Dental Hygiene: Career Associate

The Dental Hygiene AA program educates students, as members of the dental health team, to provide preventive dental services and oral health education to clients.  The dental hygienist is qualified by education and licensure to provide patient assessment, including but not limited to, review of health history, recording of vital signs, head, neck, and radiographic examination, oral cancer screening, and dental and periodontal charting.  Treatment planning, patient education, the administration of local anesthesia, the removal of deposits and stains from the teeth, and the application of chemotherapeutic agents and placement of dental sealants are also integral parts of dental hygiene education.  The program is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CoDA). The Commission is a specialized body recognized by the United States Department of Education.  The clinical program is only available at the Harrisburg Campus.  However, pre-requisite courses to the clinical program may be taken at all of HACC’s campuses, as well as through Virtual Learning.  Pennsylvania Dental Law #216 states that the State Board of Dentistry may refuse to license a person whom has been convicted of a crime or misdemeanor involving moral turpitude or a felony.

The following requirements must be completed (at the student’s expense) after being selected for, but prior to starting the clinical portion of the program and after the first year in the program.  Requirements include physical examination and immunizations, background checks, drug and alcohol screens and CPR certification. The student should consider these factors before enrolling.  If the student has any questions regarding this, he or she should contact the program director.

General Education   
ENGL 101 English Composition I  3 
ENGL 102 English Composition II  3 
COMM 101 Effective Speaking  3 
Core A Elective  3 
Core B (PSYC 101 General Psychology)  3 
Free Elective  3 
Physical Education & Wellness  1 

Major Requirements   
DH 101 Theory & Clinical Experience I  6 
DH 110 Dental Radiology I  3 
DH 111 Dental Radiology II  1 
DH 112 Dental Hygiene Theory II  3 
DH 113 Clinical Experience II  2 
DH 120 Dental Anatomy  2 
DH 121 Periodontics I  2 
DH 130 Medical/Dental Emergencies  1 
DH 150 Dental Materials  3 
DH 170 Techniques in Pain Control  2 
DH 211 Dental Hygiene Theory III  3 
DH 212 Clinical Experience III  2 
DH 221 Periodontics II  2 
DH 223 DH Theory IV  2 
DH 224 Clinical Experience IV  2 
DH 230 Oral Pathology  2 
DH 233 Community Dental Health I  1 

Other Required Courses   
BIOL 121 Anatomy & Physiology I  4 
BIOL 122 Anatomy & Physiology II  4 
BIOL 221 Microbiology (Core C)  4 
BIOL 245 Anatomy & Histology of the Head and Neck  4 
NUTR 104 Nutrition  3 
SOCI 201 Introduction to Sociology (D)  3 

This curriculum is designed to prepare students to:

Utilize the dental hygiene process of care (assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation) in the provision of comprehensive treatment to all clients without discrimination

Demonstrate accountability in dental hygiene practice

Apply the roles of dental hygiene to various practice settings - demonstrating competence, ethical behaviors, and professionalism

Participate as an integral member of the dental health team  providing expertise in the area of preventive health care

Perform to the level of competency specified by the faculty, the state board of dental examiners, employers, and those oral health services legally approved for a dental hygienist in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and other states and territories

Value a commitment to professional organizations and life-long learning

Apply for a Full-Ride Scholarship

Are you a future student and ready to apply to HACC? 
By applying to HACC, you have the opportunity to apply for a full-ride scholarship! HACC will fund two years of your education – enough to complete your associate degree.

Thanks to the support of the HACC Foundation, the College is able to offer FREE money to support future students, like you, in reaching your educational goals. Six full-ride scholarships are available – one from each of the five campuses and one through HACC’s Virtual Learning Program. 

Please note that current students are not eligible for the full-ride scholarships. However, there are more than 250 scholarships available for current students.

What should you know about the full-ride scholarship?

The scholarship covers tuition, books and fees for a full academic year. 

The scholarship will automatically renew each term for up to six consecutive terms if you maintain your eligibility.

Once you apply to the College and receive a HACC ID and email address, you may apply for the full-ride scholarship. You do not have to register for classes before applying for the scholarship.

Are you eligible?

To be eligible, you must:

Apply to HACC

Take 12-15 credits each term for no more than six consecutive terms (two years)

Live in Adams, Cumberland, Dauphin, Franklin, Juniata, Lancaster, Lebanon, Perry, Schuylkill or York county

Have a minimum cumulative high school GPA of 3.0

Provide a 480 SAT reading score, 21 ACT or comparable scores on the College’s placement test

Maintain a GPA of 3.0 while enrolled at HACC

Participate in at least two HACC student organizations