Dental Hygiene (AST)

*denotes programs accredited by the Council on Occupational Education – https://council.org/

 

Program Description: The program combines classroom theory and laboratory experience on topics including patient assessment, documentation, prevention techniques, therapeutic dental hygiene treatment, local anesthetic, sealants, impressions, fluoride application and dental radiography for entry level dental hygienist.

By completing the program, students will be eligible to take the dental hygiene national boards and state/regional clinical boards. Students will be instructed on dental hygiene practice, dental practice administration, dental radiology, and all aspects of customer relations. The demand for trained dental hygienists has steadily increased over the past decade and this growth is expected to continue. Dental hygienists may find employment opportunities in private dental offices, public health clinics, hospitals, dental insurance companies, educational facilities, dental sales, and research.

LCCTC does not guarantee job placement to graduates upon program completion and graduation. Graduate may need to relocate to attain employment after program completion.

Program Objectives:
To assist students in obtaining the entry level technical skills and work ethics necessary to qualify for employment and success in the Dental Hygiene field.

  • Perform Oral Health Care Assessments That Include The Review Of Patients’ Health History, Dental Charting, Oral Cancer Screening, And Evaluation Of Gum Disease / Health
  • Expose, Process, And Interpret Dental Radiographs (X-Rays)
  • Remove Plaque And Calculus (“Tartar”) From Above And Below The Gumline Using Dental Instruments
  • Apply Cavity-Preventive Agents Such As Fluorides And Sealants To The Teeth
  • Administer Local Anesthetic And / Or Nitrous Oxide Analgesia
  • Educate Patients On Proper Oral Hygiene Techniques To Maintain Healthy Teeth And Gums
  • Counsel Patients About Plaque Control And Developing Individualized At-Home Oral Hygiene Programs
  • Administer Smoking Cessation Programs
  • Counsel Patients On The Importance Of Good Nutrition For Maintaining Optimal Oral Health.

ETHICAL SKILLS

  • Demonstrate ethics and professionalism.
  • Adhere to ADHA Code of Ethics
  • Demonstrate entry level competency in all areas of legal

Details on Dates of Classes and other information is available on the registration portal.  Click here to go to the portal.

Health Considerations for Dental Hygienists
Frequently Asked Questions

For information regarding Adult Education tuition, fees and other program related expenses, go to our Forms & Documents webpage and click the current year “Post Secondary Tuition Rates” sheet. 

The LCCTC Dental Hygiene is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation [and has been granted the accreditation status of “approval without reporting requirements”]. The Commission is a specialized accrediting body recognized by the United States Department of Education. The Commission on Dental Accreditation can be contacted at (312) 440-4653 or at 211 East Chicago Avenue, Chicago, IL 60611. The Commissions web address is https://coda.ada.org/.

Click here to learn why CODA accreditation is so important.

This program is also accredited by the Council on Occupational Education – https://council.org/