
Program description
Dental Hygiene
If being a vital part of a dynamic and important health care team intrigues you and you want a career that is in demand, Fanshawe’s Dental Hygiene program will jump start your journey toward professional success.
You'll learn the dynamic skills needed to clean teeth, take x-rays, and promote oral health. You'll study anatomy, microbiology, histology, oral pathology, pharmacology and health promotion. As well, you'll work alongside your professors in a supportive mentoring environment designed to help you succeed. Hands-on clinical experience is provided in a student dental clinic. You'll also complete community placements and participate in oral health promotion activities at daycare, public school, hospitals and health care settings. This program utilizes simulation learning.
Dental Hygiene will be temporarily delivered with both online and lab based classes.
Admission requirements
- OSSD with courses from the College (C), University (U),
- University/College (M), or Open (O) stream WITH:
- Any Grade 12 English (C) or (U)
- Mathematics ONE OF:
- Grade 11 Mathematics (U) or (M)
- Grade 12 Mathematics (C) or (U)
- Grade 11 or Grade 12 Biology (C) or (U)
- Grade 11 or Grade 12 Chemistry (C) or (U)
(Note: minimum final grade required for each course is 65)
OR
- Academic and Career Entrance Certificate (ACE) WITH:
- Communications
- Core Mathematics
- Biology
- Chemistry
(Note: minimum final grade required for each course is 65)
OR
- Pre-Health Sciences Pathway to Advanced Diplomas and Degrees Ontario College Certificate*
(Note: minimum final average required is 3.0 GPA) AND:
- minimum final grade of 'C+' or 65 in the required courses stated above
OR
- Ontario High School Equivalency Certificate (GED) WITH:
- The combined Language Arts - Reading AND Language Arts - Writing test results having a minimum average Standard Score of 520 AND:
- Mathematics ONE OF:
- Grade 11 Mathematics (U) or (M)
- Grade 12 Mathematics (C) or (U)
- Grade 11 or Grade 12 Biology (C) or (U)
- Grade 11 or Grade 12 Chemistry (C) or (U)
(Note: minimum final grade required for each course is 65)
OR
Mature Applicant with standing in the required courses and grades stated above
For more information about admission requirements, please visit the institute website.
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Learn moreProgram content
Level 1
Take all of the following Mandatory Courses:
- Reason & Writing 1 for Health Sciences
- Anatomy & Physiology
- Oral Microbiology & Immunology
- Dental Hygiene Radiography 1
- Dental Hygiene Theory & Practice 1
- Health Promotion & Disease Prevention 1
- Professional Practice 1
Level 2
Take all of the following Mandatory Courses:
- Oral Histology & Embryology
- Dental Hygiene Theory & Practice 2
- Health Promotion & Disease Prevention 2
- Dental Hygiene Radiography 2
- Head, Neck & Dental Anatomy
- Dental Materials 1
Level 3
Take all of the following Mandatory Courses:
- Periodontology
- Pathophysiology & Pharmacology
- Nutrition & Oral Health
- Research Methods
- Dental Materials 2
- Clinical Practice 1
- Psychology: A Case Study Perspective
Level 4
Take all of the following Mandatory Courses:
- Pharmacology
- Oral Pathology
- Clinical Practice 2
- Community Health Practice 1
- Professional Practice 2
- Multiculturalism in Health Care
- Gerontology & Oral Health
Level 5
Take all of the following Mandatory Courses:
- Clinical Practice 3
- Community Health Practice 2
- Orthodontics for the Dental Hygienist
- Dental Hygiene Practice Management 1
- Professional Practice 3
Level 6
Take all of the following Mandatory Courses:
- Clinical Practice 4
- Evidence Based Practice
- Professional Practice 4
- Dental Hygiene Practice Management 2
- Community Health Practice 3
Scholarships & funding
Several scholarship options are available. Please check the institute website for more information.
Tuition fees
Canadian students
The tuition fee for Canadian students is 5,571.25 CAD, and the total fees are 7,451.63 CAD.
International students
The tuition fee for International students is 7,596.00 CAD, and the total fees are 10,082.36 CAD.
For more detailed information about fees, please visit the institute webpage.
Qualification
Credential - Ontario College Graduate Certificate
The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to:
- practise 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 health care professionals as required.
- design, implement and evaluate a range of primary, interceptive, therapeutic, preventative, and on-going 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 which 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 behaviours 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
Career opportunities
Graduates may work independently and collaboratively with health professionals in a variety of practice settings, including general and specialty dental practices, public health programs, hospitals and long-term care settings.
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About this institute

Fanshawe College
Fanshawe College is a large, publicly-funded College located in London, Ontario, Canada - approximately two hours from Niagara Falls, Toronto, or Detroit. There are 21,000 full-time students at Fanshawe, including 7,500 international students from more than 100 different countries. Fanshawe...
Why study at Fanshawe College
London is a great location - a large city with a population of close to 500,000, so there is something for everyone. It is small enough to be more affordable than some of the larger cities and it is very student-friendly. Fanshawe College has a 90.3% percent Graduate Employment Rate, which is number one among Ontario colleges. There are also 60 co-op programs available, where students can "earn while they learn."
Contact info
Fanshawe College
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