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Dental Hygiene

Dental Hygiene

Degree Type: Associate of Applied Science Degree, AAS

Pathway: Science, Engineering and Math

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Fall registration is open

Secure your spot in the classes you need for Fall 2024 at Pikes Peak State College today, and take the next step towards achieving your academic and career goals!

Register Today

 

why choose dental hygiene at ppsc?

Dental hygiene at PPSC prepares you to be a licensed healthcare professional that is skilled and an essential member of the dental health care team in the delivery of preventive & therapeutic dentistry. The educational requirements for licensure are an associate degree from a CODA accredited institution and successful completion of a national and a clinical board examination.

PPSC Dental Hygiene Program Accreditation

PPSC’s Dental Hygiene program is designed in compliance with the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) Standards and will provide the students with the essential knowledge and skills to successfully complete the written and clinical board exams for licensure. The developing Dental Hygiene program has applied for the CODA Initial Accreditation status. You can contact CODA at this link CODA or 211 East Chicago Avenue, Chicago, IL 60611, or by calling 1-800-621-8099, extension 4653.

Student working on dental patient

what do ppsc dental hygiene students study?

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
Visit the Colorado Dental Board website for full scope of dental hygiene practice information.

 

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Join us! Information and Registration Session

Learn more about the program, including career options and job and salary outlook, meet faculty, ask questions get registration help from the PPSC team, meet fellow students, and more! 

Virtual:
October 30 | 6pm

In-Person: 
December 5 | 3pm

 

Dental assisting student

Program Mission

To deliver a preeminent Dental Hygiene Program for the State of Colorado, that will inspire students to maximize their potential in serving their patients and their communities.  

The Dental Hygiene Program at the Pikes Peak State College strives to provide high quality education by employing learner-centered, evidence-based curriculum that will produce competent and confident leaders in the dental hygiene field who will meet the needs of a culturally & ethnically diverse population. The program will cultivate life-long learners who will strive for ethical personal and professional excellence.

Upon completion of the Dental Hygiene Program at the PPSC students will be able to: 

  1. Employ the principles of dental hygiene diagnosis and treatment planning along with dental hygiene process of care in providing comprehensive, quality patient care 
  2. Provide individualized, culturally competent patient educational services to promote health maintenance and disease prevention.  
  3. In collaboration with stakeholders and other health care professionals, promote oral and general health by planning and providing oral health related programs to the public.
  4. Use evidence-based research to critically evaluate the validity of foundational knowledge, information, products and/or techniques and their relevance to the practice of dental hygiene. 
  5. Apply principles of ethical behavior in the decision-making process, and critical thinking skills as they pertain to the academic environment, research, patient care and dental hygiene practice, and demonstrate professional responsibility as it applies to the legal and regulatory concepts in the provision and/or support of oral health care services. 
  6. Conduct self-assessment to monitor knowledge and performance in order to foster personal and professional growth.  
  7. Demonstrate cultural sensitivity and interpersonal communication skills required for effective collaboration with diverse population groups and other professionals in the health care system. 
  8. Demonstrate professional growth by participating in professional activities and continuing education. 

Fall registration is open

Secure your spot in the classes you need for Fall 2024 at Pikes Peak State College today, and take the next step towards achieving your academic and career goals!

Register Today
For general advising questions, you can email us at hsadvising@pikespeak.edu, or fill out the form below. For the quickest service, please include your Student Number in all communications.
Note: During registration seasons, we experience a high volume of calls and emails. During those times it may take us a few days to respond to you.