Advanced Diploma in Dental Hygiene
Fanshawe College
Key Information
Campus location
London, Canada
Languages
English
Study format
Distance Learning, On-Campus
Duration
3 years
Pace
Full time
Tuition fees
CAD 37,805 **
Application deadline
Request info *
Earliest start date
Request info
* equal consideration deadline. After that, we consider applicants on a first-come, first-served basis until programs are full
** total fee for Canadian students. $50,864.92 for international students
Scholarships
Explore scholarship opportunities to help fund your studies
Introduction
Dental hygienists are preventive specialists who provide oral health services rooted in scientific knowledge and a client-centered model of care. It takes a specialized set of dynamic technical and interpersonal skills to clean teeth, take x-rays and promote oral health. If you’re looking for a rewarding career that makes a difference in people’s health and wellness, the Dental Hygiene program will give you a reason to smile.
Your Learning Experience
Students in the Dental Hygiene program will study anatomy, microbiology, histology, oral pathology, pharmacology, and health promotion while learning hands-on instrument skills and proper ergonomics by practicing on fully functional, modern dental manikins in simulation labs, modeled after a typical dental office. The lab also comes complete with a sterilization center where you’ll safely learn decontamination and sterilization processes.
As students progress, they’ll get hands-on clinical experience in our newly renovated and fully-functional public dental clinic. The new space features a dental radiography suite that includes the latest in digital radiography.
Through it all, students work alongside professors in a supportive mentoring environment designed to help them succeed. The program also includes community placements and oral health promotion activities at daycare, public schools, hospitals, and healthcare settings.
Upon graduation, students will be ready to complete the National Dental Hygiene Certification Board (NDHCB) examination. The Fanshawe Dental Hygiene program is a top performer nationally, routinely achieving a 100 percent graduate pass rate on the NDHCB exam.
This program prepares students to practice as primary oral health care providers in a variety of practice environments, including clinical, education, health promotion, and research. The program focuses on preparing students to function within their scope of practice, in a collaborative manner, with the client, the community, and other healthcare providers.
Seminars, case study presentations, community health practicums, and the clinical setting contribute towards developing a professional committed to the principles of quality assurance and continued competency. Graduates of this program must successfully complete the National Dental Hygiene Certification Examination to be eligible for registration by the College of Dental Hygienists of Ontario. This program is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of Canada.
Gallery
Program Outcome
The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to:
- practice in a professional, and competent manner within the defined scope of practice, and consistent with current regulations, and standards of practice.
- evaluate clients’ oral health status using determinants of health, and risk analysis to identify needs, justify treatment decisions, and provide appropriate referrals to other healthcare professionals as required.
- design, implement, and evaluate a range of primary, interceptive, therapeutic, preventative, and ongoing oral health care services to meet the unique needs of clients.
- analyze oral health issues in need of advocacy, identify networks, and promote actions that will support change, and facilitate access to care.
- identify, select, implement, and evaluate quality assurance standards, and protocols that contribute to a safe, and effective working environment.
- establish, and maintain professional, and interprofessional relationships which contribute to client care safety, and positive health care outcomes.
- facilitate the development of specific oral health attitudes, knowledge, skills, and behaviors in clients by selecting, and utilizing principles of teaching, and learning.
- develop, and present a model for a DH practice that addresses relevant business principles, current legislation, and standards of practice
Admissions
Curriculum
Courses
Level 1
Gen Ed - Take a 3-credit General Education elective course
Take all of the following Mandatory Courses:
- WRIT-1048 ---- Reason and Writing 1 for Health Sciences
- ANAT-1027 ---- Anatomy and Physiology
- BIOL-1017 ---- Oral Microbiology and Immunology
- DENT-1037 ---- Dental Hygiene Radiography 1
- DENT-1045 ---- Dental Hygiene Theory and Practice 1
- DENT-1046 ---- Health Promotion and Disease Prevention 1
- DENT-1047 ---- Professional Practice 1
Level 2
Gen Ed - Take a 3-credit General Education elective course
Take all of the following Mandatory Courses:
- DENT-3025 ---- Oral Histology and Embryology
- DENT-3027 ---- Dental Hygiene Theory and Practice 2
- DENT-3023 ---- Health Promotion and Disease Prevention 2
- DENT-3045 ---- Dental Hygiene Radiography 2
- DENT-3024 ---- Head, Neck, and Dental Anatomy
- DENT-1048 ---- Dental Materials 1
Level 3
Take all of the following Mandatory Courses:
- DENT-3028 ---- Periodontology
- DENT-3029 ---- Pathophysiology and Pharmacology
- DENT-3030 ---- Nutrition and Oral Health
- DENT-3031 ---- Research Methods
- DENT-3032 ---- Dental Materials 2
- DENT-1051 ---- Clinical Practice 1
- PSYC-1082 ---- Psychology: A Case Study Perspective
Level 4
Take all of the following Mandatory Courses:
- PHRM-5004 ---- Pharmacology
- DENT-5026 ---- Oral Pathology
- DENT-3047 ---- Clinical Practice 2
- DENT-3034 ---- Community Health Practice 1
- DENT-3035 ---- Professional Practice 2
- HLTH-3009 ---- Multiculturalism in Health Care
- DENT-3021 ---- Gerontology and Oral Health
Level 5
Take all of the following Mandatory Courses:
- DENT-5027 ---- Clinical Practice 3
- DENT-5020 ---- Community Health Practice 2
- DENT-3040 ---- Orthodontics for the Dental Hygienist
- DENT-3041 ---- Dental Hygiene Practice Management 1
- DENT-3042 ---- Professional Practice 3
Level 6
Take all of the following Mandatory Courses:
- DENT-5028 ---- Clinical Practice 4
- DENT-5025 ---- Evidence-Based Practice
- DENT-5024 ---- Professional Practice 4
- DENT-5023 ---- Dental Hygiene Practice Management 2
- DENT-5022 ---- Community Health Practice 3
Gen Ed - Electives
Take 6 General Education Credits - Normally taken in Levels 1 and 2
Program Residency
Students Must Complete a Minimum of 36 credits in this program at Fanshawe College to meet the Program Residency requirement and Graduate from this program
Career Opportunities
Graduates of Fanshawe’s Dental Hygiene program may work independently and collaboratively with health professionals in a variety of practice settings, including:
- General and specialty dental practices
- Private practices
- Educational institutions
- Research programs
- Public health programs
- Hospitals
- Long-term care settings
Graduates may also find a career outside clinics, including:
- Dental office manager
- Dental supplies sales
- Pharmaceutical sales
- Dental insurance officer
- Classroom instructor
- Educational researcher
- Public health administration
- Dental hygiene program coordinator
Here are some examples of career opportunities for graduates of Fanshawe’s Dental Hygiene program:
Dental Hygienist
Provide dependable and professional patient care and promote home care strategies to enhance oral health.
Dental Health Educator
Responsible for promoting oral health in communities across Ontario.
Student Testimonials
English Language Requirements
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