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The dental hygiene AS degree provides the skills and knowledge to become a licensed dental hygienist. Vital members of the dental team, dental hygienists provide non-surgical periodontal therapy that includes scaling and root planing, adult and child prophylaxis, placement of dental sealants, exposing and processing radiographs, and individualized patient education.
The dental hygiene program includes five consecutive semesters of coursework and requires 35-40 hours per week. Graduates must pass the National Dental Hygiene Board examination, the Florida Dental Hygiene Board examination, and the Florida Laws and Rules examination to become a registered dental hygienist. Students may also complete certifications in expanded duties that are permitted by Florida Statute Title XXXII for dental auxiliaries.
A separate Health Sciences application is required for this degree.
All interested students must attend an online information session for admission prior to the application deadline.
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Tuesday, September 24th at 6pm
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Wednesday, October 23rd at 6pm
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Tuesday, November 19th at 6pm
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Tuesday, January 21st at 6pm
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Wednesday, February 19th at 6pm
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Tuesday, March 25th at 6pm
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Tuesday, April 22nd at 6 pm
This curriculum is from the current college catalog and is meant to provide prospective students an example of courses taken in this degree/certificate. It is not intended to be used for graduation requirements. Students should consult an advisor for graduation information.
Prerequisite Courses Required for Admission
†BSC 2085 Human Anatomy and Physiology I - 3 cr.
†BSC 2085L Human Anatomy and Physiology I Laboratory - 1 cr.
†BSC 2086 Human Anatomy and Physiology II - 3 cr.
†BSC 2086L Human Anatomy and Physiology II Laboratory - 1 cr.
†CHM 1032 Chemistry for Health Sciences - 3 cr.
†CHM 1032L Chemistry for Health Sciences Laboratory - 1 cr.
†ENC 1101 English Composition I - 3 cr.
***†MAC 1105 College Algebra - 3 cr.
†MCB 2000 Microbiology and Human Disease - 3 cr.
†MCB 2000L Microbiology and Human Disease Laboratory - 1 cr.
*** NOTE: MAC 1105 complies with the new math pathways state requirement effective FA/24
Program Required Courses
YEAR I – First Semester
DEH 1002 Dental Hygiene Instrumentation - 1 cr.
DEH 1002L Dental Hygiene Instrumentation Laboratory - 2 cr.
DEH 1720 Preventive Dentistry - 1 cr.
DES 1020C Oral, Head, and Neck Anatomy - 2 cr.
DES 1200 Dental Radiology - 2 cr.
DES 1200L Dental Radiology Laboratory - 1 cr.
DES 1800 Introduction to Clinical Procedures - 2 cr.
DES 1800L Introduction to Clinical Procedures Laboratory - 1 cr.
**†HUN 2201 Fundamentals of Human Nutrition - 3 cr.
YEAR I – Second Semester
DEH 1130 Oral Embryology and Histology - 1 cr.
DEH 1800C Clinical Dental Hygiene I - 3 cr.
DEH 2400 General and Oral Pathology - 2 cr.
DEH 2602 Periodontology - 2 cr.
†DES 1600 Dental Office Emergencies - 1 cr.
DES 2051 Pain Control in Dentistry - 2 cr.
DES 2051L Pain Control in Dentistry Laboratory - 1 cr.
YEAR I – Third Semester
DEH 1802C Clinical Dental Hygiene II - 2 cr.
DES 1100 Dental Materials - 2 cr.
DES 1100L Dental Materials Laboratory - 1 cr.
DES 1830C Expanded Duties for Dental Hygienists - 2 cr.
*Humanities General Education CORE - 3 cr.
YEAR II – First Semester
DEH 2300 Pharmacology and Oral Medicine - 3 cr.
DEH 2702 Community Dental Health - 2 cr.
DEH 2804C Clinical Dental Hygiene III - 3 cr.
DEH 2809 Advanced Clinical Procedures - 1 cr.
*†SPC 1608 Public Speaking - 3 cr.
*†AMH 2010 Early American History or †AMH 2020, Modern American History or †POS 2041, American Government - 3 cr.
YEAR II – Second Semester
DEH 1811 Dental Ethics, Jurisprudence - 1 cr.
†DEH 2604 Periodontology II - 1 cr.
DEH 2702L Community Dental Health Practicum - 1 cr.
DEH 2806C Clinical Dental Hygiene IV - 4 cr.
DES 2502 Office Management - 1 cr.
*†PSY 2012 General Psychology - 3 cr.
*†SYG 2000 Introduction to Sociology - 3 cr.
* NOTE: May be taken in advance or after admission to the dental hygiene program and must be completed with a grade of “C” or higher prior to graduation.
**NOTE: HUN 2201 must be taken in the fall or spring term of the student’s first year.
†Courses symbolized by a dagger (†) are offered online in addition to the traditional delivery method. Online availability may vary by academic term.