Associate in Dental Hygiene (A45260)
The HCC Dental Hygiene Program is an ADA Accredited Program
The ADA has a uniform curriculum with similar learning experiences, admission, and graduation standards. Graduates of the associate degree dental hygiene program will receive an Associate of Applied Science Degree in Dental Hygiene from Halifax Community College. Graduates of this program may be eligible to take national and state/regional examinations for licensure which are required to practice dental hygiene.
Curriculum Description
The dental hygiene curriculum provides individuals with the knowledge and skills to assess, plan, implement, and evaluate dental hygiene care for the individual and the community.
Students will learn to prepare the operatory, take patient histories, note abnormalities, plan care, teach oral hygiene, clean teeth, take x-rays, apply preventive agents, complete necessary chart entries, and perform other procedures related to dental hygiene care.
Employment opportunities include dental offices, clinics, schools, public health agencies, industry, and professional education.
Admission Policy
Admission for associate degree dental hygiene students:
Students are admitted to the Halifax Community College dental hygiene program in accordance with recommendations by the American Dental Association (ADA) Commission on Dental Accreditation. The College does not guarantee admission to every student who seeks admission. Completion of the dental hygiene curriculum does not guarantee success in passing the licensure exam.
A dental hygiene student must be admitted to the dental hygiene program in order to take courses for credit in any dental hygiene (DEN) course.
Application Process
1. Submit a completed Halifax Community College Application (www.halifaxcc.edu) indicating Dental Hygiene (A45260) as the Program of Study
2. Submit official transcripts
a. records of high school graduation or equivalency
b. all post-secondary transcripts
3. Complete course requirements or submit minimum scores on a placement tests (See item 6. In Application Checklist)
4. Attend a Dental Hygiene Information Session at Halifax Community College and complete the Dental Hygiene Health Sciences Admission application. Students are required to attend an information session for admissions even if a previous information session has been attended.
• Please call the college (252-536-4221) for the location of the Information Session
• sessions will last approximately 1 to 1 ½ hours, and begin on time
• Adult (only) family members are welcome, please do not bring children
• No registration is required to attend an information session
5. Provide evidence of an overall 2.8 GPA
6. Submit one of the following documents:
Completed Dental Assisting Experience Documentation Form Completed Dental Office Observation Form*
Completed Certificate of Current Enrollment from ADA Accredited Dental Assisting Program Form
Application Checklist
1. Complete North Carolina Residency Determination
2. Complete Halifax Community College Application
3. Submitted Copy of Signed Social Security Card
4. Submit official High School Transcript or General Education Development (GED) Scores
5. Submit official College Transcripts
6. Placement Tests or College Course Credits:
Meet MATH proficiency with one of the following:
Completion of a college level mathematics course with a minimum grade of ”C”
Completion of prerequisites to be eligible to take
CHM 130
A minimum score on a placement test (ACT, SAT, NC Community College placement test) Meet high school GPA policy to waive placement test and place into
CHM 130.
Meet ENGLISH/READING proficiency with one of the following:
Completion of ENG 111 or equivalent with a minimum grade of “C”
Completion of prerequisites to be eligible to register for ENG 111 without co-requisite
Meet minimum score on a placement test (ACT, SAT, NC Community College placement test)
Meet high school GPA policy to waive placement test and place into ENG 111 without co-requisite.
Meet CHEMISTRY Proficiency requirement with one of the following: Complete CHM 090 with a “C” or better
Complete high school chemistry with a “C” or better
Complete college Chemistry (
CHM 130/
CHM 131/
CHM 151) with a “C” or better
7. Attend Mandatory Dental Hygiene Information Session
8. Complete
ONE of the following:
(1) Dental Hygiene Observation Form*
(2) Dental Assisting Experience Documentation Form
(3) Dental Assisting Diploma/Certificate Form
9. Submit evidence of 2.8 Grade Point Average
Upon acceptance into the dental hygiene program, the student must:
- Submit a completed physical examination form
- Provide evidence that the Hepatitis
B vaccination series has been started
- Submit evidence of current CPR certification for health care provider
- Attend mandatory dental hygiene orientation
Academic Plan
First Year
Fall Semester
| BIO 168 | Anatomy and Physiology I | 4 |
| DEN 110 | Orofacial Anatomy | 3 |
| DEN 111 | Infection/Hazard Control | 2 |
| DEN 112 | Dental Radiography | 3 |
| DEN 120 | Dental Hygiene Preclinic Lecture | 2 |
| DEN 121 | Dental Hygiene Preclinical Lab | 2 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 16 |
Spring Semester
| BIO 168 | Anatomy and Physiology I | 4 |
| CHM 130 | General, Organic, & Biochemistry | 3 |
| DEN 124 | Periodontology | 2 |
| DEN 125 | Dental Office Emergencies | 1 |
| DEN 130 | Dental Hygiene Theory I | 2 |
| DEN 131 | Dental Hygiene Clinic I | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 15 |
Summer Semester
| BIO 175 | General Microbiology | 3 |
| DEN 123 | Nutrition/Dental Health | 2 |
| DEN 140 | Dental Hygiene Theory II | 2 |
| DEN 141 | Dental Hygiene Clinic II | 2 |
| ENG 111 | Writing and Inquiry | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 11 |
Second Year
Fall Semester
Spring Semester
| DEN 230 | Dental Hygiene Theory IV | 1 |
| DEN 231 | Dental Hygiene Clinic IV | 4 |
| DEN 232 | Community Dental Health | 3 |
| DEN 233 | Professional Development | 2 |
| ENG 114 | Professional Research & Reporting | 3 |
| HUM 115 | Critical Thinking | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 16 |
Total Credit Hours: 73