body recognized by the United States Department of Education.
Commission on Dental Accreditation, 211 East Chicago Avenue, Chicago, IL 60611;
800-232-6180www.ada.org/coda

 

READY TO TAKE THE NEXT STEP? 

Use the buttons below to get more information, visit the college or apply now. 

Request Info    Visit Us    Apply Now

 

QUESTIONS?

Healthcare Academic & Career Pathway
414-297-6263
262-238-2281
healthpathway@matc.edu

 

Last updated: 09/05/2023