About Program
Dental Hygiene Program
The Dental Hygiene Program prepares students for the practice of dental hygiene. A Registered Dental Hygienist (RDH) is a licensed professional who is part of the dental care team, performing such services as oral examination, oral prophylaxis (scaling, root planing, soft tissue curettage and polishing the teeth), exposing and processing dental x-rays, administering local anesthesia and nitrous oxide sedation for pain control, applying preventative substances such as topical fluorides and dental sealants, along with instructing patients in oral disease control and nutrition.
This Dental Hygiene, Associate of Science Degree Program offers academic and clinical skills curriculum within an on-campus clinic.
Students are prepared for the National Board written examination and the State practical examination for licensure as a Registered Dental Hygienist.
OCDHP is fully accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) which is a subcommittee of the American Dental Association (ADA).
Dental hygiene is a high-demand health career, with rapid growth expected in the industry. The most recent data reported in 2021 from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics indicates the median annual salary for dental hygienists in the U.S. is $81,360; however, the median annual salary for California is reported at $108,200. The demand for dental hygienists in Ventura County is indicative of the bright outlook forecast, with the median annual salary for Ventura County reported at $111,240.
Data reported from O*Net Online
Notice: Entering into a health care field can subject you to bloodborne pathogens. For more information, please download the following documents:
Dental Hygiene Workshops
Our General Counseling team offers the following:
- Dental Hygiene General Info Sessions - designed for students inquiring about the program. This workshop provides an overview of the program and is a good resource for anyone starting their prerequisites or close to completing coursework and interested in applying for the upcoming Fall cohort.
- Dental Hygiene Application Clinic Workshops - formatted for students who have completed their prerequisites and will be applying for the upcoming Fall cohort. This workshop discusses the application process and provides an opportunity for Q&A.
Dental Hygiene - Program Information
To view our Dental Hygiene General Information sheet or Dental Hygiene Brochure, please click on the documents below:



Faculty and Staff
Counselors

