Associate in Applied Science in Dental Hygiene

Dental Hygiene
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Field of Interest

Field of Interest: Health Sciences

The Associate in Applied Science (AAS) in Dental Hygiene degree prepares students to become primary care oral health professionals. A licensed dental hygienist may provide education, assessment, diagnostic, preventive and therapeutic services, research, and administrative services that support overall health through the promotion of optimal oral health. Hygienists may be employed in general or specialty dental practice in private or public healthcare settings. The program also prepares students for university transfer.

The dental hygiene program offers a rigorous, intensive, science-based curriculum. Students will provide services in clinical settings and will develop a commitment to the community through offsite educational and enrichment experiences serving diverse populations. Successful students will develop and demonstrate critical thinking, as well as ethical and professional behaviors required by the field.

Applicants should possess hand-eye coordination, manual dexterity, attention to detail, and the ability to persevere through a rigorous academic and clinical full-time program workload. Students in an MCCCD Dental Hygiene program will be exposed to bloodborne pathogens and infectious diseases. The program strictly adheres to established policies and procedures regarding infection control as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, American Dental Association, the Organization for Safety and Asepsis Procedures, and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

The Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association (211 E. Chicago Ave., Suite 1900, Chicago, IL 60611-2637; (312) 440-4653) grants accreditation to the Phoenix College, Rio Salado College, and Mesa Community College programs. The Commission is a specialized accrediting body recognized by the United States Department of Education.

This program is designed to meet education requirements for licensure or certification in the State of Arizona. Granting licensure and certification is the sole responsibility of the state board or approval agency. This program is only offered and available to students located in the State of Arizona. The Maricopa County Community College District and colleges define student location within Administrative Regulation 2.2.3(7).

Details

Details icon Important information you’ll need when applying for admission:

Field of Interest
Health Sciences
Type
Associate in Applied Science (AAS)
Academic Plan
Dental Hygiene (DEG)
Academic Plan Code
3831
Total Credits Required
96-111.5
Catalog Year
2025-2026
Effective Term
Fall 2025
Notes

Students must earn a grade of C or better in all courses within the program.

Students must complete the Basic Science courses with a GPA of 3.5 or better and General Education courses with a GPA of 3.25.

Basic Science courses must have been completed within the last five years upon application submission or as determined by the Dental Health Professions Instructional Council.

Students must earn a grade of 75% or better in the Required Courses area within the core program.
Students should consult with an advisor prior to applying to the program.

For students planning to pursue a Bachelor's completion pathway or to complete an AGEC-A: MHL155 and PHI213 are recommended for the Humanities, Arts and Design area for a total of 6 credits in this area.

COM225 with the [L] designation is recommended for the Oral Communication area. PSY101 and SOC101 are recommended for the Social Behavioral area.

An additional course(s) may be required to meet NAU Degree completion requirements.

What You’ll Learn

This pathway map will help you gain the expertise needed to:

  1. Adhere to state and federal laws, recommendations, and regulations in the provision of oral health care.
  2. Systematically assess comprehensive data on the general and oral health needs of patients from diverse populations.
  3. Use critical decision making to interpret data and create a dental hygiene diagnosis.
  4. Design and present a patient-centered dental hygiene care plan utilizing evidence-based research and professional standards.
  5. Implement comprehensive dental hygiene services to achieve and maintain patients optimal health.
  6. Evaluate the outcome of dental hygiene care during active and maintenance treatment phases and refer to appropriate healthcare providers if indicated.
  7. Record accurate, consistent, and complete documentation throughout the process of care.
  8. Employ effective interpersonal communication with patients, families, and the healthcare team in a culturally competent, ethical, and professional manner.
  9. Practice professional and ethical behaviors as accepted by healthcare professionals.
  10. Demonstrate self-assessment and self-regulation strategies for lifelong learning.
  11. Advocate for healthy communities through the provision of community-based preventive and therapeutic oral healthcare services.

Career Opportunities

Successful completion of this degree may lead to employment in a variety of different occupations and industries. Below are examples of related occupations with associated Maricopa County-based annual median wages* for this degree. Education requirements vary for the occupations listed below, so you may need further education or degrees in order to qualify for some of these jobs and earn the related salaries. Please visit with an academic advisor and/or program director for additional information. You can click on any occupation to view the detail regarding education level, wages, and employment information.

Dental Hygienists

$93,683

* Career and wage information provided by Lightcast using data, reports, and forecasts which are generated using government data sources and Lightcast’s proprietary analytical processes. Lightcast’s data covers multiple classes of workers including QCEW, non-QCEW, and those who are self-employed. Disclaimer

Admission Criteria

High school diploma or GED equivalency is required.

Program applications will not be accepted without a copy of an Arizona Department of Public Safety Level One Fingerprint Clearance Card.

General education courses must be completed to apply for an available space to begin the core dental hygiene courses.

Acknowledgement of ability to fully participate in classroom, laboratory, or clinical setting program activities.

Formal application and acceptance to the program is required.

After being placed in the program, the following are required:
Admission to an Allied Health program requires that students be in compliance with the Maricopa County Community College District Supplemental Background Check policy. Upon conditional program admission, the student must comply with all requirements of the current MCCCD background check policy.

Complete and submit the required proof of immunity and health declaration form signed by a licensed health care provider.

Submit to a drug screening and demonstrate negative results.

Submit current CPR card for Health Care Provider and maintain current status throughout the program.

Course Sequence by Term

The following is the suggested course sequence by term. Please keep in mind:

  • Students should meet with an academic advisor to develop an individual education plan that meets their academic and career goals. Use the Degree Progress Report Tool in your Student Center to manage your plan.
  • The course sequence is laid out by suggested term and may be affected when students enter the program at different times of the year.
  • Initial course placement is determined by current district placement measures and/or completion of 100-200 level course and/or program requirements.
  • Degree and transfer seeking students may be required to successfully complete a MCCCD First Year Experience Course (FYE) within the first two semesters at a MCCCD College. Courses include FYE101 and FYE103. Course offerings will vary by college. See an academic, program, or faculty advisor for details.
  • Consult with your faculty mentor or academic advisor to determine educational requirements, including possible university transfer options, for your chosen career field.

Full-time status is 12 credits to 18 credits per semester. See your Academic Advisor or visit NAU's website for more information about the Concurrent Enrollment Program (CEP).

Note: Because you are viewing this pathway map on a mobile device, some columns below have been hidden. To view all columns, please rotate your device or view this page on a device with a larger screen.

Term 1 - Program Prerequisites

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 1 - Program Prerequisites
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
ENG101 or
ENG107		 First-Year Composition or First-Year Composition for ESL View requisites Critical course FYC or FYC 3
(CHM130 and
CHM130LL) or
CHM130AA		 (Fundamental Chemistry and Fundamental Chemistry Laboratory) or Fundamental Chemistry with Lab View requisites OR Acceptable higher-level CHM course:
CHM151 AND
CHM151LL OR
CHM151AA OR
CHM152 AND
CHM152LL OR
CHM152AA OR
CHM230 AND
CHM230LL OR
CHM230AA OR
CHM235 AND
CHM235LL OR
CHM235AA OR
CHM236 AND
CHM236LL OR
CHM236AA.

Students who have completed CHM138 AND CHM138LL prior to Fall 2019 have fulfilled the CHM requirement for acceptance into the MCCCD Dental Hygiene program. CHM138 AND CHM138LL completed Fall of 2019 or after, will no longer meet the MCCCD Dental Hygiene Application Admissions requirement as this class is being phased out. Please note that CHM 130 is required for participation in the CEP program through NAU. 		SQ and SQ in combo w/ CHM130 or SQ 4
SOC+++ Any Sociology course with the [SB] designation Recommend SOC101 for students pursuing the Concurrent Enrollment Program (CEP) or to complete an AGEC-A. SB 3
FYE101 or
FYE103		 Introduction to College, Career and Personal Success or Exploration of College, Career and Personal Success 1–3

Term 2 - Program Prerequisites

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 2 - Program Prerequisites
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
ENG102 or
ENG108		 First-Year Composition or First-Year Composition for ESL View requisites FYC or FYC 3
CRE101 College Critical Reading and Critical Thinking View requisites Critical course OR Equivalent as indicated by assessment;
Students who are exempt from CRE101 must complete a course with an [L] designation if pursuing a CEP or to complete the AGEC-A. Exemptions
for CRE101,
recommend
COM225 for
students
pursuing the
CEP or to
complete the
AGEC-A to
meet the Oral
Communicati
on and the
Literacy [L]
designation. 		L 0–3
BIO156 or
BIO181		 Introductory Biology for Allied Health or General Biology (Majors) I View requisites OR One year of High School biology. SQ or SQ 0–4
PSY+++ Any Psychology course with the [SB] designation Recommend PSY101 for students pursuing the CEP (or to complete an AGEC-A) and selecting PSY230 or PSY230WL to meet the [CS] designation. SB 3
MAT112 or
MAT140 or
MAT141 or
MAT142 or
MAT145 or
MAT146		 Mathematical Concepts and Applications or College Mathematics or College Mathematics or College Mathematics or College Mathematics with Review or College Mathematics with Review View requisites MAT14+ or Higher course with the [MA] designation is required for students pursuing the CEP or to complete the AGEC-A. MAT112 will
meet the AAS
degree. 		None or MA or MA or MA or MA or MA 3–6

Term 3 - Program Prerequisites

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 3 - Program Prerequisites
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
COM100 or
COM110 or
COM225 or
COM230		 Introduction to Human Communication or Interpersonal Communication or Public Speaking or Small Group Communication View requisites Recommend COM225 for students pursuing the CEP or to complete the AGEC-A to meet the Oral Communication and the Literacy [L] designation. SB or SB or L or SB 3
HU Humanities, Fine Arts & Design Recommend MHL155 OR PHI213 for students pursuing the CEP or to complete the AGEC-A. HU 3
BIO201 Human Anatomy and Physiology I View requisites Critical course Gateway course SG 4
MAT206 or
PSY230 or
PSY230WL		 Elements of Statistics or Introduction to Statistics or Introduction to Statistics with Lab View requisites MAT206 or PSY230 or PSY230WL is required for students pursuing a CEP or baccalaureate degree to meet the [CS] designation. or Student may receive credit for only one (1) of the following courses: PSY230 or PSY230WL. CS or CS or CS 4

Term 4 - Program Prerequisites

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 4 - Program Prerequisites
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
BIO202 Human Anatomy and Physiology II View requisites Critical course SG 4
BIO205 Microbiology View requisites Critical course SG 4
HU Humanities, Fine Arts & Design Recommend MHL155 OR PHI213 for students pursuing the CEP or to complete the AGEC-A. HU 0–3
HCC/RES109 CPR for Health Care Provider OR Current CPR certification at the health care provider Professional rescuer level 0–0.5

Term 5

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 5
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
DHE115 Emergency Medicine View requisites 2
DHE117 Dental Radiography View requisites 2
DHE120 Pre-Clinical Dental Hygiene View requisites 6
DHE121 Dental Anatomy, Embryology and Histology View requisites 2
DHE125 Dental Radiography Laboratory View requisites 1
DHE127 Prevention of Dental Disease View requisites 3

Term 6

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 6
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
DHE110 or
DHE112		 Pharmacology or Oral Pathology View requisites Students will enroll in DHE110 or DHE112 as offered by the college of attendance. 3
DHE119 Head and Neck Anatomy View requisites 3
DHE132 Dental Hygiene Theory I View requisites 3
DHE133 Dental Hygiene Clinic I View requisites 3
DHE201 Dental Materials View requisites Required for MCC and RSC 0–2
DHE202 Dental Materials Laboratory View requisites Required for MCC and RSC 0–1

Term 7

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 7
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
DHE110 or
DHE112		 Pharmacology or Oral Pathology View requisites Students will enroll in DHE110 or DHE112 as offered by the college of attendance. 3
DHE212 Dental Hygiene Theory II View requisites 2
DHE213 Dental Hygiene Clinic II View requisites 5
DHE225 Periodontics View requisites 3
DHE227 Dental Anesthesia View requisites 2

Term 8

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 8
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
DHE201 Dental Materials View requisites Required for PC 0–2
DHE202 Dental Materials Laboratory View requisites Required for PC 0–1
DHE219 Practice Management View requisites 2
DHE229 Community Oral Health View requisites 3
DHE232 Dental Hygiene Theory III View requisites 2
DHE233 Dental Hygiene Clinic III View requisites 5

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Program Information

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Course Area Key

Gateway Course = Generally the first major-specific course in a pathway.

Critical Course = A course that is highly predictive of future success in a pathway.

  • CS = Computer/Statistics/Quantitative Application
  • FYC = First Year Composition
  • HU = Humanities, Fine Arts, and Design
  • L = Literacy & Critical Inquiry
  • MA = Mathematics
  • SB = Social-Behavioral Sciences
  • SG = Natural Sciences General
  • SQ = Natural Sciences Quantitative

Disclaimer

Students must earn a grade of C or better for all courses required within the program. Students must complete the Basic Science courses with a GPA of 3.5 or better and General Education courses with a GPA of 3.25 or better. Students must earn a grade of 75% or better in their DHE coursework.

Course Sequence total credits may differ from the program information located on the MCCCD curriculum website due to program and system design.

At Maricopa, we strive to provide you with accurate and current information about our degree and certificate offerings. Due to the dynamic nature of the curriculum process, course and program information is subject to change. As a result, the course list associated with this degree or certificate on this site does not represent a contract, nor does it guarantee course availability. If you are interested in pursuing this degree or certificate, meet with an academic advisor to discuss the requirements at your college for the appropriate catalog year.

View MCCCD’s official curriculum documentation for additional details regarding the requirements of this award (https://aztransmac2.asu.edu/cgi-bin/WebObjects/MCCCD.woa/wa/freeForm13?id=16452863).

Previous Catalog Years

The pathway map presented above is for the current catalog year and is the intended pathway map for new students. All previous catalog years for this pathway map are available at the link below.

Previous catalog years for Associate in Applied Science (AAS) in Dental Hygiene