Curriculum

TSTC Curriculum

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As the state’s population grows and the average age of its residents increases, more demands are being placed on existing health service providers to satisfy clients’ needs. One health service area in need of additional support is dental services. With an aging population and increased emphasis being placed on preventive dentistry, the skills of dental hygienists are increasingly needed.

This program is accredited by the American Dental Association.

The dental hygiene program follows the TSTC health professions program grading scale. The student must maintain a numerical average of 78 or better in each required major course to receive the AAS degree.

Admissions Requirements

In addition to the admissions requirements listed under "Admissions Information," all applicants are required to take the Health Occupations Basic Entrance Test. Applicants will be notified of testing dates. Program applications may be obtained from the dental hygiene program and are due March 1st.

Clinical Entry Requirements

Before enrolling in clinical courses, a student must have on file with the department the following materials:

• Results of prescribed physical examination.
• Proof of required immunizations.
• Proof of liability insurance of at least $1 million, health and accident insurance and needlestick insurance (available through TSTC)


Associate of Applied Science Degree - 2011				Lec	Lab	Cont	Credit
Semester 1
	BIOL	2301	Anatomy & Physiology I ** Study of the structure and function of human anatomy, including the neuroendocrine, integumentary, musculoskeletal, digestive, urinary, reproductive, respiratory, and circulatory systems. Content may be either integrated or specialized.	3	0	48	3
	BIOL	2101	Anatomy & Physiology I Lab ** Study of the structure and function of human anatomy, including the neuroendocrine, integumentary, musculoskeletal, digestive, urinary, reproductive, respiratory, and circulatory systems. Content may be either integrated or specialized.	0	3	48	1
	CHEM	1411	General Chemistry I ** General principles, problems, fundamental laws, and theories. Course content provides a foundation for work in advanced chemistry and related sciences.	3	3	96	4
	Total Hours			6	6	192	8
Semester 2
	BIOL	2302	Anatomy & Physiology II ** Study of the structure and function of human anatomy, including the neuroendocrine, integumentary, musculoskeletal, digestive, urinary, reproductive, respiratory, and circulatory systems. Content may be either integrated or specialized.	3	0	48	3
	BIOL	2102	Anatomy & Physiology II Lab ** Study of the structure and function of human anatomy, including the neuroendocrine, integumentary, musculoskeletal, digestive, urinary, reproductive, respiratory, and circulatory systems. Content may be either integrated or specialized.	0	3	48	1
	DHYG	1227	Preventive Dental Hygiene Care The dental hygienist in the dental health care system emphasizing the basic concepts of disease prevention and health promotion. Communication and behavior modification skills are presented to facilitate the role of the dental hygienist as an educator. Prerequisite: CHEM 1411.	1	3	64	2
	DHYG	1301	Orofacial Anatomy, Histology & Embryology The histology and embryology of oral tissues, gross anatomy of the head and neck, tooth morphology, and individual tooth identification. Prerequisite: CHEM 1411.	2	4	96	3
	DHYG	1331	Preclinical Dental Hygiene Foundational knowledge for performing clinical skills on patients with emphasis on principles, procedures, and professionalism for performing comprehensive oral prophylaxis. Prerequisite: CHEM 1411.	1	6	112	3
	HRPO	1311	Human Relations † Practical application of the principles and concepts of the behavioral sciences to interpersonal relationships in the business and industrial environment.	3	0	48	3
	Total Hours			10	16	416	15
Semester 3
	BIOL	2321	Microbiology for Science Majors ** Study of the morphology, physiology, and taxonomy of representative groups of pathogenic and nonpathogenic microorganisms. Pure cultures of microorganisms grown on selected media are used in learning laboratory techniques. Includes a brief preview of food microbes, public health, and immunology.	3	0	48	3
	BIOL	2121	Microbiology for Science Majors Laboratory ** Study of the morphology, physiology, and taxonomy of representative groups of pathogenic and nonpathogenic microorganisms. Pure cultures of microorganisms grown on selected media are used in learning laboratory techniques. Includes a brief preview of food microbes, public health, and immunology.	0	3	48	1
	DHYG	1235	Pharmacology for the Dental Hygienist Classes of drugs and their uses, actions, interactions, side effects, contraindications, and systemic and oral manifestations with emphasis on dental applications. Prerequisite: DHYG 1331.	1	2	48	2
	DHYG	1260	Clinical - Dental Hygiene/Hygienist I A health-related work-based learning experience that enables the student to apply specialized occupational theory, skills, and concepts. Direct supervision is provided by the clinical professional.	0	10	160	2
	DHYG	1304	Dental Radiology Radiation physics, biology, hygiene, and safety theories with an emphasis on the fundamentals of oral radiographic techniques and interpretation of radiographs. Includes exposure of intra-oral radiographs, quality assurance, radiographic interpretation, patient selection criteria, and other ancillary radiographic techniques. Prerequisite: CHEM 1411.	2	3	80	3
			Humanities/Fine Arts Elective †	3	0	48	3
	Total Hours			9	18	432	14
Semester 4
	DHYG	1211	Periodontology Normal and diseased periodontium including the structural, functional, and environmental factors. Emphasis on etiology, pathology, treatment modalities, and therapeutic and preventive periodontics in a contemporary practice setting. Prerequisite: DHYG 1331.	1	2	48	2
	DHYG	1261	Clinical - Dental Hygiene/Hygienist II A health-related work-based learning experience that enables the student to apply specialized occupational theory, skills, and concepts. Direct supervision is provided by the clinical professional.	0	11	176	2
	DHYG	1319	Dental Materials Physical and chemical properties of dental materials including the application and manipulation of the various materials used in dentistry. Prerequisite: DHYG 1331.	2	3	80	3
	SOCI	1301	Introductory Sociology † Introduction to the concepts and principles used in the study of group life, social institutions, and social processes.	3	0	48	3
	Total Hours			6	16	352	10
Semester 5
	DHYG	1215	Community Dentistry ‡ The principles and concepts of community public health and dental health education emphasizing community assessment, educational planning, implementation, and evaluation including methods and materials used in teaching dental health education in various community settings. Prerequisite: DHYG 1360.	1	4	80	2
	DHYG	1239	General & Oral Pathology Disturbances in human body development, diseases of the body, and disease prevention measures with emphasis on the oral cavity and associated structures. Prerequisite: DHYG 1360.	1	2	48	2
	DHYG	2301	Contemporary Dental Hygiene Care I Dental hygiene care for the medically or dentally compromised patient with emphasis on supplemental instrumentation techniques. Prerequisite: DHYG 1360.	2	2	64	3
	DHYG	2360	Clinical: Dental Hygiene/Hygienist A health-related work-based learning experience that enables the student to apply specialized occupational theory, skills, and concepts. Direct supervision is provided by the clinical professional. Prerequisite: DHYG 1360.	0	14	224	3
	PSYC	2301	General Psychology † Survey of major topics in psychology. Introduces the study of behavior and the factors that determine and affect behavior. Prerequisites: READ 0200 or English placement test equivalent.	3	0	48	3
	Total Hours			7	22	464	13
Semester 6
	DHYG	1123	Dental Hygiene Practice Practice settings for the dental hygienist including office management, employment considerations, resume preparation, and job interviewing. Emphasis on the laws governing the practice of dentistry and dental hygiene, moral standards, and the ethical standards established by the dental hygiene profession. Prerequisite: DHYG 2360.	1	0	16	1
	DHYG	1207	General & Dental Nutrition General nutrition and nutritional biochemistry with emphasis on the effects of nutrition, dental health, diet, and application of counseling strategies. Prerequisite: DHYG 2360.	2	0	32	2
	DHYG	2361	Clinical: Dental Hygiene/Hygienist ° A health-related work-based learning experience that enables the student to apply specialized occupational theory, skills, and concepts. Direct supervision is provided by the clinical professional. Prerequisite: DHYG 2360.	0	14	224	3
	ENGL	1301	Composition I † Principles and techniques of written, expository, and persuasive composition; analysis of literary, expository, and persuasive texts; and critical thinking. Prerequisites: Grade of C or better in READ 0200 and WRIT 0200 or English placement test equivalent.	3	0	48	3
			Speech Elective †	3	0	48	3
	Total Hours			9	14	368	12

Grand Totals				47	92	2224	72

Notes
º This course is designated as the capstone course † Courses articulated with high schools ‡ Course with external learning experience * CHEM 1411 or (CHEM 1311 and CHEM 1111) * BIOL 2401 or (BIOL 2301 and BIOL 2101) * BIOL 2402 or (BIOL 2302 and BIOL 2101) * BIOL 2421 or (BIOL 2321 and BIOL 2121)

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