Course Catalog

Dental Hygiene, Degree (DH13)  Degree


Campus Locations: Valdosta

The Dental Hygiene program is a sequence of courses that prepares students for positions in the dental profession. Learning opportunities develop academic, technical, and professional knowledge and skills required for job acquisition, retention, and advancement. 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 and prevent diseases of the mouth. These include oral prophylaxis; assessing the head, neck, and oral areas for signs of disease; educating patients about oral hygiene; taking or developing radiographs; and applying fluoride and sealants. In this setting, registered dental hygienists play a vital role in protecting the oral health of the American public. Program graduates receive a Dental Hygiene Associate of Applied Science degree.

Program Outcomes: Graduates will master professional codes and ethical standards essential to clinical dental hygiene practice. They will adeptly apply critical thinking skills in individual and group settings to enhance patient care. The program prepares students with curricula tailored to meet licensure requirements set by dental governing boards, emphasizing safety and competency in clinical dental hygiene. Graduates will be equipped to implement procedures and protocols that uphold quality assurance standards across all aspects of dental hygiene practice.

Careers: Dental Hygienist


Start Terms:

• The clinical portion of this program begins each Fall semester on the Valdosta campus.

Length of Program: 6 Terms

Admission Requirements:

Additional Program Requirements:

Acceptance to the clinical portion of the Dental Hygiene Program is very selective. Enrollment is limited and admission is competitive with only 15 open positions per year. Acceptance to VSU and/or Wiregrass Tech does not guarantee admission to clinical portion of the Dental Hygiene Program.

  • Dental Hygiene is a VSU program taught in cooperation with Wiregrass Georgia Technical College; therefore, applicants should be accepted at both VSU and Wiregrass before making application to the competitive portion of the program.
  • A minimum of 21 credit hours must be completed at VSU to meet the residency requirement and to graduate with the Dental Hygiene Degree
  • Online Application for competitive entry to the clinical portion of the program.is open each year February 1 – March 1.
  • To complete competitive entry application, you MUST have the following to proceed:
    • VSU and Wiregrass Student ID numbers Complete your Wiregrass admission prior competitive entry)
    • HESI A2 Exam scores (Minimum score of 75 on all sections is required)
    • Completed/Documented Shadowing Form
    • Transcripts from all schools attended showing completed and in progress courses.
  • Complete the HESI A2 Exam at VSU. Applicants must have a 75 or better on the HESI, as well as a 75 or better in each of the following individual sections: Reading Comprehensive, Vocabulary, Grammar, Anatomy & Physiology, and Math  
  • Shadowing Form and Requirements:
    • One (1) Clinical Observation Session at Wiregrass Dental Clinic is required. Schedule your shadowing appointment by contacting Gail Blitch. gail.blitch@wiregrass.edu
    • 12 additional shadowing hours must be conducted in 2 different dental offices.
    • Shadowing hours DO NOT expire.  Form is located in the packet found on this page.

Dental Hygiene Program Advising & Application Packet

The mission of the Dental Programs is to provide quality instruction, enabling students to develop knowledge, skills, and work ethics to acquire and retain entry level positions in the dental profession.

The Dental Hygiene program at Wiregrass in collaboration with Valdosta State University is accredited by the Commission on Dental Association (CODA), approval without reporting requirements.

Please see the following links for information related to complaints and third Party comments.

Formal Complaint Process and Policy on Third Party Comments

Contact Information for CODA is:
Commission on Dental Accreditation
211 East Chicago Avenue
Chicago, Illinois 60611
312/440-4653
www.ada.org/coda

The Commission on Dental Accreditation will review complaints that relate to a program's compliance with the accreditation standards. The Commission is interested in the sustained quality and continued improvement of dental and dental-related education programs but does not intervene on behalf of individuals or act as a court of appeal for treatment received by patients or individuals in matters of admission, appointment, promotion or dismissal of faculty, staff or students. A copy of the appropriate accreditation standards and/or the Commission's policy and procedure for submission of complaints may be obtained by contacting the Commission at 211 East Chicago Avenue, Chicago, IL 60611-2678 or by calling 1-800-621-8099 extension 4653.

Any complaints can be made to the Commission at 211 East Chicago Avenue, Chicago, IL 60611, or by calling 1-800-621-8099, extension 4653.

Curriculum Outline (94 hours)
General Core Courses 44
General Education Core - See the Valdosta State University website for more information (44 Hours) 44
Occupational Courses 50
DHYG 1040

Weekly Contact Hours: Lecture - 2 Lab 2 - 0 Lab 3 - 0 Pre-requisite(s): Program Admission Co-requisite(s): DHYG 1050 Provides fundamental skills to be utilized in the delivery of optimum patient care by the dental hygienist. Topics include: patient assessment, instrumentation, charting, occlusion, caries, emergencies, ethics and professionalism, asepsis, and patient and clinician positioning.

2
DHYG 1030

Weekly Contact Hours: Lecture - 1 Lab 2 - 2 Lab 3 - 0 Pre-requisite(s): Program Admission Co-requisite(s): None Focuses on the nature, qualities, composition and manipulation of materials used in dentistry. The primary goal of this course is to enhance the student's ability to make clinical judgments regarding the use and care of dental materials based on how these materials react in the oral environment. Topics include: dental materials standards, dental materials properties, impression materials, gypsum products, mouthguards and whitening systems, dental bases, liners and cements, temporary restorations, classifications for restorative dentistry, direct restorative materials, indirect restorative materials, polishing procedures for dental restorations, removable dental prostheses, sealants, and implants.

2
DHYG 1050

Weekly Contact Hours: Lecture - 0 Lab 2 - 0 Lab 3 - 6 Pre-requisite(s): Program Admission Co-requisite(s): DHYG 1040 Provides fundamental skills to be utilized in the delivery of optimum patient care by the dental hygienist. Topics include: asepsis, ethics and professionalism, emergencies, patient assessment, patient and clinician positioning, instrumentation, charting, occlusion and caries.

2
DHYG 1070

Weekly Contact Hours: Lecture - 2 Lab 2 - 0 Lab 3 - 0 Pre-requisite(s): None Co-requisite(s): DHYG 1080 Emphasizes the application of radiology principles in the study of the teeth and their surrounding structures. Topics include: radiation physics principles; radiation biology; radiation safety; radiographic quality assurance; imaging theory; radiographic interpretation; radiographic need; legal issues of dental radiography; and digital radiography techniques and principles.

2
DHYG 1080

Weekly Contact Hours: Lecture - 3 Lab 2 - 4 Lab 3 - 0 Pre-requisite(s): None Co-requisite(s): None Dental Biology provides the student with a thorough knowledge of external and internal morphological characteristics of human primary and secondary dentition. It also introduces the student to various tooth identification systems, classifications of occlusion and dental anomalies. Topics include: oral cavity anatomy, dental terminology, external and internal tooth anatomy, tooth nomenclature and numbering systems, individual tooth and root morphology, occlusion and dental anomalies. Dental Biology also focuses on the study of cells and tissues of the human body, with emphasis on those tissues that compose the head, neck, and oral cavity. Topics include: cellular structure and organelles, histology of epithelium, histology of muscle tissue, and histology of nerve tissue, histology of connective tissue, embryological development of the head and neck, tooth development and development of tooth supporting structures. Dental Biology focuses on anatomy of the head and neck. Emphasis is placed on those structures directly affected by the practice of dentistry. Topics include: Terminology, anatomic landmarks, osteology of the skull, temporomandibular joint, muscles of mastication, muscles of facial expression, nervous system, blood supply of the head and neck, lymphatic system and immunology, endocrine and exocrine glands of the head and neck, nasal and paranasal sinuses, and fascial spaces and the spread of dental infections.

5
DHYG 1090

Weekly Contact Hours: Lecture - 0 Lab 2 - 0 Lab 3 - 3 Pre-requisite(s): Program Admission, DHYG 1080 Co-requisite(s): None Emphasizes the application of radiology principles in the study of the teeth and their surrounding structures. Topics include: radiation safety, radiographic quality assurance, imaging theory, radiographic interpretation, radiographic need, and digital radiography principles and techniques.

1
DHYG 1110

Weekly Contact Hours: Lecture - 2 Lab 2 - 0 Lab 3 - 0 Pre-requisite(s): DHYG 1040 Co-requisite(s): DHYG 1111 Continues the development of knowledge in patient care. Topics include: prevention, instrumentation, patient management, dental appliances, and treatment planning.

2
DHYG 1111

Weekly Contact Hours: Lecture - 0 Lab 2 - 0 Lab 3 - 9 Pre-requisite(s): DHYG 1050 Co-requisite(s): DHYG 1110 Continues the development of knowledge in patient care. Topics include: prevention, instrumentation, patient management, dental appliances, treatment planning, and applied techniques.

3
DHYG 1112
Prerequisites: DHYG 1040, DHYG 1050, DHYG 1080, DHYG 1206 Corequisites: DHYG 1110, DHYG 1111, DHYG 2200

Weekly Contact Hours: Lecture - 2 Lab 2 - 1 Lab 3 - 0 Pre-requisite(s): Program Admission, DHYG 1040, DHYG 1050, DHYG 1080, DHYG 1206 Co-requisite(s): DHYG 1110, DHYG 1111, DHYG 2200 DHYG 1112 Administration of Local Anesthetic for Dental Hygienist will be taught under the direct supervision and instruction of a Georgia licensed dentist. Course will explore all aspects of local anesthesia from pharmacology to anatomy and clinical management of all dental patients. Clinical techniques will include block anesthesia and/or soft tissue infiltration anesthesia to a non-sedated patient for pain control. Special emphasis will be placed on administering anesthesia to periodontal patients. Couse will be taught through lecture, laboratory and clinical formats. Upon successful completion of all specified course requirements and graduation from the dental hygiene program, the student will be eligible to receive a certificate of completion.

2
DHYG 1206

Weekly Contact Hours: Lecture - 3 Lab 2 - 0 Lab 3 - 0 Pre-requisite(s): Program Admission Co-requisite(s): None Introduces principles of basic pharmacology as they pertain to the practice of dentistry and dental hygiene. Emphasizes actions and reactions of medications commonly used in the dental office or taken by dental patients. Topics include: pharmaceutical referencing; legal and ethical considerations; drug effects; contraindications; drug related emergencies; dental related anesthesia; and pain control.

3
DHYG 2010

Weekly Contact Hours: Lecture - 2 Lab 2 - 0 Lab 3 - 0 Pre-requisite(s): DHYG 1070, DHYG 1110 Co-requisite(s): DHYG 2020 Continues the development of student knowledge in treating patients and preventing oral disease. Topics include: instrument sharpening; patient assessment; antimicrobial use; pulp vitality testing; treatment of hypersensitivity; whitening; implant care; tobacco cessation; pit and fissure sealants, scaling, debridement and root planing; ultrasonics and air polishing and dietary analysis.

2
DHYG 2200

Weekly Contact Hours: Lecture - 3 Lab 2 - 0 Lab 3 - 0 Pre-requisite(s): DHYG 1080 Co-requisite(s): None Provides fundamental information on periodontal anatomy, pathogenesis of the periodontal diseases, and an introduction to modern rational periodontal therapy, including preventive, non-surgical, and surgical methods. Topics include: tissues of the periodontium; periodontal pathology; periodontal diseases; assessment and treatment planning; periodontal disease therapy; and periodontal emergencies.

3
DHYG 2020

Weekly Contact Hours: Lecture - 0 Lab 2 - 0 Lab 3 - 6 Pre-requisite(s): DHYG 1070, DHYG 1090, DHYG 1111 Co-requisite(s): DHYG 2010 Continues the development of student knowledge in treating patients and preventing oral disease. Topics include: instrument sharpening; patient assessment; antimicrobial use; pulp vitality testing; treatment of hypersensitivity; whitening; implant care; tobacco cessation; pit and fissure sealants; scaling, debridement and root planing; ultrasonics and air polishing; dietary analysis, and applied techniques.

2
DHYG 2050

Weekly Contact Hours: Lecture - 3 Lab 2 - 0 Lab 3 - 0 Pre-requisite(s): DHYG 1080 Co-requisite(s): None Introduces pathology as a specialty of dentistry and includes the etiology, pathogenesis and recognition of various pathological conditions. Emphasis is placed on oral and paraoral pathology and systemic conditions affecting the head and neck. Topics include: terminology and biopsy procedures; inflammation, repair, and regeneration; soft tissue and dental anomalies; pathogenesis of caries and pulpal pathology; cysts and tumors of the head and neck; systemic conditions that affect the oral structures; infectious diseases; diseases of the salivary glands; diseases of bone; blood dyscrasias; vesiculo-erosive and autoimmune diseases; and genetic diseases and syndromes of the head and neck.

3
DHYG 2090

Weekly Contact Hours: Lecture - 0 Lab 2 - 0 Lab 3 - 12 Pre-requisite(s): DHYG 2020 Co-requisite(s): DHYG 2080 Continues the development of student skills necessary for treatment and prevention of oral disease. Topics include: special needs patients and applied techniques.

4
DHYG 2070

Weekly Contact Hours: Lecture - 1 Lab 2 - 4 Lab 3 - 0 Pre-requisite(s): DHYG 1110 Co-requisite(s): None Provides students with a broad understanding of the healthcare system and an objective view of the significant social, political, psychological and economic forces directing the system. Prepares students to promote oral health and prevent oral disease in a community, by meeting specific dental health needs of community groups. Topics include: epidemiology; community dental care assessment; community dental care provision; preventive counseling for groups; group oral health education; terminology; dental care systems; biostatistics; and concepts of dental research.

3
DHYG 2080

Weekly Contact Hours: Lecture - 2 Lab 2 - 0 Lab 3 - 0 Pre-requisite(s): DHYG 2010 Co-requisite(s): DHYG 2090 Continues the development of student knowledge necessary for treatment and prevention of oral diseases. Topics include: treatment of patients with special needs.

2
DHYG 2105

Weekly Contact Hours: Lecture - 1 Lab 2 - 0 Lab 3 - 0 Pre-requisite(s): CHEM 1152/L Co-requisite(s): None Familiarizes students with the role of nutrition in the human body with an emphasis on the dental hygienist's role as a nutritional educator. Topics include: molecular structure, carbohydrates, proteins, nutrition and digestion, bioenergetics, nutritional aspects, nutritional disorders, and diet assessment.

1
DHYG 2130

Weekly Contact Hours: Lecture - 2 Lab 2 - 0 Lab 3 - 0 Pre-requisite(s): DHYG 2080 Co-requisite(s): DHYG 2140 Focuses on the dental hygiene field and presents the fundamental concepts and principles necessary for successful participation in the dental profession. Topics include: employability skills; State of Georgia Dental Practice Act; office management; expanded duties; legal aspects; ethics; dental hygiene practice settings; and dentistry and dental hygiene regulation.

2
DHYG 2140

Weekly Contact Hours: Lecture - 0 Lab 2 - 0 Lab 3 - 12 Pre-requisite(s): DHYG 2090 Co-requisite(s): DHYG 2130 Continues the development of student skills necessary for treatment and prevention of oral disease. Topics include: applied techniques and time management.

4
Faculty
Advisor

Dental Hygiene Clinical Coordinator
Valdosta Campus

Advisor

Director of Dental Programs
Valdosta Campus

Advisor

Dental Hygiene Instructor
Valdosta Campus

Advisor

Program Dentist
Valdosta Campus

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