Dental Therapy, AAS
DURATION
3 Years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
Request application deadline
EARLIEST START DATE
Sep 2025
TUITION FEES
USD 328 / per credit
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
Introduction
Dental Therapy (DT) dəxʷx̌ayəbus (pronounced as dahf-hi-ya-boos) is a Lushootseed phrase that translates to a Place of Smiles. Lushootseed is a common language of coastal Salish tribes, made up of many local dialects of Native Americans throughout the Puget Sound region. The objective of the Dental Therapy (dəxʷx̌ayəbus) program is to deliver “smiles” because smiles are strong indicators of personal confidence as well as physical and mental health.
The Dental Therapy program was created to increase access to quality, culturally responsive providers who are oral health advocates in their communities. The expectation is that graduates of the Dental Therapy program will be skilled clinicians who practice with confidence and value the patient/provider relationship. Graduates will have learned to treat all individuals with respect and value the importance of life-long learning.
NOTE: Dental Therapy is a self-supporting program. Please note that per-credit tuition differs from the state tuition rate.
Degree Intent and Transfer Options
Upon completion, Workforce degrees and/or certificates are intended to give students the skills needed to move directly into employment. While these degrees are not intended to transfer to a university, students will be eligible to apply for admission to Skagit Valley College’s Bachelor of Applied Science - Management (BASM) degree or SVC’s Environmental Conservation, BAS (BAS-EC) and, in some cases, could transfer to other schools. If you are interested in continuing your education by entering a bachelor’s degree program, please work closely with your Academic Advisor and Department Chair.
Admissions
Curriculum
First Year
Fall Quarter
- DT 101 - Fundamentals of Dental Therapy I Credits: (4)
- DT 111 - Dental Therapy Lab I Credits: (2)
- DT 131 - Oral Health Education I Credits: (2)
- CSS 103 - First Quarter Experience Credits: (2)
- CMST& 210 - Interpersonal Communication: E Credits: (5)
- or CMST& 220 - Public Speaking Credits: (5)
- ENGL& 101 - English Composition I Credits: (5)
Total Credits: 20
Winter Quarter
- DT 102 - Fundamentals of Dental Therapy II Credits: (4)
- DT 112 - Dental Therapy Lab II Credits: (6)
- DT 132 - Oral Health Education II Credits: (2)
- BIOL& 170 - Human Anatomy Credits: (5)
- HMATH 100 - Math for Health Professions Credits: (5)
Total Credits: 22
Spring Quarter
- DT 113 - Dental Therapy Lab III Credits: (4)
- DT 142 - Anatomy, Physiology, Head & Neck, and Pathology Credits: (3)
- DT 144 - Cariology and Minimally Invasive Dentistry Credits: (3)
- DT 156 - Hygiene and Periodontology Credits: (3)
- DT 231 - Community Oral Health Programs I Credits: (2)
Total Credits: 15
Summer Quarter
- DT 114 - Dental Therapy Lab IV Credits: (7)
- DT 135 - Diagnosis and Treatment Planning Credits: (3)
- DT 143 - Preclinical Operative Credits: (5)
- DT 232 - Community Oral Health Programs II Credits: (1)
- DT 265 - Local Anesthesia Credits: (2)
Total Credits: 18
Second Year
Fall Quarter
- DT 200 - Introduction to Clinical Care Credits: (4)
- DT 210 - Dental Therapy Skill Consolidation Credits: (3)
- DT 221 - Professional Dental Therapy Practice I Credits: (3)
- DT 235 - Advanced Diagnosis and Treatment Planning Credits: (3)
- DT 261 - Pharmacy and Medical/Dental Emergency Credits: (4)
Total Credits: 17
Winter Quarter
- DT 133 - Oral Health Education III Credits: (2)
- DT 201 - Advanced Dental Therapy Concepts I Credits: (2)
- DT 211 - Dental Therapy Clinic I Credits: (6)
- DT 222 - Professional Dental Therapy Practice II Credits: (2)
- DT 240 - Oral Health Education IV Credits: (2)
- DT 241 - Community Rotations I Credits: (2)
Total Credits: 16
Spring Quarter
- DT 202 - Advanced Dental Therapy Concepts II Credits: (2)
- DT 212 - Dental Therapy Clinic II Credits: (8)
- DT 223 - Professional Dental Therapy Practice III Credits: (2)
- DT 242 - Community Rotations II Credits: (2)
- DT 280 - Digital Health Communications Credits: (2)
Total Credits: 16
Summer Quarter
- DT 203 - Advanced Dental Therapy Concepts III Credits: (2)
- DT 213 - Dental Therapy Clinic III Credits: (6)
- DT 224 - Professional Dental Therapy Practice IV Credits: (3)
- DT 233 - Community Oral Health Programs III Credits: 2
- DT 243 - Community Rotation III Credits: 2
Total Credits: 15
Third Year
Fall Quarter
- DT 295 - Preceptorship Credits: (14)
Total Credits: 14
Program Tuition Fee
English Language Requirements
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