Program Overview
The practice of dental hygiene is “the assessment of teeth and adjacent tissues, treatment by preventive and therapeutic means, and the provision of restorative and orthodontic procedures and services” (DHA, 1991). Students will be prepared to provide oral health care in a variety of environments. Graduates will work within the scope of dental hygiene practice and in accordance with the regulations of the College of Dental Hygienists of Ontario.
Program Highlights
- On campus Dental Clinic offering practical experience.
- Off-site placements at various community sites and oral health promotion activities.
- Accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of Canada.
- Graduates are self-regulated health care professionals who support the roles of a Registered Dental Hygienist (RDH) such as health promotion, education, clinical therapy, advocacy, research and administration.
- An RDH is a vital member of the oral healthcare team working with other healthcare professionals to achieve and maintain optimal oral health.
- Focus on applying the dental hygiene process of care while developing inter-professionalism, client-centred care and interpersonal communication skills.
- Graduates are eligible as a candidate for the National Dental Hygiene Certification Examination. Successful completion is a requirement for registration by the College of Dental Hygienists of Ontario to practice in the province.
Career Opportunities
Although a dentist in private practice most often employs dental hygienists, there is a growing number of dental hygienists who are self-employed or choose careers in public health education, hospitals, research, or dental product development and promotion.
Admission Requirements
OSSD with the majority of courses at the College (C), University (U), University/College (M) or Open (O) level plus successful completion of:
- Grade 12 English - ENG4U, ENG4C, EAE4C or EAE4U
- Senior Level Chemistry (C) or (U)
- Senior Level Biology (C) or (U)
OR
- The Pre-Health Sciences Pathway to Advanced Diplomas and Degrees certificate or equivalent courses from the Academic and Career Entrance program.
Mature students - See Admission Procedures for details.
The Dental Hygiene program has been updated to meet the new clinical-to-practice standards of the profession. Note that this is now a three (3) year program.
For more information, see the Dental Hygiene Admission Guidelines document also found on the Admission Procedures page.
Important Information
This is an OVERSUBSCRIBED program. Apply by February 1 to be considered for this program. See Admission Procedures for details.
Selection Procedure
A score is determined for each applicant derived from the required subjects for admission. Scores are then ranked by highest score and selection is made for the available positions and places on the waiting list.
For high school applicants, all of your Grade 11 courses and the first semester of your Grade 12 courses will be averaged and ranked in order to make the selection for acceptance into this program. When final grades are released applicants must meet the minimum requirement in mandatory courses.
Courses
The curriculum below is for incoming students:
Semester 2
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
|
DTL235
|
Dental Radiography II For Dental Hygiene |
3
|
|
DTL227
|
Dental Materials |
2
|
|
DTL253
|
Preventive Dentistry |
2
|
|
DTL257
|
Oral Histology & Embryology |
1
|
|
DTL260
|
Clinical Theory I |
3
|
|
DTL207
|
Clinical Practice I |
6
|
|
DTL209
|
Intro To Health Promotion |
2
|
|
DTL215
|
Introduction To Professional Communications And Information Management |
2
|
Semester 3
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
|
DTL353
|
Human Pathophysiology |
3
|
|
DTL359
|
Oral Pathology & Radiographic Interpretation |
3
|
|
DTL370
|
Clinical Practice II |
9
|
|
DTL363
|
Periodontics I For Dental Hygiene |
2
|
|
DTL309
|
Health Care In Canada |
1
|
|
DTL430
|
Advanced Dental Materials |
2
|
|
DTL368
|
Nutrition Counselling For General And Oral Health |
3
|
|
DTL311
|
Ethics & Professionalism |
1
|
|
DTL303
|
Clinical Theory II |
2
|
Semester 4
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
|
DTL470
|
Clinical Practice III |
9
|
|
DTL409
|
Health Promotion And Community Oral Health |
2
|
|
DTL425
|
Dental Hygiene Care In Diverse Populations |
2
|
|
DTL422
|
Oral Health Education |
2
|
|
DTL468
|
Pharmacology For The Dental Hygienist |
2
|
|
DTL469
|
Periodontics For The Dental Hygienist II |
2
|
|
ELEC1030
|
Choose 1 Elective Course |
3
|
|
DTL371
|
Biostatistics & Introduction To Research |
2
|
|
DTL427
|
Clinical Theory III |
2
|
Semester 6
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
|
DTL616
|
Interprofessional Practice |
2
|
|
DTL633
|
Practice Management For The Dental Hygienist |
3
|
|
DTL619
|
Professional Practice & Jurisprudence |
1
|
|
DTL632
|
Clinical Practice V |
6
|
|
DTL506
|
Advocacy And Health Policy |
2
|
|
DTL635
|
Program Planning For Community Groups |
1
|
|
ELEC1030
|
Choose 1 Elective Course |
3
|
|
DTL637
|
Clinical Theory V |
2
|
|
DTL643
|
Community Placement II |
1
|
Past Cohorts:
Semester 1
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| DTL110 | Anatomy And Physiology | 3 |
| DTL109 | Orofacial Anatomy | 3 |
| DTL166 | General And Oral Microbiology | 2 |
| DTL130 | Dental Radiography I | 2 |
| DTL160 | Preclinical Theory I | 4 |
| DTL120 | Preclinical Practice I | 6 |
| DTL362 | Professional Issues In Dental Hygiene | 2 |
| ENG107 | College Writing | 3 |
Semester 2
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| DTL235 | Dental Radiography II For Dental Hygiene | 3 |
| DTL227 | Dental Materials | 2 |
| DTL253 | Preventive Dentistry | 2 |
| DTL257 | Oral Histology & Embryology | 1 |
| DTL260 | Clinical Theory I | 3 |
| DTL207 | Clinical Practice I | 6 |
| DTL209 | Intro To Health Promotion | 2 |
| DTL223 | Intro To Collaborative Care | 1 |
| DTL215 | Introduction To Professional Communications And Information Management | 2 |
Semester 3
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| DTL353 | Human Pathophysiology | 3 |
| DTL359 | Oral Pathology & Radiographic Interpretation | 3 |
| DTL370 | Clinical Practice II | 9 |
| DTL363 | Periodontics I For Dental Hygiene | 2 |
| DTL309 | Health Care In Canada | 1 |
| DTL430 | Advanced Dental Materials | 2 |
| DTL368 | Nutrition Counselling For General And Oral Health | 3 |
| DTL311 | Ethics & Professionalism | 1 |
| DTL303 | Clinical Theory II | 2 |
Semester 4
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| DTL470 | Clinical Practice III | 9 |
| DTL409 | Health Promotion & Community Oral Health | 2 |
| DTL425 | Dental Hygiene Care In Diverse Populations | 2 |
| DTL422 | Oral Health Education | 2 |
| DTL468 | Pharmacology For The Dental Hygienist | 2 |
| DTL469 | Periodontics For The Dental Hygienist II | 2 |
| ELEC1030 | Choose 1 Elective Course | 3 |
| DTL371 | Biostatistics & Introduction To Research | 2 |
| DTL427 | Clinical Theory III | 2 |
Semester 5
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| DTL507 | Evidence Informed Practice | 2 |
| DTL508 | Clinical Practice IV | 8 |
| DTL509 | Orthodontics For The Dental Hygienist | 2 |
| ELEC1030 | Choose 1 Elective Course | 3 |
| DTL511 | Pain Management For The Dental Hygienist | 1 |
| DTL514 | Clinical Theory IV | 2 |
| DTL518 | Community Placement I | 1 |
Semester 6
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| DTL616 | Interprofessional Practice | 2 |
| DTL633 | Practice Management For The Dental Hygienist | 3 |
| DTL619 | Professional Practice & Jurisprudence | 1 |
| DTL632 | Clinical Practice V | 6 |
| DTL506 | Advocacy And Health Policy | 2 |
| DTL635 | Program Planning for Community Groups | 1 |
| ELEC1030 | Choose 1 Elective Course | 3 |
| DTL637 | Clinical Theory V | 2 |
| DTL643 | Community Placement II | 1 |
Semester 1
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| DTL110 | Anatomy And Physiology | 3 |
| DTL109 | Orofacial Anatomy | 3 |
| DTL166 | General And Oral Microbiology | 2 |
| DTL130 | Dental Radiography I | 2 |
| DTL160 | Preclinical Theory I | 4 |
| DTL120 | Preclinical Practice I | 6 |
| DTL362 | Professional Issues In Dental Hygiene | 2 |
| ENG107 | College Writing | 3 |
Semester 2
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| DTL235 | Dental Radiography II For Dental Hygiene | 3 |
| DTL227 | Dental Materials | 2 |
| DTL253 | Preventive Dentistry | 2 |
| DTL257 | Oral Histology & Embryology | 1 |
| DTL260 | Clinical Theory I | 3 |
| DTL207 | Clinical Practice I | 6 |
| DTL209 | Intro To Health Promotion | 2 |
| DTL223 | Intro To Collaborative Care | 1 |
| DTL215 | Introduction To Professional Communications And Information Management | 2 |
Semester 3
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| DTL353 | Human Pathophysiology | 3 |
| DTL359 | Oral Pathology & Radiographic Interpretation | 3 |
| DTL370 | Clinical Practice II | 9 |
| DTL363 | Periodontics I For Dental Hygiene | 2 |
| DTL372 | Health Care In Canada | 2 |
| DTL430 | Advanced Dental Materials | 2 |
| DTL368 | Nutrition Counselling For General And Oral Health | 3 |
| DTL311 | Ethics & Professionalism | 1 |
| DTL302 | Clinical Theory II | 1 |
Semester 4
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| DTL470 | Clinical Practice III | 9 |
| DTL459 | Health Promotion & Community Oral Health | 4 |
| DTL425 | Dental Hygiene Care In Diverse Populations | 2 |
| DTL467 | Promoting Health In Multicultural Populations | 1 |
| DTL468 | Pharmacology For The Dental Hygienist | 2 |
| DTL469 | Periodontics For The Dental Hygienist II | 2 |
| ELEC1030 | Choose 1 Elective Course | 3 |
| DTL371 | Biostatistics & Introduction To Research | 2 |
| DTL419 | Clinical Theory III | 1 |
Semester 5
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| DTL507 | Evidence Informed Practice | 2 |
| DTL508 | Clinical Practice IV | 8 |
| DTL509 | Orthodontics For The Dental Hygienist | 2 |
| ELEC1030 | Choose 1 Elective Course | 3 |
| DTL511 | Pain Management For The Dental Hygienist | 1 |
| DTL514 | Clinical Theory IV | 2 |
| DTL518 | Community Placement I | 1 |
Semester 6
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| DTL616 | Interprofessional Practice | 2 |
| DTL633 | Practice Management For The Dental Hygienist | 3 |
| DTL619 | Professional Practice & Jurisprudence | 1 |
| DTL632 | Clinical Practice V | 6 |
| DTL506 | Advocacy And Health Policy | 2 |
| DTL635 | Program Planning for Community Groups | 1 |
| ELEC1030 | Choose 1 Elective Course | 3 |
| DTL637 | Clinical Theory V | 2 |
| DTL643 | Community Placement II | 1 |
Placement Requirements
This is to make you aware that, although a COVID-19 vaccination is not required to attend St. Clair College, all of our clinical placement sites are requiring students to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 to be eligible to attend. Students who are not fully vaccinated cannot be provided with a clinical placement for their program and therefore will not be able to complete their programs. Please be advised that COVID-19 booster shots and or other requirements may become mandatory for clinical placement, however, they are not currently required.
If you have any questions about the COVID-19 vaccines, please contact our St. Clair College Health Centre at 519-972-2727 ext. 4484 (in Windsor) or 519-354-9100 ext. 3729 (in Chatham).
Clinical placements include day and evening sessions. Students are responsible for parking fees.
PRIOR TO CLINICAL PLACEMENT
Entering Year 1 - All documentation is due September 15th
- Standard First Aid
- Basic Rescuer (CPR) with AED (Annual renewal is required; cannot be online)
Health Requirements:
- A satisfactory medical exam
- An up-to-date immunization record including tetanus and diphtheria, polio, measles, mumps, rubella, varicella (chicken pox), Hepatitis B (incl. Hep B titre within the last 24 months) and TB skin test.
- Completed Health Passport (Medical Requirements Form) including a yearly TB skin test
- N95 Mask fit test completed on 1870+ or 1860s
- Student Confidentiality Form
PRIOR TO CLINICAL PLACEMENT
Returning Year 2 - All documentation is due the first day back to school in September
- Standard First Aid
- Basic Rescuer (CPR) with AED (Annual renewal is required; cannot be online)
Health Requirements:
- A satisfactory medical exam
- An up-to-date immunization record including tetanus and diphtheria, polio, measles, mumps, rubella, varicella (chicken pox), Hepatitis B (incl. Hep B titre within the last 24 months) and TB skin test.
- Updated Health Passport (Medical Requirements Form) including a yearly TB skin test
- N95 Mask fit test completed on 1870+ or 1860s
- Student Confidentiality Form
PRIOR TO CLINICAL PLACEMENT
Returning Year 3 - All documentation is due the first day back to school in September
- Standard First Aid
- Basic Rescuer (CPR) with AED (Annual renewal is required; cannot be online)
Health Requirements:
- A satisfactory medical exam
- An up-to-date immunization record including tetanus and diphtheria, polio, measles, mumps, rubella, varicella (chicken pox), Hepatitis B (incl. Hep B titre within the last 24 months) and TB skin test.
- Updated Health Passport (Medical Requirements Form) including a yearly TB skin test
- Flu shot (required for community placement in semester 5)
- N95 Mask fit test completed on 1870+ or 1860s
- COVID-19 vaccinations (including a booster)
- Student Confidentiality Form
- Acknowledgement of Responsibility
- Police Clearance (vulnerable sector)
Police Clearance (Vulnerable Sector)
Employer requirements for our community placements require a clear POLICE RECORD CHECK for criminal offences with vulnerable sector screening before accepting a student into the community placement setting. The record check MUST be obtained by the student at the student's expense. The police clearance must be obtained by the first week of year 3 of the program.
NOTE: It is the responsibility of the student to maintain/renew before expiry certification in First Aid, CPR and N95 Fit Testing throughout the length of the program, including during clinical placements.
Program Physical Demands Analysis
Program Vocational Learning Outcomes
Dental Hygiene (Ontario College Advanced Diploma) (MTCU code 61628)
The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to:
- Practice in a professional and competent manner within the defined scope of practice consistent with current regulations and standards of practice.
- Evaluate clients’ oral health status using determinants of health and risk analysis to identify needs, justify treatment decisions and provide appropriate referrals to other health care professionals as required.
- Design, implement and evaluate a range of primary, interceptive, therapeutic, preventative, and on-going health care services to meet the unique needs of clients.
- Analyse oral health issues in need of advocacy, identify networks and promote actions that will support change and facilitate access to care.
- Identify, select, implement and evaluate quality assurance standards and protocols which contribute to a safe and effective working environment.
- Establish and maintain professional and interprofessional relationships which contribute to client care safety and positive healthcare outcomes.
- Facilitate the development of specific oral health attitudes, knowledge, skills, and behaviours in clients by selecting and utilizing principles of teaching and learning.
- Develop and present a model for a DH practice that addresses relevant business principles, current legislation and standards of practice.