Degree conferred: Associate in Applied Science - 78 Credits
Program contact: Dental Hygiene Program office, (815) 921-3235
For more information please contact Amanda Lonsway at a.lonsway@rockvalleycollege.edu
Graduates of this program have acquired skills to provide care that supports optimal oral health, including educational, clinical and therapeutic services. Skills are mastered through classroom, laboratory and clinical experiences to provide well-rounded career preparation.
A career in dental hygiene offers opportunities in multiple settings. Registered Dental Hygienists are part of a dental health team. Dental hygienists work in private and corporate dental offices, where they provide treatment and services that help to prevent oral disease such as dental caries and periodontal disease and educate the client about maintenance of optimal oral health. They also work in hospitals, nursing homes, extended care facilities, schools, correctional facilities, health maintenance organizations and higher education institutions where they serve as faculty members.
Graduates are eligible to take two board exams that lead to state licensure. The program is fully accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) under the auspices of the American Dental Association (ADA).
Admission is selective and competitive. All required documents must be submitted to the Dental Hygiene Program office on or before March 31, 2022 to be reviewed for admission for the fall semester. The Dental Hygiene Program holds information sessions that cover prerequisites and other important admission information. Attendance of a session is required to receive an application packet for the program. Schedule a time to attend an information session.
If accepted into the program, the following courses or equivalencies must be completed before starting this program:
Number | Title | |
---|---|---|
BIO-281 | Anatomy and Physiology I | |
BIO-282 | Anatomy and Physiology II | |
BIO-274 | Microbiology | |
SPH-131 | Fundamentals of Communication | |
PSY-170 | General Psychology | |
SOC-190 | Introduction to Sociology | |
FWS-237 | Nutrition for Optimum Living |
Number | Title | |
---|---|---|
DNT-102 | Preventive Dental Hygiene | |
DNT-104 | Dental Anatomy, Histology, Embryology | |
DNT-106 | Head and Neck Anatomy | |
DNT-108 | Pre-Clin Dental Hygiene Theory | |
DNT-109 | Pre-Clinical Dental Hygiene Lab |
Number | Title | |
---|---|---|
DNT-112 | Clinical Dental Hygiene I | |
DNT-113 | Dental Hygiene Theory I | |
DNT-114 | General and Oral Pathology | |
DNT-116 | Dental Radiology Theory | |
DNT-117 | Dental Radiology Lab | |
DNT-118 | Dental Pharmacology | |
DNT-120 | Introduction to Periodontics I |
Number | Title | |
---|---|---|
DNT-208 | Dental Hygiene Pain Management Theory | |
DNT-209 | Dental Hygiene Pain Managment Lab |
Number | Title | |
---|---|---|
DNT-210 | Dental Materials Theory | |
DNT-211 | Dental Materials Lab | |
DNT-212 | Clinical Interim |
Number | Title | |
---|---|---|
DNT-214 | Periodontics II | |
DNT-216 | Clinical Dental Hygiene II | |
DNT-216 | Clinical Dental Hygiene II | |
DNT-217 | Dental Hygiene Theory II | |
DNT-220 | Community Dental Health | |
DNT-221 | Community Dental Health Practicum |
Number | Title | |
---|---|---|
DNT-218 | Dental Ethics, Jurisprudence & Practice | |
DNT-224 | Clinical Dental Hygiene III | |
DNT-224 | Clinical Dental Hygiene III | |
DNT-225 | Dental Hygiene Theory III |
Cooperative Community Colleges are: Blackhawk Technical College.
Questions? Please contact Nursing & Allied Health Academic Advisor, Amanda Lonsway at a.lonsway@rockvalleycollege.edu.
Last updated on April 9, 2020.
The Associate in Applied Science Degree in Dental Hygiene Program at Rock Valley College meets the state education requirements for a registered dental hygiene license in the state of Illinois. Rock Valley College has not determined if the Rock Valley College Dental Hygiene Program meets the state education requirements in any other state, any U.S. Territory, or the District of Columbia. The following link contains additional information on dental hygienist education, training requirements, and professional licensure.
https://www.ada.org/en/education-careers/careers-in-dentistry/dental-team-careers/dental-hygienist/education-training-requirements-dental-hygienist