Dental Hygiene

Credential

Ontario College Advanced Diploma

Area Of Interest

Health

Duration

3 years

Program Code

0641

Location

Thunder Bay

Overview

Start Dates & Program Codes

  • Fall Start (September): Program Code 0641

Healthy mouth/Healthy body!

Confederation College’s three-year advanced Dental Hygiene diploma program provides students with all the knowledge and hands-on experience they need to succeed in this challenging health care discipline. This program equips students with the skills needed for a successful career in this vital healthcare field, emphasizing the interconnectedness of oral health and overall well-being.

Key Responsibilities of Dental Hygienists

Professional dental hygienists play a crucial role in healthcare, focusing on:

  • Clinical Therapy: Including teeth cleaning and oral care treatments.
  • Health Promotion & Disease Prevention: Emphasizing oral health's impact on overall health.
  • Education: Providing valuable oral health education to clients.
  • Administration & Research: Contributing to the administrative and research aspects of dental hygiene.

Learning Environment and Curriculum

Students benefit from learning in modern classrooms and labs, with a curriculum that covers:

  • Microbiology specific to dental hygiene.
  • Principles and practices of dental hygiene.
  • Preventive strategies for oral health promotion.
  • Research methods in dental hygiene.
  • Health policy, advocacy, and evidence-based practice.

Program Highlights

  • Practical Experience: Students gain hands-on experience through placements in long-term care facilities, schools, and dental offices.
  • Accreditation: The program is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of Canada (CDAC).
  • Certification: Graduates are prepared for the National Dental Hygiene Certification Board Examination (NDHCB) and registration with the College of Dental Hygienists of Ontario.

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates will demonstrate:

  1. Professional and competent practice within the current regulatory and practice standards.
  2. The ability to evaluate clients' oral health, design comprehensive care plans, and provide appropriate referrals.
  3. Skills in designing, implementing, and evaluating oral health care services tailored to client needs.
  4. Advocacy for oral health issues and promotion of access to care.
  5. Implementation and evaluation of quality assurance standards for a safe and effective work environment.
  6. Establishment of professional relationships conducive to client safety and positive healthcare outcomes.
  7. The ability to educate clients on oral health utilizing effective teaching and learning principles.
  8. Development of a viable dental hygiene practice model incorporating business principles, legislation, and standards of practice.
Try to do something that scares you, or pushes you out of your comfort zone because that is where I found I learned the most, not only in knowledge...
Allison Heerema
Student
The Dental Hygiene program helped me to grow in the dental field. I also worked in the Student Union of Confederation College as the Senator of Health...
Shashvat from India
Student
Confederation College offers state-of-the-art facilities and excellent instructors. I am very happy with my decision to study here. The locals in...
Jihyung from Korea
Attending the Dental Hygiene program at Confederation College was one of the best decisions of my life. The program was a perfect balance between...
Dr. Peeyush Ranjan

Employment Opportunities

Graduates of the Confederation College Dental Hygiene Program have a wide array of employment opportunities awaiting them. The field of dental hygiene offers a diverse career landscape, enabling professionals to work in various settings and specialize in multiple areas of dental care. Key employment sectors include:

  • Private Dental Practices: Offering routine dental hygiene services to a broad patient base.
  • Community Dental Clinics: Serving community members, often focusing on underrepresented or underserved populations.
  • Hospital Dental Clinics: Providing specialized oral care within hospital settings, often for patients with complex health conditions.
  • Public Health Units: Working on oral health promotion and disease prevention programs at the community or regional level.
  • Specialty Dental Practices: Specializing in areas such as orthodontics (braces and other teeth straightening methods), paedodontics (children's dentistry), and periodontics (gum disease treatment).

Independent Practice

With the evolving landscape of dental health care, some dental hygienists are also embracing entrepreneurial roles by starting their independent practices. This career path allows for greater autonomy in providing oral health services directly to the public.

Career Development Resources

Confederation College supports its graduates in exploring various career pathways and staying informed about the latest trends and opportunities in dental hygiene. Our dedicated career services offer:

  • Career Coaching: Personalized guidance to help you navigate your career options and make informed decisions about your professional journey.
  • Job Market Insights: Access to current wage data, employment statistics, and job postings, along with information on associated education and training requirements.

CLICK ... to explore Careers in this field

Click the button to discover more about the career opportunities in dental hygiene, including in-depth information about potential career paths, current demand in the job market, and opportunities for further education and training.

Monica Coggin

Program Coordinator - BScDH, R.D.H, Level I & II Dental Assistant

Linda Lalonde

Program Coordinator - Dental Hygiene Yr 2 & 3, MEd, BScDH, R.D.H.

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