Dental Hygiene Program
What will I learn?
The Dental Hygiene program combines classroom instruction, laboratory practice, simulation and supervised clinical experiences to prepare students for professional practice.
Throughout the program, students will develop skills in:
- Patient assessment and oral health evaluation
- Dental radiography and dental materials
- Preventive dental hygiene procedures and periodontal therapy
- Local anesthesia and pain management
- Infection prevention and patient safety
- Patient education, nutrition and oral health promotion
- Clinical decision-making and patient-centered care
- Professional ethics, communication and dental healthcare teamwork
Students gain extensive experience providing care to patients in LCCC's on-campus Dental Hygiene Clinic under faculty supervision before completing the program.
What degree will I earn?
Associate of Applied Science
The Associate of Applied Science in Dental Hygiene is a limited-entry professional program. Students begin with classroom and laboratory instruction before progressing into patient care experiences in LCCC's on-campus clinic and other supervised learning environments.
General education and basic science courses are essential to prepare students to succeed in this program. Therefore, admission to the Dental Hygiene program requires completion of prerequisite coursework before applying to the professional program. Please refer to the current program application information for complete admission and course requirements.
The professional program is a full-time, five-semester program, not including the prerequisite courses students must complete before admission. Prerequisite courses typically take a full-time student two semesters to complete. A Student Success Coach can help students estimate their total completion time based on previous coursework and course availability.
Available at the Cheyenne main campus.
Program Information
The Dental Hygiene program is full-time, with coursework, laboratory experiences and clinical education scheduled throughout the week.
Students should expect to be on the Cheyenne campus approximately four days each week, although schedules vary by semester.
Beginning early in the program, students provide patient care in LCCC's Dental Hygiene Clinic under faculty supervision.
Clinical education builds throughout the program as students gain confidence and experience treating patients with a variety of oral healthcare needs. Students will also travel to local dental hygiene clinics for clinicals.
Clinical schedules vary by semester and patient assignments. Students should expect daytime clinic experiences and should plan their schedules accordingly.
- Prepare dental hygiene graduates to be well-qualified, entry-level practitioners who
possess the knowledge and skills to provide evidence-based dental hygiene care, practice
informed decision-making based on current research, and function as integral members
of the dental health team through demonstrated competence as defined by Program Competencies.
- Promote the health and well-being of the public by providing quality, clinical dental
hygiene care assured through a comprehensive, quality-assurance program.
- Support and promote the personal and professional development of faculty, staff and
students by fostering professional behaviors consistent with legal and ethical expectations
through professional activities, continuing education programs and community and college
service.
a. Participate in and support service activities and affiliations with organizations that advance the mission of the college, department and profession. - Practice teaching excellence reflective of current dental hygiene and educational
theories and practices.
a. Use faculty expertise and current educational methodologies to provide quality and contemporary didactic and clinical dental hygiene education through a competency-based curriculum.
The Dental Hygiene Program at Laramie County Community College is dedicated to educating students to serve the community as exceptional licensed Dental Hygienists.
This program is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation. The Commission is a specialized accrediting body recognized by the United States Department of Education. The Commission on Dental Accreditation can be contacted at 312.440.4653 or at 211 East Chicago Avenue, Chicago, Illinois 60611.
What can I do with this degree?
Graduates are employed in a variety of healthcare settings, including: general dental practices, pediatric dental offices, periodontal practices, orthodontic offices, educational institutions and more.
Visit Career Coach for additional information about Dental Hygienists.
Visit LCCC's Career Resources to find tools for selecting the right program for you and marketing yourself to future employers.
How much will it cost?
For general college expenses, students should view LCCC’s cost of attendance.
Students in the Dental Hygiene Program have an estimated expense of $25,000 – $30,000
in addition to tuition and books. This is an estimate and may change at any time.
Fees are approximate and subject to change
| Dental Hygiene fee** (Split equally between four semesters with clinic courses) | $14,868 |
|
Textbooks and Course Packets First Year |
$1,410 |
|
Textbooks and Course Packets Summer |
$253 |
|
Textbooks and Course Packets Second Year |
$310 |
|
Student Instrument Kit |
$3,500 |
|
Loupes |
$2,000 |
|
Personal Expenses |
Varies |
|
Immunizations/Titers |
Varies |
|
Background Check and Drug Screen |
$233 |
|
Lab coats/scrubs/shoes/safety glasses |
$400 |
|
Dental Hygiene Pin |
$50 |
|
National Board |
$600 |
|
National Dental Hygiene Board Exam Review |
$475 |
|
CRDTS or WREBS |
$1,300 - $1,800 |
|
Travel Costs Associated with Board Exams |
Varies |
|
State Jurisprudence Exams |
$400 - $600 |
|
State Licensing Fee |
Varies by State |
The Dental Hygiene program will provide some of the instruments, dosimeter service, SADHA membership and limited course supplies such as some materials needed for table clinics, community health projects and class presentations. Instruments and supplies that are provided by the program are the property of the Dental Hygiene program and must be returned in the final semester and prior to a student’s graduation from the program.
* Fees are subject to change.
**The Dental Hygiene Program Fee covers all four clinical courses. A 25 percent deposit
will be required at the time of acceptance into the program and will be applied toward
the Principles of Dental Hygiene course fee. If the applicant notifies the program
in writing that she/he no longer wants to be considered as an accepted member of their
class, the deposit will be returned in full by the deadline specified in the welcome
letter (two weeks after welcome letter was sent). After that date, the entire amount
will be forfeited to the program. The remaining program fee will be evenly distributed
through the remainder of the curriculum.
Is This Career Right for Me?
Dental hygiene may be a good fit for students who enjoy working closely with people, have an interest in health and science, and like detailed, hands-on work. Dental hygienists spend much of the day providing direct patient care and must be comfortable working in a patient's mouth and with blood, saliva and other body fluids.
Students considering this career should also know that dental hygiene requires strong communication skills, attention to detail, and the ability to work in physically demanding positions for extended periods. Dental hygienists often perform repetitive, precise movements and must be comfortable educating and working with patients who may be anxious or have complex oral health needs.
Consider dental hygiene if you:
- Enjoy working directly with patients
- Are interested in oral and overall health
- Like detailed, hands-on work
- Communicate well with different types of people
- Are comfortable working in a clinical environment
- Can manage a physically active and repetitive job
- Value precision, organization, and attention to detail
- Want a healthcare career focused on prevention and patient education
A dental hygienist is a preventive oral care professional licensed to provide clinical and educational dental hygiene services to the public. This may include:
- Patient screening, including assessing oral health conditions, reviewing the health history, taking and assessing vital signs, oral cancer screening, head and neck examination, dental charting, and periodontal charting.
- Take and review dental X-rays (radiographs).
- Remove buildup from the teeth.
- Apply preventive materials to the teeth, such as sealants and fluorides.
- Provide patient education focused on each individual's needs.
- Provide nutritional assessment and counseling to improve the patient's oral health.
Dental Hygienists are passionate about helping and educating people and are very patient-oriented. They have effective communication skills and enjoy working with a diverse group of people. Dental hygienists are also detail-oriented and have excellent hand dexterity.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Dental Hygiene Program:
Do I need dental assisting or other healthcare experience to apply?
No. Previous dental assisting or healthcare experience is not required. The program prepares students with no previous professional dental experience to become entry-level dental hygienists. Certain healthcare experience, certifications or credentials may earn additional points as part of the program application scoring process.
Can I work while enrolled in the program?
Some students work while completing the program, but the Dental Hygiene program requires a significant time commitment. Classes, labs and clinical experiences are scheduled during the week, and students should also plan for study time and preparation outside of scheduled hours.