Dental Hygiene

Start Dates & Program Codes

• Fall Start (September): Program Code 0641

CIP Code: 51.0602

*Total Estimated Academic & Program Fees for Domestic Students: $16317
*Please note that fees are estimated and are subject to change. Fees estimate shown is for a full-time student attending the main Thunder Bay campus for Fall 2024.

Promote Oral Health, Transform Lives with Our Dental Hygiene Advanced Diploma

Embark on a rewarding healthcare career with Confederation College's accredited three-year Dental Hygiene diploma program. Through a blend of theoretical knowledge and extensive hands-on experience, you will learn to skillfully manage oral healthcare, understanding its critical role in overall wellness. Be the healthcare professional who improves clients lives, one smile at a time.

Top Highlights

• State-of-the-Art Facilities: Train in contemporary settings equipped with the latest dental technology.
• Experiential Learning: Develop hands-on expertise through placements across various healthcare spaces, and our on-site clinic.
• Accreditation: Our program meets the rigorous standards set by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of Canada (CDAC).
• National Board Exam Preparation: Graduate fully prepared to take the National Dental Hygiene Certification Examination (NDHCB).
• Diverse Career Opportunities: Open doors to a wealth of positions in different dental healthcare environments.

Ideal Candidate Profile

Succeed in the Dental Hygiene program if you are:

• Compassionate: Genuinely care about improving people's health and well-being.
• Detail-Oriented: Meticulous in performing dental procedures and maintaining records.
• Empathetic Communicator: Highly effective at listening to and educating clients about oral health.
• Team Player: Work well with dentists, dental assistants, and other healthcare professionals.
• Dexterous: Possess good hand-eye coordination for precise dental hygiene work.

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.

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.

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.
• 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 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.