Program Information
-
Location: Downtown Milwaukee Campus
- Pathway: Healthcare
- Program Code: 10-508-1
- Offering: In-Person, Online
- 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.
This program admits students via a waiting list process.
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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Career Outlook
Related Programs
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
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
2025-26 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 credit) | 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.
2025-2026 Program Flyer
Links & Resources
Important Dates
Fall start: Review Window in February
Spring start: Review Window 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
Admission Requirements
Waiting List
This program admits students via a waiting list process. Students must complete all academic preparedness requirements before being placed into core program courses when seats are available.
- Program capacity is 42 students total: 21 in Fall and 21 in Spring.
- Waiting time upon completion of all academic preparedness requirements is three years.
Academic Preparedness Requirements
- GPA of 2.5 or higher at MATC
- Complete the following courses with a B- or higher: BIOSCI-177 (or BIOSCI-201 and BIOSCI-202), BIOSCI-197, and CHEM-186 (or CHEM-207 and CHEM-208).
- Pass the Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) with a score of 70% or higher (three lifetime attempts in person).
Scholarships
Accreditation
MATC Preparing for Dental Hygiene Accreditation Visit MILWAUKEE (January 31, 2025) – Milwaukee Area Technical College is preparing for an accreditation visit for its dental hygiene program this spring. Members of the American Dental Association (ADA) Commission on Dental Accreditation will visit the Downtown Milwaukee campus May 1 st and 2 nd , 2025.
A component of the visit includes review of comments from students, stakeholders and patients. Individuals may submit their signed comments to the ADA Commission on Dental Accreditation, 211 East Chicago Avenue, Chicago, IL 60611, or by calling 1-800-232-6180. The deadline for comments is April 1, 2025.
Signatures will be removed from comments prior to forwarding them to MATC officials. Comments must pertain only to the standards for the dental hygiene program or policies and procedures used in the Commission’s accreditation process.
For more information, visit http://www.ada.org
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;
800-232-6180; www.ada.org/coda
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Use the buttons below to get more information, visit the college or apply now.
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QUESTIONS?
Healthcare Academic & Career Pathway
414-297-6263
262-238-2281
healthpathway@matc.edu