Dental Hygiene
Post Secondary

Dental Hygiene

Two Years | Ontario College Diploma
Program Code 0265
Welland Campus

The Dental Hygiene program at Niagara College has helped open doors for me that I never knew existed. Not only does the program have high academic standards, but it also offers invaluable hands-on clinical experience that ensures in a rewarding profession.

Jennifer Smith, Dental Hygiene



Career Opportunities

Dental hygiene is a dynamic and challenging profession providing a wide range of opportunities for public service. The profession's scope is expanding, opening new doors for oral health education and clinical practice.

Graduates may seek employment in diverse areas - for example:

  • Community health settings
  • Dental sales/supplies companies
  • Dental research
  • Independent dental hygiene practice
  • General dental practices
  • Hospital dental clinics
  • Long-term care facilities
  • Research
  • Educational institutions

The NC Difference

  • New state-of-the-art dental clinic
  • Students receive exceptional pre-clinical practice
  • Interprofessional opportunities with students in other health science disciplines
  • Portable credentials
  • Comprehensive and varied field placement experiences
  • Program is fully accredited by the Commission of Dental Accreditation of Canada (CDAC)
  • Evidence-based dental hygiene curriculum
  • Graduates can become registered dental hygienists in Ontario upon fulfillment of the requirements of the College of Dental Hygienists of Ontario

Testimonials and Profiles

"...Niagara College...has met every expectation I had for receiving an excellent education. The experienced faculty are great, the education is the best, come to Niagara College and you’ll discover the rest."

Kerri Wilson, Dental Hygiene graduate

"This program offers high academic standards, excellent professional faculty and many opportunities for students to gain valuable work experiences."

Babak Behroozneia, Dental Hygiene graduate


Admission Requirements

  • Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD), or equivalent, including the following required courses:
    • English - any Grade 12 (C) or (U), or equivalent.
    • Mathematics - any Grade 11 (C), (U) or (M), or equivalent.
    • Biology - Grade 11 (C) or (U) or Grade 12 (U)
    • Chemistry - Grade 11 (U) or Grade 12 (C) or (U) OR
    • Physics - Grade 11 (U) or Grade 12 (C) or (U).

Additional Requirements for Admission:

  • Pre-Admission testing may be required

Selection and Ranking Process:

  • For competitive programs (the number of qualified applicants exceeds the number of available places), selection will be based on the highest senior level final grade available at the time of ranking. Mid-term grades are not used for ranking purposes.
  • Ranking for selection is based on:
    • prior academic performance
    • pre-admission testing may be required

Note:

  • Secondary School grades from co-op courses and half credit courses are not considered.

Program Requirements

Health Requirement:

  • The confidential Communicable Disease Surveillance form must be completed and mailed, faxed or emailed to Niagara College Health Services prior to the first day of Term 1. Requirements include proof of immunity to varicella, measles, mumps, rubella (2 doses), hepatitis B and tetanus diptheria. Students also must provide date of last pertussis immunization. Influenza vaccination is recommended. Documentation of a 2 step TB test is required prior to start of program, and documentation of a 1 step is required prior to year 2. Mask fit testing will be required.
  • Students are required to provide copies of current Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) at Level 'C', (1 and 2-rescuer CPR and choking maneuvers for infant, child and adult casualties) and Standard First Aid certification.
  • All costs associated with CPR/First Aid, vaccinations, and/or verification and mask fit testing are the responsibility of the student.
  • All health requirements must be met by the start of the program or the student will be denied clients.

Criminal Reference Check (CRC):

  • Many employers have instituted a CRC with vulnerable sector screening as a requirement for appropriate field placements. The CRC will be required at the beginning of the program. All costs associated with the certificate are the responsibility of the student.

Transportation:

  • Students are responsible for their own transportation in order to complete field placement requirements. Niagara College cannot guarantee placements that are readily accessible by public transportation. Students are responsible for all costs connected with such transportation.

Educational Pathways

Niagara College has articulated agreements providing students with degree completion and credit transfer opportunities with many other colleges and universities.

General Information
askNC

For information, inquiries or frequently asked questions, please askNC or email the InfoCentre at info@niagaracollege.ca.

Tours

For more information please contact the InfoCentre.

Welland: 905-735-2211, ext. 7559
NOTL: 905-641-2252, ext. 4208

We look forward to meeting you!

Students in this program can gain real world skills through applied research projects.

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Employment

Attention Employers:
Post a job for grads, co-op students, part-time, summer or volunteer.

Attention Students:
View job postings now

Program Information

Term One
ANAT1119Orofacial Anatomy I2
BIOL1103Microbiology and Infection Control2
BIOL1170Anatomy and Physiology I3
COMM1153English for Health Sciences2
DENT1101Dental Radiography I4
DENT1120Oral Health Prevention Promotion I2
DENT1127Dental Hygiene Principles and Professionalism I3
DENT1145Clinical Placement I - Dental Hygiene Practice8
Term Two
ANAT1219Orofacial Anatomy II2
BIOL1219Anatomy and Physiology II3
BIOL1210Microbiology II3
DENT1128Introduction to Dental Computer Concepts1
DENT1201Dental Radiography II3
DENT1207Dental Hygiene Principles and Professionalism II3
DENT1230Oral Health Prevention Promotion II2
DENT1231Histology and Embryology2
DENT1245Clinical Placement II - Dental Hygiene7
Term Three
DENT1204Community Health I2
DENT1221Oral Pathology2
DENT1232Human Pathophysiology2
DENT1306Periodontology3
DENT1307Dental Hygiene Principles and Professionalism III2
DENT1313Dental Biomaterials and Lab3
DENT1345Clinical Placement III - Dental Hygiene9
DENT1303Dental Pharmacology3
Term Four
DENT1350Diverse Populations4
DENT1402Ethics and Health Care1
DENT1407Dental Hygiene Principles and Professionalism IV2
DENT1445Clinical Placement IV - Dental Hygiene7
EDUC1222Introduction to Research1
HLTH1190Nutrition and Diet Counselling3
HLTH1400Health Care in Canada2
SOCL1430Multiculturalism and Diversity in Canada3
Term Five
BUSN1402Business Practice and Entrepreneurship3
DENT1328Evidence-Based Practice4
DENT1501Professional Practice and Jurisprudence2
DENT1502Dental Specialties2
DENT1507Dental Hygiene Principles and Professionalism V2
DENT1545Clinical Placement V - Dental Hygiene4
GNED7001General Education Elective (1 required)3
Term Six
DENT1304Community Health II3
DENT1601Dental Hygiene Practice Management3
DENT1607Dental Hygiene Principles and Professionalism VI2
DENT1645Clinical Placement VI - Dental Hygiene9
DENT1645Clinical Placement VI - Dental Hygiene9
HLTH1020Introduction to Interprofessional Education and Practice3
HLTH1518Health Policy and Advocacy3

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