Restorative Dental Hygiene Program (Postgraduate) (S400)

Program Description

Leadership Claims

Preparing graduates to work as restorative dental hygienists for over 40 years.

This is the only full-time Restorative Dental Hygiene program available in Ontario. 

Program Overview

Restorative Dental Hygiene is a two-semester graduate certificate program open to registered dental hygienists who have a minimum of one year of work experience. Students will learn how to perform advanced restorative procedures and preventive measures. Those interested in advancing their skill set and expanding their scope of clinical practice should consider this program. 

Full Description

Restorative Dental Hygiene is a two-semester program designed for experienced registered dental hygienists looking to advance their skill set and expand their scope of clinical practice. Students will learn to work with a broader dental team and how to treat clients with diverse oral health care needs by providing advanced restorative procedures and preventative measures. Adding these expanded skills can increase earning potential. Classes in this program have been consolidated to three days per week to accommodate working dental hygienists. This full-time, hybrid program is OSAP eligible.

To qualify for this program, you must be actively registered to practice dental hygiene with the College of Dental Hygienists of Ontario and have a minimum of one year of dental hygiene work experience. Upon successful completion, graduates simply apply to the CDHO for designation. No additional national competency exam is required.

In compliance with the standards of practice approved by the College of Dental Hygienists of Ontario, students will learn to:

  • apply bonding systems and required liners
  • place and finish composite and amalgam restorations
  • take final impressions
  • fabricate and cement provisional restorations
  • cement and bond indirect restorations

Learning takes place in co-ordination with Dental Technology, Denturism and Dental Assisting students.

Students practice various procedures on a manikin, after which they provide services in our on-site WAVE Dental Clinic, performing restorative and cosmetic procedures on clients.

Dental Hygiene graduates interested in furthering their career beyond clinical practice should consider applying to our NEW Bachelor of Science (Dental Hygiene) (S305) fully online program. This degree completion program is the first of its kind in Ontario! In just three-semesters you will earn a degree focused on subject matter that is specific to the field of Dental Hygiene. Visit our Bachelor of Science (Dental Hygiene) (S305) page for more info.

Your Field Education Options

Clinical experience is a key component of this program because it helps students gain confidence in their skills as they expand their scope of practice to include the more complex care needs delivered by a qualified Restorative Dental Hygienist.

During semester 1, students focus on developing pre-clinical placement skills and practice restorative skills exclusively on manikins.

In semester 2, students will get hands-on practice performing restorative procedures working with clients on-site at our nearly 40,000 square foot WAVE Dental Clinic under the supervision of qualified oral health-care professionals.

Observation of a restorative dental hygienist also takes place off-site with their current employer and/or a community field placement partner, upon approval by faculty.

Career & Postgraduate Study Opportunities

Career Options

Graduates are employed as restorative dental hygienists in:

  • private practice
  • public health services
  • hospitals
  • the dental industry

“I’ve been in dental for 22 years and going back to school was one of the best decisions I have ever made. The Restorative Dental Hygiene program at George Brown College has been an amazing experience, with curriculum that incorporates all the skills needed to be successful in any dental practice. The instructors have been some of the best I’ve ever had. In the clinic they were both helpful and insightful in their constructive pointers on how to succeed by putting the theory learned in the classroom into practice when working on live patients. I feel privileged that I was able to partake in this course.”

Melanie Bianco
Ontario College Graduate Certificate

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