Dental Therapy, AAS

OVERVIEW

Dental Therapy (DT) dəxʷx̌ayəbus - (pronounced as dahf-hi-ya-boos) is a Lushootseed phrase that translates to a Place of Smiles.  Lushootseed is a common language of coastal Salish tribes, made up of many local dialects of Native Americans throughout the Puget Sound region. The objective of the program is to deliver “smiles” since smiles are strong indicators of personal confidence as well as physical and mental health.

The Dental Therapy (DT) program at Skagit Valley College was created to increase access to quality, culturally competent, and primary oral health care. The program trains dental providers who are engaged as oral health advocates in their communities.  dəxʷx̌ayəbus is a dental therapy education program based on a non-dental hygiene model. Dental Therapy will modernize and expand the dental team in Native American communities.

The Dental Therapy program is a rigorous 3-year professional training program condensed in two calendar years. Dental therapy courses within the program are specific and build upon previous courses with concepts that start from simple to complex. 

NOTE: dəxʷx̌ayəbus Dental Therapy is a self-supporting program. Please note that per-credit tuition differs from the state tuition rate.