Dental Hygiene: AAS
Associate in Applied Science | 97 credit hours minimum
School of Health Professions
Program Description:
The Dental Hygiene, Associate in Applied Science, program is a 2-year, full-time program that begins each fall and is designed to prepare students for licensure and employment in the State of Missouri. The program includes a general education component as well as a concentration in dental hygiene. Graduates of this program may transfer to a four-year college or university to obtain a bachelor of science degree. Acceptance of credits earned is at the discretion of the receiving institution.
Students in this program get real-life-hands on experience at the public dental hygiene clinic at the Forest Park or Florissant Valley campus. The teaching environment covers classroom work, laboratory experience, and actual clinical practice. While enrolled in this program, students will learn how to conduct patient assessments, perform dental diagnostic tests including radiographs, administer local anesthesia, instruct patients in dental disease control procedures, perform scaling and polishing procedures for the removal of hard and soft deposits, perform dental health procedures, and more. Persons interested in this program should enjoy working with people from all age groups. An interest in biology and the health sciences is important. Good eye/hand coordination and attention to detail are necessary.
Graduates are qualified for positions as dental hygienists and may serve as clinical practitioners in general or specialty dental practice, or as educators, researchers, administrators, managers, program developers, consultants, or dental product sales representatives. Employment is available in the military, health maintenance organizations, community health agencies, private industry, and abroad with the Peace Corps or World Health Organization. This program has many prerequisites based on professional standards. See an advisor for further information.
Dental Hygiene Program Pre-Entry Requirements
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| BIO 207 | Anatomy and Physiology I (MOTR LIFS 150LAP) | 4 |
| BIO 208 | Anatomy and Physiology II | 4 |
| CHM 101 | Fundamentals of Chemistry I (MOTR CHEM 100L) | 5 |
| BIO 111 | Introductory Biology (MOTR BIOL 100L) | 4 |
| BIO 203 | General Microbiology I | 4 |
| MTH 109 | Medical Math (or higher, excluding MTH 110, MTH 110S, MTH 120, MTH 120S, MTH 161, MTH 161S, MTH 180, or MTH 180S) | 3 |
| or MTH 140 | Intermediate Algebra | |
| Total Credit Hours | 24 | |
MTH 109 is a prerequisite for CHM 101. BIO 111 is a prerequisite for BIO 203 and BIO 207. These pre-entry requirements must be satisfied prior to entry into the program. A minimum 3.0 GPA is required for the following science pre-entry courses: BIO 203, BIO 207, BIO 208, and CHM 101. In addition, current CPR Basic Life Support with AED certification is required when starting the program and must be maintained throughout the course of the program.
Locations. This program is offered in its entirety at Florissant Valley and Forest Park.
Licensure. This program meets the educational requirements for state licensure in the following states: Missouri, Illinois, Alaska, and South Dakota. Students interested in pursuing licensure in a different state should contact the program coordinator for more information.
Cost of Attendance. For more information on cost of attendance visit MoSCORES.
Program Career and Salary Information. Pursuant to Missouri HB 1606 (2018), information regarding the number of credit hours, program length, employment rate, wage data, and graduates employed in careers related to their program of study at St. Louis Community College can be found at the following URL: https://scorecard.mo.gov/scorecard/. Search using School / Program “St. Louis Community College” and choose the degree or credential type of interest.
The following limitations to the data apply: Information provided is based on the most recent cohorts available. Typically, the most recent cohorts for wage and completion data are six years before the current academic year. The time to complete a program of study varies depending on the number of credit hours students earn per semester.
Interested in this program? Start the enrollment process by visiting the Apply to STLCC page.
At the completion of the program, students are expected to:
- demonstrate ethical and professional behavior.
- apply patient/client confidentiality and privacy in accordance with state and federal regulations.
- explain professional growth through continuous self-assessment and lifelong learning.
- provide culturally competent, empathetic, and non-discriminatory care to individuals and communities.
- demonstrate competence in obtaining, reviewing, and updating comprehensive patient histories with attention to multicultural considerations.
- modify dental hygiene care plans based on identification of systemic conditions, medications, and risk factors.
- identify at-risk patients and implement preventive strategies in the case of a medical emergency.
- formulate dental hygiene diagnoses by performing comprehensive examinations and analyzing assessment data.
- produce diagnostic-quality radiographs by applying clinical judgment to patient-specific needs.
- develop comprehensive, evidence-based dental hygiene care plans that prioritize goals and incorporate informed patient consent.
- engage with dental and healthcare teams to coordinate comprehensive patient care.
- administer pain and anxiety management strategies based on patient assessment and clinical judgment.
- perform non-surgical periodontal therapy, including scaling and periodontal debridement, without causing trauma to tissues.
- implement standard protocols for disease prevention, infection control, and workplace safety.
- provide preventive and therapeutic care that includes patient education for pre- and post-treatment phases.
- evaluate the effectiveness of dental hygiene interventions and maintenance programs using appropriate indices and methods.
- assess patient satisfaction with oral health care services and outcomes achieved.
- promote oral and general health by empowering individuals and populations to engage in self-care and health responsibility.
- identify community resources and agencies to facilitate patient access to oral health care.
- evaluate community-based oral health initiatives through assessment, planning, and implementation processes.
- analyze the impact of healthcare financing on access to oral health services.
- communicate dental hygiene and health concepts through both oral and written methods.
- support the advancement of the dental hygiene profession through leadership, service, and professional engagement.
- evaluate alternative career pathways in dental hygiene beyond traditional clinical practice.
Missouri Civics Examination. Students entering college for the very first time in fall 2019 and who intend to complete an associate’s degree must successfully complete a civics examination. Information on who is eligible for a waiver can be found on the STLCC website.
Program of Study
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-Entry Requirements | ||
| MTH 109 | Medical Math (or higher, excluding MTH 110, 110S, 120, 120S, 161, 161S, 180, or MTH 180S) | 3 |
| or MTH 140 | Intermediate Algebra | |
| BIO 111 | Introductory Biology (MOTR BIOL 100L) | 4 |
| BIO 203 | General Microbiology I | 4 |
| BIO 207 | Anatomy and Physiology I (MOTR LIFS 150LAP) | 4 |
| BIO 208 | Anatomy and Physiology II | 4 |
| CHM 101 | Fundamentals of Chemistry I (MOTR CHEM 100L) | 5 |
| General Education | ||
| COM 101 | Oral Communication I (MOTR COMM 100) | 3 |
| or COM 107 | Public Speaking (MOTR COMM 110) | |
| or COM 201 | Interpersonal Communication (MOTR COMM 120) | |
| ENG 101 | College Composition I (MOTR ENGL 100) | 3 |
| or ENG 102 | College Composition II (MOTR ENGL 200) | |
| PSY 200 | General Psychology (MOTR PSYC 100) | 3 |
| SOC 101 | Introduction to Sociology (MOTR SOCI 101) | 3 |
| XXX xxx | Social & Behavioral Sciences: Civics Requirement | 3 |
| Program Requirements | ||
| DHY 150 | Concepts in Clinical Dental Hygiene I: Pre-Clinic | 3 |
| DHY 152 | Clinical Dental Hygiene I: Pre-Clinic | 3 |
| DHY 154 | Periodontics I | 2 |
| DHY 155 | Dental Radiology | 2 |
| DHY 156 | Pre-Clinical Dental Radiology | 1 |
| DHY 157 | Oral Anatomy | 2 |
| DHY 158 | Biomedical Science for the Dental Hygienist | 2 |
| DHY 159 | Dental Medical Emergencies | 1 |
| DHY 160 | Concepts in Clinical Dental Hygiene II | 3 |
| DHY 162 | Clinical Dental Hygiene II | 5 |
| DHY 164 | Periodontics II | 2 |
| DHY 167 | Anatomy and Embryology of the Head & Neck | 3 |
| DHY 168 | General and Oral Pathology | 2 |
| DHY 172 | Clinical Dental Hygiene: Summer Clinic | 1 |
| DHY 273 | Pain Control | 3 |
| DHY 250 | Concepts in Clinical Dental Hygiene III | 2 |
| DHY 252 | Clinical Dental Hygiene III | 6 |
| DHY 257 | Dental Materials | 2 |
| DHY 258 | Dental Pharmacology | 2 |
| DHY 259 | Dental Nutrition and Biochemistry | 2 |
| DHY 260 | Concepts IV: Ethics, Professionalism, and Practice Transition in Dental Hygiene | 2 |
| DHY 263 | Dental Public Health | 2 |
| DHY 262 | Clinical Dental Hygiene IV | 5 |
| Total Credit Hours | 97 | |
Requirements and Prerequisites
In order to be admitted into the program, you must meet all of the program requirements. Official transcripts from high school, GED certification, and all other colleges must be mailed to the Registrar’s office (hand-carried and faxed transcripts are not accepted). Upon acceptance to STLCC, students will need to specifically apply to the dental hygiene program. It is highly recommended that students meet with an STLCC dental hygiene program academic advisor to complete an academic plan before applying for the program.
- Acceptance into the dental hygiene program has three requirements:
- Cumulative GPA: Students must maintain regular student status and a cumulative 2.5 GPA.
- Science Prerequisite GPA: Four science prerequisite courses must be completed prior to filling out the dental hygiene program application. A minimum of a 3.0 GPA is required for these four science courses: Microbiology (BIO 203); Anatomy & Physiology I (BIO 207); Anatomy & Physiology II (BIO 208); and Fundamentals of Chemistry I (CHM 101) with a minimum grade of C or better in each course within five years prior to admission. Science prerequisite courses may be retaken one time for a maximum total of two attempts.
- Observation Hours: Students must complete a total of 20 hours observing dental hygienists in private practice in a minimum of two offices, three preferred. This is to be documented on practice letterhead (date, number of hours spent observing, and signature of dentist or dental hygienist). Professional attire is required; no jeans and closed-toe shoes only.
- Program Notification of Acceptance: Offers are sent based on application date, time, and campus preference. We send waitlist updates at the end of each fall and spring semester to ensure students have the most up-to-date information. All communication will be sent to STLCC student email addresses only. It is the responsibility of the student to maintain access to their STLCC student account.
- Additional clinical compliance items and uniform requirements are discussed during orientation. Becoming clinically compliant is not a pre-entry requirement, but it will be important once students are formally admitted to an incoming cohort.
- Graduates of the dental hygiene program are eligible to sit for the clinical and national board exams as well as apply for state licensure. Licensure applications include questions regarding criminal history, drug addiction, and require a Social Security number. Discovery of relevant criminal history or false information may result in denial of the student’s application, conditioned licensure, or the filing of disciplinary action against the applicant.
Missouri Civics Examination. Students entering college for the very first time in fall 2019 and who intend to complete an associate’s degree must successfully complete a civics examination. Information on who is eligible for a waiver can be found on the STLCC website.
PLEASE NOTE: If you originally enrolled at STLCC prior to Spring 2027, you may need to view an archived catalog for your correct program requirements. Please speak with an advisor or the program coordinator for more information.
Prerequisite Requirements
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Program Prerequisites - a minimum 3.0 GPA in the following science pre-entry courses is required for admission to the program: BIO 203, BIO 207, BIO 208, CHM 101. MTH 109 is a prerequisite for CHM 101. BIO 111 is a prerequisite for BIO 203 and BIO 207. | ||
| MTH 109 | Medical Math (or higher, excluding MTH 110, MTH 110S, MTH 120, MTH 120S, MTH 161, MTH 161S, MTH 180, or MTH 180S) | 3 |
| or MTH 140 | Intermediate Algebra | |
| BIO 111 | Introductory Biology (MOTR BIOL 100L) | 4 |
| BIO 203 | General Microbiology I | 4 |
| BIO 207 | Anatomy and Physiology I (MOTR LIFS 150LAP) | 4 |
| BIO 208 | Anatomy and Physiology II | 4 |
| CHM 101 | Fundamentals of Chemistry I (MOTR CHEM 100L) | 5 |
Academic Plan
| First Year | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credit Hours | Prerequisites | Milestones/Notes | |
| COM 101 | Oral Communication I (MOTR COMM 100) or Public Speaking (MOTR COMM 110) or Interpersonal Communication (MOTR COMM 120) | 3 | Concurrent enrollment in ENG 070 or EML 072 or EML 073 or Reading Proficiency | Must be completed before the first semester of the program. |
| ENG 101 or 102 | College Composition I (MOTR ENGL 100) or College Composition II (MOTR ENGL 200) | 3 | Placement score or ENG 030 or ENG 070 or EML 072 with a minimum grade of "C", or recommendation of department, and Reading Proficiency, or concurrent enrollment in RDG 079 | Must be completed before the first semester of the program. |
| PSY 200 | General Psychology (MOTR PSYC 100) | 3 | Reading Proficiency or concurrent enrollment in RDG 079 | Must be completed before the first semester of the program. |
| SOC 101 | Introduction to Sociology (MOTR SOCI 101) | 3 | Reading Proficiency or concurrent enrollment in RDG 079 | Must be completed before the first semester of the program. |
| XXX xxx | Social & Behavioral Sciences: Civics Requirement | 3 | Must be completed before the first semester of the program. | |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |||
| Second Year | ||||
| Fall | Credit Hours | Prerequisites | Milestones/Notes | |
| DHY 150 | Concepts in Clinical Dental Hygiene I: Pre-Clinic | 3 | BIO 203, BIO 207, BIO 208, and CHM 101 with minimum grades of "C", and Reading Proficiency | Must be passed at minimum 78% competency. Exploratory Course, Gateway Course, Critical Course. |
| DHY 152 | Clinical Dental Hygiene I: Pre-Clinic | 3 | BIO 203, BIO 207, BIO 208, and CHM 101 with minimum grades of "C", and Reading Proficiency | Must be passed at minimum 78% competency. Exploratory Course, Gateway Course, Critical Course. |
| DHY 154 | Periodontics I | 2 | BIO 203, BIO 207, BIO 208, and CHM 101 with minimum grades of "C", and Reading Proficiency | Must be passed at minimum 78% competency. |
| DHY 155 | Dental Radiology | 2 | BIO 203, BIO 207, BIO 208, and CHM 101 with minimum grades of "C", and Reading Proficiency | Must be passed at minimum 78% competency. |
| DHY 156 | Pre-Clinical Dental Radiology | 1 | BIO 203, BIO 207, BIO 208, and CHM 101 with minimum grades of "C", and Reading Proficiency | Must be passed at minimum 78% competency. |
| DHY 157 | Oral Anatomy | 2 | BIO 203, BIO 207, BIO 208, and CHM 101 with minimum grades of "C", and Reading Proficiency | Must be passed at minimum 78% competency. |
| DHY 158 | Biomedical Science for the Dental Hygienist | 2 | BIO 203, BIO 207, BIO 208, and CHM 101 with minimum grades of "C", and Reading Proficiency | Must be passed at minimum 78% competency. |
| DHY 159 | Dental Medical Emergencies | 1 | BIO 203, BIO 207, BIO 208, and CHM 101 with minimum grades of "C", and Reading Proficiency | Must be passed at minimum 78% competency. |
| Credit Hours | 16 | |||
| Spring | Credit Hours | Prerequisites | Milestones/Notes | |
| DHY 160 | Concepts in Clinical Dental Hygiene II | 3 | DHY 150, DHY 152, DHY 154, DHY 155, DHY 156, DHY 157, DHY 158, and DHY 159 with minimum grades of "C", and Reading Proficiency | Must be passed at minimum 78% competency. |
| DHY 162 | Clinical Dental Hygiene II | 5 | DHY 150, DHY 152, DHY 154, DHY 155, DHY 156, DHY 157, DHY 158, and DHY 159 with minimum grades of "C", and Reading Proficiency | Must be passed at minimum 78% competency. |
| DHY 164 | Periodontics II | 2 | DHY 150, DHY 152, DHY 154, DHY 155, DHY 156, DHY 157, DHY 158, and DHY 159 with minimum grades of "C", and Reading Proficiency | Must be passed at minimum 78% competency. |
| DHY 167 | Anatomy and Embryology of the Head & Neck | 3 | DHY 150, DHY 152, DHY 154, DHY 155, DHY 156, DHY 157, DHY 158, and DHY 159 with minimum grades of "C", and Reading Proficiency | Must be passed at minimum 78% competency. |
| DHY 168 | General and Oral Pathology | 2 | DHY 150, DHY 152, DHY 154, DHY 155, DHY 156, DHY 157, DHY 158, and DHY 159 with minimum grades of "C", and Reading Proficiency | Must be passed at minimum 78% competency. |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |||
| Summer | Credit Hours | Prerequisites | Milestones/Notes | |
| DHY 172 | Clinical Dental Hygiene: Summer Clinic | 1 | DHY 160, DHY 162, DHY 164, DHY 167, and DHY 168 with minimum grades of "C", and Reading Proficiency | Must be passed at minimum 78% competency. |
| DHY 273 | Pain Control | 3 | DHY 160, DHY 162, DHY 164, DHY 167, DHY 168 with minimum grades of "C"; Current CPR-Basic Life Support with AED Certification, and Reading Proficiency | Must be passed at minimum 78% competency. |
| Credit Hours | 4 | |||
| Third Year | ||||
| Fall | Credit Hours | Prerequisites | Milestones/Notes | |
| DHY 250 | Concepts in Clinical Dental Hygiene III | 2 | DHY 172 and DHY 273 with minimum grades of "C", and Reading Proficiency | Must be passed at minimum 78% competency. |
| DHY 252 | Clinical Dental Hygiene III | 6 | DHY 172 and DHY 273 with minimum grades of "C", and Reading Proficiency | Must be passed at minimum 78% competency. |
| DHY 257 | Dental Materials | 2 | DHY 172 and DHY 273 with minimum grades of "C"; Current CPR-Basic Life Support with AED Certification and Reading Proficiency | Must be passed at minimum 78% competency. |
| DHY 258 | Dental Pharmacology | 2 | DHY 172 and DHY 273 with minimum grades of "C"; Current CPR-Basic Life Support with AED Certification, and Reading Proficiency | Must be passed at minimum 78% competency. |
| DHY 259 | Dental Nutrition and Biochemistry | 2 | DHY 172 and DHY 273 with minimum grades of "C", and Reading Proficiency | Must be passed at minimum 78% competency. |
| Credit Hours | 14 | |||
| Spring | Credit Hours | Prerequisites | Milestones/Notes | |
| DHY 260 | Concepts IV: Ethics, Professionalism, and Practice Transition in Dental Hygiene | 2 | DHY 250, DHY 252, DHY 257, DHY 258, and DHY 259 with minimum grades of "C", and Reading Proficiency | Must be passed at minimum 78% competency. Apply for graduation. |
| DHY 262 | Clinical Dental Hygiene IV | 5 | DHY 250, DHY 252, DHY 257, DHY 258, and DHY 259 with minimum grades of "C", and Reading Proficiency | Must be passed at minimum 78% competency. |
| DHY 263 | Dental Public Health | 2 | DHY 250, DHY 252, DHY 257, DHY 258, and DHY 259 with minimum grades of "C", and Reading Proficiency | Must be passed at minimum 78% competency. |
| Credit Hours | 9 | |||
| Total Credit Hours | 73 | |||
*Click on the hyperlinked course number to view additional information about the course.
**Students completing a course that has been assigned a MOTR number may transfer that course to any public institution in Missouri. Those who complete CORE 42 requirements will have that verification on their transcript.
*** It is your responsibility to verify that the courses listed above will transfer to the four-year institution of your choice. Maximize your transfer credits/classes by meeting with an academic advisor.