Dental Hygiene
On completion of this course, you will have mastered the tasks of a dental hygienist, including taking X-rays, scaling, polishing teeth and other oral health procedures. You will also learn about the basics of good nutrition and the various materials used in dentistry.
About the program
Working in a recognized profession, dental hygienists play the role of both oral hygiene practitioners and educators. They work alongside dentists, applying preventive, educational and therapeutic measures aimed at preventing oral disease. They also promote good oral hygiene to both individuals and groups.
Their work mainly involves taking dental X-rays, descaling and polishing teeth as well as performing other duties or administering other types of care, as permitted by the law.
As part of the program, dental hygienists receive training in sociology, psychology and biology, and learn the basics of good nutrition. They also learn about the different materials used in dentistry and take part in various laboratories, specifically with relation to radiology and dental hygiene.
Dental hygienists must be friendly, exercise tact, be in good health and get along with their colleagues. They must also have highly developed fine motor skills and good vision.
Given the existence of multiple prevention programs and the fact that children receive certain forms of dental care free of charge, dental hygienists are called upon to educate and care for a very broad clientele in CLSCs, hospitals and private dental practices.
To practise their profession, those who hold a DEC in Dental Hygiene must become members of the Ordre des hygiénistes dentaires du Québec.
Their work mainly involves taking dental X-rays, descaling and polishing teeth as well as performing other duties or administering other types of care, as permitted by the law.
As part of the program, dental hygienists receive training in sociology, psychology and biology, and learn the basics of good nutrition. They also learn about the different materials used in dentistry and take part in various laboratories, specifically with relation to radiology and dental hygiene.
Dental hygienists must be friendly, exercise tact, be in good health and get along with their colleagues. They must also have highly developed fine motor skills and good vision.
Given the existence of multiple prevention programs and the fact that children receive certain forms of dental care free of charge, dental hygienists are called upon to educate and care for a very broad clientele in CLSCs, hospitals and private dental practices.
To practise their profession, those who hold a DEC in Dental Hygiene must become members of the Ordre des hygiénistes dentaires du Québec.
Condition of admission
Before applying to a program leading to a Diploma of College Studies (DCS), applicants who studied in Québec must meet the following three requirements:
The applicant must have a Secondary School Diploma and be in one of the following situations:
The applicant has a Secondary School Diploma (SSD)*
NOTE: a SSD holder that has not passed the following courses may be required to complete remedial courses:
Secondary 5 Language of Instruction
Secondary 5 Second Language
Secondary 4 Mathematics
Secondary 4 Science and Technology or Secondary 4 Applied Science and Technology or Secondary 4 Physical Science
Secondary 4 History and Citizenship Education or Secondary 4 History of Quebec and Canada
The applicant holds a Diploma of Vocational Studies (DVS) and has successfully completed the following subjects*:
Secondary 5 Language of Instruction
Secondary 5 Second Language
Secondary 4 Mathematics
The applicant has training deemed equivalent by the College.
The applicant has training and experience deemed sufficient by the College and has interrupted full time studies for at least 24 months.
The applicant satisfies, if applicable, the special conditions for admission established by the Minister which specify the program prerequisites*.
The applicant satisfies, if applicable, any special conditions for admission established by the College for each of its programs.
*If the applicant is enrolled in school and completing his or her secondary studies at the time of application, the grades sent by the school must demonstrate that the applicant is passing in all the courses required to complete the SSD and required to fulfill the admission requirements.
The applicant must have a Secondary School Diploma and be in one of the following situations:
The applicant has a Secondary School Diploma (SSD)*
NOTE: a SSD holder that has not passed the following courses may be required to complete remedial courses:
Secondary 5 Language of Instruction
Secondary 5 Second Language
Secondary 4 Mathematics
Secondary 4 Science and Technology or Secondary 4 Applied Science and Technology or Secondary 4 Physical Science
Secondary 4 History and Citizenship Education or Secondary 4 History of Quebec and Canada
The applicant holds a Diploma of Vocational Studies (DVS) and has successfully completed the following subjects*:
Secondary 5 Language of Instruction
Secondary 5 Second Language
Secondary 4 Mathematics
The applicant has training deemed equivalent by the College.
The applicant has training and experience deemed sufficient by the College and has interrupted full time studies for at least 24 months.
The applicant satisfies, if applicable, the special conditions for admission established by the Minister which specify the program prerequisites*.
The applicant satisfies, if applicable, any special conditions for admission established by the College for each of its programs.
*If the applicant is enrolled in school and completing his or her secondary studies at the time of application, the grades sent by the school must demonstrate that the applicant is passing in all the courses required to complete the SSD and required to fulfill the admission requirements.
Available in 9 institutions
3 years
Technical Program