Dental Hygiene

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Our Dental Hygiene Degree program is designed to prepare students with essential skills for success in the dental profession. We prioritize a humanistic culture and positive learning environment, providing ample opportunities for both technical expertise and professional development. With a focus on compassionate care, effective communication, and ethical practice, we instill values of integrity, empathy, and service to humanity. Graduates earn a Dental Hygiene Associate of Applied Science Degree, reflecting their readiness for a fulfilling career characterized by excellence and compassion.

The standard curriculum for the Dental Hygiene Degree program is designed for the semester system. Prospective students may begin taking prerequisite core courses any semester. Once the prerequisite core classes have been completed and students have been competitively admitted into the Dental Hygiene program, the program is six (6) semesters. A new cohort of Dental Hygiene students is competitively admitted into the Dental Hygiene program one (1) time per year, during the summer semester. To graduate, degree-seeking students must earn a minimum of 86 semester credit hours.

Scope of Practice and Employment Opportunities:
Registered dental hygienists work in a variety of professional settings. The public is most familiar with dental hygienists in the private dental office, where they perform numerous critical services designed to detect, prevent, and treat diseases of the mouth. These include but are not limited to oral prophylaxis; treating periodontal disease; examining the head, neck, and oral cavity for signs of disease and infection; educating patients about oral hygiene and treatment options; exposing and interpreting dental radiographs; obtaining impressions and performing whitening procedures; and applying fluoride and sealants. Registered dental hygienists play a vital role in protecting the oral health of the American public as well as function as a vital member of the dental community. Other employment settings include hospitals, military bases, correctional facilities, health departments, dental supply companies, insurance companies, colleges, and universities.

The Georgia Career Information System projects a growing demand for dental hygienists in the near future, with the outlook for this profession indicating rapid expansion. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, "employment of dental hygienists is expected to grow much faster than the average for all occupations." Furthermore, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the median salary for dental hygienists stands at $81,400 annually.

Dental Hygiene Program Mission Statement:
The mission of the Dental Hygiene Program at Southeastern Technical College is to educate students through the transmission of dental science knowledge acquired from formal didactic and clinical study, self-directed research, and client/patient care. The program is committed to excellence in the theory and practice of dental hygiene and in the development of competent, socially sensitive, and ethically responsible healthcare professionals.

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