Pre-Dental Hygiene

Suggested Pre-Dental Hygiene course sequence at Pierce College. Note: Most courses listed have prerequisites, which may vary at each college. This sequence does not include those required prerequisites; therefore, completion of Dental Hygiene prerequisites may take longer than one year.

Fall Quarter

• *BIOL 240 Anatomy & Physiology I – Lecture 4
• *BIOL 241 Anatomy & Physiology I – Lab 2
• MATH 107 Intro to Contemporary Math 5
• ENGL 103 Composition – Argumentation & Research 5 or, ENGL 111 Technical Writing

Winter Quarter

• *BIOL 250 Anatomy & Physiology II - Lecture 4
• *BIOL 251 Anatomy & Physiology II - Lab* 2
• PSYCH 110 General Psychology 5
• *CHEM 101 Intro to Inorganic Chemistry 5

Spring Quarter

• *MICRO 201 Microbiology 5
• *HSCI 161 Human Nutrition 5
• *CHEM 102 Intro to Organic & Biochemistry 6

Summer Quarter

• SPCH 100 Speech Communication 5 or, SPCH 110 Fundamentals of Public Speaking 5
• Choose one:
• ANTHR 104 The American Mosaic: Culture of the U.S. 5
• ANTHR 220 Social Anthropology 5
• ANTHR 240 Women in Cross Cultural Perspectives 5
• PHIL 220 Society and Social Philosophy: The Individual 5
• SOC 220 Gender Roles in Society 5
• SOC 230 Social Problems 5
• HUMAN 106 Ethnic Thought and Culture 5

Total Pre-Dental Hygiene Credits 58

*Four of the seven required science/math courses and two of the general education courses must be completed by the end of winter quarter of the year of application. Higher level courses may be acceptable based on Program Director's approval.

Formal application for the Dental Hygiene program must be made to the Admissions Office at the Fort Steilacoom campus by completing an Admission Form and paying a $25 non-refundable Application fee.

Deadline for submitting the application is FEBRUARY 2 preceding the fall quarter in which you plan to enter the program. It is the applicant's responsibility to see that his/her file is complete and up-to-date. Deadline for other documents is April 1 preceding the fall quarter for which application is being made.

1. A written admissions test must be taken prior to April of the application year.
2. Official high school and all college transcripts must be forwarded directly from the schools to the Office of Admissions at Fort Steilacoom and marked "Dental Hygiene Admissions."
3. Students who have not completed all prerequisites by the above date must submit proof of registration for the remaining courses.

Evaluation of Candidates

Admission to the Dental Hygiene program is based on academic records and other written tests as required. Candidates with the highest total scores will be notified by May 1 of any given year. The number of students accepted is limited by the physical and financial resources of the college or when placement into the profession is no longer possible.

Requirements After Acceptance

1. Physical examination;
2. Tuberculin test or chest x-ray and tetanus shot;
3. Eye examination;
4. Vaccination for Hepatitis B; and current on CDC standard immunizations for the health care worker;
5. Dental examination with most dental work completed;
6. The candidate must pay the Advance Tuition Deposit when requested by the college.

If accepted, the applicant will enter the two-year, seven quarter program leading to an Associate in Dental Hygiene.

Information on costs, including books, instruments, equipment, lab fees and uniforms is available from the department.

First Year

Fall Quarter

• DENT 102 Dental Radiology I 3
• DENT 103 Preventive Dentistry I 2
• DENT 104 Biological Structures I 3
• DENT 106 Medical Emergencies in Dental Practice 1
• DENT 107 Intro to Restorative Dentistry I 2
• DENT 108 Fundamentals of Dental Hygiene I 3
• DENT 109 Dental Hygiene Practice I 4

Winter Quarter

• DENT 112 Dental Radiology II 2
• DENT 113 Preventive Dentistry II 1
• DENT 114 Biological Structures II 2
• DENT 115 General Pathology 2
• DENT 117 Intro to Restorative Dentistry II 2
• DENT 118 Fundamentals of Dental Hygiene II 2
• DENT 119 Dental Hygiene Practice II 6

Spring Quarter

• DENT 121 Intro to Periodontology 3
• DENT 122 Pharmacology for Dental Hygiene 3
• DENT 123 Preventive Dentistry III 1
• DENT 125 Oral Pathology 2
• DENT 127 Intro to Restorative Dentistry III 2
• DENT 128 Fundamentals of Dental Hygiene III 1
• DENT 129 Dental Hygiene Practice III 6

Summer Quarter

• DENT 164 Health Professions Team Building 2
• DENT 166 Local Anesthesia 3
• DENT 167 Intro to Restorative Dentistry IV 1
• DENT 168 Fundamentals of Dental Hygiene IV 1
• DENT 169 Dental Hygiene Practice IV 6

Second Year

Fall Quarter

• DENT 231 Advanced Perio Therapy 2
• DENT 232 Nutrition for Dental Hygiene 1
• DENT 233 Gerodontology/Special Needs 2
• DENT 234 Fundamentals of Restorative Dentistry I 2
• DENT 236 Nitrous Oxide Psychosed Dentistry 1
• DENT 237 Clinical Restorative Dentistry I 2
• DENT 238 Fundamentals of Dental Hygiene V 2
• DENT 239 Dental Hygiene Practice V 7

Winter Quarter

• DENT 241 Advanced Periodontology II 1
• DENT 243 Community Dental Health 3
• DENT 244 Fundamentals of Restorative Dentistry II 1
• DENT 246 Extramural Dental Hygiene Practice I 2
• DENT 247 Clinical Restorative Dentistry II 2
• DENT 248 Fundamentals of Dental Hygiene VI 3
• DENT 249 Dental Hygiene Practice VI 7

Spring Quarter

• DENT 253 Community Dental Health Practice 1
• DENT 254 Fundamentals of Restorative Dentistry III 1
• DENT 256 Extramural Dental Hygiene Practice II 2
• DENT 257 Clinical Restorative Dentistry III 2
• DENT 258 Fundamentals of Dental Hygiene VII 3
• DENT 259 Dental Hygiene Practice VII 7

Total Program Credits Required 121

Total Credits including Pre-Dental Hygiene 179