Dental hygiene

• Admissions & Prerequisites

• Required Courses

• License Exam

• Affiliated Institutions

• Costs

• Selection/Notification Process

Dental Hygiene Associates Degree

West's dental programs are among the most respected in the country. 100% of our dental hygiene students successfully pass the State licensing exam. We currently offer a 2-year, full-time Associates Degree in Dental Hygiene.

Dental Hygienists provide primary care to patients to maintain their oral health and prevent oral disease. Dental Hygienists enjoy excellent job prospects for the foreseeable future, with an average of 1,230 job openings per year expected in California through 2016 (Source EDD/LMID, Occupational Employment Survey 2008). Dental hygienists work in general and specialty dental offices offering many different types of preventative services including radiology, pediatric dentistry, periodontics, orthodontics, and oral surgery. Other career options include education, sales, administration, and consulting. Dental Hygienists earn an excellent income, with median, full-time wages reaching almost $80,000 per year often with medical benefits, paid vacation and sick leave.

Admissions & Prerequisites

Prospective applicants must complete Dental Hygiene Orientation (Both DH 87A and DH 87B) to receive an application and learn about the application process. Both DH 87A and DH 87B are offered every semester.

Fall 2009 DH 87A Date & Time: Friday, October 30, 9 to 4 p.m.  Place: HLRC 4th floor (Section #7001)

Fall 2009 DH 87B Date & Time: Friday, December 4, 9 to 4 p.m. Place: FA 100 (Section #7003)

Spring 2010 DH 87A Date & Time: Friday February 19, 9 to 4 p.m. Place: TBA

Spring 2010 DH 87B Date & Time: Friday February 26, 9 to 4 p.m. Place: TBA

• Orientation to Dental Hygiene DH 87A (0.5 unit)
• Orientation to Dental Hygiene DH 87B (0.5 unit)
• Psychology 1 (3 units)
• Sociology 1 (3 units)
• English 101 (3 units)
• Speech 1 (Public speaking)
• Chemistry 51 or 60 (4 or 5 units with lab)
• Anatomy 1 (4 units with lab)
• Physiology 1 (4 units with lab)
• Microbiology 20 (4 units with lab)
• All Plan B General Education requirements for an A.S. degree as listed in the Class Schedule except the health requirement

All prerequisites must be completed before acceptance into the program. Students completing prerequisites during Spring semester are eligible to apply to begin the program starting in Fall semester.

Chemistry, anatomy, physiology, and microbiology classes must have been completed within the last 5 years.

Prerequisite courses completed at other U.S. colleges or universities with different course names and course numbers may be used to meet this prerequisite requirement. Foreign students should call International Student Services at 310-287-4312 to have their transcript evaluated.

Successful applicants will have good manual dexterity and an interest in science.

Applications are due March 15 of each year and students are notified if they are accepted in June.

Required Courses

The Dental Hygiene Associates Degree program is accredited by The Commission on Dental Accreditation. Students must take the two-year full-time series of courses listed below in sequence to meet the program guidelines of State of California Dental Practice Act.

YEAR 1 - FALL SEMESTER (14 UNITS)

• DH 100 Principles of Clinical Dental Hygiene (2 units)
• DH 101 Clinical Dental Hygiene (2 units)
• DH 102 Radiology I - Introduction to Radiology (1 unit)
• DH 103 Radiology I - Laboratory (1 unit)
• DH 104 Dental Morphology (1 unit)
• DH 105 General Pathology (2 units)
• DH 106 Anatomy of the Head and Neck (2 units)
• DH 109 Infection Control in Dentistry (1 unit)
• DH 150 Preventive Dentistry (2 units)

YEAR 1 - SPRING SEMESTER (17 units)

• DH 88 Dental Hygiene Developmental Clinic (1 unit)
• DH 108 Introduction to Periodontics (2 units)
• DH 151 Clinical Dental Hygiene II (3 units)
• DH 152 Special Patient Care (1 unit)
• DH 153 Radiology II- Interpretation (1 unit)
• DH 154 Oral Pathology (2 units)
• DH 156 Histology & Embryology of Oral Tissues (2 units)
• DH 207 Pain Control (1 unit)
• DH 209 Pain Control Lab (1 unit)

• DH 256 Biochemical Nutrition (3 units)

YEAR 1 - SUMMER SEMESTER (2 units)

• DH 160 Clinical Dental Hygiene IIB (2 units)

YEAR 2 - FALL SEMESTER (15 units)

• DH 155 Dental Materials (2 units)
• DH 200 Cariology and Occlusion (1 unit)
• DH 201 Clinical Dental Hygiene III (4 units)
• DH 203 Expanded Functions Laboratory (1 unit)
• DH 204 Dental Health Education (1 unit)
• DH 205 Dental Health Education-Practicum (1 unit)
• DH 206 Periodontics (1 unit)
• DH 208 Pharmacology (3 units)
• DH 88 Dental Hygiene Developmental Clinic (1 unit)

YEAR 2 - SPRING SEMESTER (13 units)

• DH 210 Emergencies in Dental Practice (1 unit)
• DH 250 Advanced Periodontal Seminar (1 unit)
• DH 251 Clinical Dental Hygiene IV (6 units)
• DH 252 Essentials of Dental Hygiene (2 units)
• DH 253 Community Dental Health (1 unit)
• DH 254 Community Dental Health-Practicum (1 unit)
• DH 88 Dental Hygiene Developmental Clinic (1 unit)

Licensing Exam

Completion of the Dental Hygiene program qualifies students to take the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination and the California Dental Hygiene Clinical Examination for licensure. The California State Licensing Board requires the submission of official fingerprinting; a license may be denied if a person has been convicted of a felony.

For more information about licensing requirements contact the California Board of Dental Examiners, 1432 Howe Avenue, #85, Sacramento, California 95825, or online at www.comda.ca.gov. Professors also will be available to guide students through the licensing process.

Affiliated Institutions

West LA College's Dental Hygiene program is affiliated with other prestigious institutions in Los Angeles. These connections offer our students excellent learning and networking opportunities. Dental Clinic facilities are in the UCLA Health Science Center, the VA Greater LA Healthcare System, Cedar-Sinai Medical Center and The Kids Community Dental Clinic.

Costs

In addition to West tuition, students will need to purchase a professional instrument kit. The additional cost for the kit, textbooks, professional dues, malpractice insurance, uniforms and other supplies in the dental hygiene program is approximately $8,000 for the first year and $4,000 for the second year. Payment for additional items is due on the August 15 before the start of classes each year.

Financial Aid is available for qualifying students and may be used to offset these additional costs. 98% of our students receive State, Federal, or private financial aid or participate in the Board of Governors' Fee Waiver Program. Contact Visit West Los Angeles College Office of Financial Aid by email at wlacfa@wlac.edu or by telephone at (310) 287-4532 for more information.

Student Selection & Notification

Each year we select 30 students from a large number of qualified applicants based on the selection criteria listed below. These criteria have been approved by the West Los Angeles College Academic Senate and are consistent with State regulations:

• GPA - Science courses
• GPA - Prerequisites courses
• GPA - Overall
• Orientation to Dental Hygiene DH 87A & B Essay Performance
• Previous work experience in the dental field
• Applicant students currently enrolled at WLAC and students who have completed Biochemistry Nutrition (Family and Consumer Studies 21), Medical Terminology (Allied Health 33), or Organic Chemistry (Chemistry 211) receive additional consideration.

Accepted students will be required to have a physical examination and immunizations by August 15 before starting classes. Student health services can provide these tests at reduced student rates. Background screening and drug testing will also be required by clinical facilities.