Dental Hygiene

AAS-T

Dental Hygiene is projected to be one of the 30 fastest growing occupations, with an expected 37%+ increase in jobs between 2000-2010.
U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics

Learning Outcomes

The U.S. Department of Labor predicts a 37% increase in dental hygiene jobs by 2010. Registered dental hygienists provide oral health care services which may include cleaning and polishing teeth, taking and developing x-rays, administering local anesthetics, placing and contouring dental fillings, and educating patients about preventative oral health care.

Applications are now being accepted for entry into Seattle Central's new two-year (seven-quarter) program. Admissions criteria include completing prerequisite courses and participating in a student selection/interview process. It is recommended that students with minimal or no computer skills also take an introductory course in the use of microcomputers.

As a dental hygienist and licensed oral health professional, you become an integral part of the dental team to provide patient care. The range of services performed by hygienists varies from state to state and may include cleaning and polishing teeth, taking and developing x-rays, administering local anesthetics, placing and contouring dental fillings, educating patients about oral hygiene, and providing additional preventive dental care. Special Note: The educational environment contains multiple latex products and exposure to potential blood borne pathogens and that all treatment conforms to current infection control standards as designated by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the United States Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) . . Opportunities for part-time work and flexible schedules are common and salaries are high, making dental hygiene an exceptional career choice.

Students will be accepted into the program each fall after successfully completing program prerequisites (with a 2.5 GPA or higher in each class), the program application procedures and participating in the student selection/interview process. Eighteen students will be selected to start the program each fall quarter. Prerequisites include:

  • BIOL& 241/Human Anatomy & Physiology I
  • BIOL& 242/Human Anatomy & Physiology II
  • BIOL& 260/Microbiology
  • CHEM& 121/Intro to Chemistry
  • CHEM& 122/Intro to Organic Chemistry
  • ENGL& 101/Composition I
  • ENGL& 102/Composition II
  • HUM 105/Intercultural Communication
  • MATH& 107/Math in Society
  • NTR 150/Human Nutrition
  • PSYC 011/Behavioral Psychology
  • SOC 110/Survey of Sociology OR ANTH& 206 Cultural Anthropology
  • MIC 101/Optional

The Dental Hygiene curriculum will be computer-assisted. It is recommended that students with minimal, or no computer skills also take MIC 101/Introduction to Microcomputers (or a comparable introductory course in use of microcomputers) prior to entering the first year of the program.

The Dental Hygiene Program has received generous financial support from the Washington Dental Service Foundation and the Seattle-King County Dental Foundation.

Learn more about a dental hygiene career at www.adha.org and www.wsdha.com. For up-to-date information on the Dental Hygiene Program, call 206 587-4186.

WDS Scholarship information can be found at http://www.deltadentalwa.com/wdsfoundation/w_8.htm

For State Health Loan repayment and scholarship please check this website. http://www.hecb.wa.gov/paying/waaidprgm/health.asp

Program Goals


The dental hygiene program will:

  1. Assure access to dental hygiene educational opportunities specifically targeted to underrepresented minorities, ethnic and cultural groups, immigrants and other non-traditional students of dental hygiene and for transition to higher level of preparation for career mobility.
  2. Graduate students from a program of dental hygiene which meets the highest standards of teaching patient care, applied research, and community service which includes theory and evidenced-based decision making.
  3. In the clinical settings, to include and ensure service to diverse and underrepresented populations including ethnic and racial minorities, patients with special needs, and groups with limited access to oral health care.
  4. Demonstrate evidenced-based decision making in all aspects of the program by applying research to the selection of educational methodology, pedagogy, scientific content, and patient care treatment and management.

For Further Information:

Dental Hygiene Program
Health and Human Services
Seattle Central Community College
1701 Broadway, Room 2BE3204
Seattle, WA 98122
PHONE: (206) 587-4186
TTY: (206) 344-4347
FAX: (206) 587-6337

Program Contact:
 scccdh@sccd.ctc.edu 206.587.4186

Dental Hygene Clinic is located at SVI:

2120 S. Jackson Street, Room 407
Seattle, WA 98144
Appointment Line:
PHONE: (206) 344-4423
FAX: (206) 516-3196