Dental Hygiene Program (S134)

The Dental Hygiene program teaches students the competencies and skills required to practise as a dental hygienist in the province of Ontario. This program focuses on developing interpersonal communication skills and professionalism while providing dental hygiene care.

Full Description

The Dental Hygiene (S134) advanced diploma program prepares students to practise as primary oral health-care providers.

Over three years, students will learn to apply the dental hygiene process of care while developing professional relationship-building and communication skills such as:

• learning to work as part of an interprofessional health-care team
• a client-centred approach to care
• interpersonal communication skills

Students will practise and develop the hands-on delivery of their newly learned skills while working with clients at our WAVE Dental Clinic.

Students will learn to work effectively as a collaborative dental team member in a client’s circle of care that will include a collaborative dental team that considers:

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

Students will also learn to evaluate care as they help clients set short- and long-term goals for continued oral health care.

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

Your Field Education Options

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

In semesters 1 and 2, students will practise newly learned dental hygiene skills first on manikins. 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 on-site WAVE Dental Clinic and off-site with various community partners such as public health organizations, teaching hospitals and community health centres.

Our on-site WAVE Dental Clinic spans nearly 40,000 square feet and boasts an impressive 75 dental chairs, an additional 14 chairs complete with X-ray facilities, and 24 enclosed dental suites equipped for aerosol-generating procedures. The clinic provides a safe and controlled environment where students can practise their skills under the supervision of qualified oral health care professionals. Throughout their field 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 practise 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 off-site placement sites may be required. Clinical hours include early mornings that can extend into the evening.