Dental Hygiene Program (S124)

The Dental Hygiene program prepares students to practice as primary oral health-care providers.

The program focuses on applying the dental hygiene process of care while developing interprofessionalism, client-centred care and interpersonal communication skills. Students have the opportunity to gain confidence in their learned skills while working with clients in our on-site WAVE Dental Clinic.

Emphasis is placed on preparing students to function effectively within a collaborative dental team that includes:

• the client
• the community
• other health-care providers

Students and clients collaboratively evaluate care provided by delineating short-term and long-term goals and employing strategies for continued care.

The Dental Hygiene program is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of Canada.

Graduates of this program are eligible to apply to write the National Dental Hygiene Certification Examination. (Note: Additional fees apply.) Successful completion is one of the requirements for registration by the College of Dental Hygienists of Ontario to practice in the province. See cdho.org (A Guide to the Process of Being Registered as a Dental Hygienist in Ontario) for further information.

Please note this program does not have a part time study option.

Dental Hygienists who are registered in the province of Ontario and wish to take further part-time studies may visit the Continuing Education Course Guide at coned.georgebrown.ca.

Field experience plays an important role in this six semester program.

In Semesters 1 and 2, students will practice newly learned dental hygiene skills first on manikins, and then on each other. In Semesters 3, 4, 5 and 6, students will build on the dental hygiene process of care and will progress to treating real clients both at our onsite WAVE Dental Clinic, and offsite with various community partners such as public health organizations, teaching hospitals and community health centres.

Our onsite WAVE Dental Clinic boasts an impressive 75 dental chairs plus an additional 14 chairs complete with x-ray facilities. This Clinic provides a safe and controlled environment where students can practice their skills under the supervision of registered dental hygienists. Throughout their experiences, students will learn to provide care across the lifespan treating clients that range from simple to complex oral health care needs.

The progression of practice is designed to help learners gain confidence in their knowledge of the various processes, instruments and techniques required to be a successful dental hygienist.

PLEASE NOTE: Travel to offsite placement sites may be required. Clinical hours include early mornings that can extend into the evening.

The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to:

1. Practice in a professional and competent manner within the defined scope of practice and consistent with current regulations and standards of practice.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. Analyze oral health issues in need of advocacy, identify networks and promote actions that will support change and facilitate access to care.
5. Identify, select, implement and evaluate quality assurance standards and protocols which contribute to a safe and effective working environment.
6. Establish and maintain professional and inter-professional relationships which contribute to client care safety and positive health care outcomes.
7. Facilitate the development of specific oral health attitudes, knowledge, skills, and behaviours in clients by selecting and utilizing principles of teaching and learning.
8. Develop and present a model for a DH practice that addresses relevant business principles, current legislation and standards of practice.

* Amounts listed are the total of tuition, materials, student service and ancillary fees for the three semesters of programs starting in Fall 2018. Fees are subject to change for programs starting in Fall 2019 and at later dates.

^† There will be additional costs to the program in each year of study, including textbooks, appropriate laboratory/clinical attire and personal protective equipment. There is a refundable rental fee charged to the student for equipment on loan.