Dental Hygiene

Description

The dental hygiene program is offered through a unique partnership with the University of Oklahoma (OU) and SouthernTech.  A registered dental hygienist (RDH) is a licensed healthcare professional, oral health educator and clinician who provides preventive, educational, and therapeutic services supporting total health for the control of oral diseases and the promotion of oral health.  In addition to treating patients directly, dental hygienists may work as educators, researchers, and administrators.  Students engage in lectures through interactive video-conferencing delivered live from the College of Dentistry, located in downtown Oklahoma City.  All laboratory and clinical training are conducted at the new state-of the-art dental hygiene clinic located at SouthernTech, an accredited dental hygiene education program.  State licensure mandates that a dental hygienist must graduate from an accredited dental hygiene education program.

Accreditation

American Dental Association (ADA) Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA)

Application

All curriculum, fees, application, etc. are processed through the OU Health Sciences Center College of Dentistry. There are 60 hours of specified prerequisite coursework required prior to application of the program, which may be taken at any higher education institution. Once an applicant is awarded acceptance into the program, the dental hygiene curriculum is two years and is held on the SouthernTech campus. Upon graduation, students are awarded a Bachelor of Science degree in Dental Hygiene from the University of Oklahoma and are eligible to take examinations for licensure to practice as a registered dental hygienist (RDH). For the list of prerequisite coursework, transfer policies, forms, fees, admission statistics, and the entire application process, please visit dentistry.ouhsc.edu.

Courses (2641 hours)

Pediatric Dentistry (44 hours)
Dental Pharmacology (45 hours)
Geriatric Dentistry (44 hours)
General and Oral Histology (88 hours)
Dental Morphology (44 hours)
Clinical Dental Hygiene (88 hours)
Clinical Dental Hygiene Theory (45 hours)
Oral Diagnosis (88 hours)
Clinical Dental Hygiene Theory II (88 hours)
Head and Neck Anatomy (88 hours)
Applied Dental Materials (44 hours)
Oral Radiography I (130 hours)
Preventive Dentistry (130 hours)
Oral Radiography II (44 hours)
Dental Hygiene Research Methods (130 hours)
Dental Materials Science (44 hours)
Dental Hygiene Clinical Rotations I (44 hours)
Dental Hygiene Process of Care (44 hours)
Clinical Dental Hygiene III (260 hours)
Dental Hygiene Clinical Rotations II (44 hours)
Periodontics I (44 hours)
Dental Hygiene Senior Project Capstone (130 hours)
Dental Hygiene Practice Management (44 hours)
Dental Ethics and Jurisprudence (44 hours)
Advanced Clinical Dental Hygiene Practice (88 hours)
Clinical Dental Hygiene IV (260 hours)
Pain Control for Dental Hygiene Care (88 hours)
Oral Pathology (176 hours)
Periodontics II (44 hours)
Community Health Issues in Dental (88 hours)
Community Health Practicum (15 hours)
Periodontics III (44 hours)

Estimated time to complete: 2 years

Employment Options

The following list is associated with the approved SOC (Standard Occupational Classification) for this program and does not necessarily represent immediate opportunities; additional training may be required for some options listed.

Dental Hygienist; Dental Hygienist, Mobile Coordinator; Education Coordinator; Hygienist; Implant Coordinator; Pediatric Dental Hygienist; Registered Dental Hygienist (RDH); Registered Dental Hygienist, Part Time Clinical Faculty – Approximate Pay Potential: $16-48/Hour. (source: 29-1292.00 - Dental Hygienists):