Associate Degree in Dental Hygiene

2 Years On Campus Associate-degree Program

University of Bridgeport

Program Overview

The Associate Degree in Dental Hygiene (AS) at the University of Bridgeport prepares students for a clinical career in dental hygiene through a combination of general education, dental science, preventive care, and supervised clinical training at the Fones School of Dental Hygiene. It is suited to students who want to develop the knowledge and hands-on skills needed to provide patient care, oral-health education, disease prevention, and dental hygiene services in settings such as dental offices, hospitals, schools, and community health centers.

Curriculum Structure:

Year 1: Students complete the Pre-Dental foundation, building knowledge in areas such as Anatomy and Physiology I & II, Microbiology, Introduction to Chemistry, Composition and Rhetoric, and Intro to College Algebra/Statistics. The year also introduces dental hygiene through DHYG 100 Introduction to Dental Hygiene, helping students develop the scientific and communication foundation required for clinical study.

Year 2: Students enter the professional dental hygiene curriculum with courses including DHYG 123 Oral Anatomy and Embryology, DHYG 124 Dental Radiology, and DHYG 129 Clinical Practice I, progressing to DHYG 127 Pharmacology for the Dental Hygienist, DHYG 130 Clinical Practice II, and DHYG 140 Introduction to Periodontology. Students also gain practical experience through pre-clinic and supervised patient care in the Fones School of Dental Hygiene’s dental clinic.

Year 3: The program’s clinical progression includes DHYG 227 Clinical Practice III, DHYG 228 Clinical Practice IV, DHYG 230 Local Anesthesia, DHYG 233 Oral and General Histo-Pathology, DHYG 241 Periodontology, and DHYG 232 Dental Public Health II. Students develop more advanced clinical capabilities while preparing for the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination and applicable licensure examinations.

Important Program Structure: Program type: Associate of Science in Dental Hygiene, not a bachelor’s degree. Credits: 78 total credits on the current program information. Duration: UB describes the associate curriculum itself as a two-year curriculum, while its Pre-Dental pathway can make the overall route approximately three years depending on the student's entry and prerequisite sequence.

Focus Areas: Dental hygiene: Oral anatomy, dental radiology, pharmacology, periodontology, dental materials, local anesthesia, clinical practice, dental public health, oral pathology, patient education, and preventive oral healthcare.

Learning Outcomes: Clinical preparation: Students develop the knowledge and clinical skills needed to provide direct patient care, promote oral health, prevent oral disease, communicate with patients, and work as part of a dental healthcare team; completion of the associate curriculum makes graduates eligible to pursue the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination and applicable licensure examinations.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation): Accreditation: The Dental Hygiene program at the University of Bridgeport’s Fones School of Dental Hygiene is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) and holds the accreditation status “approval without reporting requirements.”

Reputation (Employability Rankings): Employment: UB’s 2024 Student Outcomes Report records 96.43% employment for the Associate of Science in Dental Hygiene, based on 33 graduates with an 84.85% knowledge rate. Program heritage: The Fones School of Dental Hygiene was established in 1949 and is identified by UB as the first dental hygiene school in the world. Ranking: A specific QS or Guardian employability ranking for this associate program is not stated on the official University of Bridgeport program pages reviewed.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

Students in the Associate Degree in Dental Hygiene at the University of Bridgeport gain extensive hands-on experience through the Fones School of Dental Hygiene, combining classroom learning, laboratory preparation, pre-clinic practice, and supervised clinical care. Students begin by practicing with peers in the pre-clinic environment before progressing to direct patient care in UB’s state-of-the-art dental clinic, where they develop practical skills in dental hygiene procedures, patient communication, prevention, and oral health education.

Practical facilities and opportunities include:

Fones Dental Hygiene Clinic: Students progress from pre-clinic practice to treating real patients in UB’s on-campus dental clinic under professional supervision, gaining direct experience in patient care.
Dental Hygiene Laboratory: The Fones School provides a dedicated dental hygiene lab where students develop practical clinical skills and learn to use dental hygiene instruments and equipment.
Pre-Clinic Training: During the first clinical phase, students work with their peers to develop competence in dental hygiene procedures before moving into patient treatment.
Clinical Patient Care: Students who demonstrate competency can provide direct care to patients through the Fones Dental Hygiene Clinic, gaining experience with services such as oral hygiene treatment, dental examinations, oral cancer screening, scaling and root planing, dental X-rays, fluoride treatments, sealants, and oral hygiene instruction.
Community Clinical Experience: The program provides opportunities for supervised clinical assignments involving school dental health programs, hospitals, and community agencies, allowing students to apply their skills in different healthcare environments.
Community Outreach: Students can gain patient-care and community-health experience through initiatives such as Give Kids a Smile, while the university has also offered Senior Smiles as a community dental-care program.
Internship Opportunities: UB states that dental hygiene students can access internship opportunities through its community partnerships, including opportunities available after the first year in the program.
Dental Technology: Students train with advanced dental hygiene technology, including equipment used for dental radiography and laser therapy, as part of the clinical environment.
Clinical Instruments and Supplies: The Fones School provides dental hygiene clinical instruments and supplies throughout the clinical phase, supporting students as they develop their practical skills.
Wahlstrom Library: Students have access to Wahlstrom Library, which provides computers, printing facilities, library resources, and academic support, while the Heckman Learning Commons provides tutoring and academic advising.

Progression & Future Opportunities

The Associate of Science in Dental Hygiene at the University of Bridgeport prepares graduates for clinical dental hygiene careers in dental offices, clinics, hospitals, schools, nursing homes, and community healthcare settings. The program also provides a foundation for opportunities in public health, education, research, and administration, while graduates who meet the relevant requirements can pursue professional licensure examinations.

Typical Job Roles: Dental Hygienist, Public Health Dental Hygienist, Dental Hygiene Educator, Dental Hygiene Researcher.

Career Development & Industry Connections:

Career Services: UB’s Center for Career Development assists students with resume writing, internship searches, job hunting, and preparation for post-graduation employment.
Internship Experience: Students can complete a 50-hour supervised internship in an alternative practice setting, with opportunities at sites including Community Health Centers, Norwalk Hospital Dental Clinic, Open Door Family Medical Center, and the Stratford Health Department.
Employment Outcomes: UB’s 2024 Student Outcomes Report records a 96.43% employment rate for the Associate of Science in Dental Hygiene, based on 33 graduates, with an 84.85% knowledge rate.
Salary Information: The University of Bridgeport reports a $87,530 median annual wage for dental hygienists and notes that the highest 10% earn more than $118,400; these figures are career-level salary data rather than guaranteed graduate salaries.
Clinical Experience: Students develop professional skills through the Fones Dental Hygiene Clinic, where they progress from pre-clinic practice to supervised patient care and community programs such as Senior Smiles and Give Kids a Smile.
Industry & Community Connections: Clinical and internship opportunities connect students with community health centers, hospitals, health departments, and other healthcare organizations, providing experience beyond a traditional private dental practice.
Accreditation Value: The Dental Hygiene program at UB’s Fones School of Dental Hygiene is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) and has been granted accreditation status of “approval without reporting requirements.” This accreditation supports the program’s professional standing and eligibility pathway toward dental hygiene licensure examinations.
Graduation Outcomes: Upon completing the associate program, graduates can pursue the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination and applicable regional/state licensure examinations, opening the pathway to professional dental hygiene practice.

Further Academic Progression: After completing the Associate of Science in Dental Hygiene, students can continue into UB’s Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene. Licensed dental hygienists with an associate degree can complete UB’s BS through a dedicated two-year track, and graduates can subsequently progress to UB’s online Master of Science in Dental Hygiene, which focuses on areas including education and public health leadership.