SPC's Dental Hygiene Associate in Science Degree prepares you to join a growing profession

With SPC's Dental Hygiene A.S. Degree, you gain the technical expertise to excel in this growing field. We have been educating dental hygiene students for more than 50 years and our students have excellent job placements rates. As part of the Mary R. Grizzle Dental Hygiene Program, students work in our dental hygiene clinic, which provides dental hygiene services (cleanings and x-rays) to more than 2,500 patients a year.

Dental Hygiene Program Partnership at SPC
Students may be enrolled concurrently with an accredited A.S. Dental Hygiene program or follow the traditional pathway into SPC's Dental Hygiene B.A.S. program upon becoming a registered dental hygienist. Dual enrolled students in our Program Partnership are accepted contingent on the recommendation of their A.S. Dental Hygiene Program Director and faculty.

OPPORTUNITIES

Graduates of our programs work in dental offices, public health clinics, hospitals, nursing homes and managed care facilities.

This academic program prepares you for the following career. All job data is provided by the U.S. Department of Labor.

Dental Hygienists

Salary Data

Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL Metro Area Average

Florida Average

Projected employment for Florida

2023 Employment

13,410

2033

15,600

Percent Change

16

Projected Job Openings

1160

Features of SPC's Dental Hygiene A.S. Degree

  • Provides lecture and clinical lab classes as part of your learning experience
  • Prepares you to enter your career
  • Is accredited by the American Dental Association's Commission on Dental Accreditation

As part of your educational experience, you participate throughout the program as a patient subject and in multiple clinical rotations that are off campus. These clinical rotations require traveling to and from each site to experience different patient populations and network with oral health care professionals.

Skills You Will Gain in SPC's Dental Hygiene A.S. Degree

  • Proper treatment, care and dental hygiene techniques
  • Patient education about oral health and diet
  • Management of patient records and treatment plans
  • Industry standards and safety regulations

Dental Hygiene Associate in Science

DENHY-AS
Effective Beginning Catalog Term: Fall 2024 (640)

The requirements shown below are valid beginning Fall 2024 (640), and may not reflect degree requirements for current students. Current students should visit My SPC and view My Learning Plan to see specific degree requirements for their effective term.

Program Summary

Fully transferable to Dental Hygiene or Health Services Administration BAS programs at SPC. Program begins every year in May.

Graduation Requirements

Minimum grade of "C" required in all courses.

Academic Pathways

The Academic Pathway is a tool for students that lists the following items:
  • the recommended order in which to take the program courses
  • suggested course when more than one option exists
  • which semester each course is typically offered
  • if the course has a prerequisite
  • courses that may lead to a certificate (if offered in the program)
VIEW THE RECOMMENDED ACADEMIC PATHWAY

Please verify the Academic Pathway lists your correct starting semester.

Program Leadership Information

For Academic Advising and Program Admissions Information
please contact:
Healthadvising@spcollege.edu
Barbara Mulholland
Academic Chair
Mulholland.Barbara@SPCollege.edu
727.302.6630

Florida CIP Code

1351060200 - Dental Hygiene

Federal CIP Code

51.0602 - Dental Hygiene/Hygienist.

Mission and Goals

The Mission and Goals of the AS Dental Hygiene program are to facilitate the development of professional, ethical, and competent dental hygienists who exhibit the following:

  1. An awareness of their present and future roles and responsibilities within the profession and the community he/she serves.
  2. The knowledge and clinical skills necessary to provide comprehensive care to the patients/clients.
  3. A commitment to lifelong learning and professional development.

Accreditation

SPC's A.S. degree in Dental Hygiene is accredited by the American Dental Association's Commission on Dental Accreditation and has been granted the accreditation 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.

Information about SPC's Dental Hygiene program

Mary R. Grizzle Dental Hygiene Program

This program is named in honor of the late State Senator Mary R. Grizzle in appreciation for her many efforts on behalf of St. Petersburg College.

Licensure

To become a dental hygienist in Florida, you must meet the requirements of the Florida Board of Dentistry and pass the National Dental Hygiene Board examination and state clinical examination to receive your license. Graduates of SPC's dental hygiene program are prepared to take the national board and state licensing exams.

Continue Your Education at SPC

SPC's Dental Hygiene Associate in Science Degree transfers to our bachelor's degrees in Dental Hygiene and Health Services Administration.

Course Transferability

All A.S. Dental Hygiene courses at SPC transfer for credit towards bachelor's degrees at SPC. Due to the cohort structure and the sequencing of courses in Dental Hygiene programs, students who are unable to complete the entire A.S. Dental Hygiene program at SPC need to contact the desired transfer institution to determine admission and program requirements, including transferability of previously completed coursework.

HEALTH CONTINUING EDUCATION

We also offer health and health continuing education through the Workforce Institute.

Dental Hygiene A.S. Degree

Program Admission Guides

Please review the program admission guide to ensure your eligibility prior to applying below.

Health Programs Application


Application Windows

Term Applications Accepted Application Review Interview Invitations Sent to Eligible Candidates Interview Student Notified By MySPC e-mail
Summer: May Nov. 1 – Jan. 7 Jan. 8 – Feb. 13 Feb 14 Feb 24 or Feb 25 March 7