2010-2011

Dental Hygiene
Associate in Applied Science Degree - Downtown Milwaukee Campus

Program Code: 10-508-1

This curriculum goes into effect as of summer 2010.

Overview - Dental Hygiene is an associate degree program accredited with reporting by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association, a specialized accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. The program's curriculum blends academic and clinical courses. Clinical experience is acquired in the dental hygiene clinic at Milwaukee Area Technical College and several external sites. The American Dental Hygienists' Association web page can provide additional professional information at www.ADHA.org

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 prophylaxis, fluoride and local anesthetic; exposing and processing dental x-ray films; and dental health counseling.

Program Learning Outcomes - Employers expect that you will have employable skills in:

• Ethics and Professionalism: Incorporate into dental hygiene practice professional laws, regulations and policies established by the licensing state and regulatory agencies.
• Ethics and Professionalism: Model dental hygiene professional code of ethics in a rapidly changing environment.
• Ethics and Professionalism: Pursue lifelong professional growth and development through self-directed learning, participation in professional organizations, and continuing education.
• Promoting Oral Health: Counsel clients/patients to reduce health risks.
• Promoting Oral Health: Provide community oral health services in a variety of settings.
• Patient/Client Care: Infection Control - Manage infection and hazard control.
• Patient/Client Care: Assessment - Assess data on all aspects of patient/client health using methods consistent with dental hygienist scope of practice and legal principles.
• Patient/Client Care: Planning - Formulate a comprehensive dental hygiene care plan in collaboration with the client and other health professionals.
• Patient/Client Care: Implementation - Provide preventive and therapeutic services that promote oral health according to the needs of the patient/client.
• Patient/Client Care: Evaluation - Evaluate the effectiveness of the implemented client/patient dental hygiene care plan and modify as needed.
• Patient/Client Care: Evaluation - Evaluate effectiveness of implemented clinical and educational services. Modify as needed.

Preparation for Admission - This program admits students through a petition selection process.

What is the petitioning process? (PDF)
Am I ready to petition? (PDF)
Petition Packet (PDF)

Future Opportunities - Upon completion of the program, you will be eligible to write 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.

This program will transfer to one or more four-year institutions.

Related Programs:

Dental Assistant
Dental Technician

For more information, call 414-297-MATC.

Curriculum effective 2010-2011.

TOTAL CREDITS: 69

Program curriculum requirements are subject to change. 

M = Summer

‡ Prerequisite required.

NOTE: Students who have not been accepted, or have not decided on a program, may begin with GENERAL STUDIES courses, if course prerequisites have been met.

For course descriptions, class times, locations or to register online, visit INFOnline.