Dental Hygiene

Description

You prepare for a career as an oral health professional focused on health promotion, disease prevention, and therapeutic care. The program integrates dental hygiene theory and practice with oral health and biomedical sciences, along with the clinical skills required for practice through simulation labs and supervised clinical experiences. You develop competence in professional responsibility, communication, health promotion, advocacy and evidence-informed care, grounded in principles of equity, diversity and inclusion. Hands on learning begins in a preclinical environment, where you apply foundational theory, and progressively advances to client-centered care as your skills and confidence develop. With guidance and supervision, you provide ethical, culturally responsive dental hygiene care in both the on-site clinic and community placement settings. 

Career Opportunities

Graduates of this program are prepared with the knowledge and clinical experience required to become a regulated health professional in Ontario. Employment opportunities are found in a traditional dental office as a member of the oral health care team, or as an independent practitioner and proprietor of one’s own practice. Employment opportunities for the dental hygienist are also found in research, community and public health, administration and industry settings.

Program Learning Outcomes

The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to:

1. comply with ethical, legal, professional, and regulatory requirements in dental hygiene practice;
2. assess client oral and overall health status and behaviours to identify risks and recommend evidence-informed therapy;
3. formulate, implement and evaluate preventive, therapeutic and supportive oral health care plans to meet client-centred needs and preferences;
4. develop, implement, and advocate for oral health services and programs to foster inclusive, diverse, equitable, and culturally sensitive care;
5. implement and evaluate quality assurance standards, protocols and guidelines to ensure safe, efficient, and compliant working environment;
6. communicate and collaborate effectively with clients, interprofessional teams, and others to foster professional relationships and achieve positive health care outcomes;
7. develop and present dental hygiene practice business plans that align with current legislation and regulatory standards;
8. educate diverse clients to promote positive oral health knowledge, skills, attitudes and behaviours;
9. interpret and apply research findings to guide and enhance evidence-informed dental hygiene practice.

External Recognition

The program is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of Canada. Graduates are eligible to write the National Dental Hygiene Certification Exam; additional fees apply. Upon successful completion of the program and exam, graduates are required to register with the College of Dental Hygienists of Ontario which is a legal requirement to practice in the province of Ontario; additional fees apply. 

Program Progression

The following reflects the planned progression for full-time offerings of the program.

Fall Intake

• Sem 1: Fall 2027
• Sem 2: Winter 2028
• Sem 3: Summer 2028
• Sem 4: Winter 2029
• Sem 5: Summer 2029
• Sem 6: Fall 2029

Articulation

A number of articulation agreements have been negotiated with universities and other institutions across Canada, North America and internationally. These agreements are assessed, revised and updated on a regular basis. Please contact the program co-ordinator for specific details if you are interested in pursuing such an option. Additional information can be found on our website at https://www.georgiancollege.ca/admissions/credit-transfer/

Admission Requirements

• Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or equivalent, mature student status
• Grade 12 English (C or U)
• Grade 12 Math (C or U)
• Grade 12 Chemistry (C) or Grade 11 or 12 Chemistry (U)
• Grade 11 or 12 Biology (C or U)

Mature students, non-secondary school applicants (19 years or older), and home school applicants may also be considered for admission. Eligibility may be met by applicants who have taken equivalent courses, upgrading, completed their GED, and equivalency testing. For complete details refer to: www.georgiancollege.ca/admissions/academic-regulations/

Applicants who have taken courses from a recognized and accredited post-secondary institution and/or have relevant life/learning experience may also be considered for admission; refer to the Credit for Prior Learning website for details:
www.georgiancollege.ca/admissions/credit-transfer/

Selection Process

Applicants will be assessed and ranked based on academic grades. A minimum grade of 75% in each pre-requisite subject is recommended.

Criminal Reference/Vulnerable Sector Check

Placement agencies require an up-to-date clear criminal reference check and vulnerable sector check prior to going out on placement. Students should obtain their criminal reference three months prior to placement; checks conducted earlier may not be considered current. As some jurisdictions require longer lead-time for processing, please check with the program coordinator to ensure you allow for sufficient turn-around time. It is the student's responsibility to provide the completed document prior to placement start.

NOTE: Individuals who have been charged or convicted criminally and not pardoned will be prohibited from proceeding to a clinical or work placement.

Additional Information

Students are required to have Level HCP CPR and Standard First Aid prior to commencing the program. It is the student's responsibility to renew their Level HCP CPR certification annually while in the program. Applicants must also have up-to-date immunization records (Clinical Preparedness Permit) in compliance with the Public Hospitals Act. A police records check including a Vulnerable Sector Screening is required for clinical placement. Please refer to the Placement Office website for details- https://www.georgiancollege.ca/student-life/student-services/placement-offices/

Applicants are advised that the clinical requirements of the program and future employment require visual acuity (with or without corrective lenses), visual perception, the ability to sit for prolonged periods of time, and the manual dexterity and fine motor skills required to perform repetitive instrument handling safely and effectively.

Applicants with back/neck/wrist or visual problems should discuss individual concerns with the Program Coordinator.

Applicants must also be comfortable speaking in front of individuals and groups.

Registration with the College of Dental Hygienists of Ontario (CDHO) is required to practice as a dental hygienist in Ontario. Note: A history of criminal offences or findings of professional misconduct in another jurisdiction or profession may affect your eligibility for registration in Ontario. If either situation applies, you are advised to seek clarification with the CDHO before applying to the Dental Hygiene program at Georgian College.

Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) requirements

All Georgian College students are required to bring their own device (BYOD) that meets the technology requirements for their program. Having access to a personal laptop that meets your program’s technical requirements will ensure you’re prepared for in-class, online and hybrid learning activities. Students are responsible for the cost, software installation, maintenance and repair of their device.  

Graduation Requirements

29 Program Courses
4 Clinical Placements
1 Communications Course
3 General Education Courses

Graduation Eligibility

To graduate from this program, the passing weighted average for promotion through each semester, from year to year, and to graduate is 60%. Additionally, a student must attain a minimum on 60% or a letter grade of P (Pass) or S (Satisfactory) in each program course or clinical in each semester, and must attain a minimum of 50% in general education and communication courses unless otherwise stated on the course outline.

Program Tracking

The following reflects the planned course sequence for full-time offerings of the Fall intake of the program. Where more  than one intake is offered  contact the program co-ordinator for the program tracking.

Plan of Study Grid

Semester 1		Hours
Program Courses
DENT 1013	General and Oral Microbiology	42
DENT 1014	Dental and Orofacial Anatomy	42
DENT 1047	Introduction to the Dental Hygiene Profession	28
DENT 1054	Oral Histology and Embryology	28
DENT 1086	Pre-Clinical Dental Hygiene 1	126
DENT 1087	Anatomy and Physiology: Introductory Concepts for the Dental Hygienist	42
Communications Course
COMM 1016	Communication Essentials	42
	Hours	350
Semester 2
Program Courses
DENT 1018	Applied Oral Health Promotion	42
DENT 1057	Dental Radiography for the Dental Hygienist	70
DENT 1058	Preparation for Dental Hygiene Practice	28
DENT 1088	Anatomy and Physiology: Advanced Concepts for the Dental Hygienist	42
DENT 1089	Pre-Clinical Dental Hygiene 2	126
General Education Course
Select 1 course from the General Education list during registration.		42
	Hours	350
Semester 3
Program Courses
DENT 1021	Pharmacology for Dental Hygiene Practice	42
DENT 1022	Periodontics for the Dental Hygienist	42
DENT 2027	Diet and Nutrition for Oral Health	28
DENT 2035	Dental Materials and Specialties for the Dental Hygienist	70
Clinical Placement
DENT 2036	Clinical Dental Hygiene - Introduction	126
General Education Course
Select 1 course from the General Education list during registration.		42
	Hours	350
Semester 4
Program Courses
DENT 2000	Oral Pathology	42
DENT 2007	Health Promotion and Community Oral Health	42
DENT 2029	Human Pathophysiology for the Dental Hygienist	42
DENT 2030	Introduction to Research Methods for the Dental Hygienist	42
DENT 2037	Inclusive Dental Hygiene Care Across the Life Span	42
Clinical Placement
DENT 2038	Clinical Dental Hygiene - Intermediate	168
	Hours	378
Semester 5
Program Courses
DENT 2005	Role of the Dental Hygienist in Orthodontics	42
DENT 3005	Evidence-Based Dental Hygiene Practice	42
DENT 3015	Periodontics for the Dental Hygienist 2	28
DENT 3017	Business Practice for the Dental Hygienist	42
Clinical Placement
DENT 3024	Clinical Dental Hygiene - Advanced	154
General Education Course
Select 1 course from the General Education list during registration.		42
	Hours	350
Semester 6
Program Courses
DENT 3018	Community Dental Hygiene Practice	42
DENT 3020	Health Policy and Advocacy	28
DENT 3025	Indigenous Health Perspectives	42
DENT 3027	Professionalism and Ethics in Dental Hygiene Practice	28
DENT 3028	Consolidation Case Studies in Dental Hygiene	42
Clinical Placement
DENT 3026	Clinical Dental Hygiene - Consolidation	154
	Hours	336
	Total Hours	2114

Graduation Window

Students unable to adhere to the program duration of three years (as stated above) may take a maximum of six years to complete their credential. After this time, students must be re-admitted into the program, and follow the curriculum in place at the time of re-admission. 

Disclaimer: The information in this document is correct at the time of publication. Academic content of programs and courses is revised on an ongoing basis to ensure relevance to changing educational objectives and employment market needs. 

Program outlines may be subject to change in response to emerging situations, in order to facilitate student achievement of the learning outcomes required for graduation. Components such as courses, progression, coop work terms, placements, internships and other requirements may be delivered differently than published.