This curriculum prepares individuals with the knowledge and skills to assess, plan, implement, and evaluate dental hygiene care for the individual and the community.

Students will learn to prepare the operatory, take patient histories, note abnormalities, plan care, teach oral hygiene, clean teeth, take x-rays, apply preventive agents, complete necessary chart entries, and perform other procedures related to dental hygiene care.

Graduates of this program may be eligible to take national and state/regional examinations for licensure which are required to practice dental hygiene. Employment opportunities include dental offices, clinics, schools, public health agencies, industry, and professional education.

Specific Requirements

1. General college admission requirements.
2. This program has a competitive selection process. See Selection Criteria and Procedures for Allied Health Programs on the college admissions office web page for full details. www.abtech.edu/Student_Services/admissions/allied_health.asp
3. Have high school credit with grade of at least “C” for four units of English, two units of mathematics (one of which must be algebra), one unit of chemistry, and one unit of biology. Science oriented college preparatory courses are recommended.
4. Acceptable report of medical examination by the first day of class.
5. Completion of required immunizations by first day of class, including first two doses of Hepatitis B vaccine.
6. Students applying to the Dental Hygiene program are encouraged to have successfully completed: BIO 168, BIO 169, BIO 175, CIS 110 or CIS 111, COM 231, ENG 111, HUM 115, and SOC 240 prior to program admission due to the rigorous nature of the Dental Hygiene curriculum.
7.  The North Carolina Board of Dental Examiners may deny license to individuals convicted of a felony or any other crime involving moral turpitude.

Courses requiring a grade of "C" or better: DEN, BIO