A.A.S. Dental Hygiene
Overview
Approved By LWIA: 7
Last Re-Certification Date: 10/26/2023
Program Description
This 81-credit hour program prepares the graduate to be a dental hygienist. The dental hygienist is a highly skilled primary care oral health professional with the knowledge and skills to recognize, prevent and treat oral diseases and conditions. As an integral member of the oral health care team, the dental hygienist collaboratively practices evidence-based comprehensive dental hygiene care with the ultimate goal of improving oral health as an essential component of total health. The dental hygienist must have a strong foundation in biomedical science and demonstrate clinical competency including effective communication and interpersonal skills, and professional and ethical behavior. The dental hygienist must also have the ability to evaluate and utilize emerging technologies and apply critical thinking and problem-solving skills to address current and future issues in oral health care.
This degree prepares the graduate for employment as a clinician in a variety of health care settings including solo, group and specialty dental practices, public health clinics, hospitals, and long-term care facilities. With additional education, employment opportunities are available in the corporate sector in sales and as educational specialists, in academia, research, and health care management.
The Associate in Applied Science degree in Dental Hygiene qualifies the graduate to complete the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination, the clinical board examination, and apply for Illinois licensure as a registered dental hygienist.
This program meets the Illinois Board of Dentistry guidelines, is approved by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, and is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association.
Because of the nature of clinical experiences and individualized instruction required in this program and specialized technology and the equipment necessary to offer this program, a higher tuition rate is assessed for career specific courses. These include courses with the prefix DHY. For the Fall 2023 and the Spring 2024 semesters, students will pay the regular rate of tuition and the College will fund the differential portion of tuition. Starting the Summer 2024 semester, students will pay the full differential tuition of 1.5 the regular rate of tuition.
Admission Requirements:
Dental Hygiene is a limited enrollment program. For admission requirements, please contact the Admissions Outreach Office at 847.925.6700 or visit harpercollege.edu.
Students who apply for this limited enrollment program are obligated to meet the current admission requirements and follow program curriculum as defined at the time of acceptance to the program.
Upon admission to the Dental Hygiene program, the mathematics requirement is met.
Established in 1980
CIP: 51-0602 Dental Hygiene/Hygienist.
Established in 1980
CIP: 51-0602 Dental Hygiene/Hygienist.
Training Program Type
Vocational
Provider Information
Harper College
Associated Job Families and Occupations
- Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations
- (291292 )
Certifying / Licensing / Registering Body
Quality Assurance
- North Central Association
- Illinois Community College Board
- Industry Standard: Council on Dental Accreditation of the Amer. Dental Assoc.
Education Information
Associates Degree
80 Weeks ( 1467.00 Hours / 81.00 Credit Hours )
| Tuition | $14,770.00 |
| Books | $2,500.00 |
| Fees | $5,000.00 |
| Tests | $1,800.00 |
| Other Expenses(Materials, Supplies, Tools, Uniforms, etc) | $10,000.00 |
| Total Cost | $34,070.00 |
Financial Aid
- All financial aid depends on the eligibility of the individual
Application Procedure
Must contact Diane Carter-Zubko at 847-758-2372 when approved to pursue program at Harper. Student must apply to Harper College www.harpercollege.edu. Pay $25 application fee or obtain fee waiver code from Diane Carter-Zubko at 847-758-2372. Student will be directed to appropriate Harper College Academic Advisor for an educational plan.
The maximum tuition and fees amount approved for this occupation is $8,000.
Entry Requirements:
- Drug/Alcohol Screening
- HS Diploma/GED
- Physical Exam
- Math - Per College Placement Test Cut-off Scores
- Reading - Per College Placement Test Cut-off Scores
- Language - Instruction is in English
- Writing - Per College Placement Test Cut-off Scores
- Prerequisites - Bio 160, Bio 161, Chm 100, Eng 101, Psy 101
- Other - All credit-seeking WIOA clients must have initial & ongoing academic advising
Nondiscrimination, Equal Opportunity, and Disability Provisions Compliance Assurance
- EEO Compliant: Yes
- Disability Accomodation: Yes
Program Offerings
- Full-Time Enrollment
- Internships
- Classroom Instruction
- Labs
- Day Classes
Performance Data
Program: A.A.S. Dental Hygiene
Overview
Approved By LWIA: 7
Last Re-Certification Date: 10/26/2023
Program Description
This 81-credit hour program prepares the graduate to be a dental hygienist. The dental hygienist is a highly skilled primary care oral health professional with the knowledge and skills to recognize, prevent and treat oral diseases and conditions. As an integral member of the oral health care team, the dental hygienist collaboratively practices evidence-based comprehensive dental hygiene care with the ultimate goal of improving oral health as an essential component of total health. The dental hygienist must have a strong foundation in biomedical science and demonstrate clinical competency including effective communication and interpersonal skills, and professional and ethical behavior. The dental hygienist must also have the ability to evaluate and utilize emerging technologies and apply critical thinking and problem-solving skills to address current and future issues in oral health care.
This degree prepares the graduate for employment as a clinician in a variety of health care settings including solo, group and specialty dental practices, public health clinics, hospitals, and long-term care facilities. With additional education, employment opportunities are available in the corporate sector in sales and as educational specialists, in academia, research, and health care management.
The Associate in Applied Science degree in Dental Hygiene qualifies the graduate to complete the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination, the clinical board examination, and apply for Illinois licensure as a registered dental hygienist.
This program meets the Illinois Board of Dentistry guidelines, is approved by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, and is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association.
Because of the nature of clinical experiences and individualized instruction required in this program and specialized technology and the equipment necessary to offer this program, a higher tuition rate is assessed for career specific courses. These include courses with the prefix DHY. For the Fall 2023 and the Spring 2024 semesters, students will pay the regular rate of tuition and the College will fund the differential portion of tuition. Starting the Summer 2024 semester, students will pay the full differential tuition of 1.5 the regular rate of tuition.
Admission Requirements:
Dental Hygiene is a limited enrollment program. For admission requirements, please contact the Admissions Outreach Office at 847.925.6700 or visit harpercollege.edu.
Students who apply for this limited enrollment program are obligated to meet the current admission requirements and follow program curriculum as defined at the time of acceptance to the program.
Upon admission to the Dental Hygiene program, the mathematics requirement is met.
Established in 1980
CIP: 51-0602 Dental Hygiene/Hygienist.
Established in 1980
CIP: 51-0602 Dental Hygiene/Hygienist.
Provider Information
Harper College
Associated Job Families and Occupations
- Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations
- (291292 )
Certifying / Licensing / Registering Body
Quality Assurance
- North Central Association
- Illinois Community College Board
- Industry Standard: Council on Dental Accreditation of the Amer. Dental Assoc.
Education Information
Associates Degree
80 Weeks ( 1467.00 Hours / 81.00 Credit Hours )
| Tuition | $14,770.00 |
| Books | $2,500.00 |
| Fees | $5,000.00 |
| Tests | $1,800.00 |
| Other Expenses(Materials, Supplies, Tools, Uniforms, etc) | $10,000.00 |
| Total Cost | $34,070.00 |
Financial Aid
- All financial aid depends on the eligibility of the individual
Application Procedure
Must contact Diane Carter-Zubko at 847-758-2372 when approved to pursue program at Harper. Student must apply to Harper College www.harpercollege.edu. Pay $25 application fee or obtain fee waiver code from Diane Carter-Zubko at 847-758-2372. Student will be directed to appropriate Harper College Academic Advisor for an educational plan.
The maximum tuition and fees amount approved for this occupation is $8,000.
Entry Requirements:
- Drug/Alcohol Screening
- HS Diploma/GED
- Physical Exam
- Math - Per College Placement Test Cut-off Scores
- Reading - Per College Placement Test Cut-off Scores
- Language - Instruction is in English
- Writing - Per College Placement Test Cut-off Scores
- Prerequisites - Bio 160, Bio 161, Chm 100, Eng 101, Psy 101
- Other - All credit-seeking WIOA clients must have initial & ongoing academic advising
Nondiscrimination, Equal Opportunity, and Disability Provisions Compliance Assurance
- EEO Compliant: Yes
- Disability Accomodation: Yes
Program Offerings
- Full-Time Enrollment
- Internships
- Classroom Instruction
- Labs
- Day Classes