Admission - Program Description   Program Description Our Dental Hygiene program is an eighteen month, full-time day program. The curriculum uses an interdisciplinary approach to teach both the theoretical and practical aspects of dental hygiene. Courses are offered in biomedical sciences, behavioral sciences, oral health sciences and dental hygiene theory and practice. Our program is based on the dental hygiene process of care model, comprising assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation. Emphasis is placed on developing a high level of interpersonal communication skills and the ability to apply the Dental Hygiene process of care. The client is an active participant in their oral care and all procedures performed are based on the individual needs of the client. Students will demonstrate their learning and performance achievements on mannequins, then on each other, and later on clients in the college dental clinic. Graduates of this program must write and pass the National Dental Hygiene Certification Examination (NDHCE), and take a provincial clinical competency assessment. The key responsibilities of Dental Hygienists are the following: - health promotion - education - clinical therapy - research - change agent - administration Employment Opportunities Graduates may find employment in private dental offices, community dental clinics, hospital dental clinics, public health units, federal agencies, sales, consulting and specialty dental practices such as orthodontics, periodontics, paedodontics, etc.