Build Your Future as a Dental Hygienist
Cypress College’s Dental Hygiene Program provides students with the knowledge, skills and values necessary to qualify for licensure as a Registered Dental Hygienist. This program also prepares students to take the National Board of Dental Hygiene Examiners written examination, the Western Regional Examining Board clinical examination, and the California Law and Ethics examination for licensure as a Registered Dental Hygienist.
The Cypress College Dental Hygiene program is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation, a specialized accrediting body recognized by the United States Department of Education and the Council on Higher Education Accreditation.
Our program goals are to:
- Educate dental hygiene students in the ethical, legal, and competent practice of dental hygiene process of care
- Educate dental hygiene students in the areas of disease prevention and oral health promotion
- Facilitate dental hygiene student’s involvement in community projects
- Promote professional growth, development, and an appreciation for scholarly activity
- Ensure the dental hygiene student provides optimal patient care
After completing this program, most students will be able to:
- Perform the dental hygiene process
- Understand diagnostic digital imaging and skills to interpret dental radiographs using DEXIS
- Prevent blood-borne diseases in compliance with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the Ohio State Dental Board (OSDB).
- Review patient health histories, noting contraindications and other health concerns as needed
- Perform intra/extraoral evaluation, periodontal assessment, treatment assessment, and CAMBRA
- Use gentle instrumentation for optimal removal of plaque, tartar, and bacteria above and below the gum line
- Treat gingivitis and periodontitis with advanced instrumentation skills using Air-Flow, cavitron, piezo, and hand scaling of periodontal patients
- Administer local anesthetic agents and nitrous oxide
- Perform whitening procedures and fabricate whitening trays
- Provide and adequately apply cavity prevention agents such as fluoride and sealants
- Instruct patients in personalized homecare techniques
- Utilize Dentrix software to set up appointments
Dental Hygiene students will participate in the Cypress College Dental Hygiene Clinic.
- The outcomes for the Dental Hygiene Program class of 2017, 2018, and 2019:
- 100% pass rate for the National Board of Dental Hygiene Examination
- 100% pass rate for the Western Regional Examining Board
- 100% pass rate for California Law and Ethics Exam
- Class of 2020:
- 100% pass rate for the National Board of Dental Hygiene Examination
- WREB will be taken in December
Frequently Asked Questions
Dental Hygiene Associate in Science Degree
The degree typically takes two years, after being admitted into the program. This timeline does not include general education and program prerequisites.
The program is $46 per unit for California residents, not including books, fees, and supplies. Units vary by course, but the average is three units per course. The unit cost for the associate degree will vary depending upon the number of prerequisites needed. Most students also qualify for some form of financial aid.
Cypress has the third top rated Dental Hygiene Program in California, with the highest percentage change in earnings (648%) one year before and one year after exiting post-secondary education. In this field, 96% of program graduates found jobs according to the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges.
Graduates find employment in private dental practice and dental specialties practice.
Program Mapper: View course options for these programs, below.
- Associate of Science Degree in Dental Hygiene= 60 units (2 years*)
*After being admitted into the program and not including general education and program prerequisites.
For the most up-to-date information on Requirements and Prerequisites, please refer to the Dental Hygiene Program Brochure.
Kendra Velasco RDH, MS
Program Coordinator
kvelasco@cypresscollege.edu
(714) 484-7299
TE-3 Room 305
Health Science Division
CONTACT THE DEPARTMENT:
Kendra Velasco RDH, MS
Program Coordinator
Average Salary in this Field
$96,983 Per Year
Careers in this Field
Dental Hygienist
