Dental Hygienist
Associate Degree of Applied Science
Program Number:
105081 Program Courses offered at the following Campuses:
About
Under the supervision of a dentist, a dental hygienist inspects the mouth, administers local anesthesia and chemotherapeutic agents, removes stains and deposits from teeth, applies preventive agents, prepares clinical and diagnostic tests, completes dental x-rays and performs many other services related to mouth care. Dental hygienists counsel patients about preventive measures such as nutrition, oral hygiene and dental care.
Dental hygienist graduates are required to successfully complete comprehensive written and clinical examinations given under the direction of the State Dentistry Examining Board, the American Dental Association's Joint Commission on National Dental Examinations, and a Regional Dental Testing Service.
Admissions
Requirements for Program Application
The following is required to process your application:
- High School transcript - or
- HSED/GED Test Scores - and
- All College transcripts - and
- COMPASS, ASSET, ACT or SAT test scores. Bachelors Degree waives testing.
Admission Processing Deadlines:
Fall 2010
For this program applications and credentials must be received by October 19th, 2009 to be considered for the fall semester.
Admission information and Next Steps:
Program Outcomes
Program Outcomes:
- Ethics and Professionalism: Incorporate into dental hygiene practice professional laws, regulations and policies established by the licensing state and regulatory agencies.
- Ethics and Professionalism: Model dental hygiene professional code of ethics in a rapidly changing environment.
- Ethics and Professionalism: Pursue lifelong professional growth and development through self-directed learning, participation in professional organizations, and continuing education.
- Promoting Oral Health: Counsel clients/patients to reduce health risks.
- Promoting Oral Health: Provide community oral health services in a variety of settings.
- Patient/Client Care: Infection Control - Manage infection and hazard control.
- Patient/Client Care: Assessment - Assess data on all aspects of patient/client health using methods consistent with dental hygienist scope of practice and legal principles.
- Patient/Client Care: Planning - Formulate a comprehensive dental hygiene care plan in collaboration with the client and other health professionals.
- Patient/Client Care: Implementation - Provide preventive and therapeutic services that promote oral health according to the needs of the patient/client.
- Patient/Client Care: Evaluation - Evaluate the effectiveness of the implemented client/patient dental hygiene care plan and modify as needed.
- Patient/Client Care: Evaluation - Evaluate the effectiveness of the implemented clinical and educational services and modify as needed.
Employment
Graduation Requirements:
The student must achieve at least a 2.0 (C) grade in microbiology, chemistry, anatomy, physiology and all dental hygiene and general education courses.
Career Potential:
- Dental Hygienist
With additional education and/or work experience, graduates may find employment as:
- Dental Hygiene Instructor
- Public Health Hygienist
- Dental Laboratory Technician
- Dental Sales Representative
- Member of Dental Examining Board
- Public School Hygienist
- Dental Hygiene Administrator in hospital-type setting
Additional Info
Additional Info about the Program:
Students are required to show evidence of current CPR “Professional Level” certification before beginning the first dental hygiene course. Students must maintain current CPR certification while attending the program.
Last Modified: November 4, 2009