AS to BS-DH

We provide an in-depth curriculum, including, but not limited to:

• developing a capstone project and developing skills in critical thinking, writing, communication, cultural sensitivity, conducting research, and reporting.
• The dental hygiene degree completion program will expand your professional opportunities beyond the private dental office and promote career advancement in management, education, public health, and research.
• We prepare dental hygienists to interact effectively with other health professionals in a competent, collaborative, and ethical manner.

Foothill College AS to BSDH Completion Program is accredited by Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC) of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC).

Professionalism

The Foothill College AS to BS-DH graduate will demonstrate their competence in their role as health professionals at the local, state, and national levels. The graduate will possess the ethics, values, skills, and knowledge integral to all aspects of the profession.

Health Promotion and Disease Prevention

The Foothill College AS to BS-DH graduate will be competent in the performance and delivery of oral health promotion and disease prevention services in public health, private practice and alternative settings. The graduate will be able to exercise evidence based practice, critical thinking and communicate effectively in all professional employment settings.

All courses are offered fully online. Students are admitted into the program in Fall and Spring quarters only.  

 Two Upper Division GE Courses

• IDS 300: Research Methods, Statistics & Critical Thinking for Health Professions
• HLTH 300: Healthcare across the lifespan

Note: Statistic is highly recommended before taking IDS 300.
IDS300 is a pre-requisite for the Research & Capstone courses. (DH350A, DH350B and DH350C) 

Six Core Courses

• DH 350A: Dental Hygiene Research & Capstone course I
• DH 350B: Dental Hygiene Research & Capstone course II
• DH 350C: Dental Hygiene Research & Capstone course III
• DH 352: Health Communication & Multicultural Issues
• DH 354: Dental Hygiene Healthcare Management
• DH 356: Education Theory, Practice & Administration

You have the option to complete this coursework in an accelerated one-year track, taking two classes per quarter, or a two-year track, with a more spread out schedule.

Foothill College gives credit for prior learning to meet 24 upper division quarter units toward the BS-DH degree:  

• Active and in good standing Registered Dental Hygiene license- passing of three exams: Discipline-Based Component of the National Board of Dental Hygiene Examination, State or Regional Dental Hygiene Clinical Licensing Examination and State Law & Ethics Examination-20 units
• BIOL 300 Human Pathophysiology & Pharmacology (upper division GE): passing of the Comprehensive Case-Based Component of the National Board of Dental Hygiene Examination-4 units 

Beginning Summer 2025, students can fulfill or waive their BS general education requirements using ONE of the following options by: 

1. Completing our local Foothill GE pattern
   
   
2. Fully completing one of these transfer GE patterns at Foothill College:
1. CSU GE-Breadth
2. IGETC
3. Cal-GETC

3. Having earned an Associate Degree or Associate Degree for Transfer from a California Community College (CCC).
   
   
4. Holding a previously awarded Bachelor's degree from an institutionally accredited institution.
   
   
5. Obtaining GE reciprocity from one of the 9 participating CCCs in the “Region 4 GE Reciprocity Program Certification.”
   
   
6. Obtaining GE reciprocity from ANY CCC. 
   
   
7. Obtaining a full GE certification from another CCC, verifying completion of a transfer GE pattern.

Please schedule an appointment to see a Foothill counselor through our Counseling Department  to help determine how your transfer credits apply to your degree plan.

• Read about the program BS-DH Degree Courses 
• Choose from a one-year or two-year plan: Program educational plan options 
• Learn on how to apply for the AS to BS-DH