Curriculum

Curriculum

General Education Curriculum

Presented in the first half of this three-year, year-round program are general education courses providing a strong science background, and a broad base in the humanities. There is a required course of study during these three semesters and summer session intended to provide the prerequisite background in biology, chemistry, psychology, sociology, English and mathematics needed for dental hygiene science and clinical practice. Students will undertake this portion of their course work, which is provided by the College of the Pacific, with the general undergraduate student population on the main campus. If you are a transfer student the course presented in this first half of the programs are the course you will need to have transfer equivalences for. More information about transferring into the Dental Hygiene program.

First Semester, First Year (17 units)

Biology 51: Principles of Biology
4 units
General Education III A requirement fulfilled

Chemistry 25: General Chemistry
5 units
General Education III C requirement fulfilled

Psychology 31: Intro to Psychology
4 units
General Education I A requirement fulfilled

Pacific Seminar I
4 units
General Education IC requirement fulfilled

Second Semester (16 units)

Biology 61: Principles of Biology
4 units

Chemistry 27: General Chemistry
5 units

Sociology 51: Intro to Sociology
4 units
General Education I B requirement fulfilled

Pacific Seminar II
3 units
General Education IIB requirement fulfilled

Summer Session (15 units)

General Education: Human Concerns
4 units
II B or C requirement fulfilled

Elective
4 units

Mathematics 37: Statistics and Probability
4 units
General Education III B requirement fulfilled

Chemistry 121: Organic Chemistry
3 units without lab

Third Semester (15 units)

English 25: Intro
4 units
General Education II B requirement fulfilled

Communications 27: Public Speaking
3 units

Biology 145: Microbiology 4 units

Biology 111: Anatomy & Physiology
4 units

Total Units = 63

Dental Hygiene Curriculum

Professional training is undertaken in the second half of the program for four semesters. The curriculum provides students with knowledge of oral health and disease as a basis for assuming responsibility to assess, plan, implement, and evaluate dental hygiene services for both the individual patient and community oral health programs. Dental hygienists learn to develop patient counseling programs to encourage health promotion and disease prevention, and provide prescribed clinical patient care for patients of all ages, including those with special needs (medically compromised, mentally or physically challenged, and socially disadvantaged). Introductory courses include head and neck anatomy, dental radiology, oral health education, nutrition, and biomaterials.

This foundation in basic and dental sciences is further enhanced with advanced courses in pharmacology, medical and dental emergencies, community oral health, ethics and jurisprudence. This portion of the program will be provided through the School of Dentistry in the dental hygiene facility on the main campus.

First Semester (14 units)

1. Head and Neck Anatomy (2 units)
2. Dental Anatomy (1 unit)
3. Dental Radiology (2 units)
4. Histology/Embryology (2 units)
5. Dental Hygiene Practice (3 units)
6. Pre-Clinical Dental Hygiene (3 units)
7. Oral Health Education (1 units)

Second Semester (17 units)

1. Medical and Dental Emergencies (1 unit)
2. Dental Hygiene Clinic I (7 units)
3. Oral Pathology (2 units)
4. Periodontics I (2 units)
5. Pain Management/Local Anesthesia (2 units)
6. Pharmacology (3 units)

Third Semester (17 units)

1. Medical and Dental Emergencies (1 unit)
2. Dental Hygiene Clinic II (8 units)
3. Periodontics II (2 units)
4. Community Oral Health (4 units)
5. Patient Management/ Special Needs (2 units)

Fourth Semester (17 units)

1. Dental Hygiene Clinic III (8 units)
2. Biochemistry and Nutrition (2 units)
3. Dental Materials (2 units)
4. Ethics and Jurisprudence (2 units)
5. Senior Project (3 units)
   1. Community Health
   2. Research
   3. Teaching
   4. Special Needs Patient Care

Total Units = 63

 

Through emphasis on the integration of general education, biomedical science, dental science, dental hygiene science, and clinical practice components, students are taught to problem solve, interact with the dentist and the dental team, and treat a wide variety of patients. Upon completion of the program students will be prepared to provide quality dental care to the public and to supplement and adapt their knowledge and skills throughout their professional lives.