Dental Education

DENTAL HYGIENE

 

The goals of the Associate in Applied Science degree Dental Hygiene Program are to prepare professional, ethical, competent, entry-level, preventive oral health professionals who demonstrate an awareness of their present and future roles and responsibilities in the community.  Upon graduation, students will have an understanding of their role as a member of the dental health team, concern for the total wellbeing of patients, the ability and motivation needed to educate patients in oral health, and the knowledge and clinical skills necessary to provide optimum dental hygiene care within the framework of total patient care.  South Florida Community College provides optimal educational experiences for students that promote successful achievement of the intended outcomes specified by the Florida Department of Education Curriculum  Framework and of patient care competencies specified in the ADA Accreditation Standards for graduates of an associate degree dental hygiene program.

The Dental Hygiene curriculum is designed to prepare students for employment as licensed dental hygienists. Students will be expected to master competencies of the dental profession such as patient assessment, dental hygiene instrumentation, direct patient care services including debridement, scaling and root planing, taking and interpreting diagnostic radiographs, oral hygiene education, special population dental care, expanded functions, office management, infection control, ethics, and jurisprudence.

Length: Two (2) years - 88 semester hours

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Dental Program consists of:

Dental Hygiene and Dental Assisting:

Rebecca Sroda

Director, Dental Education

Dental Hygiene Graduates 2005

SFCC Home Page

DENTAL ASSISTANT

 

The vocational certificate in Dental Assisting curriculum prepares students to be versatile members of the dental health team who work alongside the dentist. Dental assistants are assigned patient care responsibilities beyond the duties traditionally performed by the dental auxiliary. Students will be expected to master theoretical, practical and clinical skills including dental basic sciences, dental radiographic techniques, dental materials, sterilization and disease control, chair side assisting, office management, dental specialties and expanded duties.

Upon successful completion of the dental  assisting program students will receive certification in expanded duties.

Length: 11 months, 1230 cont. hrs / 41.07 occ. crs.