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Dental Hygienist Course
By allied health world contributing writer
Published: January 18th, 2010
What can be expected of dental hygienist courses?
Aspiring dental hygienists should expect to complete between 2500 and 3000 clock hours of curriculum in order to graduate from entry-level associate’s or baccalaureate degree programs. Of these clock hours, between 500 and 700 will be completed in a clinical setting under the supervision of a certified hygienist.Both types of entry-level dental hygienist programs will focus on the core science programs of general, organic, and inorganic chemistry. The first year of dental hygienist school will also have students studying biochemistry, microbiology, pathology, anatomy, physiology, nutrition as it pertains to dental health, and pharmacology as it pertains to the drugs and anesthetics frequently used in dentistry.
The second year of dental hygiene school will deal more directly with dentistry and dental science. This second year coursework would cover the dental sciences and include dental hygienist courses in:
- Dental anatomy
- Anatomy of the head and neck
- Periodontology
- Radiography
- Oral pathology
- Oral embryology and histology
- Pain control
- Dental materials
Specific dental hygiene science courses that are part of both associate’s and baccalaureate degree programs include clinical dental hygiene methods and techniques, as well as protocol for how to handle medical and dental emergencies. The hands on portion of all dental hygienist programs will include pre-clinical and clinical practice under the supervision of a professor of dental science.
What is unique about dental hygienist courses in baccalaureate programs?
Baccalaureate programs offered by dental hygienist schools are distinguished among the two entry-level programs by offering a more well-rounded academic experience for students. These programs are more likely to place a greater focus on the humanities and social sciences and will also include some elective courses. Some students who are looking for more than just technical training will pursue these lengthier and more inclusive programs because they provide what some baccalaureate graduates describe as “the full college experience”.Electives and humanities courses are not the only classes that set baccalaureate programs apart from associate programs. In fact there are a number of areas that these programs place a stronger focus on as they prepare the next generation of administrative dental hygienists, dental health educators, and public dental health advocates.
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