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Girl getting dental x-rays

Dental Hygiene, AS

Program Snapshot
Academic CredentialAssociate in Science (AS)
Total Credit Hours88
Average Time to Complete2 years
Academic PathwayHealth Sciences
AdvisorMiranda Stewart
Professor, Health Sciences
850.747.3244
mstewart@gulfcoast.edu

Academic Program SpecialistConnie Pimentel
850.913.3311
Health SciencesGCSC@gulfcoast.edu

Pathway NavigatorAli Payne
850.769.1551 ext. 5863
apayne7@gulfcoast.edu

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Dental Hygiene Website

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Dental Hygiene, AS

Do You Know What a Person's Mouth Reveals About Them? Do You Want to be a Part of Promoting Good Health?

Besides helping someone have a more beautiful smile and fresher breath, a dental hygienist is often the first person encountered in a dental office who may note potential health problems just by looking into a person's mouth!

Inflammation in the mouth may signal inflammation in other parts of the body, including the cardiovascular system; periodontal disease and cardiovascular disease often go hand-in-hand.  A close look into your mouth by a dental hygienist or a dentist may reveal diabetes or pre-diabetes, auto immune disorders, nutritional imbalance, thyroid disorder, inflammatory bowel disease, kidney disease, oral cancer, or a number of other health-related issues.

Program Information General Information Program Goals Accreditation Career Opportunities Duties and Responsibilities
Student in the Dental Clinic

Dental Hygiene Course Requirements

h3

English I
Visual & Performing Arts or
Philosophy/Religion or
Literature 
Select one from a list of Math courses
Anatomy and Physiology I
Psychology
American National Government, United States History I, or United States History II and demonstrate Civic Literacy Competency

A List of Dental Hygiene Courses can be found in the course catalog

A complete list of courses with descriptions can be found in the Catalog

Dental Hygiene Information

Role of the Dental Hygienist

The Dental Hygienist is a licensed member of the dental health team, dedicated to helping patients maintain good oral health and preventing dental disease. Although the tasks performed by a hygienist vary from state to state, the primary functions are:

  • Remove calculus and plaque (hard and soft deposits) above and below the gum line
  • Assess and chart the teeth and oral structures
  • Expose, process and label dental radiographs
  • Provide oral hygiene instructions
  • Provide dietary analysis and counseling services

Educational Requirements

The two-year college curriculum is designed to provide the knowledge and skills necessary to meet the licensure and employment needs of the student.  The curriculum includes content in general education, biomedical sciences, dental sciences, and dental hygiene science.  APPLICANTS ARE ENCOURAGED TO COMPLETE AS MANY OF THE GENERAL EDUCATIONAL COURSES AS POSSIBLE PRIOR TO ACCEPTANCE INTO THE DENTAL HYGIENE PROGRAM.  Refer to the general education sequence for the specific requirements.

Patient with dental tools
Who is Eligible for the Program?
If you are a high school graduate, you can apply to this program. If you have earned credits from a regionally accredited college or university, you may have a head start at Gulf Coast State College.
Why Choose Gulf Coast State College to Earn Your Degree?
You'll get a great education with one of the lowest tuition rates in the state. With small class sizes and professors who care, you'll get the personal attention you deserve. More than 90% of our graduates would recommend Gulf Coast State College to others.
Lisa the Dental Hygienist
The faculty at Gulf Coast State College are like family to me now. I learned so much about Dental Hygiene from them. The clinical experiences during the program gave me the skills I needed to become a Registered Dental Hygienist!
- Lisa
Registered Dental Hygienist in a private dental practice

Are you ready to get Started ?

How to apply to the Dental Hygiene Program

To apply to the dental hygiene degree program, you’ll need to complete two applications: the general admission application to Gulf Coast State College and a  program information packet on the Panama City campus.

Consult the Dental Hygiene division webpage and the Gulf Coast State College Catalog more information about the Dental Hygiene Program.

Apply to Gulf Coast

Apply for Financial Aid & Scholarships

There are many options available to help you pay for college. Find out more about  scholarships and financial aid at Gulf Coast State College.

APPLY FOR FINANCIAL AID

Register for Classes

Check out the class registration dates and plan your schedule today.

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Gulf Coast State College does not discriminate against any person in its programs, activities, policies or procedures on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, national origin, marital status, religion, age, gender, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, disability, or veteran status. All questions or inquiries regarding compliance with laws relating to non-discrimination and all complaints regarding sexual misconduct or discrimination, may be directed to Lee Wood, Executive Director, Human Resources/Title II/504/Title IX Coordinator and Employment Equity Officer, Gulf Coast State College, 5230 W. US Highway 98, Panama City, FL 32401.