The Dental Hygiene Program prepares students for the practice of dental hygiene.  A Registered Dental Hygienist (RDH) is a licensed professional who is part of the dental care team, performing such services as oral examination, oral prophylaxis (scaling, root planning, soft tissue curettage and polishing the teeth), exposing dental x-rays, administering local anesthesia and nitrous oxide sedation for pain control, applying preventive substances such as topical fluorides and dental sealants, along with educating patients in preventive oral health care, nutrition, and the link between diet, oral health, and overall general health.  

The Dental Hygiene, Associate in Science Degree Program offers academic and clinical skills curriculum within an on-campus clinic. The student is prepared for the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination (written), the state practical examination, and must take the California Law & Ethics exam to gain licensure as a Registered Dental Hygienist.

The courses listed above are not necessarily entry-level. Oxnard College offers courses to prepare students to succeed in these prerequisites. The Dental Hygiene Program requires full-time enrollment. 

Dental Hygiene Program Admission

Upon completion of the prerequisites, students must apply for admission to the Dental Hygiene program. A minimum cumulative college GPA of 3.0 is required.  All colleges ever attended must be reported. All science prerequisites must have been completed no more than 5 years prior to application to the Dental Hygiene program and must have been completed with a 3.0 GPA. Contact the program coordinator at 805-678-5823 for details on the selection process.

To complete the Associate Degree, students must meet requirements in the major, general education, competency, units, scholarship, and residency. Refer to Earn an Associate Degree and the A.A. or A.S. Degree in Specific Majors sections of this catalog.

Upon successful completion of this program, students will be able to: 

• Demonstrate competence in performing the common local anesthetic techniques used in the practice of dental hygiene.
• Analyze oral structures/tissues and evaluate these oral structures/tissues for pathology and treat any pathology appropriately.
• Construct dental hygiene treatment plans and employ these plans to provide comprehensive dental hygiene treatment to patients.
• Manage their fundamental roles in the dental practice
• Operate dental radiographic equipment properly and safely
• Evaluate patients’ medical/dental histories and make appropriate adjustments to their dental hygiene treatment.