A leading centre in Canada for comprehensive dental hygiene education, Oxford College’s Dental Hygiene program prepares outstanding dental hygienists that are committed to advancing oral health and community service.  Dental Hygiene is a health profession involving theory and evidence-based practice. Dental hygiene theory and practice draw on biomedical, social and behavioural sciences as well as the body of dental hygiene knowledge. Key responsibilities of dental hygienists include health promotion, education, clinical therapy, research, change agent and administration that occur in varying degrees depending on the nature of the individual dental hygienist’s practice. The practice of dental hygiene involves collaboration with clients, dentists, dental assistants, other health professionals and society.

Our 18-month dental hygiene program concentrates on teaching students the scientific and medical components of dental health, and how to care for clients using the latest dental hygiene equipment.  Our program is divided into four semesters, each lasting about four-and-a-half months.  The curriculum involves courses in dental sciences, clinical sciences and behavioural sciences.  In the first two semesters, your learning is mostly centred in the classroom, but you will gradually move into the clinical setting where you perfect your instrumentation skills.  In the third semester, you will begin seeing real clients and perform cleanings and other dental hygiene services for them.

Dental Hygiene Program Courses

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Semester 1

Dental Hygiene Theory I
Dental Hygiene Pre-Clinic I
Medical Emergencies
Anatomy and Physiology
Dental Anatomy
Dental Office Management
Infection Control
Microbiology
Nutrition for Living
College English
Introduction to Psychology
Computer Applications and Skills

Semester 2

Dental Hygiene Theory II
Dental Hygiene Pre-Clinic II
Dental Radiography Theory I
Dental Materials Theory
Dental Materials Lab
Head and Neck Anatomy
Periodontology I
Pharmacology

Semester 3

Dental Hygiene Theory III
Dental Hygiene Pre-Clinic III
Dental Radiography Theory II
Dental Hygiene Clinic I
Professional Practice I
Community Dental Health I
Periodontology II
Histology and Embryology
Oral Pathology
Oral Health Education I

Semester 4

Dental Hygiene Theory IV
Dental Hygiene Clinic II
Professional Practice II
Community Dental Health II
Oral Health Education II