Dental Hygiene – AAS
Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.)
Students of the Dental Hygiene program are prepared to perform preventive dental hygiene procedures including dental prophylaxis, dental radiographs, topical fluorides, anxiety and pain control procedures, oral health education, infection control procedures and dental office procedures. The A.A.S. program is offered in two formats:
Full-Time: 5 semesters of full-time weekday courses, Monday-Friday
Part-Time: 6 semesters of part-time evening and weekend courses
They complete this training in a state-of-the-art clinical setting, the Community Dental Clinic at Plaza College. The Clinic is a community-based clinic that accepts all patients requesting dental hygiene services with no qualifying criteria. Students treat patients in the clinic under the supervision of licensed dentists and dental hygienists.
WHAT IS DENTAL HYGIENE?
A dental hygienist is a licensed healthcare provider, working closely with their patients to reach and maintain optimal oral health and hygiene. Dental hygienists work together with dentists to prevent, identify, and treat oral diseases. They are responsible for providing preventive oral care including, but not limited to, routine x-rays, dental cleanings, and dental education. Dental hygienists may also be certified to perform dental anesthesia in preparation for oral procedures and surgery.
YOU MIGHT LIKE THIS PROGRAM IF:
- You’d like to work hands-on with patients, contributing to their oral and overall health and well-being.
- Abundant opportunity, flexible scheduling, and a competitive salary are aspects of your dream career.
- Earning your degree and beginning your career in only 2 years is appealing to you.
- You’d eventually like to obtain further degrees, but earning your associate’s and getting some work experience under your belt first sounds like a good idea.
The intent of this rigorous curriculum, based on the fundamental knowledge necessary to practice in a variety of settings, is designed to prepare students for entry-level dental hygiene practice with the overall goal of supporting patients in the pursuit of optimal oral health. The Plaza College dental hygiene graduate will be instilled with a deep sense of community involvement and social responsibility, culminating in a capstone dental public health project prior to graduation.
Our professors are subject matter experts in their fields. Throughout the program, they’ll share their knowledge with you, providing a strong foundation and hands-on experience to prepare you for a successful dental career.
The Dental Hygiene program consists of 76 credits of Liberal Arts and Science and Dental Hygiene courses. The Plaza College Dental Hygiene program graduate, given successful curriculum and competency completion, will qualify to take the National Board Examination Dental Hygiene Examination (NBDHE) and the Commission on Dental Competency Assessments (CDCA) Examination. Both the NBDHE and the CDCA examinations are required to apply for licensure in the State of New York. To review the total degree requirements and course sequencing for this program, please visit the College Catalog.
The program in Dental Hygiene is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation. The Commission is a specialized accrediting body recognized by the United States Department of Education.
The Commission on Dental Accreditation can be contacted at:
(877) 379-5537
211 East Chicago Avenue, Chicago, IL 60611-2678.
The Commission’s web address is: https://www.ada.org/en/coda
Applicants of this program must follow all admissions processes and procedures to be considered for admittance.
To learn about any program-specific admissions requirements, please use the “Request Info” button or attend one of our Admissions Events.
COVID-19 Vaccination Requirement: Due to the on-campus and/or clinical requirements of this program, students must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and provide documentation showing proof of vaccination during the enrollment process.
To apply to this program, please begin your Application for Admission.
The deadline for the next Full-Time cohort (Winter 2025) is June 28, 2024. The deadline for the next Part-Time cohort (Fall 2024) is November 3, 2023.
If you have any additional questions, please contact the Admissions Office at 718-505-4188.
