114
Programs of Study
114.4
Dental Hygiene Diploma/Bachelor of Science (Dental Hygiene Specialization)
114.4 Dental Hygiene Diploma/Bachelor of Science (Dental Hygiene Specialization)
General Information
The Department of Dentistry offers a Diploma in Dental Hygiene and a Bachelor of Science (Dental Hygiene Specialization). The Dental Hygiene Program enables students to acquire knowledge and develop skills so that they may assume responsibility in clinical practice, health promotion, education, community health care, and research.
The dental hygienist is an integral member of the health care team and strives to improve oral health by providing preventive services and educational information to the public. Clinical dental hygiene services may include assessing patients' health status, inspecting hard and soft tissues of the oral cavity, removing deposits and stains from teeth, exposing and developing dental radiographs, applying topical fluorides, administering anaesthetic, taking impressions for study models, and polishing amalgam restorations. Educational information may include nutritional and oral hygiene counselling and community dental health program planning, implementation, and evaluation.
The dental hygienist with a baccalaureate degree is a leader in developing and initiating oral health interventions that prevent and control oral disease and promote oral wellness. The ultimate goal of a baccalaureate program is to educate professionals who contribute significantly to the improvement of oral health.
Bachelor of Science (Dental Hygiene Specialization) graduates are more fully prepared to work in a large number of settings including, but not limited to private dental practices, research, education, industry, health care institutions or health promotion agencies. This degree prepares graduates to pursue post baccalaureate or graduate programs.
The Dental Hygiene curriculum includes courses from the Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry. During second, third and fourth year, students participate in field experiences in various community settings, such as hospitals, schools, and community agencies/clinics. Experience in an external clinic is required.
Also required is a 
3 course in interdisciplinary studies approved by the Department and normally scheduled in the evening.
In addition to the Diploma curriculum consisting of a preprofessional year and years 2 and 3, Bachelor of Science (Dental Hygiene Specialization) students will complete a fourth year. During the fourth year, students will learn the foundation of research, expand their knowledge in health promotion utilizing principles and theories of learning, health care organization theory and interdisciplinary ethics. In preparation for the leadership and management roles, skills are enhanced through the didactic and dental hygiene clinical program. Additionally, the program will provide students with advanced practice opportunities.
The Dental Hygiene Program is approved by the Commission on Dental Accreditation Education of Canada. Successful students must complete the National Dental Hygiene Certification Examination (Canadian). Successful students in the Dental Hygiene Program are encouraged to write the National Board Dental Hygiene Examinations of the American Dental Association.
Further details may be obtained from the Director of the Dental Hygiene Program, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry.
Orientation
It is mandatory that each student, after acceptance into the program, attend Orientation. This is scheduled immediately before the beginning of the first term of each year.
Course Requirements
The numbers following a course name indicate either the number of weeks assigned to the course or the number of hours spent in lectures, clinics and laboratories.
Diploma in Dental Hygiene
Year 2
BIOCH 200 |
| 39-0-0 |
D HYG 203 |
| 52-0-2 |
D HYG 210 |
| 39-0-0 |
D HYG 211 |
| 78-0-0 |
D HYG 212 |
| 0-0-180 |
D HYG 213 |
| 0-99c-3 |
D HYG 220 |
| 26-0-26 |
D HYG 230 |
| 15-0-0 |
D HYG 240 |
| 28-0-15 |
INT D 410 |
| 0-32.5s-0 |
MMI 133 |
| 39-0-0 |
OBIOL 202 |
| 60-0-2 |
PHYSL 210 |
| 78-0-0 |
Year 3
D HYG 313 |
| 0-471c-0 |
D HYG 314 |
|
|
D HYG 316 |
| 39-0-0 |
D HYG 317 |
| 39-0-0 |
D HYG 321 |
| 13-0-39 |
D HYG 322 |
| 39-0-0 |
D HYG 326 |
| 35-3s-0 |
D HYG 329 |
| 0-75c-0 |
D HYG 340 |
| 0-24c-0 |
D HYG 386 |
| 15-0-45 |
OBIOL 302 |
| 45-0-0 |
OBIOL 305 |
| 42-0-0 |
PMCOL 300 |
| 28-0-0 |
Bachelor of Science (Dental Hygiene Specialization)
In addition to completing the Dental Hygiene Diploma program, students who enrol in the Bachelor of Science degree will complete Year 4 courses.
Year 4
D HYG 413 |
| 0-90s-0 |
D HYG 414 |
| 36-0-6 |
D HYG 417 |
| 39-0-0 |
D HYG 418 |
| 39-0-0 |
D HYG 422 |
| 39-0-0 |
D HYG 431 |
| 39-0-0 |
D HYG 440 |
| 39-0-0 |
D HYG 468 |
| 39-0-0 |
Two Options |
| 78-0-0 |
(a minimum of one at the 300- or 400-level with the approval of Program Director) A maximum of | ||
Bachelor of Science (Dental Hygiene Specialization) Post Diploma Degree Completion Program
A Bachelor of Science (Dental Hygiene Specialization) Post Diploma Degree Completion program will prepare diploma dental hygiene graduates to participate more fully and productively in a health care system that emphasizes prevention, primary care, accountability, quality and cost effectiveness. The dental hygienist with a baccalaureate degree is a leader in developing and initiating oral health interventions that prevent and control oral disease and promote oral wellness, and in facilitating change itself. The ultimate goal of a baccalaureate program is to prepare students to contribute significantly to the improvement of oral health goals in current and future health care delivery systems by preparing well-qualified professionals with knowledge, skills, and awareness at the baccalaureate degree level.
The degree completion program will provide educational opportunities accessible to all qualified candidates tailored to the experienced dental hygienist, the adult learner and the distance learner.
Program A
Bachelor of Science (Dental Hygiene Specialization) Post Diploma Degree Completion Program: University of Alberta, Dental Hygiene Diploma Graduates of 1998-2001.
This program is intended for students who graduated from the University of Alberta Dental Hygiene Program between 1998-2001. Dental Hygiene graduates of 1998-2001 have completed the extended diploma curriculum. The degree completion program consists of the following courses:
D HYG 417 |
| 39-0-0 |
D HYG 418 |
| 39-0-0 |
D HYG 431 |
| 39-0-0 |
D HYG 440 |
| 39-0-0 |
Two Options |
| 78-0-0 |
(at the 300- or 400-level with the approval of Program Director) A maximum of | ||
Program B
Bachelor of Science (Dental Hygiene Specialization) Post Diploma Degree Completion Program: University of Alberta, Dental Hygiene Diploma Graduates (prior to 1998 as well as 2008 and forward) and dental hygiene graduates from other programs.
This program is intended for University of Alberta graduates prior to 1998 as well as 2008 and forward and diploma dental hygiene graduates from accredited dental hygiene programs in Canada and internationally.
The degree completion program consists of the following courses:
D HYG 417 |
| 39-0-0 |
D HYG 418 |
| 39-0-0 |
D HYG 422 |
| 39-0-0 |
D HYG 431 |
| 39-0-0 |
D HYG 440 |
| 39-0-0 |
D HYG 468 |
| 39-0-0 |
(or equivalent health research course) | ||
Four options |
| 156-0-0 |
(with the approval of the Program Director, two at the 300- or 400-level) A maximum of | ||
Program C
Bachelor of Science (Dental Hygiene Specialization) Post Diploma Degree Completion Program: University of Alberta, Dental Hygiene Diploma Graduates (Year 2002 – 2007).
Graduates of the University of Alberta Dental Hygiene Program of 2002-2007 will be required to complete the following courses:
D HYG 417 |
| 39-0-0 |
D HYG 418 |
| 39-0-0 |
D HYG 422 |
| 39-0-0 |
D HYG 431 |
| 39-0-0 |
D HYG 440 |
| 39-0-0 |
D HYG 468 |
| 39-0-0 |
(or equivalent health research course) | ||
SOC 210 |
| 39-0-0 |
(or equivalent statistics course) | ||
Three options |
| 117-0-0 |
(with approval of Program Director, two at the 300- or 400-level) A maximum of | ||
