Caring for smiles with confidence
The confidence to smile is quite a gift. And as a dental hygienist, that's what you’ll be giving to patients every day at work. It’s those regular hygiene visits that help patients keep their teeth and gums healthy.
In our program, you’ll learn to perform the techniques that protect patients against decay and disease.
Your practical training will conclude in a working dental clinic, where you’ll provide a variety of dental services to patients under the supervision of a licensed dentist and registered dental hygienist.
By the time you complete our two-year program, you’ll be capable of working with patients, answering their questions and helping them care for their smiles with confidence!
For a look at all the courses in our program, consult the course list.
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Accreditation process ensures program quality
The United States Department of Education (USDE) procedures require accrediting agencies to provide an opportunity for third-party comment, either in writing or at a public hearing (at the accrediting agencies’ discretion) with respect to institutions or programs scheduled for review. All comments must relate to accreditation standards for the discipline and required accreditation policies. In order to comply with the Department’s requirement on the use of third-party comment regarding program’s qualifications for accreditation or initial accreditation, the following procedures have been developed. The Commission on Dental Accreditation will conduct their dental hygiene program site visit at Macomb Community College on April 4-5, 2024. Individuals who are interested in submitting third party comments, may contact the Commission office for submission guidance. Third party comments should be emailed to the appropriate Commission staff; comments should not be sent to the Commission office via the US Postal Service. Please email comments to the appropriate CODA staff. Staff emails are found at: https://coda.ada.org/about-coda/coda-staff.
You’ll receive an education to be proud of
Our Dental Hygiene program has received initial accreditation from the Commission on Dental Accreditation and the credits you earn will transfer to a four-year college or university if you want to pursue a bachelor’s degree.
By the time you graduate, you’ll have all the skills you need for immediate employment as a registered dental hygienist, including:
- Assessing oral conditions
- Non-surgical periodontal therapy
- Dental cleaning
- X-ray procedures
- Anesthesia administration
- Taking impressions for athletic and night guards
- Bleaching techniques
- And more!
A working dental clinic
Much of your training will be conducted in Macomb’s Dental Hygiene Clinic.
You’ll be providing services to patients who benefit greatly from the affordable dental care and low-cost services our dental clinic provides.
And you’ll benefit from the most hands-on training available.
Need to know more?
Email dental@macomb.edu or call 586.445.7161 to learn more about the Dental Hygiene program at Macomb. Your smile awaits.
Benefit from high demand
There is a shortage of dental hygienists across the country and the skills you gain in this program will be highly valued by employers.
Learn more about job opportunities in the local area using the handy tool below.
If you haven’t been recruited by a dental practice before you graduate, our Career Services team can help you with the job search, including polishing up your resume and interview skills.
Additional Information
Select programs in Health and Human Services require specific criteria to gain admission, such as testing requirements or minimum grade point average in prerequisite courses. Please view the Selective Admissions program application packet for information on application requirements, ranking and deadlines.
For information on how to apply to a Selective Admissions program, please email us at selectiveadmissions@macomb.edu. Selective Admissions applicants are encouraged to meet with an academic advisor or counselor prior to submitting an application to the program. This meeting will allow for review of the application process, program prerequisites and requirements. Contact the Counseling and Academic Advising Office at 586.445.7999 for office hours.
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. The Commission’s web address is: https://coda.ada.org/en.
The goal of the Health and Public Services Division is to prepare every student to think critically and practice competently and compassionately in rapidly changing environments. All efforts are designed to build knowledge, enhance practical skills, and promote patient and the population’s safety. Furthermore, the program is designed to foster professional integrity and ultimately improve the health outcomes and protection of patients, families, and communities across the continuum of care and practice. Students must possess certain functional abilities, essential for the delivery of safe, effective clinical care and protection of the public during clinical and internship training activities in the field. Therefore, the faculty has determined that certain technical standards are required for admission to, progression in, and graduation from the Health and Public Services (HPS) programs.
In addition to classroom learning, clinical and internship learning occurs throughout the HPS programs and involves considerations (such as patient and population safety and clinical and internship facility safety) that are not present in classroom accommodations. Applicants or students interested in HPS programs who seek accommodations prior to or immediately after enrolling in the college are highly encouraged to also request an assessment of the types of reasonable accommodations needed for the clinical and or internship components of the program.
An individual must be able to independently, with or without reasonable accommodation, meet the following technical standards of general abilities: (1) observation;
(2) communication; (3) motor skills; (4) intellectual, conceptual, and quantitative abilities; (5) essential behavioral and social attributes; and (6) ability to manage stressful situations. Individuals unable to meet these technical standards, with or without reasonable accommodation will not be able to complete the programs and are counseled to pursue alternative careers.
SPECIAL SERVICES STATEMENT: Students may individually discuss the essential functions and technical standards with a college counselor from our Special Services department. In compliance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the American Disability Act of 1991, academic accommodations may be provided to students who have a documented disability.
For further information, visit Special Services.