Since 1975, Delta College has been known to offer the best dental hygiene program in the region. It's still true today, as 100% of graduates pass their licensure exams and find employment.
As a registered dental hygienist, you'll provide dental hygiene services and teach patients how to prevent oral diseases. Treatment and services you may provide are: scaling and root debridement; application of topical fluoride for the prevention of tooth decay; sealants, impressions, prepare diagnostic models; expose dental radiographs; provide instructions for patient self-care and nutritional counseling; and perform laboratory procedures. Duties of registered dental hygienists vary from state to state. In Michigan, registered dental hygienists also provide local anesthesia and nitrous oxide to patients 18 years of age and older.
Our courses are taught using small group instruction with experienced and dedicated faculty providing hands-on training with state-of-the-art equipment, including dental hygiene clinical experience in our on-campus patient care dental clinic.
Program details
Our degrees prepare you for a career in dental hygiene. If a future managing a dental office is of interest to you, consider the dual degree program.
Degree info
Dental Hygiene
- Time & credits
- 7 semesters
103 credits - Course information
- In-person/online
- Blended
- Estimated tuition & fees
- $25,407 (in-district)
$39,729 (out-of-district)
$41,423 (out-of-state)
Dental Hygiene - Dual with General Management
- Time & credits
- 9 semesters
127 credits - Course information
- In-person/online
- Blended
- Estimated tuition & fees
- $29,351 (in-district)
$45,905 (out-of-district)
$47,863 (out-of-state)
There's more
The program is rigorous. Prior to entering the dental hygiene program, you will complete 30-34 credits of prerequisite courses. The dental hygiene program is five semesters and four of the five semester are 18 credit hours. The student will attend labs, clinics and classes approximately 35 hours per week. The student will need to commit to many hours of study per week as well as completing tests, assignments, projects and papers outside of class.
The dental hygiene program is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA).
Commission on Dental Accreditation
211 East Chicago Avenue
Chicago, Illinois 60611
800-621-8099 or 312-440-4653
www.ada.org/coda
Students are eligible to receive the RDH license for the State of Michigan. Each state has their own requirements. There is no guarantee of licensing in another state. You may apply and that state's licensing board will look at your credentials/education and decide requirements for gaining the license. Please contact the Coordinator for further information.
Getting your degree in a health field is unique compared to other Delta programs. You must first take your prerequisite core courses, and then you'll apply for validation.
Fifty percent of our students are granted scholar admission allowing them to skip the wait list for the clinical program. Each spring, scholar applications will be emailed to validated students.
What's validation?
The Registrar's Office validates your prerequisite courses to confirm you are eligible
to begin the clinical portion of your program.
Success tips
- Declare the Dental Hygiene program.
- Meet with your advisor regularly. Stay on track with what you need to do to apply.
- Apply for validation with the Registrar's Office once you've started your final semester of prerequisite courses.
- Once validated, apply for scholar admission.
- Stay connected for important updates from Delta.
Dental hygiene program goal
The program will provide career education to prepare entry-level dental hygienists.
Dental hygiene program competencies
- Assess, plan, implement and evaluate dental hygiene services and treatment to individuals and the community.
- Assess, analyze and incorporate evidence-based decision making in the management of patients/clients for continuous lifelong learning.
- Manage infection and hazard control.
- Manage medical emergencies.
- Participate in professional events in the community and model professional behaviors including ethical, legal, interpersonal skills and professional appearance.
- Solve problems individually and in a team environment.
Infection control
As a student dental hygienist, during patient treatment, there is a risk of exposure
to blood, saliva, aerosols and punctures. Therefore, during the program, the student
will learn about various diseases and how to prevent transmission of disease both
to patients and yourself.
Board examination pass rates
- 2021 Graduates 100%
- 2022 Graduates 100%
- 2023 Graduates 100%
- 2024 Graduates 100%
- 2025 Graduates 100%
Licensure rates
- 2021 Graduates 100%
- 2022 Graduates 100%
- 2023 Graduates 100%
- 2024 Graduates 100%
- 2025 Graduates 100%
Employment rates
Full-time or part-time employment six months after licensure.
- 2021 Graduates 100%
- 2022 Graduates 100%
- 2023 Graduates 100%
- 2024 Graduates 100%
- 2025 Graduates 100%
Source: Results from Board examiners, personal contact.
The Delta College Exposure Control Manual (PDF) should be reviewed prior to registering for classes.
Transfer
One of the best things about Delta College is the opportunity to start here and go anywhere. And, in the process, save thousands of dollars. It's a smart choice to get your associate's and then transfer on.
Delta works with many colleges and universities to provide associate-to-bachelor’s degree transfer pathways. Check out what's available in this career field.
Job outlook
Interested in a career in dental hygiene? Learn more about our region’s employment
outlook and career opportunities you can pursue in this field of study. There are
many different careers that can be pursued in this field. The fields below are a sampling.
Visit Career Coach to search all careers.
Delta's Dental Clinic
Delta's Dental Clinic gives community members in need a valuable resource and gives students, just like you, invaluable real-world experience. Last year, students spent a combined 750 hours providing community members with dental healthcare services.
Learn about the Dental Clinic
Get started at Delta
Contact us
Program Coordinator
Pam Livingston
Health and Wellness Division
F213
pamelalivingston@delta.edu
989-686-9483
