Dental Hygiene, A.A.S.

Associate of Applied Science

Campuses: Medical Education (Springfield)

The program is designed to prepare students to serve in a dynamic and growing health profession as members of the dental health team. After successful completion of the program, the student will be eligible to take the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination and professional licensure examinations. Upon successful completion of the licensing process, the title 'Registered Dental Hygienist' (R.D.H.) is awarded.

Transfer Information

Transfer is not the primary purpose of an A.A.S. program, but NOVA has articulation agreements that facilitate the transfer of this and other career-oriented programs to selected senior institutions. Students interested in transfer should contact a counselor or their academic advisor early in their program.

Course Curriculum

Below is a table that shows the courses needed to satisfy this program. Please speak with an advisor to ensure you meet your program requirements.

Two Years			Credits
Prerequisites
BIO	141	Human Anatomy and Physiology I	4
BIO	142	Human Anatomy and Physiology II	4
BIO	150	Introductory Microbiology	4
ENG	111	College Composition I	3
SDV	101	Orientation to (a Specific Discipline)	1
Total			16
1st Semester
DNH	111	Oral Anatomy	2
DNH	115	Histology/Head and Neck Anatomy	3
DNH	130	Oral Radiography for the Dental Hygienist	2
DNH	141	Dental Hygiene I	5
CST	229	Intercultural Communication	3
Total			15
2nd Semester
DNH	120	Management of Emergencies	1
DNH	142	Dental Hygiene II	5
DNH	145	General and Oral Pathology	2
DNH	146	Periodontics for the Dental Hygienist	2
DNH	216	Pharmacology	2
Total			12
3rd Semester
DNH	143	Dental Hygiene III	3
DNH	214	Practical Materials for Dental Hygiene	2
Total			5
4th Semester
DNH	150	Nutrition	2
DNH	226	Public Health Dental Hygiene I	2
DNH	235	Management of Dental Pain and Anxiety in the Dental Office	2
DNH	244	Dental Hygiene IV	5
PSY	200	Principles of Psychology	3
Total			14
5th Semester
DNH	227	Public Health Dental Hygiene II	1
DNH	230	Office Practice and Ethics	1
DNH	245	Dental Hygiene V	5
¹		Humanities/Fine Arts Elective	3
Total			10
Total credits for the Associate of Applied Science = 72

Two Years	Credits
Prerequisites
Human Anatomy and Physiology I BIO 141	4
Human Anatomy and Physiology II BIO 142	4
Introductory Microbiology BIO 150	4
College Composition I ENG 111	3
Orientation to (a Specific Discipline) SDV 101	1
Total	16
1st Semester
Oral Anatomy DNH 111	2
Histology/Head and Neck Anatomy DNH 115	3
Oral Radiography for the Dental Hygienist DNH 130	2
Dental Hygiene I DNH 141	5
Intercultural Communication CST 229	3
Total	15
2nd Semester
Management of Emergencies DNH 120	1
Dental Hygiene II DNH 142	5
General and Oral Pathology DNH 145	2
Periodontics for the Dental Hygienist DNH 146	2
Pharmacology DNH 216	2
Total	12
3rd Semester
Dental Hygiene III DNH 143	3
Practical Materials for Dental Hygiene DNH 214	2
Total	5
4th Semester
Nutrition DNH 150	2
Public Health Dental Hygiene I DNH 226	2
Management of Dental Pain and Anxiety in the Dental Office DNH 235	2
Dental Hygiene IV DNH 244	5
Principles of Psychology PSY 200	3
Total	14
5th Semester
Public Health Dental Hygiene II DNH 227	1
Office Practice and Ethics DNH 230	1
Dental Hygiene V DNH 245	5
Humanities/Fine Arts Elective ¹	3
Total	10
Total credits for the Associate of Applied Science = 72

¹ See humanities/fine arts courses listed under General Education Electives.

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