Hillsborough Community College

Hillsborough Community College (HCC) offers dental assisting and dental hygiene programs designed to provide students with the skills and knowledge necessary to succeed in the dental industry.

The dental assisting program at HCC is a two-semester program that prepares students to work as dental assistants in a variety of dental settings, including private dental offices, public health clinics, and dental schools. The program includes both classroom instruction and hands-on training in dental offices. Students learn about dental anatomy and physiology, dental radiography, dental materials, infection control, and dental office management. Upon completion of the program, students are eligible to take the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB) exam to become Certified Dental Assistants (CDAs).

The dental hygiene program at HCC is a two-year program that prepares students to work as dental hygienists. The program includes classroom instruction, laboratory exercises, and clinical experiences in which students work with real patients under the supervision of licensed dental hygienists and dentists. Students learn about dental hygiene theory, dental radiography, periodontology, pharmacology, and public health. Upon completion of the program, students are eligible to take the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination and the Florida State Board Examination to become licensed dental hygienists.

Both the dental assisting and dental hygiene programs at HCC provide students with the opportunity to gain real-world experience in dental settings and learn from experienced professionals in the dental industry. Graduates of these programs are well-equipped to begin their careers as dental assistants or dental hygienists and make a positive impact on the oral health of their communities.