TRUCKEE MEADOWS COMMUNITY COLLEGE
DENTAL HYGIENE PROGRAM
What is a Dental Hygienist?

A professional,
licensed dental health
care provider
specializing in
periodontal therapy
and oral health
education.
Career Options
Clinical (private or public health)
 Administrative
 Education
 Consumer Advocate
 Research
 Legislative Advocate
 Corporate Sales

Clinical Services

Evaluation of medical
and dental health
history

Identify oral or
systemic health
problems

Remove calculus, stain
and plaque above and
below the gum-line

Apply caries-preventive
agents such as
fluorides or pit &
fissure sealants
Clinical Services

Educate individuals or
groups on oral health
and health promotion
 Expose, develop and
interpret oral radiographs

Polish and contour
amalgam restorations
 Provide nutritional
counseling

Design and implement
community or school oral
health programs
 Administer local
anesthesia or nitrous
oxide sedation
What skills are necessary to be a
dental hygienist?

Manual dexterity and
coordination

Communication Skills

Team Oriented

Sensitive to diverse
cultural backgrounds
How is the job market?
High demand for
RDHs
 Excellent
Compensation
 Work settings:

 private offices
 clinics
 public health settings
 hospitals and nursing
homes
Why TMCC Dental Hygiene?

Cost
 Community College
 Two-year program
 Decreased student cost

Reputation
 Program with high standards for admission and graduation
 State-of-the-art dental hygiene clinic
 Program ranks in top 3 in US on National Dental Hygiene Board
Examination Scoring
 100% pass rate (first attempt) on Nevada State Boards &
Western Regional Board
 100% pass rate on California State Board
Why TMCC Dental Hygiene?

University Transfer
 General education courses required
help facilitate baccalaureate
completion
 Dental Hygiene curriculum
transferable to DH BS completion
programs

Smaller Classes
 12-14 students admitted each Fall
 Excellent student-faculty ratios
Why TMCC Dental Hygiene?

Diverse patient population

Financial Aid
 Scholarships from community
and Nevada/Northern Nevada
and National Dental Hygiene
Associations

Professional Socialization
Students are strongly supported
and mentored association
members and faculty
Preparation for Dental Hygiene
School

Contact several DH programs for admissions
criteria (recommended)

High school: strong in chemistry, biology,
algebra

College: strong in biological science, &
humanities foundation

Visit college academic advisors

Talk to your dental hygienist
General Education Requirements AS Degree

Diversity
3 credits
Refer to the ‘Diversity’ section of the general education description of this course
catalog for a list of approved courses. (See page B-6) Designated diversity courses can be
used to fulfill other general education or major requirements.

FINE ARTS: Recommended – ART 270 (also meets diversity category)

English/Communications
6 credits
 Required: ENG 101 and 102 or SPCM 113

Quantitative Reasoning
6 credits
 Required: MATH 126 and 127 or MATH 152 in place of 127

Science (included in prerequisites) (12 credits)

Humanities


3 credits
Required Phil 135
Social Sciences
6 credits
 Required PSY 101 & SOC 101

U.S. and Nevada Constitutions
3 credits
Dental Hygiene Program
Prerequisites
SCIENCES ( 12 credits):
 w/in last 5 years currency required
 (2.75 min science GPA)
Biology 223 (A&P I)
Biology 224 (A&P II)
Chemistry 220
Biology 251 (General Microbiology)
The sciences are part of the GE courses versus in “addition to”
NOTE: Add COM 113 Fundamentals of Speech I required in the general ed
coursework
BIOL 190 is a prerequisite for BIOL 223
CHEM 121 is a prerequisite for CHEM 220
DH Curriculum Sequence
First
Semester
Second
Semester
DH 102 Dental Anatomy
DH 103 Oral Biology
DH 104 Dental Hygiene I
DH 105 Introduction to Clinical Practice
DH 110 Concepts of Oral Health
DH 112 Oral Radiology
Credits per Semester
2
4
3
2
2
3
16
DH 113 General and Oral Pathology
DH 115 Clinical Practice I
DH 118 Adv Clinical Topics in DH
DH 120 Fund of Nutrition in Dentistry
DH 202 Pharmacology
DH 209 Pain and Anxiety Control
Credits Per Semester
3
3
2
3
2
3
16
DH 299B (1 Credit) is additional to each semester
NOTE: DH 110 and 118 are given as EARLY FALL courses (Jul-Aug)
Curriculum Sequence
Third
Semester
Fourth
Semester
DH 203
DH 205
DH 211
DH 207
DH 208
Special Patients
Clinical Practice II
Dental Materials for DH
Periodontics I
Community Dental Health I
Credits Per Semester
2
5
2
2
2
DH 215
DH 216
DH 214
DH 218
DH 107
Clinical Practice III
Principles of Dental Practice
Periodontics II
Community Dental Health II
Legal and Ethical Implications
Credits Per Semester
5
1
1
2
1
Total Credits in DH Emphasis
DH 299B (1 Credit) is additional to each semester
13
10
(55)
Minimum Admission Requirements

Meet TMCC general college entrance requirements. Apply to College

Submit a completed TMCC Dental Hygiene Program Application


Complete Dental Hygiene Program Prerequisite College Work
(See list)
Must have taken the DH Accuplacer test within the last 2 years

Minimum GPA of 2.75 in courses for DH AS degree

Minimum GPA of 2.75 in Prerequisite Science Courses

Minimum of 8 hours of dental office observation, which must include observing
roles of dentist, hygienist, assistant, and receptionist within the last year
(beginning in Fall 2009).
(Subject to annual review and changes)
Criteria for Selection

Overall GPA in general ed courses for AS degree
and prerequisite sciences
English Accuplacer Scores
 Related licenses, previous college degrees
 Experience in dental field

Number of general education courses completed
toward AS DH degree
 Nevada Residency

 Subject to review and changes, annually
Need More Information?
Contact:
TMCC Dental Hygiene
Program
7000 Dandini Blvd
RDMT 415-A
Reno NV, 89512
775-673-8247
www.tmcc.edu/dental/hygiene
**Attend an Information Session**