Associate of Applied Science in Dental Hygiene

A CMC dental hygiene student in scrubs and gloves examining a patient's teeth.

Associate of Applied Science in Dental Hygiene

Begin your career helping others in this in-demand, high-paying field. Earn the credentials to work in oral health right away.

Dental hygienists play a crucial role in the healthcare field by providing preventive oral care and make a positive impact on people's oral health. They educate patients regarding various health issues, diseases and infections.

AN IN-DEMAND, HIGH PAYING CAREER

Dentists are actively hiring graduates from dental hygiene programs, and in Colorado, the average starting salary for a dental hygienist exceeds $80,000 per year.

HANDS-ON TRAINING IN A WORKING CLINIC

CMC's unique program offers hands-on experience in a state-of-the-art dental hygiene skills lab and an oral health clinic. Upon successful completion of the dental hygiene program, written and clinical board examinations, graduates will be eligible for state licensure and employment.

ENROLL NOW TO BEGIN TAKING PREREQUISITES FOR SUMMER 2026

The application for Summer 2027 will be available in Spring 2026.

Enroll this fall to begin taking prerequisites so that you’ll be eligible to apply for the next cohort, beginning Summer 2026.

Please visit the TEAS Exam website and prepare to test before the December 15, 2025, dental hygiene application deadline.

Please visit the Casper Exam website and prepare to test before the December 15, 2025, dental hygiene application deadline.

Be sure to register for the exams under the CMC Dental Hygiene Program and/or CMC Allied Health Program so that your exam scores will be automatically sent to CMC as part of the application requirements.

Request Program Information

Virtual Information Sessions

Learn more about CMC's Dental Hygiene Program. Dental hygiene applicants are required to attend one session. Sessions are scheduled for 45 minutes and include Q&A.

  • Friday, July 10, Noon
  • Tuesday, September 15, 5pm
  • Tuesday, October 20, Noon
  • Tuesday, November 17, 5pm
  • Friday, December 11, Noon

Join Sessions on Zoom

Locations

The Dental Hygiene (AAS) is offered at:

  • Vail Valley at Edwards: Mostly in-person

Dental Hygiene AAS Curriculum
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Learning Outcomes, Dental Hygiene Program

Program Learning Outcomes are what we expect each student will learn while earning a degree or certificate. Meeting these learning outcomes is how we assess our performance as a college. Our learning outcomes support both important career skills and future success as a student.

Upon completing the Dental Hygiene (AAS) program, CMC students will be able to:

  1. Demonstrate competence in providing dental hygiene care to individuals at all stages of life and for all types of periodontal classifications.
  2. Apply the dental hygiene process of care (which includes assessing, planning, implementing and evaluating) to a diverse patient population.
  3. Demonstrate cultural sensitivity and competence in the areas of interpersonal and communication skills when working with diverse population groups.
  4. Demonstrate competence in applying ethical, legal and regulatory concepts in the process of providing oral health care services.
  5. Apply problem-solving strategies and critical-thinking skills to provide comprehensive care and management of patients.
  6. Participate in professional development activities while applying self-assessment skills.
  7. Demonstrate preparedness, both academically and clinically, to take the written and clinical board examinations necessary to attain the dental hygiene licensure.
  8. Apply the dental hygiene process of care in assessing, planning, implementing and evaluating oral health-related programs for the public.

Program Prerequisites Schedule

PROGRAM PREREQUISITES - FALL

Prefix Number Title Credits
HWE 1050 Human Nutrition 3
BIO 2101 Human Anatomy & Physiology I 4
BIO 1111 Gen Biology I 5
ENG 1021 English Composition I 3
PSY 1001 General Psychology I 3
TOTAL CREDITS 18

PROGRAM PREREQUISITES - SPRING

Prefix Number Title Credits
SOC 1001 Introduction to Sociology I 3
BIO 2102 Human Anatomy & Phys. II 4
BIO 2104 Microbiology W/ Lab 4
CHE 1011 Intro to Chemistry 5
COM 1150 Public Speaking 3
TOTAL CREDITS 19
TOTAL PRE-REQs 37
General Semester & Class Schedule (Summer Start)

Dental Program starts each summer semester

SUMMER SEMESTER (Academic Year 1)

Prefix Number Title Credits
DEH 1000 Dental Hygiene Basics and Terminology 1
DEH 1005 Introduction to Dental Hygiene 1
TOTAL CREDITS 2

FALL SEMESTER (Academic Year 2)

Prefix Number Title Credits
DEH 1001 Preclinical Dental Hygiene 2
DEH 1002 Preclinical Dental Hygiene Lab 3
DEH 1003 Dental Anatomy and Histology 3
DEH 1004 Dental Radiology 3
DEH 2002 Applied Nutrition in Dentistry 2
TOTAL CREDITS 13

SPRING SEMESTER (Academic Year 2)

Prefix Number Title Credits
DEH 1011 Dental and Medical Emergencies 2
DEH 1022 Periodontics I 2
DEH 1023 Head and Neck Anatomy 1
DEH 1026 Dental Materials 2
DEH 1053 Clinical Theory of Dental Hygiene I 2
DEH 1070 Clinical Practice of Dental Hygiene I 4.5
TOTAL CREDITS 13.5

SUMMER SEMESTER (Academic Year 2)

Prefix Number Title Credits
DEH 1033 Local Anesthesia 2
DEH 1038 Nitrous Oxide/Oxygen Sedation 1
DEH 1050 Dental Lasers: Theory and Practice 1
DEH 1071 Clinical Practice of Dental Hygiene I-A 2
DEH 1034 Advanced Clinical Skills 1
TOTAL CREDITS 7

FALL SEMESTER (Academic Year 3)

Prefix Number Title Credits
DEH 2004 Community Dental Health I 2
DEH 2013 General and Oral Pathology 3
DEH 2042 Periodontics II 2
DEH 2068 Clinical Theory of Dental Hygiene II 2
DEH 2070 Clinical Practice of Dental Hygiene II 6
DEH 1032 Applied Dental Pharmacology 2
TOTAL CREDITS 17

SPRING SEMESTER (Academic Year 3)

Prefix Number Title Credits
DEH 2021 Ethics and Practice Management 2
DEH 2025 Community Dental Health II: Field Experience 1
DEH 2071 Clinical Practice of Dental Hygiene III 6
DEH 2082 Periodontics III 1
DEH 2085 Clinical Theory of Dental Hygiene III 2
DEH 2059 Advanced Dental Hygiene Theory 2
DEH 2066 National Boards Review 2
TOTAL CREDITS 14
Application Process

You must be selected for admission dental hygiene program at CMC.

The application for Summer 2027 will be available in Spring 2026.

Dental Hygiene Application Deadline: December 18

Both a Colorado Mountain College general admissions application and a supplemental dental hygiene application are required for admission to the dental hygiene program.

Download/view the CMC Dental Hygiene Admissions Information Packet

Students must be selected for admission to enroll in this program. Colorado Mountain College admits the best qualified candidates to the dental hygiene program each summer.

Application Questions?

Samantha Mosher
Admissions Representative for Health Sciences Programs
970-947-8353
smosher4@coloradomtn.edu

Careers in Dental Hygiene

Licensed dental hygienists enjoy vibrant careers in the following arenas:

  • Clinician
  • Corporate
  • Public Health
  • Researcher
  • Educator
  • Administrator
  • Entrepreneur
Job Outlook

The demand for dental hygienists is expected to grow significantly in the coming years. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of dental hygienists is projected to increase by 20% from 2022 to 2032, much faster than the average for all occupations.

This growth is driven by increased awareness of oral health, an aging population, and greater emphasis on preventive dental care.

Accreditation

The Dental Hygiene program is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation and has been granted the accreditation status of “initial accreditation”. The Commission is a specialized accrediting body recognized by the United States Department of Education. The Commission on Dental Accreditation can be contacted at 312-440-4653 or at 211 East Chicago Avenue, Chicago, IL 60611. Learn more about the Commission on Dental Accreditation.

Dental Hygiene Program News