Dental Hygiene, A.S.

Skip to main content
Skip to search
Skip to the footer

Logins and Resources for Students and Employees

A world full of smiles

The role of the dental hygienist is a challenging and demanding one requiring developed critical thinking skills. While the primary focus of the dental hygienist is maintenance of oral health, the hygienist may also participate in supportive and expanded functions as delegated by the State Dental Practice Act. Preventive and maintenance services include scaling and polishing, sealants, X-rays, fluoride treatment, patient education and specialized therapies of root planning and curettage.

The Associate in Science degree program in Dental Hygiene offers two opportunities to complete the program. The Dental Hygiene Traditional program is a two-year program with class and clinic commitments of 35-40 hours per week with some evening clinics and classes.

The Dental Hygiene program is designed to educate the dental hygiene student to work in private practice, research, institutional, or public health settings. Course work includes knowledge of the dental health care system, anatomic, biological and applied sciences and dental public health. The program offers clinical experiences in settings such as the, the University of Florida College of Dentistry and the ACORN Clinic in addition to the Santa Fe Dental Clinic. Graduates of the Traditional and Bridge Dental Hygiene program earn an A.S. degree Traditional Program graduates also earn a Florida Expanded Functions Certificate, and are eligible to take the Dental Assisting National Board Examination. Upon completion of the Traditional or Bridge Dental Hygiene program students are eligible to sit for Dental Hygiene National Boards and state licensure examinations.

Accreditation

The Dental Hygiene Program at SF is accredited by the American Dental Association.

Licensure information

Successful completion of all degree requirements may make you eligible to take the Florida state licensure exam for dental hygiene. If you are a student who resides outside of Florida, or plan to relocate outside of Florida, Santa Fe College has made the determination that this degree program or curriculum only meets educational requirements for professional licensure in the state of Florida. The American Dental Hygiene Association provides a ‘State Licensure by Credential /Endorsement Chart’ where you may reference licensure endorsements requirements per state. Please contact the Licensure board in your state to determine whether this program or curriculum will meet any licensure requirements.

Requirements for Admission

Note to applicants: Applicants who have already completed a Dental Assisting vocational program, possess DANB certification and 1-year chair-side experience (within 5 years of application), should apply to the Dental Hygiene Bridge Program to receive credit for previous coursework. Vocational courses taken in a Dental Assisting program do not transfer to the traditional A.S. in Dental Hygiene degree program and will have to be repeated even though the content may be similar.

The following requirements must be met by the application deadline in order to apply:

Possess a 2.50 or higher overall college GPA
Complete the following coursework with a grade of C or higher:
- BSC2085/L Anatomy and Physiology I with lab
- BSC2086/L Anatomy and Physiology II with lab
- ENC1101 College Composition 1
- SPC2608 Public Speaking
- MCB2010/L Intro to Microbiology with lab
- PSY2012 General Psychology
- Choose one of the following courses:
- - AMH2020 US History Since 1877
  - POS2041 American National Government
- *Choose one of the following Math courses:
- - MAC1105 College Algebra
  - MGF1130 Mathematical Thinking
  - STA2023 Statistics
- Choose one of the following Social/Behavioral Sciences courses:
- - SYG2430 Marriage and Family
  - SYG2010 Social Problems
  - SYG2000 Principles of Sociology
- Choose one of the following Humanities/Fine Arts courses:
- - ARH1000 Art Appreciation
  - HUM2020 Introduction to Humanities
  - LIT1000 Literature Appreciation
  - MUL1010 Music Appreciation
  - PHI2010 Introduction to Philosophy
  - THE1000 Theater Appreciation

*Successful completion of MGF1106 and/or MGF1107 prior to the 2024-25 academic year may be used to satisfy the mathematics core in lieu of MGF1130.

All transcripts and coursework must be evaluated and accepted by Santa Fe College prior to the application date in order to qualify for application.

See Application Dates and Deadlines and closely review other requirements Before You Apply.

Program Cost, Scholarships and Aid

All tuition and fees are estimated costs and subject to change without notice.

Program Costs Breakdown

Tuition for 88 Credit Hours

$9,395.76 Florida Residents
$33,695.20 Non-Florida Residents

Lab Fees: $637.00

Additional Expenses

$1,100.00 Books
$450.00 Health Physical and Immunizations
$55.00 American Heart Association Basic Life Support CPR
$216.50 Level 2 and Expanded National Background Screening; Drug Testing
$40.00 Flu Shots (2)
$3,650.00 Instrument Kit/Equipment (due 1st week of classes)
$350.00 Uniforms (approximate cost for 2 uniforms, shoes and lab jacket)
$320.00 University of Florida Parking Decal
$1,770.00 Dental Hygiene National Board Examination/ADEX/State License (due last semester of the program)

Program Cost Totals

$17,984.26 Florida Residents
$42,283.70 Non-Florida Residents

Scholarships

There are many scholarships available for Santa Fe College students to apply to. Please visit the Scholarships webpage for more information and how to apply.

Financial Aid

There are many options to finance your education. You may be eligible for Federal Grants, Work Study, State Grants, Federal Loans, and Institutional Scholarships. Please visit the Financial Aid page for more information and how to apply.

Selection Criteria / Points System

Selection criteria and points system is subject to change. It is the applicant’s responsibility to check with the Health Sciences Advisement Office for up-to-date requirements and information.

Prior Degree and/or Certification (Maximum Points =8): can have 1 degree and 1certificate

MA/MS (5 PTS)
B.A./B.S. (4 PTS)
A.A., A.S., OR A.A.S. (3 PTS)
Graduate of HS Academy (3 PTS)
Accredited Dental Assistant Program (3 PTS)

All College GPA (Maximum Points= 20)

3.75 – 4.00 (20 PTS)
3.50 – 3.74 (16 PTS)
3.25 – 3.49 (12 PTS)
3.00 – 3.24 (8 PTS)
2.75 – 2.99 (4 PTS)
2.50 – 2.74 (0 PT)

Grades Earned in Prerequisites (Maximum Points=24)

A= (8 PTS), B+=(6 PTS), B=(4 PTS), C+=(2 PTS)

*BSC2085/L Anatomy & Physiology 1 with lab
*BSC2086/L Anatomy & Physiology 2 with lab
MCB2010/L Microbiology with lab

Bonus Points: (Not prerequisite)

A=(4 PTS), B+=(3 PTS), B=(2 PTS), C+=(1 PT)

HSC 2531 Medical Terminology

Work Experience

FT DA 12+ months or more work experience within last 5 years (8 PTS)
FT DA 6-11 months work experience at time of application (4 PTS)

Military Service (5 PTS)

Five points will be awarded to US Armed Forces active duty and honorably discharged veterans. Includes recent Reservist and National Guard combat deployments. DD-214 or proof of current service required. Minimum of 1year active-duty service required. Part-time Reservist or National Guard service must be documented separately and equal 365 active-duty days (i.e., weekend service, annual 2- week assignment and deployment). Service dates may be combined with proper documentation. Veterans who receive a general discharge must be classified without misconduct.

Program Length, Format and Curriculum

The Associate in Science in Dental Hygiene at Santa Fe College is a five-semester program including the time necessary to complete prerequisite coursework. Coursework is completed in the classroom, laboratory, and clinical settings. The program is based on a 35-40 hour week schedule.

DEH1003 INSTRUMENTATION (1 credit hour)
DEH1003L INSTRUMENTA LAB (1 credit hour)
DEH1400 GEN & ORAL PATH (2 credit hours)
DEH1800 DH THEORY 1 (3 credit hours)
DEH1800L DH CLINIC 1 (3 credit hours)
DEH1802C DH THEORY 2 (1 credit hour)
DEH1802L DH CLINIC 2 (3 credit hours)
DEH1810 INT TO PROF DEV (1 credit hour)
DEH2300 PHARMACOLOGY (2 credit hours)
DEH2504 DN SPECIALITIES (2 credit hours)
DEH2530 EXPAND FUNCTION (1 credit hour)
DEH2530L EXPAND FUNC LAB (1 credit hour)
DEH2602C PERIODONTOLOGY (2 credit hours)
DEH2702 COMM HLTH DENST (2 credit hours)
DEH2702L COMM DENT LAB (1 credit hour)
DEH2804C DH THEORY 3 (1 credit hour)
DEH2804L DEN CLINIC 3 (3 credit hours)
DEH2806 DH THEORY 4 (1 credit hour)
DEH2806L DH CLINIC 4 (4 credit hours)
DEH2932 ORAL MEDICINE (2 credit hours)
DEH2934 PRF DEVELOPMENT (1 credit hour)
DES1000C ORAL/DENTAL ANA (2 credit hours)
DES1010 HEAD & NECK ANA (2 credit hours)
DES1030 HISTLGY & EMBRY (2 credit hours)
DES1100 DENTAL MATERIAL (2 credit hours)
DES1100L DNTL MTRLS LB (1 credit hour)
DES1200 DENTAL RDGRPHY (2 credit hours)
DES1200L DENTAL RADGRPHY (1 credit hour)
DES1502 PRACTICE MGT (2 credit hours)
DES1800 PRECLINICAL PRO (2 credit hours)
DES1800L PRECLIN PROC L (1 credit hour)
DES1820 OFF EMERGENCIES (1 credit hour)
DES1840 PREV DENTISTRY (2 credit hours)

Program Goals and Outcomes

The philosophies of the program are as follows:

To prepare students to assume the responsibilities of a health care professional and co-therapist in the practice of dentistry.
To provide instruction which develops competencies in all of the professional services required of a Dental Assistant and Hygienist and prepare students to continue to develop and maintain professional competencies.
To instill in students a commitment to provide quality services to all patients without discrimination.
To stimulate interest and encourage students to participate in the development of the professions of Dental Assisting and Dental Hygiene, through continuing education, research, and involvement with the professional organizations.
To nurture the development of ethical and professional behaviors.
To provide an atmosphere where growth and development flourishes and mutual respect exists between faculty and students participating together in the learning process.
To provide curricula content which contains the most relevant, current, and accurate theoretical and clinical knowledge.
To sequence curricula to allow for the most logical progression of content presentation, learning, and clinical skill development.
To structure curricula to utilize a case-based teaching format, thereby facilitating the transfer of didactic material to clinical practice.
To ensure that the curriculum provide learning experiences which reflect and meet the criteria of national boards/certifications and state regulatory agencies.
To strive to meet community and individual needs through innovative curriculum development.
To recognize the continuously changing needs of society for dental services, and to prepare the student to provide needed services regardless of the patients' age, sex, race, national origin, religion, marital status, social or economic status, and physical or mental disability.
To encourage faculty and students to demonstrate behaviors which reflect the highest standards of professional and ethical conduct.

Performance Standards

The Dental Hygiene Program is a practice discipline with cognitive, sensory, affective and psychomotor performance requirements. Based on these requirements, the following list of Program Performance Standards has been developed. Each standard has an example of activities which a student will be required to perform, with or without an accommodation, while enrolled in the Dental Hygiene program. The Program Performance Standards should be used as a guide to assist applicants in determining whether or not accommodations or modifications are necessary in order to meet program participation requirements. Applicants who identify potential difficulties with meeting the Program Performance Standards should communicate their concerns to the Academic Chair for Dental Programs. If the concern is related to a documented disability, applicants are responsible for contacting the Disabilities Resource Center. Determination of reasonable and appropriate accommodation will be made on an individual basis in consultation with the Disabilities Resource Center. Additionally, applicants should assess their aptitude and ability to perform professional duties by reviewing the Program Performance Standards below and discussing them with their healthcare provider.

Critical Thinking

Standard: Critical thinking sufficient for clinical judgment.
Examples: Take and interpret medical histories and x-rays; develop treatment plans and react to medical emergencies.

Interpersonal

Standard: Interpersonal abilities sufficient to interact with individuals, families and groups from a variety of social, emotional, cultural and intellectual backgrounds.
Example: Provide oral hygiene/oral health care instruction to patient and/or parents of patients. Explain informed consent and treatment plans. Establish good patient rapport.

Communication

Standard: Communication abilities sufficient for interaction with others in prompt, coherent and concise manner. Must be able to follow spontaneous verbal and/or written instructions. Ability to accurately document pertinent information.
Example: Communicate during the delivery of oral health care services; document procedures and consult with other health care providers.

Mobility

Standard: Physical abilities sufficient to move independently from room to room and through hallways; maneuver in small places. Must be able to bend, crouch, squat, kneel, balance, reach above head, twist at waist. Must be able to sit and/or walk for extended periods of time.
Example: Sit chair side with patients for prolonged periods of time and seat/transfer patient. Transfer instruments and equipment to and from sterilization area. Accompany patient to radiography area; expose, process and retrieve radiographs.

Tactile and Motor Skills

Standard: Gross and fine motor abilities sufficient to safely and effectively provide oral health care. Tactile ability sufficient for physical assessment.
Example: Perform expanded functions, debridements, root planning and x-rays. Palpate tissue, detect calculus and evaluate debridements.

Hearing

Standard: Auditory ability sufficient to monitor and assess health needs.
Example: Assess medically compromised/medical emergencies; hear indicator tones (curing light units; radiography units and sphygmomanometer sounds); converse with patient and/or parents of patients.

Visual

Standard: Visual ability sufficient for observation and assessment necessary in oral health care.
Example: Read, record in patient charts; evaluate tissue; write tissue descriptions; assess and evaluate oral health needs of the patient.

Professional Appearance

As a representative of Santa Fe College and the Dental Hygiene Program, students must abide by specific professional appearance guidelines required by our clinical affiliates. Hair must be maintained within the range of natural color and must be conservative in length and style. Completely shaved or bald styles are acceptable; however, no partially shaved or one-sided haircuts are permitted. Visible tattoos must be covered by garments at all times. Visible body piercings are not allowed and earlobe gauges must be covered. Earrings are limited to one stud-style pair per ear. Clothing and footwear must comply with standards prescribed by the program. Facial hair should be kept neat and trimmed short. Artificial nails, nail polish, jewelry, watches and perfume are not permitted.

Cost of Attendance

Disclosure

The Cost of Attendance (COA) is not the bill that you will receive from Santa Fe College. It is an estimate of what it costs the typical student to attend Santa Fe College for one academic year including tuition, books, course materials, living expenses, transportation, and miscellaneous personal expenses.

Tuition and fees in the cost of attendance below are calculated for credit hour programs, assuming enrollment in 12 credit hours in the Fall and Spring semesters. Actual tuition and fees may vary by program. For a better understanding of your chosen program’s tuition and fees, see program costs above.

Undergraduate Lower Division Courses (A.A./A.S. Degree Courses)

	Off-Campus*	Off-Campus with Parent**
Tuition and Fees In-State: $106.77 per credit Out-Of-State: $382.90 per credit	In-State: $2,563 Out-Of-State: $9,190	In-State: $2,563 Out-Of-State: $9,190
Books, Course Materials, Supplies, and Equipment	$783	$783
Living Expenses (Food & Housing)	$9,679	$2,619
Miscellaneous Personal Expenses	$4,228	$4,228
Transportation	$1,976	$3,062
Total	In-State: $19,229 Out-Of-State: $25,856	In-State: $13,255 Out-Of-State: $19,882

Undergraduate Upper Division Courses (Bachelor Degree Courses)

	Off-Campus*	Off-Campus with Parent**
Tuition and Fees In-State: $126.33 per credit Out-Of-State: $428.83 per credit	In-State: $3,032 Out-Of-State: $10,292	In-State: $3,032 Out-Of-State: $10,292
Books, Course Materials, Supplies, and Equipment	$783	$783
Living Expenses (Food & Housing)	$9,679	$2,619
Miscellaneous Personal Expenses	$4,228	$4,228
Transportation	$1,976	$3,062
Total	In-State: $19,698 Out-Of-State: $26,958	In-State: $13,724 Out-Of-State: $20,984

*Off-Campus: you intend to live off campus, but not with your parent(s).

**Off-Campus with Parent: you intend to live with your parent(s).

Note: All costs and rates are subject to change for the upcoming year.

For more detailed information visit SF's Cost of Attendance page.

Top

Dental Hygiene, A.S.

Program Overview

A world full of smiles