Information on the alignment requirements for the Dental Hygiene Program
CIP Code: 51.0602
CIP Name: Dental Hygiene/Hygienist
Definition: A program that prepares individuals to clean teeth and apply preventive materials, provide oral health education and treatment counseling to patients, identify oral pathologies and injuries, and manage dental hygiene practices. Includes instruction in dental anatomy, microbiology, and pathology; dental hygiene theory and techniques; cleaning equipment operation and maintenance; dental materials; radiology; patient education and counseling; office management; supervised clinical training; and professional standards.
Approval Status
The Dental Hygiene Alignment was approved by the Kansas Board of Regents on April 17, 2014. Colleges are granted one year from the approval date to implement the alignment.
State Business and Industry Committee recommendation
State and National licensure was used in lieu of a Business and Industry Committee. All programs must be accredited by the American Association Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA). All students are required to sit for the National Dental Hygiene Board exam, State Dental Hygiene licensure exam and one of the following Regional Clinical Board exams: Central Regional Dental Testing (CRDTS) or Western Regional Examining Board (WREB).
Alignment Map
Click here (pdf)Common Courses (12 credit hours)
Common Courses serve as potential articulation and transfer of coursework between secondary and postsecondary partners. These courses shall have the same title, credit hour allocation, and competencies. Institutions may add additional competencies based on local demand. The sequencing of common courses is determined by the institution.
| Dental Radiography | 2 credit hours (pdf) |
| Dental Materials | 2 credit hours (pdf) |
| Periodontics | 3 credit hours (pdf) |
| General and Oral Pathology | 3 credit hours (pdf) |
| Dental Public Health | 2 credit hours (pdf) |
Agreed Upon Dental Hygiene Courses: (24-25 credit hours)
Institutions may utilize existing course titles listed for courses that adhere to the agreed upon course length rand and competencies for the agreed upon Dental Hygiene courses.
| 1. Clinical Dental Hygiene I: Pre-Clinical or Dental Health Safety & Dental Hygiene Process I or Infection Control & Pre-Clinical Hygiene Process |
5 credit hours
|
| 2. Clinical Dental Hygiene II or Dental Hygiene Process II |
4 credit hours
|
| 3. Clinical Dental Hygiene III or Dental Hygiene Process III |
5-6 credit hours
|
|
4. Clinical Dental Hygiene IV or |
6 credit hours
|
|
5. Development Dentistry & Head and Neck Anatomy |
4 credit hours
|
Support Courses
Institutions may utilize existing like courses which adhere to the agreed upon course lengths and competencies.
| Microbiology | 4-5 credit hours |
| Anatomy and Physiology | 5-8 credit hours |
| Chemistry | 5 credit hours |
To learn where this program is available in Kansas, visit the Kansas Career Technical Education Program Search.