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
|
|
DTL166
|
General And Oral Microbiology
|
2
|
|
DTL120
|
Preclinical Practice I
|
6
|
|
DTL362
|
Professional Issues In Dental Hygiene
|
2
|
Semester 2
| Code |
Title |
Credits |
|
DTL235
|
Dental Radiography II For Dental Hygiene
|
3
|
|
DTL257
|
Oral Histology & Embryology
|
1
|
|
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
|
|
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
|
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
|
|
DTL371
|
Biostatistics & Introduction To Research
|
2
|
Semester 5
| Code |
Title |
Credits |
|
DTL507
|
Evidence Informed Practice
|
2
|
|
DTL509
|
Orthodontics For The Dental Hygienist
|
2
|
|
DTL511
|
Pain Management For The Dental Hygienist
|
1
|
|
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
|
|
DTL506
|
Advocacy And Health Policy
|
2
|
|
DTL635
|
Program Planning For Community Groups
|
1
|
|
DTL643
|
Community Placement II
|
1
|
View Pre/Co-Requisites for Dental Hygiene
Every effort has been made to align the pre/co-requisite document with the information on the course outline. However, if there are any discrepancies identified, the information on the course outline takes precedence.
Pre-Placement Requirements
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:
- Synergy Review Fee: $50.50 + tax
- Synergy Follow-Up Review Fee: $10.00 + tax
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.
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:
- 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.
