Dental hygiene is one of the fastest-growing health care professions in the dental field: professionals serve as an important line to good dental health. Trident Technical College offers a Dental hygiene associate degree program to help you make a successful start in a promising health care career.

How do I get started?

To enter TTC’s Dental Hygiene program, call the College’s Admissions and Records office at (843) 574-6460 or visit the admissions page on our website for an application and information on the application process.

Acceptance into TTC’s Allied Health Sciences programs is on a first qualified, first accepted basis. See "Prospective Applicant Letter".

TTC’s Dental Hygiene program meets the standards established by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association.

What do dental hygienists do?

Dental hygienists are licensed health care professionals who provide education, therapeutic and preventive services. Important members of the dental team the dental hygienists’ primary responsibility is the patient’s oral health – performing dental cleanings, X-rays and instruction in proper dental care.

Where do dental hygienists work?

Dental hygienists usually are employed in general dental practices or in specialty practices such as pediatric dentistry or periodontics. Hygienists also may provide services for patients in hospitals, nursing homes and public health clinics.

What is the job outlook for dental hygienists?

Dental hygiene will continue to be one of the top 10 growth disciplines in the health care fields through the year 2010. Many dental offices employ more than one hygienist, so new opportunities are always available.

What are the educational requirements for dental hygiene?

Beginning a career in dental hygiene requires a minimum of two years of college. TTC’s Dental Hygiene associate degree program provides academic study including general education, basic and dental sciences, and professional dental hygiene courses. Students obtain hand-on clinical experience in the College’s state-of-the-art dental hygiene clinic.

Is a license required to be a dental hygienist?

Licensure is required for the dental hygienist to practice. After graduating from TTC’s program, you are eligible to take the Dental Hygiene National Board Exam and individual State or Regional Board examinations for licensure.