Dental Hygiene Diploma

Diploma
Type
Length
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Courses

Required courses

DHYG-200
Clinic 1
Typical Offerings
Timing Fall Only, Every Year
Locations
Requisites
  • Co-Requisites: DHYG-205
  • Required Supporting Practicum: DHYG-200P
  • Prerequisite Or Corequisite: DHYG-210, DHYG-215, DHYG-225, DHYG-226, BIO-230 Minimum B-
Description
A pre-clinical and seminar lab introducing basic principles of dental hygiene care. Emphasis is on initial fundamental skills associated with dental hygiene practice and the basic assessment, dental hygiene diagnosis, planning, implementation, and evaluation (ADPIE) process. This course will also introduce the application of radiographic techniques. Clinic sessions will be used to learn and practice clinical procedures required prior to treating patients. Student activities will include working on manikins, on each other, and with simulation exercises.
DHYG-205
Dental Hygiene Care 1
Typical Offerings
Timing Fall Only, Every Year
Locations
Requisites
  • Co-Requisites: DHYG-200
  • Prerequisite Or Corequisite: DHYG-210, DHYG-215, DHYG-225, DHYG-226, BIO-230 Minimum B-
Description
A theoretical course introducing basic principles of dental hygiene care. Emphasis is placed upon following the dental hygiene process of care using ADPIE: assessment, dental hygiene diagnosis, planning, implementation, and evaluation. Course content and activities are closely associated with clinical activities to enhance the student's critical thinking and basic clinical skills ability.
DHYG-210
Dental Anatomy
Typical Offerings
Timing Fall Only, Every Year
Locations
Requisites
  • Prerequisite Or Corequisite: DHYG-200, DHYG-205, DHYG-215, DHYG-225, DHYG-226, BIO-230 Minimum B-
Description
This course studies oral anatomic landmarks and establishes an understanding of the relationship between structure and function. Tooth morphology and identification, features of crown and root anatomy, eruption and occlusion are discussed with an emphasis on how they relate to dental hygiene care.
DHYG-215
Oral Microbiology
Typical Offerings
Timing Fall Only, Every Year
Locations
Requisites
  • Prerequisite Or Corequisite: DHYG-200, DHYG-205, DHYG-210, DHYG-226 Minimum B-
Description
This course introduces dental hygiene students to oral microbiology. The basic principles of microbiology are presented in this course, with an emphasis on the relevance of these principles to human oral health. Diseases of microbial origin that concern the dental hygienist are presented to illustrate the principles of pathogenesis, host-parasite interaction, and modes of transmission. Infection control in a dental environment is emphasized.
DHYG-220
Professional Practice 1
Typical Offerings
Timing Spring Only, Every Year
Locations
Requisites
  • Pre Or Co-Requisites: DHYG-260, DHYG-275, DHYG-286 minimum B-
Description
This course is designed to introduce the student to the profession of Dental Hygiene. A historical perspective of dental hygiene is provided. The concepts of being a member of a health care profession, dental hygiene practice standards, ethics, professional associations and governance and regulation of the dental hygiene are introduced. Problem-based learning is applied to ethics and dental hygiene practice.
DHYG-225
Oral Health Promotion
Typical Offerings
Timing Fall Only, Every Year
Locations
Requisites
  • Prerequisite Or Corequisite: DHYG-205, DHYG-210, DHYG-215 Minimum B-
Description
This course will emphasize prevention of oral disease and oral health promotion. The dental hygienists' role in oral health promotion is explained. Methods to control oral diseases, devices for removal of plaque, and other components of preventive dentistry will be covered. Emphasis is placed on individualized patient education, setting patient- centered goals, and the use of appropriate visual aids. An additional component has the learner focus on teaching, learning, and motivating through various communication techniques and principles. A variety of health/communication education theories are explored.
DHYG-226
Dental Radiography
Typical Offerings
Timing Fall Only, Every Year
Locations
Requisites
  • Corequisite: DHYG-200, DHYG-205
  • Prerequisite Or Corequisite: DHYG-210 DHYG-215 BIO-230 Minimum B-
Description
This course provides the learner with basic principles, characteristics and biological effects of radiation. This course has been designed to provide the learner with the theory of radiation safety, the technical aspects of radiation and principles of exposing, processing, and mounting dental radiographs. In DHYG 200 Clinic 1, learners apply basic radiographic techniques and will demonstrate effective technique and use of dental images.
BIO-230
Head and Neck Anatomy
Typical Offerings
Timing Fall Only, Every Year
Locations
Requisites
  • Required Supporting Seminar: BIO-230S
Description
This course presents the structural and functional elements of the head and neck along with the relationship of these structures to the major organ systems. Emphasis is placed on application to dental hygiene practice.
DHYG-260
Clinic 2
Typical Offerings
Timing Spring Only, Every Year
Locations
Requisites
  • Pre-Requisites: DHYG-200, DHYG-205, DHYG-210, DHYG-215, DHYG-226, DHYG-225, BIO-230 with a minimum B-
  • Co-Requisites: DHYG-265, DHYG-275
  • Required Supporting Practicum: DHYG-260P
  • Pre/Co-Requisite: DHYG-220, DHYG-280, DHYG-286, DHYG-290 minimum grade B-
Description
This course allows students to continue to develop skills for the practice of dental hygiene. Students will schedule patients for ADPIE process of dental hygiene care. This course will include application of local anesthetic sessions. Learners will also continue to build on radiographic techniques from Clinic 1 and will demonstrate effective technique and use of dental images. Students participate in lab seminars for further clinical instruction and faculty conference time for discussions and updating of clinical experiences.
DHYG-265
Dental Hygiene Care 2
Typical Offerings
Timing Spring Only, Every Year
Locations
Requisites
  • Pre-Requisites: DHYG-200, DHYG-205 minimum B-
  • Pre/Co-Requisite: DHYG 210, DHYG 215, DHYG 220, DHYG 225, DHYG 226, DHYG 260, DHYG 275, DHYG 280, DHYG 286, DHYG 290, BIO 230 minimum B-
Description
This is a theoretical course expanding on basic principles of dental hygiene care from Dental Hygiene Care 1. Continued emphasis is placed upon following the dental hygiene process of care using ADPIE: assessment, dental hygiene diagnosis, planning, implementation and evaluation. Course content and activities are closely associated with clinical activities to enhance the student's critical thinking and basic clinical skill ability.
BIO-270
Pathology and Oral Biology
Typical Offerings
Timing Spring Only, Every Year
Locations
Requisites
  • Prerequisites: DHYG-215, BIO-230 minimum B-
  • Pre Or Corequisites: DHYG-280 minimum B-
Description
This course provides the student with basic information for general pathology, general and oral facial histology, and embryology featuring the development of the soft and hard tissues of the oral cavity.
DHYG-280
Dental Diseases 1
Typical Offerings
Timing Spring Only, Every Year
Locations
Requisites
  • Pre-Requisites: DHYG-205, DHYG-210, DHYG-215, DHYG-225, DHYG-226 minimum B-
  • Pre Or Co-Requisite: DHYG-265, DHYG-286, BIO-270 minimum B-
Description
Case-based learning and class discussion are used to introduce the student to the topics of oral pathology, differential diagnosis and lesion management, basic periodontology and cariology concepts. Etiological factors and assessment using radiographic interpretation, dental hygiene diagnosis, care planning, implementation and evaluation processes will be emphasized.
DHYG-286
DHYG Radiography Interpret
Typical Offerings
Timing Spring Only, Every Year
Locations
Requisites
  • Pre Or Corequisite: BIO-270, DHYG-220, DHYG-260, DHYG-265, DHYG-280 minimum B-
  • Prerequisite: DHYG-200, DHYG-205, DHYG-210, DHYG-226 minimum B-
Description
This course provides the learner with the theory required to identify normal and variations of normal anatomy found on various dental radiographs. It will also focus on basic interpretation guidelines for normal vs abnormal structures and appropriate referrals for dental hygiene care.
DHYG-290
Health Research 1
Typical Offerings
Timing Spring Only, Every Year
Locations
Requisites
  • Pre Or Corequisites: DHYG-260 and DHYG-265 minimum B-
Description
This course is designed to introduce the student to evidence-based practice and research methodology. Emphasis will be placed on exploring a variety of research designs, developing research questions, and accessing credible evidence-based resources through databases. Evaluation of quantitative research designs and applying sound research principles to answer dental hygiene questions will be covered.
DHYG-300
Clinic 3
Typical Offerings
Timing Fall/Spring Only, Every Year
Locations
Requisites
  • Prerequisites: DHYG-220 DHYG-260, DHYG-265, DHYG-275 or 276, DHYG-280, DHYG-286, and DHYG-290 minimum B-
  • Pre Or Corequisite: BIO-270 DHYG-305, DHYG-315, DHYG-320, DHYG-325 minimum B-
  • Required Supporting Practicum: DHYG-300P
Description
This clinical course builds upon skills and theory completed in Semester 2. Students will continue to develop the skills necessary for the practice of dental hygiene. Students develop more complex skills in assessment, planning, dental hygiene diagnosis, implementation, and evaluation of dental hygiene treatment. Students participate in weekly lab seminars for further clinical instruction and regular faculty conference for discussions and updating of clinical experiences.
DHYG-305
Nutrition
Typical Offerings
Timing Fall Only, Every Year
Locations
Requisites
  • Pre Or Corequisite: DHYG-220, DHYG-260, DHYG-265, DHYG-280, DHYG-286, DHYG-290, DHYG-300, and DHYG-315 Minimum B-
Description
Students will learn the fundamentals of nutrition and the factors involved that influence an individual and family's ability to secure and maintain optimal nutrition status. The relationship of nutrition to the practice of dental hygiene is emphasized.
DHYG-315
Dental Diseases 2
Typical Offerings
Timing Fall Only, Every Year
Locations
Requisites
  • Prerequisites: DHYG-265, DHYG-280, DHYG-286 minimum B-
  • Pre Or Corequisite: BIO-270, DHYG-305 minimum B-
Description
This course builds upon DHYG 280 Dental Diseases I. Case-based learning, class discussion, and other teaching/learning methods will be utilized to further enhance the learner's knowledge related to cariology and periodontology. Etiological factors and advanced assessment using radiographic interpretation, dental hygiene diagnosis, care planning, implementation and evaluation processes (ADPIE) will be emphasized.
DHYG-320
Pharmacology for Dental Hyg.
Typical Offerings
Timing Fall Only, Every Year
Locations
Requisites
  • Prerequisites: DHYG-275 or 276, DHYG-280, BIO-270 minimum B-
  • Pre Or Corequisite: DHYG-220 minimum B-
Description
This course will provide learners with the knowledge and the concepts of pharmacology related to the general health of patients for the provision of dental hygiene care. Emphasis will be on drugs that are commonly used or that affect dentistry. The learner will become acquainted with the origins, physical and clinical properties, modes of administration, side effects and interactions of medications. Common naturopathic supplements will also be examined. Learners will apply their knowledge of pharmaceuticals to the dental hygiene practice.
DHYG-325
Community Health
Typical Offerings
Timing Fall Only, Every Year
Locations
Requisites
  • Prerequisites: DHYG-260, DHYG-290 minimum B-
  • Pre Or Corequisite: DHYG-305 minimum B-
Description
This course covers the study of health and the role of the dental hygienist from a community perspective. Basic concepts of the Canadian health care system are covered. Concepts related to epidemiology, health promotion, and determinants of health as they apply to the role of the dental hygienist are discussed. Diversity is explored with a focus on the study of various unique populations and communication principles. This course also introduces the student to basic concepts of program planning.
DHYG-350
Clinic 4
Typical Offerings
Timing Spring/Intersession Only, Every Year
Locations
Requisites
  • Prerequisites: DHYG-300 minimum B-
  • Pre Or Corequisites: DHYG-305, DHYG-315, DHYG-320, DHYG-325, DHYG-360 minimum B-
  • Required Supporting Practicum: DHYG-350P
Description
This is the final clinical course designed to provide the opportunity for the continued development of the professional skills and attitudes required for the practice of dental hygiene. Opportunities are provided to help the student transition into private practice settings. Students continue to treat a variety of patients and enhance their learning experiences by rotations in a variety of dental externships in the local dental community. Students also participate in a regular faculty conference time for discussions and updating of clinical experiences.
DHYG-355
Practice Management
Typical Offerings
Timing Spring Only, Every Year
Locations
Requisites
  • Pre-Requisites: DHYG-300, DHYG-305, DHYG-315, DHYG-320, DHYG-325 minimum B-
  • Co-Requisites: DHYG-350, DHYG-360, DHYG-365, DHYG-370, DHYG-380
Description
This course focuses on the sociology of dental care, dental office practice, and independent dental hygiene practice environments. A variety of dental practice settings, compensation, employment standards, disability insurance and marketing strategies are discussed. Independent practice opportunities are identified and explored. Job search strategies and dental hygiene career development will also be covered.
DHYG-360
Oral Pathology
Typical Offerings
Timing Spring Only, Every Year
Locations
Requisites
  • Prerequisites: BIO-270, DHYG-280, DHYG-320 minimum B-
  • Pre Or Corequisites: DHYG-305 and DHYG-315 minimum B-
Description
This course will build upon the introductory foundations of oral pathology from DHYG 280 Dental Diseases 1 and will utilize a case-based problem learning format and lecture to facilitate continued learning about oral pathologies and their management. The process of differential diagnosis and management using clinical data and the dental hygiene process of care will be emphasized.
DHYG-365
Community Dental Health
Typical Offerings
Timing Spring Only, Every Year
Locations
Requisites
  • Prerequisites: DHYG-300, DHYG-315, DHYG-320, DHYG-325 minimum B-
  • Pre Or Corequisite: DHYG-305, DHYG-360, DHYG-370, and DHYG-380 minimum B-
Description
This course allows students to apply dental knowledge within diverse community groups through presentations and projects, providing learners with practical experience in planning and implementing community-focused lesson plans. Additionally, students explore community-based dental hygiene careers and community service-learning opportunities.
DHYG-370
Professional Practice 2
Typical Offerings
Timing Spring Only, Every Year
Locations
Requisites
  • Prerequisites: DHYG-220 minimum B-
  • Pre Or Corequisites: DHYG-300 and DHYG-355 minimum B-
Description
This course is a continuation of Professional Practice 1 course. It explores current issues that dental health care practitioners face in society today. Current trends and issues concerning the profession and practice of dental hygiene in Canada are presented, along with exploration of future trends. Advanced ethical dilemmas are also examined. This course also prepares the student for registration of the national board exam and licensure in British Columbia (BC).
DHYG-380
Health Research 2
Typical Offerings
Timing Spring Only, Every Year
Locations
Requisites
  • Prerequisites: DHYG-290 and DHYG-300 minimum B-
Description
Building upon foundations of DHYG 290: Health Research 1, students continue to apply research methodology principles to access relevant and credible literature resources and answer relevant research questions using sound research principles. Development of literature evaluation skills and ability to accept or reject claims based on strength of current empirical evidence, determination of clinical significance of findings, and use of strategies to integrate evidence into dental hygiene practice settings is emphasized. The course culminates with knowledge sharing through a presentation.

DHYG Choice

DHYG-275
Pain Management
Typical Offerings
Timing Spring Only, Every Year
Locations
Requisites
  • Pre-Requisites: DHYG-200, DHYG-205, DHYG-210, BIO-230 minimum B-
  • Pre Or Co-Requisite: DHYG 215, DHYG 220, DHYG 286 minimum grade of B-
  • Co-Requisite: DHYG-260
Description
This course introduces the learner to the study of local anesthesia. Course content develops the learner's understanding of pain, pain control and various techniques for patient pain management. The prevention and handling of medical emergencies in the dental environment, and the use of pharmaceutical resources is covered.
DHYG-276
Pain Management Application
Typical Offerings
Timing Spring Only, Occasionally
Locations
Requisites
  • Pre-Requisites: DHYG-200, DHYG-205, DHYG-210, BIO-230 minimum B-
  • Supporting Lab: DHYG-276
  • Co-Requisite: DHYG-260
  • Pre Or Co-Requisite: DHYG 215, DHYG 220, DHYG 286 minimum grade B-
Description
This course introduces the learner to the basic knowledge of the study of local anesthesia. Course content develops the learner's understanding of pain, pain control and various techniques for patient pain management. The prevention and handling of medical emergencies in the dental environment, and the use of the online Compendium of Pharmaceuticals and Specialties is covered. The administration of safe and effective local anesthetic is applied in this course.

Entry Requirements

While it wasn’t always easy combining classroom time and field trips on top of the hours for studying and homework, it’s been great to gain so much hands-on experience during the courses.

Michelle Lindemann
Civil Engineering Technology

I like the problem-solving nature of millwrighting. I love how diverse the trade is. There’s always something new and different to work on.

Dusty Cathcart 2026
Vanderhoof Industrial Mechanic

This program gives you the ability to have a lot of hands-on time in the clinic where you can practice the skills you are learning and get a bit of an idea of what it is like to be a dental assistant.

Jordyn Karl
Dental Assistant Certificate Student

Taking this program is one of the most exciting things I could've done. It helped me grow into a professional, while also growing personally. I have carried my knowledge forward and will always hold the program and faculty close to my heart.

Janessa Sigurdson 2025
Accounting and Finance

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