Dental Hygiene

Code	111.A0
Diploma	DCS
Sector	Health Services
Number of credits	83 1/3
Approximate duration in months	36 months
Status	Program approuved in 1997.

Note(s)
This program is offered in French: Techniques d'hygiène dentaire

Program Objectives

To be able to work towards improving and maintaining the oral health of the population and undertake the role of dental health educator. Treatment and prevention.

Length of training

Specific (hours)	Total (hours)
1800	2460

Total length of training includes general training that is common to all programs for 420 hours, general training for this program for 150 hours as well as complementary general training courses for 90 hours.

Duration of training consists of theory and lab work for courses; personal time that the student invests is excluded.

Program Content

Number or Code	Statement of the Competency
00L6	To analyze the occupation
00L7	To apply universal precautions
00L8	To apply health and safety measures
00L9	To perform administrative tasks in relation to the job environment
00LA	To examine the normal structures and functions of the head and neck
00LB	To make connections between health history and dental hygiene treatments
00LC	To detect oral diseases
00LD	To produce radiographs of the oral cavity
00LE	To be able to communicate in a professional manner with the client and the work team
00LF	To make connections between nutrition and oral health
00LG	To develop a preventive treatment plan
00LH	To inform the client of possible treatments
00LJ	To educate the client about preventive measures related to oral health
00LK	To perform periodontal procedures
00LL	To perform selective polishing
00LM	To perform procedures related to prosthodontics
00LN	To contribute to orthodontic treatments
00LP	To perform restorative dentistry
00LQ	To intervene in the area of preventive dental health

Number of hours allotted to specific training: 1180

Admission Conditions and Prerequisites

To be admitted to the program, a person must meet the general requirements for admission set out in the College Education Regulations, as well as the following special conditions, where applicable:

Must have passed the following secondary-level course(s):

• Sec. V Chemistry – Secondary V Chemistry (551504)

Educational Organizations Offering the Program

Region:

Specifics:

College	D/E
Cégep John Abbott	—

Dental Hygienist

Dental hygienists perform cleanings (scaling) and teeth polishing. They assist the dentist or orthodontist during treatments and secure orthodontic attachments. They take dental radiographs, instruct patients on oral hygiene and infection prevention, and remove stitches and periodontal dressings. This is an essential job that requires cleanliness, discretion and method. A job as a dental hygienist is suited to neat, orderly people with good visual acuity and excellent dexterity.