Dental Hygiene (A.S.) (2300)

This is a Limited/Selective Access program.

The mission of the Associate in Science (A.S.) Degree in Dental Hygiene is to create competent, ethical, and confident entry-level dental hygienists who are prepared to immediately seek employment in dental offices in Northeast Florida and beyond. This is accomplished with a combination of classroom and laboratory instruction at the College and clinical instruction in the College’s Dental Hygiene Clinic and affiliated dental clinics in the community. A primary goal of the program is to instill in our graduates a commitment to professional development through life-long learning and service to the community. Students who successfully complete the Dental Hygiene program will be prepared to take both the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination and the state licensing examinations. The curriculum meets the requirements of the Commission on Dental Accreditation.

The associate degree program in dental hygiene requires a minimum of two years of college education. The program includes courses in liberal arts (such as English and social psychology), basic sciences (such as anatomy, microbiology, and pathology), and clinical sciences (such as dental hygiene instrumentation, dental radiology, and dental materials).

A minimum grade of C must be maintained in all natural science and dental hygiene courses in order to continue in the Dental Hygiene program.

This program includes an Algebra Through Calculus math pathway. For additional information about Mathematics Pathways, please visit the Mathematics Pathways page.

The program in dental hygiene is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation and has been granted the status of “approval without reporting requirements.” The Commission is a specialized accrediting body recognized by the United States Department of Education. The Commission on Dental Accreditation can be contacted at (312) 440-4653 or at 211 East Chicago Avenue, Chicago, IL 60611.

Acceptance into the Dental Hygiene program is based upon academic performance and other criteria. One class is admitted each fall term. To be considered, individuals must complete the following by the review deadline:

1. Complete an application for Florida State College at Jacksonville with Dental Hygiene as the program plan.

2. Complete the Health Education Systems, Inc. Admissions Test (HESI-A2) and include the results in the dental hygiene application file.

3. Submit a completed Dental Hygiene Observation form.

4. Transcripts must be received from both high school/GED® and any postsecondary education. They must be official and sealed directly from the awarding institution. Transcripts may be delivered electronically to studentrecords@fscj.edu or by mail to: FSCJ Admissions Office, P.O. Box 40515, Jacksonville, FL 32203-0515.

5. Complete the required prerequisite courses with a minimum grade of C.

Prior to contact with patients, students must furnish proof of immunizations, including hepatitis B, and demonstrate that they are negative for tuberculosis. Additional information will be provided at the program orientation after acceptance into the Dental Hygiene program.

The priority review deadline is May 15 of each year with classes starting in the fall term.

(904) 646-2300 or hcic@fscj.edu.

GED® and GED Testing Service® are registered trademarks of the American Council on Education (ACE). They may not be used or reproduced without the express written permission of ACE or GED Testing Service®. The GED® and GED Testing Service® brands are administered by GED Testing Service LLC® under license from the American Council on Education.