Dental Hygiene, AAS

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Total Credits: 79

Major Number: 5203
CIP Code: 51.0602

Program Description

The Dental Hygiene Program prepares students with the entry-level competencies, knowledge, skills and attitudes required for licensure to practice as dental hygienists in the state of Minnesota. The DENH program courses are offered over five semesters (four full-time semesters and one part-time summer session); the program is accredited by the American Dental Association sponsored Commission on Dental Accreditation.

Program Prerequisites

1. Dental Assistant: graduate of an accredited Dental Assistant program and Current Minnesota Licensed Dental Assistant, (LDA).
2. Applicants will have at least 1040 hours (equal to approximately six months full-time work) experience in the past three years by the application deadline will receive priority consideration during the selection process. Applicants with fewer than 1040 hours of work experience will be considered.
3. Science Lab Courses: Completion of the following science lab courses with a grade of C or higher and a cumulative GPA of 2.75 in these courses:
   • Introductory Chemistry (Century CHEM 1020  or CHEM 1041 . NOTE: MATH 0030  or MATH 0060  is a prerequisite to CHEM 1020 )
   • Human Anatomy & Physiology (Century BIOL 2031  & BIOL 2032 . NOTE:  BIOL 1020  & CHEM 1020  are prerequisites to BIOL 2031 )
   • Microbiology (Century BIOL 2035 . NOTE: BIOL 2032  is a prerequisite to BIOL 2035 )
   • Credit & GPA: Completion of a minimum of 12 college level, Minnesota Transfer Curriculum (MnTC) semester credits with a MnTC GPA of 2.5. Grade point average will be calculated on all college level MnTC credits completed at the time of application to the Dental Hygiene program.
   • Students whose MnTC grade point average is less than 2.5 may petition to use only “recent” college level credits to meet the required 2.5 GPA. Students must complete the “recent” credits and submit the petition to the Admissions Office prior to the Dental Hygiene Program application deadline. See your advisor or counselor for assistance.
   • If a student has earned a baccalaureate degree or higher, the minimum 2.5 may be calculated on the final (30) semester credits by petition. The science requirement must also be met.
4. Assessment: All Dental Hygiene applicants are required to comply with the Century College policy regarding assessment testing in reading comprehension, writing, and math prior to the application deadline. All required remedial/developmental coursework must be completed by the end of the summer session that precedes the beginning of the Dental Hygiene program, or the student will lose her/her space in the program. It is strongly recommended students complete these courses prior to the application deadline.
5. A high school diploma or GED.
6. Applications will be accepted until March 31 for 12 openings starting the next Fall. Applicants who have completed all requirements prior to the deadline will be given first consideration. See special application booklet online for more information.

Special Instructions

Admission into this program requires a special application and is highly competitive. The college may not be able to accept all applicants that meet the minimum admission standards. Enrolled dental hygiene students must pass a Minnesota Human Services background study with no restrictions and pass a health exam before treating patients in the student clinic.