Dental Hygiene | St. Clair College
Three Year - Ontario College Advanced Diploma
Starts: September
Contact:
Carmen Clayton
519-972-2727 ext. 5322

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 1
Code Title Credits
DTL110
Anatomy And Physiology
3
DTL109
Orofacial Anatomy
3
DTL166
General And Oral Microbiology
2
DTL131
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
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 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

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

Synergy Placement Notice to Students

Pre-Placement Requirements

Synergy Made Simple. Click here for Synergy Support

St. Clair College has partnered with Synergy Gateway Inc to provide you access to Verified - a platform that is used by students at other post-secondary institutions across Ontario for the purpose of digitally collecting placement requirements related to placement(s). Synergy Gateway Inc will provide support and clearance to help with your required documentation. You will be required to complete an Electronic Requirements Verification (ERV) Review through the Verified platform in order to receive clearance to begin your clinical placement. You will be provided access to "Verified" via a secure username and password. You will use Verified to:

  • Upload your pre-placement requirements documentation for review.
  • Book your Electronic Requirements Verification (ERV) service (this is a service that reviews the documents you have uploaded and provides you a status as to your eligibility to begin placements).
  • Track your ongoing requirements compliance.

Each student will receive log-in credentials to access Verified that will be sent to your St. Clair College email account. Please check your inbox, spam and junk mail folders for an email from the "Synergy Help Desk". You will be required to create a new password upon logging in. Be sure to view the video user guides and student guidebook to learn how to use the Verified platform.

Any associated fees for Synergy Gateway Inc to complete the pre-placement requirements are the sole responsibility of the students.

It is mandatory that students complete their ERV service through Verified to be eligible for your upcoming clinical placement.

Once your account has been set up with Verified, inquiries can be directed to Synergy Gateway Inc at www.Synergyhelps.com. You will need to submit a Help Desk ticket. Their Help Desk hours are Monday to Friday: 10 am - 3 pm, excluding holidays.

** Please note: If you are an International student completing a placement, you will require a valid COOP Work Permit.


Requirements

(Please refer to your Synergy communications for full details)

  • Health Assessment Record
  • CPR-BLS (valid for 1 year regardless of the expiration date on the card)
  • Standard First Aid (valid for 3 years)
  • Mask Fit 1870+ & 1860s (valid for 2 years)
  • Police Vulnerable Sector Check (valid for 1 year, Year 3 students ONLY) 
  • Additional Attestations will be required through Synergy Gateway

The requirements must remain valid (not expired) for the entire academic year.


COVID-19 Vaccination Placement Notice to Students

This is to make you aware that, although a COVID-19 vaccination is not required to attend St. Clair College, most of our placement sites require students to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 to be eligible to attend. Students who are not fully vaccinated cannot be provided with a 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 placement, however, they are not currently required.

  • Student placements are assigned at the discretion of the program.
  • Students may be required to obtain further clearances for placement at the discretion of the placement site.
  • Student personal requests for placement cannot be accommodated.
    • Placements may be outside the Windsor/Chatham area (& could possibly expand throughout the province)
  • Students are responsible for their own accommodation.
  • Students are responsible for their own travel and all costs of placements.
  • Students are responsible for the cost of scrub uniforms/footwear and equipment (such as a stethoscope, a watch with a second hand) and other incidentals as required.
  • Placement schedules may include shifts on days, afternoons, weekends and holidays throughout the program based on placement needs and agency availability.

Your Investment

The standard tuition and compulsory fees for the current academic year:

2024-2025 Tuition Fees  

For programs with Experiential Learning (Work Placement/Internship): Costs for accommodation, if needed, travel and related expenses are at the student's own expense. It is recommended for most programs, that students have access to a laptop or desktop computer while away from home during experiential learning periods.

Textbooks and other materials are in addition to Tuition Fees. Textbook prices may be found on the Bookstore website.

Please be aware that tuition and compulsory fees are subject to adjustment each year. The College reserves the right to change, amend or alter fees as necessary without notice or prejudice.

Smart Start Information

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:

  1. Practice in a professional and competent manner within the defined scope of practice consistent with current regulations and standards of practice.
  2. 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.
  3. Design, implement and evaluate a range of primary, interceptive, therapeutic, preventative, and on-going health care services to meet the unique needs of clients.
  4. Analyse oral health issues in need of advocacy, identify networks and promote actions that will support change and facilitate access to care.
  5. Identify, select, implement and evaluate quality assurance standards and protocols which contribute to a safe and effective working environment.
  6. Establish and maintain professional and interprofessional relationships which contribute to client care safety and positive healthcare outcomes.
  7. Facilitate the development of specific oral health attitudes, knowledge, skills, and behaviours in clients by selecting and utilizing principles of teaching and learning.
  8. Develop and present a model for a DH practice that addresses relevant business principles, current legislation and standards of practice.