AACC offers an A.A.S. degree in dental hygiene that includes comprehensive training in our on-site community dental hygiene clinic. Upon graduating, students are qualified to sit for the ADEX national examination offered by The Commission on Dental Competency and Assessment. 

Majors and Offerings

Students who complete the two-year, five-term program receive an Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) degree and are eligible to take the National Licensing Examination for Dental Hygiene.

Learn more about the Dental Hygiene A.A.S. degree.

Faculty and Staff

Badal M. Patel, RDH, M.S., A.A.S.
Interim Director of Dental Education                 
HSLB-360G
410-777-7397 
Bmpatel1@swissabc.net 

Accreditation

The Dental Hygiene program is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation. 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 E. Chicago Ave., Chicago, IL 60611. The commission’s web address is: http://coda.ada.org/

Program Outcomes

By the end of the curriculum sequence graduates will have completed the didactic, laboratory and clinical practice courses to enable them to meet the following outcomes:

1. Provide comprehensive dental hygiene care by assessing, planning, implementing, evaluating and documenting based on the individual needs of each patient.
2. Apply legal and ethical principles to comply with all state regulations within the scope of practice in dental hygiene to provide optimal care to an array of patients based on their needs without discrimination or bias.
3. Use critical thinking and problem-solving skills to remain current in the latest validated evidence-based research and regulation governing the scope of practice of dental hygiene.
4. Utilize written and verbal communications skills to educate patients, practice universal safety protocol, CDC protocols, OSHA protocols, and state protocols to ensure a safe practice environment.
5. Collaborate with peers, dentists and health professionals to deliver comprehensive dental care individualized specific to the patient’s needs.
6. Apply clinical and theoretical knowledge to pass national and state board examination to obtain licensure to practice within the scope of dental hygiene.

Resources for Students

Learn more about the Dental Hygiene Admissions requirements

Additional Resources

If you would like information related to the Dental Hygiene program's clinical affiliates and/or procedures related to students in the DHY program contact:

Badal M. Patel, RDH, M.S., A.A.S. 
bmpatel1@swissabc.net
410-777-7397