The Baltimore City Community College (BCCC) Dental Hygiene Program is a two-year program leading to an associate of applied science degree. If you seek a challenging career that advances public health and is one of the fastest-growing occupations in the country, look no further than dental hygiene. Dental hygienists are essential in educating patients about proper dental care and oral health practices. They clean teeth, perform examinations to check for oral diseases, administer x-rays, take medical and dental histories and assist dentists with dental procedures. The Graduates have a 100 percent employment rate.

Graduates of the BCCC program are fully qualified to work as dental hygienists in private dental offices, as well as a variety of other settings, such as hospital clinics, military bases, public schools, industrial clinics, dental auxiliary schools and public health facilities. Flexible scheduling is a major feature of the

profession, with most dental hygienists working part time.

• The median annual salary of dental hygienists is $78,275. The starting salary is $54,175.

You can earn:

• Associate of Applied Science in Dental Hygiene

In the final semester, students become eligible for the National Board Examinations and the Northeast Regional Board Examinations. Both exams are required for licensure. Through articulation with several area colleges and universities students may continue their studies to pursue the bachelor’s degree.

Students will learn to:

• Identify anatomical abnormalities of bone, soft tissue and teeth.
• Identify systemic conditions.
• Explain radiology techniques/errors.
• Analyze comprehensive treatment plans.
• Identify the appropriate treatment options required for the clinical condition or situation.
• Perform safe, effective and ethical entry-level dental hygiene services.
• Apply scientific research methods and the basic principles of evidence-based research to support evidence-based treatment modalities with specific concern for oral health and overall health.
• Identify problems, investigate and use appropriate methods of reasoning and develop creative and practical solutions to personal, professional and community issues regarding the delivery of oral health care.
• Recognize critical clinical conditions or situations encountered regularly in the general practice of dentistry.
• Identify strategies for lifelong learning in health care.
• Explain and apply the ADHA Code of Ethics in practice.
• Apply critical thinking, knowledge of teamwork, diversity and intercultural appreciation to interpersonal
• interactions.
• Use technical and information literacy skills to convey information to others.
• Communicate effectively with patients, peers, the public, and other health care professionals.

Always check with an advisor to determine what courses to take. All BCCC students must meet the College’s computer literacy requirement in order to receive a degree or certificate. All students are required to complete the PRE 100 course within the first six credits. PRE 100 is an academic achievement preparation course earning one credit.