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A.A.S. in Dental Hygiene

A.A.S. in Dental Hygiene

Total Credit Hours: 94
Degree Format: Traditional

All dental hygiene clinical courses (those with a DHYG prefix) are taught only on the Wiregrass Main Campus at 4089 Val Tech Road, Valdosta GA 31602.

About this field

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. 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 x-rays; 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.

The Valdosta State Difference

The dental hygiene program at Valdosta State is offered in cooperation with Wiregrass Georgia Technical College. Students take academic core courses at Valdosta State, then are directed to apply through a competitive admission process to Wiregrass Georgia Technical College. The top 15 candidates are admitted annually in the fall semester. Wiregrass offers the clinical training portion of the program in a state-of-the-art dental facility. Students graduate with an Associate of Applied Science in Dental Hygiene degree awarded by Valdosta State University. To obtain a license to practice dental hygiene, graduates of the program must complete all clinical requirements and pass the Dental Hygiene National Board and the ADEX clinical exam.

What You'll Learn

Students in the dental hygiene program take core courses in areas including English, mathematics, chemistry, microbiology, anatomy and physiology, history, political science, sociology, psychology, and workplace communication. Clinical training courses at Wiregrass Georgia Technical College, include tooth anatomy, periodontology, oral embryology and histology, head and neck anatomy, dental anesthesia, radiology and clinical dental hygiene.

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 process of care. Program graduates will be certified to administer local anesthesia. Graduates will be equipped to implement procedures and protocols that uphold quality assurance standards across all aspects of dental hygiene practice.