Dental Hygiene
Dental Hygiene at SFCC
If you are interested in healthcare, patient care, and helping people improve their oral health, the Dental Hygiene program at SFCC can help you prepare for a rewarding and in-demand career. Dental hygienists are licensed healthcare professionals who work directly with patients to provide preventive dental care, assess oral health conditions, and educate patients on maintaining healthy smiles. Through classroom instruction, laboratory experiences, and hands-on clinical training, you'll develop the skills needed to succeed in this growing profession.
Degree Options
Build Your Future in Dental Hygiene
Whether your goal is to work in a private dental practice, public health setting, or another area of oral healthcare, the Dental Hygiene program provides the education and clinical experience needed to pursue professional licensure and employment. Students gain hands-on experience in SFCC's modern Dental Hygiene Clinic while learning from experienced faculty and preparing for national and state licensure examinations. Graduates are equipped with the technical, communication, and critical-thinking skills needed to provide high-quality patient care and support oral health in their communities.
Gain hands-on clinical experience in SFCC's modern 12-unit Dental Hygiene Clinic
- Learn to assess patients, perform preventive dental procedures, identify signs of oral disease, and provide oral health education.
- Develop the critical-thinking, communication, and patient care skills needed for success in the profession.
- Build technical skills through laboratory and clinical experiences that mirror real-world dental practice.
- Prepare for the National Dental Hygiene Board Examination (NDHBE), the CRDTS practical examination, and the Missouri Jurisprudence examination.
- Study in a program accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA).
- Learn from experienced faculty who are committed to student success and professional preparation.
- Participate in leadership, networking, and service opportunities through the Student American Dental Hygienists' Association.
- Explore career opportunities in private dental practices, public health settings, dental product sales, and other oral healthcare environments.
- Prepare for a profession with strong job growth and excellent employment opportunities.
- Benefit from a program with a strong history of graduate success on licensure examinations.
- Study at SFCC's Sedalia campus in a program designed to prepare students for licensure and professional practice in Missouri.
The program is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA). Graduates are eligible to take the National Dental Hygiene Board Exam (NDHBE), practical skill examination (CRDTS) and the Missouri Jurisprudence exam required for licensure in Missouri. SFCC’s program has an extremely high pass rate.
Title IV Information
The Dental Hygiene Program is designed to meet educational requirements for a Registered Dental Hygienist professional license required for employment. Completion of the Dental Hygiene Program meets educational requirements for licensure in Missouri. Completion of the Dental Hygiene Program may not meet the educational requirements for licensure in other states. If you have questions about licensure requirements in a specific state, contact the program directly or view the information listed in Consumer Information at https://www.sfccmo.edu/about/consumer-information. The information will be reviewed and updated on an annual basis prior to the start of the fall semester. If a student is determined to be located in a state where the Dental Hygiene Program does not meet educational requirements to be licensed the student will be required to complete an attestation prior to starting the program indicating knowledge of the state requirements.