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Dental Hygiene

PPSC Dental Hygiene Program Progress

The developing Dental Hygiene Program at Pikes Peak State College (PPSC) has applied for an Initial Accreditation Status from the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA). The Dental Hygiene Program is requesting third-part comments as required by the United States Department of Education for initial accreditation consideration from CODA. All comments submitted must pertain only to the standards relative to the PPSC Dental Hygiene Program being reviewed or policies and procedures used in the accreditation process. Signed or unsigned comments will be considered.

Third-party comments relative to the Commission’s developing programs may include comments submitted by interested parties, such as faculty, students, program administrators, specialty and dental related organizations, patients, and consumers.

Comments are due to the Commission’s office by February 29, 2024.

Interested parties may obtain a copy of the appropriate standards and the Commission’s policy on third-party comments by contacting the CODA at 211 East Chicago Avenue, Chicago, IL 60611, or by calling 1-800-621-8099, extension 4653.

 

Join us for the Virtual Dental Hygiene & Dental Assisting
Information & Registration Session!
 
Learn about program requirements, career pathways, job outlook, and more! PPSC faculty and staff will be there to answer your questions! 

May 16th
6:00 - 7:00PM
Virtual via Zoom

Register to attend now! 
Student working on dental patient

What is a Dental Hygienist?

A dental hygienist is a licensed healthcare professional that is skilled and an essential member of the dental health care team in the delivery of preventive dentistry. They have more extensive skills than Dental Assistants and, therefore, have more training requirements. In the traditional role of dental hygienist training includes
  • prophylaxis
  • patient data gathering for diagnosis and treatment planning
  • fluoride treatment
  • sealant application
  • radiographic examination
  • nutritional counseling
  • periodontal diseases prevention and treatment
  • treatment of handicapped, institutionalized, and other medically compromised patients
  • administration of local anesthesia and nitrous oxide
In the expanded role of the dental hygienist training includes Interim Therapeutic Restorations (ITR).

You may be employed in any of the following areas upon completion of a Dental Hygiene Associate of Applied Science degree:

  • General Practice
  • Periodontic Practice
  • Pediatric Practice
  • Independent Practice
  • Public Health Setting

Explore more through the US Bureau of Labor and Statistics.

NOTE: This profession is not the same as being a Dental Assistant.

Dental Hygiene Education Requirements

It is very important that you consult with your choice of Dental Hygiene programs to take the correct general education requirements and to understand their application requirements and deadlines. Review the PPSC Health Science Biology Sequence chart in the tab at the top of the page.

Dental Hygiene programs are competitive entry programs. Most have annual application dates and very specific course sequences. Be sure that you are taking the correct courses for your target program.

Dental Hygiene programs typically include the following requirements:

PPSC Health Sciences Biology Sequence

Accredited Colorado Public Institution Programs

Colorado Northwestern Community College

Community College of Denver

Pueblo Community College

What to Do Now

  • Review application requirements for the colleges in which you are interested.
  • Make note of the application dates for each.
  • Feel free to contact each college for specific questions.
PPSC Faculty Advisor - Program Information
Ewa.Posorski@PikesPeak.edu
719-502-3437

Make appointments by writing to AlliedHealth@PikesPeak.edu or by calling 719-502-3700.
Meet with a Health Sciences Advisor
Students in classroom