Dr. Jennifer McCann, Chair, School of Dental Sciences, 386-785-2093, Jennifer.McCann@daytonastate.edu
Melissa Brown-Mack, Advisor, 386-506-3052, Melissa.Brown-Mack@daytonastate.edu
Admission Note
Limited Access Program: Admission to this program is selective and requires completion of additional admission and enrollment requirements.
Program Overview
Mission:
The Dental Hygiene Program develops professional, ethical, and competent members of the oral health team who provide quality, patient-centered care to diverse populations in a variety of health care settings. The program is committed to excellence in teaching and learning and emphasizes student success.
Description:
Students learn to remove deposits from tooth surfaces, provide oral physiotherapy methods, obtain and analyze dental digital radiographic images, and deliver oral health education. Dental hygienists are licensed professionals who, under the supervision of a licensed dentist, provide preventive, therapeutic, and educational services.
During the final semester of the program, students are eligible to take the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination. Upon successful completion of the examination and graduation from the program, graduates are eligible to take state or regional licensure examinations.
Program Accreditation: The Dental Hygiene Program is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA). Daytona State College is institutionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).
Outcomes:
Graduates of the program will be able to:
- Apply the dental hygiene process of care for patients of all ages and health conditions.
- Demonstrate effective interpersonal and communication skills.
- Apply ethical, legal, and regulatory concepts to oral health care.
- Demonstrate self-assessment skills for lifelong learning.
- Evaluate scientific literature for evidence-based practice.
Program Requirements
Admission:
- Possess a standard high school diploma or GED.
- Be at least 18 years of age.
- PERT scores at the 10th-grade level in reading, language, and mathematics, unless exempt.
- Complete a physical examination and required immunizations, including negative TB screening.
- Complete Basic Life Support (BLS) certification for Health Care Providers through the American Heart Association or American Red Cross.
- Complete a satisfactory FDLE/FBI background check and drug screening.
- Earn a minimum TEAS composite score of 65%.
- TEAS scores must be earned in a single attempt.
- A maximum of four TEAS attempts is permitted per calendar year.
- TEAS scores are valid for three years.
- Only TEAS scores earned at Daytona State College are accepted.
Enrollment:
Continuing enrollment approval is required prior to enrollment in program-specific courses.
- Maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher.
- Earn a grade of "C" or better in the following courses:
- ENC1101 Introduction to Composition
- MGF2130 Mathematical Thinking
- BSC1085C Human Anatomy and Physiology I with Lab
- BSC1086C Human Anatomy and Physiology II with Lab
- CHM1025C Introduction to Chemistry with Lab
- Complete a minimum of eight observation hours with a dental hygienist in a general or periodontal practice.
Completion:
- Earn a grade of "C" or better in all program-specific and prerequisite courses.
- Complete Dental Hygiene courses in the sequence published in the sample program of study.
Financial Aid
This program is eligible for federal financial aid and the Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Program.
Financing Options: All students are encouraged to apply for federal and state student financial assistance by completing the FAFSA at
studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa.
For more information on grants, loans, and work programs available, please see the Office of Financial Aid webpage at
daytonastate.edu/financial-aid/.
Students are also encouraged to apply for one of the many Daytona State College Foundation scholarships offered each semester. For more information, see:
daytonastate.edu/scholarships/.
Career and Labor Market Information
Graduates may pursue employment as dental hygienists, including roles such as Registered Dental Hygienist (RDH), Preventive Dental Care Hygienist, and Clinical Dental Hygienist. In the Brevard-Flagler-Volusia workforce region, approximately 734 dental hygienists are employed, with an average annual salary of $75,740 and 58 annual job openings.
| SOC Alignment |
29-2021 – Dental Hygienists |
| Average Hourly Wage |
$36.41 |
| Average Annual Salary |
$75,740 |
| Annual Job Openings |
58 |
| Regional Employment |
Approximately 734 employed |
Wage Distribution: 10th percentile: $61,820 | 50th percentile: $75,740 | 90th percentile: $94,110.
Data Sources: CareerSource Brevard Flagler Volusia Regional Demand Occupations List; FloridaCommerce Employment Projections Region 27; BLS OEWS Deltona–Daytona Beach–Ormond Beach MSA; SOC 29-2021.
Note: It is never too early to prepare for your career. Log in to the Daytona State Career Services Student Job Board to create your account, submit your resume for review, search for employment opportunities, and practice your interviewing skills through Big Interview. For assistance, contact Career Services to connect with a Career Advisor.
16 Credits
Communication Core (3 credits)
Required General Education course:
| ENC1101 | Introduction to Composition | 3.00 |
Mathematics Core (3 credits)
Recommended Math Pathway:
Natural Sciences Core (4 credits)
Required course:
| BSC1085C | Human Anatomy and Physiology I and Lab | 4.00 |
Humanities Core (3 credits)
Recommended courses. Choose one:
Social Sciences Core (3 credits)
Required courses. Choose one:
| AMH2010 | United States History to 1877 | 3.00 |
| AMH2020 | United States History 1865 to Present | 3.00 |
| POS2041 | American Federal Government | 3.00 |
Program Specific Courses
72 Credits
| PSY1012 | General Psychology | 3.00 |
| SYG2000 | Introduction to Sociology | 3.00 |
| BSC1086C | Human Anatomy & Physiology II and Lab | 4.00 |
| CHM1025C | Introduction to Chemistry and Lab | 4.00 |
| HUN1201 | Human Nutrition | 3.00 |
| DEH1002C | Preclinical Dental Hygiene and Lab | 4.00 |
| DEH1133 | Orofacial Anatomy and Physiology | 3.00 |
| DEH1602 | Periodontology | 3.00 |
| DEH1800 | Clinical Dental Hygiene I | 2.00 |
| DEH1800L | Dental Hygiene Clinic I | 2.00 |
| DEH1802 | Clinical Dental Hygiene II | 2.00 |
| DEH1802L | Dental Hygiene Clinic II | 2.00 |
| DEH2300 | Pharmacology | 2.00 |
| DEH2400 | General and Oral Pathology | 2.00 |
| DEH2702C | Community Dental Health and Lab | 3.00 |
| DEH2804 | Clinical Dental Hygiene III | 2.00 |
| DEH2804L | Dental Hygiene Clinic III | 3.00 |
| DEH2806 | Clinical Dental Hygiene IV | 2.00 |
| DEH2806L | Dental Hygiene Clinic IV | 3.00 |
| DES1010 | Head and Neck Anatomy | 2.00 |
| DES1054 | Pain Control and Anesthesia | 2.00 |
| DES1100C | Elements of Dental Materials and Lab | 3.00 |
| DES1200C | Dental Radiography and Lab | 3.00 |
| DES1832L | Expanded Functions for the Dental Hygienist | 2.00 |
| DES1840 | Preventive Dentistry | 2.00 |
| DES2600 | Medical and Dental Emergencies | 2.00 |
| MCB1010C | Microbiology and Lab | 4.00 |
DEH1602 meets the graduation requirement for the basic use of computers for this program.
Sample Program of Study
Prerequisite Courses
| BSC1085C | Human Anatomy and Physiology I and Lab | 4.00 |
| BSC1086C | Human Anatomy & Physiology II and Lab | 4.00 |
| CHM1025C | Introduction to Chemistry and Lab | 4.00 |
| ENC1101 | Introduction to Composition | 3.00 |
| MGF2130 | Mathematical Thinking | 3.00 |
Year 1
Summer Semester (Term B - Six Weeks)
| DEH1133 | Orofacial Anatomy and Physiology | 3.00 |
Fall Semester
Spring Semester
| HUN1201 | Human Nutrition | 3.00 |
| DEH1602 | Periodontology | 3.00 |
| DEH1800 | Clinical Dental Hygiene I | 2.00 |
| DEH1800L | Dental Hygiene Clinic I | 2.00 |
| DES1054 | Pain Control and Anesthesia | 2.00 |
| DES1832L | Expanded Functions for the Dental Hygienist | 2.00 |
DEH1602 meets the graduation requirement for the basic use of computers for this program.
Summer Semester (Term A - Six Weeks)
| DEH1802 | Clinical Dental Hygiene II | 2.00 |
| DEH1802L | Dental Hygiene Clinic II | 2.00 |
| DES1100C | Elements of Dental Materials and Lab | 3.00 |
Summer Semester (Term B - Six Weeks)
| Social Sciences Core - Civic Literacy course | 3.00 |
Year 2
Fall Semester
| SYG2000 | Introduction to Sociology | 3.00 |
| DEH2300 | Pharmacology | 2.00 |
| DEH2400 | General and Oral Pathology | 2.00 |
| DEH2804 | Clinical Dental Hygiene III | 2.00 |
| DEH2804L | Dental Hygiene Clinic III | 3.00 |
| DES2600 | Medical and Dental Emergencies | 2.00 |
Spring Semester
| PSY1012 | General Psychology | 3.00 |
| Humanities Core | 3.00 |
| DEH2702C | Community Dental Health and Lab | 3.00 |
| DEH2806 | Clinical Dental Hygiene IV | 2.00 |
| DEH2806L | Dental Hygiene Clinic IV | 3.00 |
Humanities Core: See list of accepted courses listed under General Education Courses.
Note: Sequence of courses may vary. Check catalog course descriptions for requisite requirements.
Total Credit Hours: 88