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Dental Hygiene

Career options:
The dental hygiene program provides the student with the knowledge and skills necessary to sit for dental hygiene licensure exams. Successful completion of these exams enables the registered dental hygienist (RDH) to practice as a dental professional in any of the following settings:

general or specialized dental office
dental clinic
public health
education
research opportunities

Potential earnings:

$36,000 to $83,000, nationwide
$39,000 to $66,000, East Texas area

Program Costs: Due to specific individual needs, estimated costs while in the program may range from $11,000-$14,500. This estimate includes in-state tuition, books, uniforms, instruments, and supplies.

Department/Contact Information:

Office of Advising: 903.510.2662
Carrie Hobbs, Professor/Department Chair, Dental Hygiene
- Pirtle Technology Bldg T116 | chob@tjc.edu | 903-510-2341

Academic options: While this program is designed for direct employment, many of the courses can transfer to a four-year degree-completion program.

DEGREE PLAN
PREREQUISITES The following prerequisite science courses must be completed with a “C” or better within five years prior enrollment in the program. At least two of the following prerequisite sciences must be completed with a “C” or better prior to submitting application. CHEM 1406 Fundamentals of Chemistry OR CHEM 1405 Introduction to Chemistry BIOL 2401 Anatomy and Physiology (approved pre-requisite course required) BIOL 2402 Anatomy and Physiology BIOL 2420 Microbiology
FIRST YEAR
SEMESTER 1 DHYG 1301 Orofacial Anatomy, Histology, & Embryology DHYG 1304 Dental Radiology DHYG 1431 Preclinical Dental Hygienist DHYG 1227 Preventive Dental Hygiene	SEMESTER 2 DHYG 1311 Periodontology DHYG 1339 General and Oral Pathology DHYG 2201 Contemporary D/H Care I DHYG 1260 Clinical I Dental Hygiene ENGL 1301 Composition and Rhetoric

SUMMER SESSION I or II
Sociology elective (3hrs) Speech elective (3hrs)
Second Year
SEMESTER 3 DHYG 1235 Pharmacology for the Dental Hygienist DHYG 2231 Contemporary DH II DHYG 1315 Community Dentistry DHYG 2360 Clinical II Dental Hygienist Humanities/Fine Art elective (3 hrs)	SEMESTER 4 DHYG 1207 General and Dental Nutrition DHYG 1319 Dental Materials DHYG 1123 Dental Hygiene Practice DHYG 2362 Clinical III Dental Hygienist Psychology elective (3 hrs)
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TOTAL SEMESTER HOURS: 72

All courses with bold type may be taken prior to acceptance to the program. Special admission and retention rules apply. Department specific courses must be taken in sequence and may have a prerequisite or co-requisite course. All courses must be completed with a “C” or better for completion. Contact the department chair director for details.