Catalog Information
Dental Hygiene
Expanded Duty Dental Assisting
Dental Aide
Greenville Tech Dental Clinic
For appointments, please call (864) 250-8126.
The college that works for brighter smiles.
Greenville Technical College's Dental Hygiene associate degree program prepares students to work in a dental office as part of a health care team meeting the oral health needs of patients.
Hygienists are often the primary source of dental health care education. A career as a dental hygienist can be very rewarding, as it is one of the few positions in health care where teaching patients proper oral care can truly help prevent disease.
Each state has specific regulations regarding the responsibilities of the dental hygienist, and duties vary from one dental office to another.
Greenville Tech operates a 33 chair community dental hygiene clinic serving about 8000 active patients. Additionally, students rotate through a variety of clinical sites. 
Students learn computerized scheduling and charting, generate and maintain patient records, as well as greet and address the questions of our patients.
Outside of the clinic, students spend time in classrooms or lab facilities learning dental hygiene theory and techniques.
The dental program is proud to have classrooms equipped with the finest technology available for enhancing instruction.
Students participate in combined lecture-lab sessions where the use of technology and hands-on experience provides the ultimate learning experience.
Students are admitted based on weighted admission criteria. Once you're admitted to the Dental Hygiene program, a dental faculty member will serve as your advisor. This provides you with the opportunity to work closely with one person who helps you schedule classes and work through any problems that might arise, interacting daily as you complete the program. ________________________________________________________________
If you're looking for your first career or a new career, consider Dental Assisting. Most areas of the country currently are reporting shortages of dental assistants. There are many opportunities available in private dental practices, as well as clinics, hospitals, public health departments and the military.
The dental assistant is also a vital member of the dental health care team and performs many duties including clinical assisting,
laboratory tasks and office management. Dental assistants who have completed formal training receive higher salaries. These professionals enjoy many benefits, including a pleasant working environment, flexible hours and job stability.
Current trends in infection control indicate that dentists prefer Dental Assistants with formal training, although it is not currently required by South Carolina law.
The demand for dental services will continue to grow. Due to the success of preventive dentistry in reducing the incidence of oral disease, older adults will retain their teeth longer and will be even more aware of the importance of regular dental care. Dentists will need to employ more dental assistants than ever before in order to meet the increased demand for dental services.
Classes begin Fall Semester. Greenville Tech's 12-month Dental Assisting program is accredited by ADA-CODA. Students spend 12 - 18 hours per week in private dental offices and community service in their second and third semesters.
While it is possible to complete this program in one year, it is recommended that students complete general education courses prior to entering the Dental Assisting program.
The program is designed to give the student a working knowledge with a combination of classroom and practical training. Classes, labs and clinics are held days, evenings and Saturdays. Completion of the EDDA program leads to CDA certification from the Dental Assisting National Board.
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Graduates of the certificate-level Dental Aide program will be able to seek employment to work chairside with a dentist in a private dental office seating and dismissing the patient, using air-water and suction, mixing dental materials, sterilizing all instruments and disinfecting the operatory.The dental aide takes care of this important function of the dental office, ensuring the health and safety of the patients, as well as the dental staff. Some dental aides also handle office duties such as scheduling and confirming appointments, record keeping, accounts payable and receivable, and ordering equipment and supplies. Dental aides perform many routine tasks in a dental practice in order to leave the more hands-on responsibilities to hygienists and assistants.
For students who are unable to commit to a full year of college, the Dental Aide program prepares students for an entry-level position in a dental office and allows them the option of continuing their education in Dental Assisting or Dental Hygiene. The Dental Aide program is not accredited by the ADA, but the required courses will transfer to the ADA-accredited Expanded Duty Dental Assisting program.
Greenville Tech's Dental Aide program begins Fall Semester, and classes may be available in the evening, based on student interest.
Dental Hygiene Bridge Program
Dental Hygiene 1 + 1 program information
Career Talk Schedule
Dental Program Policy Manual
Criminal Background Check Policy
Drug Policy
Professional Organizations
South Carolina Dental Association
American Dental Association
Dental Assisting National Board
American Dental Hygients' Association