Post Graduates
Welcome to the Southwestern College Dental Hygiene Program, Post-Graduate Education for Allied Health Professionals page!
The Post-Graduate Education Section of the Dental Hygiene Program operates independently from the AS Degree Dental Hygiene Program offered by the College. When applicable, courses offered through this arena, meet standards set by the Dental Hygiene Committee of California.
Goals of SWC Dental Hygiene Program Post Graduate Studies:
- Provide post-graduate education courses, seminars, or workshops that meet requirements for initial licensure and renewals.
- Provide courses, seminars, or workshops in education methodology and subject specific topics as required for allied health educators.
- Provide remedial or skill improvement courses to graduate students or licensed practitioners as recommended or required by regional or state examination agencies and the Dental Hygiene Board of California (DHBC).
Clinical Skill Improvement
The Post-Graduate Studies for Dental Professionals department now offers a clinical skill improvement course for graduates mandated to additional hours of clinical and/or didactic education prior to re-taking a regional or state board clinical examination.
This course focuses on intermediate and advanced clinical experience in exploring and probing techniques, hand, and ultrasonic instrumentation. The course also includes supervised clinical instruction and patient contact with emphasis on exploring and detection of calculus, removal of soft and hard deposits through scaling and root planning procedures, along with probing and patient assessment.
This course is offered in conjunction with the SWC Dental Hygiene core clinic courses. Due to patient-care requirements for clinical skill improvement, course dates will follow the regular fall, spring, or summer clinic course scheduling.
Space is limited due to accreditation mandates for faculty to student ratio.
Anesthesia Skill Improvement
The Post-Graduate Studies for Dental Professionals department now offers an anesthesia skill improvement course for graduates mandated to additional hours of clinical and/or didactic education prior to re-taking a regional or state board clinical examination.
This course focuses on knowledge and application of local anesthesia for graduates who have attempted an anesthesia examination for a regional clinical board agency and includes review of patient assessment for use of pain control methods, pharmacology, contraindications, and medical emergencies. The course also includes supervised lab and/or clinical instruction, and practice in techniques for administration of local anesthesia.
This course is offered in conjunction with the SWC Dental Hygiene core clinic courses. Due to patient-care requirements for clinical skill improvement course dates will follow the regular fall, spring, or summer clinic course scheduling.
Space is limited due to accreditation mandates for faculty to student ratio.
For additional information contact the dental hygiene program:
Program Technician
swcdentalhygiene@swccd.edu
(619) 216-6665 Ext. 4862
Anesthesia, Nitrous & Soft Tissue Curettage
The Southwestern College Dental Hygiene Program has been approved by the Dental Hygiene Board of California (DHBC) to offer a course in Anesthesia, Nitrous, and Soft Tissue Curettage.
The next offering of this course will begin in November 2023. The online portion will begin on May 1, 2024 and the in-person portion will be held on July 17-21, 2024. Please note that both online and in-person portions are required to participate in this course. Registration will stay open through Sunday, April 28, 2024.
Our certification now includes certificates in California Infection Control and Dental Practice Act!
All three certifications must be completed concurrently. All participants of this course must have graduated from a CODA accredited dental hygiene program OR have an active dental hygiene license from a U.S. state or Canadian province OR be a currently enrolled student in the last semester of an CODA accredited dental hygiene program.
Course Format: Didactic modules are presented in an online format. Participants must have access to highspeed internet and the ability to download software programs such as Adobe PDF Reader, and Adobe Flash. Computers used should be equipped with a DVD or CD-ROM drive. All modules, must be completed and passed at 75% level two weeks prior to beginning the lab/clinical portion of the course.
The lab/clinic portion is presented in a clinical environment at the Southwestern
College Dental Hygiene Clinic
located at the Higher Education Center in National City / 880 National City Blvd.,
National City, CA 91950
NOTE: Due to the use of nitrous oxide during the clinical portion of this course,
it is not advised for individuals who
are or may be pregnant.
Course Fee: $ 5,000.00 (non-refundable)
Participants enrolling in this course will earn CE credits/hours, not units, which
makes it ineligible for use with
grants awarded by financial aid and/or military benefits.
Requirements:
| Required Information |
Instructions |
|---|---|
| Malpractice Insurance: | Personal coverage is required (minimum coverage $1,000,000/3,000,000). If purchasing a new policy for this course, or modifying an existing policy, please ensure that Southwestern College Dental Hygiene Post-Graduate Studies for Dental Professionals is listed as a certificate holder. Policy documentation is due prior to the start of the course. |
| Current CPR Certification: | Provide copy of certification prior to start of course. |
| Current DH Licensure Status: | Provide copy of current RDH license or verification letter (from program director) confirming completion of accredited DH program. |
IMPORTANT: Participants traveling from out of the southern California area must be aware that the clinical portion of this course occurs on weekends. Travel arrangements should be made accordingly.
Once the enrollment form has been processed, participants will receive a confirmation email and receipt. Prior to the start of the course participants will receive a detailed information packet explaining course material, supplies, and patient requirements.
PATIENT REQUIREMENT: Three (3) patients will be needed for certain days of the in-person course. Patients may be provided upon request by the SWC Dental Hygiene Program.
IMPORTANT- COVID VACCINE/TESTING for Course Participants:
Full vaccination recommended (2 doses) or Johnson and Johnson (1 dose). If not vaccinated,
PCR (nose swab) COVID 19 negative tests within 72 hours are required before entering
school. No rapid tests are accepted at this time. There are free county facilities
available. Bring your vaccination cards or PCR negative clearance papers at check-in
first day. We continue the screening process upon entry to our facility. Patients
will only require screenings on arrival.
APPLICATION STEPS:
Step 1
Contact the DHBC for assistance in determining if you are required to take this course
for California licensure. DHBC main number: (916) 263-1978.
Step 2
To enroll in the course, first submit an application to the college on the How to Apply page.
Step 3
After you apply, you will receive an email response from the Office of Admission and
Records (within 3-4 business days) that will include your SWC Student Identification
Number. You will need this ID number to submit an enrollment form using the link
below. Registration correspondences from Admission thereafter would not apply to you.
Step 4
Complete the Course Enrollment form. Participants should be prepared to upload copies of current CPR, current DH licensure
status, malpractice insurance coverage (minimum coverage $1,000,000). Malpractice
Insurance: Personal coverage is required. If purchasing a new policy for this course,
or modifying an existing policy, please ensure that Southwestern College Dental Hygiene
Post-Graduate Studies for Dental Professionals is listed as a certificate holder.
Please email us at swcdentalhygiene@swccd.edu for more information.