School of Health Sciences

In a clinic or hospital setting, a dental hygienist works under the supervision of a licensed dentist. The dental hygienist aims to improve oral and overall health by providing preventive, therapeutic and educational services to the public in the State of Qatar. Dental hygiene services include assessing general and oral health status, advising patients on oral hygiene, removing dental deposits and stains, applying cavity-preventing agents, performing radiographic exams, examining patients’ teeth and gums, taking measurements, taking impressions and recording the presence of oral diseases and abnormalities. The dental hygienist is a critical member of the oral health care team and an advocate for overall health promotion.

The Dental Hygiene curriculum is a balance of didactic and clinical training. Dental hygiene training is supplemented with seminars, lectures, laboratory sessions, clinical practice sessions, group work, independent study, problem-based learning and community outreach. Instruction will begin with gaining general health and science knowledge in the first year pre-requisite courses and advances into the community and client care while working with the public in the College of the North Atlantic-Qatar Dental Clinic. In the final year, the emphasis is placed on developing entry-to-practice level competencies, professionalism and skills.

CNA–Q’s Dental Hygiene program is fully aligned to the Canadian Dental Hygienist Association’s (CDHA) competencies and the Commission on Dental Accreditation of Canada’s (CDAC)standards. The Dental Hygiene program also meets or exceeds the current scope of practice for Dental Hygienists in Qatar, as outlined by the Ministry of Public Health.

Upon successful completion of the program, students will be able to:

1. Demonstrate the theoretical knowledge and clinical skill outlined in the dental hygiene national competency profile.
2. Operate in a clinical environment to provide, in accordance with accepted professional standards, oral health care of high quality and appropriate to the needs of the State of Qatar.
3. Communicate effectively with patients, dentists and other members of the oral health team within the scope of the dental hygiene profession
4. Identify patients requiring further treatment and coordinate the referral.
5. Assess patients’ general and oral health status and correlate oral and systemic findings.
6. Describe the initiation and progression of oral diseases, and the scientific and behavioral factors which relate to systemic conditions.
7. Implement the dental hygiene process of care: assess, diagnose, plan, implement and evaluate dental hygiene services.
8. Recognize, diagnose and treat early oral and dental diseases.
9. Use appropriate health education to promote individual and community oral health.

Graduates of the Dental Hygiene program are eligible to work as clinical dental hygienists within a hospital, community healthcare center, or private practice setting. Dental hygienists can also pursue careers as dental hygiene educators and researchers within public health agencies or educational institutions.

Immunization Requirements

1. Proof of current immunity to following diseases:
   • Measles, Mumps, Rubella
   • Varicella
   • Hepatitis A, B (include all dates)
2. Proof of tetanus/diphtheria booster (required every 10 years)
3. Hepatitis C and HIV screening
4. TB screening and BCG history – Mantoux 2-step skin testing if status unknown
5. Chest x-ray if indicated by Mantoux skin test
6. Yearly seasonal flu vaccination strongly recommended

Further Studies

Graduates of the Dental Hygiene program may have the opportunity to transfer course credits to other academic institutions.

A current list of post-secondary institutions offering admission and transfer credit to CNA-Q graduates who meet the entrance requirements is available from the Admissions & Registration Department or the Career Counseling and Resource Centre.

Staff in both these offices will provide support and assistance to CNA-Q graduates seeking to further their post-secondary studies. For more information, please refer to the Program Articulation and Transfer Credit section in this Academic Calendar.

1. Students entering the Advanced Care Paramedicine Diploma must meet English language proficiency requirements by obtaining one of the following:
1. An overall score of 65 or greater on the Oxford Online Placement Test (OOPT) or a passing score from another approved internationally recognized English language test, as validated by the Admissions & Registration Department.
   
2. A valid IELTS Academic Test Report Form with an overall band of 5.0 with no individual band score (reading, writing, speaking, listening) below 4.5.
   
3. Successful completion of FL1090, a language development course.
   
2. Students graduating from the Advanced Care Paramedicine program must meet English language exit requirements by presenting a valid IELTS Academic Test Report Form with an overall band of 6.0 with no individual band score below 5.5.