Dental Hygiene

The Associate of Applied Science degree in Dental Hygiene prepares the graduate to be a clinically competent, entry – level Registered Dental Hygienist.  Dental hygienists are the preventative specialists of the dental field. 

The COM Dental Hygiene program is academically rigorous in didactic coursework and in the development of clinical skills on live patients performed on campus in our Dental Hygiene Clinic. 

Graduates from the program will be eligible to sit for the Dental Hygiene National Board Exam, the ADEX Clinical Board Exam, and may also apply for a Dental Hygiene license from the state of Texas. 

The program is 2 years (5 semesters) in length and begins in August.  A limited number of students is selected once a year through the application process.   

Admission to the college does not guarantee admission to the program. Students must apply for admission to the program once all prerequisite courses and admission criteria are met. For admission and program information, contact Student Services Enrollment Management (new students) or Advising (returning/continuing students).

Graduation Requirements:

To be eligible for an Associate of Applied Science degree in Dental Hygiene, the student must:

  • Complete all course and program requirements for the degree being conferred with a minimum grade of “C” in all courses.   
  • Be clear of all holds and financial obligations to COM. 

​Accreditation

The College of the Mainland Dental Hygiene program is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation and has been granted the accreditation status of “initial accreditation”. 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.  A copy of the Dental Hygiene Educational Standards, the Commission's policies and procedures used in the accreditation process, and the policy on complaints/third party comments are available for review on the Commission’s website at: http://coda.ada.org/.

CODA Image

Effective September 1, 2017, HB 1508 amends the Texas Occupations Code Section 53 that requires education providers to notify potential or enrolled students that a criminal history may make them ineligible for an occupational license upon program completion.  Program specific information will be provided in course syllabi.

Full-Time Schedules

Associate of Applied Science - Dental Hygiene

Associate of Applied Science - Dental Hygiene

Full-Time Student Schedule

Plan of Study Grid
First Year
Prerequisite CoursesSemester Credit Hours
ENGL 1301 Composition I 3
BIOL 2401 Anatomy & Physiology I 4
BIOL 2402 Anatomy & Physiology II 4
CHEM 1406 Introductory Chemistry I 4
BIOL 2420 Microbiology for Non-Science Majors 4
 Semester Credit Hours19
Semester #1
DHYG 1201 Orofacial Anatomy, Histology & Embryology 2
DHYG 1304 Dental Radiology 3
DHYG 1227 Preventive Dental Hygiene Care 2
DHYG 1431 Preclinical Dental Hygiene 4
 Semester Credit Hours11
Semester #2
DHYG 1191 Special Topics in Dental Hygienist 1
DHYG 1211 Periodontology 2
DHYG 2201 Dental Hygiene Care I 2
DHYG 1235 Pharmacology for the Dental Hygienist 2
DHYG 1261 Clinical - Dental Hygiene/Hygienist 2
PSYC 2301
General Psychology
or Lifespan Growth & Development
3
 Semester Credit Hours12
Semester #3
DHYG 1162 Clinical - Dental Hygiene/Hygienist 1
SPCH 1318
Interpersonal Communication
or Public Speaking
3
SOCI 1301 Introduction to Sociology 3
 Semester Credit Hours7
Second Year
Semester #1
DHYG 1239 General and Oral Pathology 2
DHYG 1219 Dental Materials 2
DHYG 2231 Dental Hygiene Care II 2
DHYG 1207 General and Dental Nutrition 2
DHYG 2261 Clinical - Dental Hygiene/Hygienist 2
 Semester Credit Hours10
Semester #2
DHYG 1215 Community Dentistry 2
DHYG 2153 Dental Hygiene Practice 1
DHYG 2362 Clinical - Dental Hygiene/Hygienist 3
PHIL 2306 Introduction to Ethics 3
 Semester Credit Hours9
 Total Semester Credit Hours68
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