Academics
Dental Hygienist
If you’ve been to the dentist’s office lately, you’ve probably spent some time with a dental hygienist. These health care professionals play an important role in helping people develop good habits in caring for their teeth, gums, and oral health.
After this program, you will work under the supervision of a dentist. You’ll clean people’s teeth, expose x-rays to be interpreted by the dentist, and apply cavity-preventing materials such as fluoride treatments and sealants. You will also teach patients how to care for their teeth!
Because you work directly with patients and as a member of the dental health care team, you should enjoy working with people. You’ll need to have good manual dexterity because your job will require you to use dental instruments within the patient’s mouth. Good communication skills and a sound understanding of biology, chemistry, and math are needed.
You’ll have options of working full time or part time. Some work very flexible hours, often filling in for other hygienists as needed.
Recent graduates of the program earn, on average, $22 per hour.
Notice to patients and potential dental hygiene applicants: Dental clinic students, faculty clinicians and patients are exposed to bloodborne pathogens. These include (but are not limited to) pathogenic microorganisms present in human blood and have the potential to cause disease such as Hepatitis HBV, Herpes, Tuberculosis and HIV. The Bloodborne Pathogen policy is available by contacting the Dental Hygiene Program.
Admissions to the Program
- High School graduate with GPA 2.6 or higher, or equivalent (i.e. GED of 165 or higher) OR 9 hours of required courses from program sequence with a “C” or higher.
- One year of high school algebra with a “C” average or higher OR placement into MATH 098 or higher.
- One year high school lab science including chemistry or biology, with a “C” average or higher OR completion of an equivalent college science course with a “C” or higher.
- Placement into ENGL 110.
- ICC grade point average (GPA) of a 2.0 or above (if you have attended ICC).
- GPA of 2.0 or above at the last college attended (other than ICC) OR 9 hours of required courses from program sequence with a “C” or higher.
NOTE: BIOL 140 and CHEM 115, must be completed prior to the start of the program.
Admission Groups
In the interest of fairness to various groups of applicants seeking admission to our health career programs, we maintain several categories for admission.
For Dental Hygiene, 24 total students can be admitted into the program. This is broken down as: 4 high school – in district; 14 post high school – in district; and 6 post high school – out of district.
Requirements upon Program Acceptance
- Drug screen, fingerprint criminal background check, physical exam, and immunizations.
- Documentation of current CPR certification from the American Heart Association (AHA) Healthcare Provider (HLTH 041 at ICC or equivalent) or American Red Cross (ARC) Professional Rescuer and Healthcare Provider. CPR certification must remain current throughout the program.
Recommended High School Subjects: (1) two years English (2) two years laboratory science including chemistry (3) one year algebra (4) one year geometry (5) keyboarding.
Admission to the Program:
- High School graduate with GPA 2.6 or higher, or equivalent (i.e. GED of 165 or higher) OR 9 hours of required courses from program sequence with a “C” or higher.
- One year of high school algebra with a “C” average or higher OR placement into MATH 098 or higher.
- One year high school lab science including chemistry or biology, with a “C” average or higher OR completion of an equivalent college science course with a “C” or higher.
- Placement into ENGL 110.
- ICC grade point average (GPA) of a 2.0 or above (if you have attended ICC).
- GPA of 2.0 or above at the last college attended (other than ICC) OR 9 hours of required courses from program sequence with a “C” or higher.
NOTE: BIOL 140 and CHEM 115, must be completed prior to the start of the program.
Requirements upon Program Acceptance:
- Drug screen, fingerprint criminal background check, physical exam, and immunizations.
- Documentation of current CPR certification from the American Heart Association (AHA) BLS (Basic Life Support) Provider or American Red Cross (ARC) Professional Rescuer andd BLS Provider, or ICC course HLTH 041 or equivalent, is required. This CPR certification must remain current throughout student enrollment within the health career program.
Recommended High School Subjects: (1) two years English (2) two years laboratory science including chemistry (3) one year algebra (4) one year geometry (5) keyboarding.
Accreditation
The Dental Hygiene program is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation, a specialized accrediting body of the American Dental Association. Contact information for ADA/CODA, 211 East Chicago Ave., Chicago, IL, 60611-2678. Phone: 312-440-2500
Accreditation Review: Dental Hygienist Accreditation Notice - October 2021
Degree
Associate in Applied Science (Career Program)
Total Credit Hours: 76.5
Program Requirements
Select a course number below to see a course description.
Required General Education Courses
Course | Name | Credit Hours |
ENGL 110 | COMPOSITION I  | 3 |
COMM 110 | INTRODUCTION TO COMMUNICATION: PRESENTATION AND THEORY  | 3 |
PSY 110 | INTRODUCTION TO PSYCHOLOGY  | 3 |
BIOL 140 | HUMAN ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY  | 4 |
CHEM 115 | FOUNDATIONS OF CHEMISTRY  | 4 |
HUMANITIES/FINE ARTS * | 3 |
Required Program Courses
Course | Name | Credit Hours |
BIOL 210 | MICROBIOLOGY  | 4 |
DHYGN 110 | DENTAL HEAD, NECK, AND ORAL ANATOMY  | 3 |
DHYGN 111 | DENTAL EMBRYOLOGY AND HISTOLOGY  | 2 |
DHYGN 113 | INFECTION CONTROL FOR THE DENTAL HYGIENIST  | 0.5 |
DHYGN 117 | DENTAL SPECIALTIES  | 1 |
DHYGN 131 | INTRODUCTION TO DENTAL HYGIENE CLINICAL APPLICATIONS  | 2 |
DHYGN 132 | FUNDAMENTALS OF DENTAL HYGIENE  | 2 |
DHYGN 133 | PRECLINICAL DENTAL HYGIENE  | 2 |
DHYGN 135 | DENTAL RADIOLOGY  | 3 |
DHYGN 137 | MEDICAL EMERGENCIES  | 1 |
DHYGN 139 | SPECIAL POPULATIONS  | 1 |
DHYGN 210 | COMMUNITY DENTAL HEALTH  | 3 |
DHYGN 212 | DENTAL MATERIALS  | 2 |
DHYGN 222 | PREVENTIVE MODALITIES  | 3 |
DHYGN 226 | LOCAL ANESTHETICS FOR THE DENTAL HYGIENIST  | 1 |
DHYGN 228 | NEW DIMENSIONS IN DENTAL HYGIENE  | 2 |
DHYGN 230 | DENTAL HYGIENE CLINIC I  | 2 |
DHYGN 231 | DENTAL HYGIENE CLINIC II  | 4 |
DHYGN 232 | DENTAL HYGIENE CLINIC III  | 5 |
DHYGN 243 | GENERAL AND ORAL PATHOLOGY  | 2 |
DHYGN 244 | PERIODONTOLOGY  | 2 |
DHYGN 246 | TRANSITIONS FOR THE DENTAL HYGIENIST  | 2 |
DHYGN 248 | PHARMACOLOGY FOR DENTAL HYGIENISTS  | 2 |
FCS 110 | BASIC NUTRITION  | 2 |
SOC 110 | AN INTRODUCTION TO SOCIOLOGY  | 3 |
* See specific requirements for Associate in Applied Science degree.
Graduates are eligible to take the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination and a regional/state examination for registration as a Dental Hygienist in Illinois, and other states. The dental hygienist works under the supervision of the dentist in dental offices and other health agencies by performing duties delegated by the dentist in accordance with the Illinois Dental Practice Act or other applicable state practice acts. Duties include cleaning teeth, exposing x-rays, providing oral healthcare instructions to patients, maintaining patient records, etc. Students receive extensive clinical experiences in the Illinois Central College Dental Hygiene Clinic and selected agencies.
All required general education courses may be taken prior to admission into the program.
Recommended Course Sequence
Semester | Courses |
Summer Semester | BIOL 140; CHEM 115 |
Fall Semester 1 | ENGL 110; BIOL 210; DHYGN 110; DHYGN 113; DHYGN 117; DHYGN 132, DHYGN 137, DHYGN 139 |
Spring Semester 1 | COMM 110; FCS 110; DHYGN 111; DHYGN 131; DHYGN 133; DHYGN 135; DHYGN 243 |
Summer Semester | DHYGN 212; DHYGN 222; DHYGN 230; |
Fall Semester 2 | PSY 110; DHYGN 210; DHYGN 226; DHYGN 228; DHYGN 231; DHYGN 244; DHYGN 248 |
Spring Semester 2 | SOC 110; DHYGN 232; DHYGN 246; Humanities/Fine Arts |
Program Contact Information
Health Careers
Peoria Campus Cedar, Room 105 (309) 690-7530
Illinois Career Cluster
Health Science
Career Pathway:
Therapeutic Services
Career Pathway
Pathway programs at ICC have a map that shows the courses/degree requirements that will lead students to their desired education and employment goals.
Career Cluster:
Health Sciences If you are a high school junior or senior, you can get a head start on your future by taking college-level courses now! Visit our Dual Credit webpage for a listing of area high schools with courses available An Introduction to Sociology (SOC 110) | Composition I (ENGL 110) | Foundations of Chemistry (CHEM 115) | Human Anatomy & Physiology (BIOL 140) | Humanities/Fine Arts | Introduction to Communication (COMM 110) | Introduction to Health Careers (ICC 104) | Introduction to Psychology (PSY 110) | Medical Terminology (HLTH 121) High School Diploma or GED Getting Started: Apply to ICC | Apply to Health Careers | Paying for College | Career Information:
Dental Hygienist
| Student Information Dental Hygienist
(76.5 credit hours) RDH Dental Hygienist
$24-28/hr BSDH Degree Completion at SUI-Carbondale BSDH Degree Completion at University of Missouri-Kansas City Many other degree completion programs are available. Program transfer guides layout course work to be taken at ICC and the transfer institution to complete specific programs of study or majors. University of St. Francis—Dental Hygiene to Healthcare Leadership Methodist College Bachelor of Health Science Many other degree completion programs are available. Transfer agreements formalize the transfer process from ICC to other colleges and universities. For additional transfer information, including information on transfer partnerships and transfer guides:
Pathway:
Therapeutic Services
ICC Pathway: Dental Hygiene
Early College
Point of Entry
Associate of Applied Science Degree
Industry Credentials
Employment Information
OCCUPATION BACHELOR DEGREE TRANSFER OPTIONS
CAREER CLUSTER BACHELOR DEGREE TRANSFER OPTIONS
GENERAL BACHELOR DEGREE TRANSFER OPTIONS
National and Regional Clinical Board Results
* passed 3rd attempt
** passed on 2nd attempt
+ retake CRDTS not CDCA
Dental Hygienist Program Goals
- Students will be clinically competent.
- Students will demonstrate communication skills.
- Students will develop critical thinking skills.
- Students will model professionalism.
- The program will graduate entry-level dental hygienists.
Essential Skills and Abilities
An applicant must have the ability and skills necessary to provide competent patient care. Skills and abilities typically performed by a dental hygienist include:
- Observation
- Communication
- Motor Ability
- Conceptualization
- Integration and Quantification
- Behavior/Social Acceptability
Technological compensation can be made for some handicaps in certain areas, but an applicant should be able to perform in a reasonably independent manner. The use of a trained intermediary is not acceptable, in that an applicant’s judgment must not require mediation by someone else’s power of observation and selection.
In order to perform these skills, the applicant must have the ability to or possess:
A. Observation
- Normal vision and focusing abilities (corrective lenses, if needed), including transfer vision and peripheral vision.
- Ability to read small letters and numbers on gauges, dials, and instruments.
B. Communication
- Hear to normal range (correction, if needed).
- Communicate effectively and with sensitivity with people of all professional and social levels in writing and verbally.
C. Motor Ability
- Maintain normal balance.
- Perform fine motor hand skills, including bilateral arm, hand, and finger dexterity.
- Sit for extended periods of time.
- Operate dental chair foot controls with varied pressures.
- Normal back, neck, hand, and wrist strength (IE: not prior problems, such as arthritis, carpal-tunnel syndrome, etc.)
- Move about in the limited space of a dental room.
D. Behavior
- The ability to adapt to changing environments, to display flexibility, and to learn to function in the face of uncertainties inherent in the clinical problems of many patients. Compassion, integrity, concern for others, interpersonal skills, interest, and motivation are all personal qualities necessary for members of the health profession.
- Maintain composure when subjected to high stress levels.
- Respond quickly and in an emotionally-controlled manner in emergency situations