DENTAL HYGIENE
Program Description
The Registered Dental Hygienist is a licensed healthcare professional dedicated to the maintenance of optimal oral health and the prevention of oral disease. These professional goals are accomplished through individual and community education; through delivery of preventive dental health services and through highly skilled patient treatment. Professional responsibilities vary by state or province but generally include the following clinical skills: perform thorough patient assessment, including review of health history; recording vital signs; head and neck inspection; oral cancer screening and dental charting; develop individualized oral self-care strategies; educate patients on the value of good oral health and its relationship to systemic health; perform various types of dental radiographic films; administer local anesthesia and nitrous oxide sedation; remove deposits and stains from the teeth; apply chemotherapeutic agents to treat or prevent dental diseases; manage special needs and medically compromised patients.
Dental hygienists are licensed by the state or province in which they plan to practice. Generally, candidates for licensure must be graduates of an accredited dental hygiene program, must pass the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination taken near graduation and must pass a state or regional clinical examination. New York State uses the clinical examination administered by the Northeast Regional Board of Dental Examiners. This examination is accepted by 15 states and the District of Columbia. Applicants for licensure in New York must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents, must be of good moral character and will be subject to special review if criminal charges are pending or there has been a previous felony or misdemeanor conviction.
Dental hygienists are valuable members of the dental healthcare team who work with dentists to provide oral health services to patients. They enjoy helping people, welcome challenging opportunities like performing detailed work and have an interest in life sciences. As a respected member of the dental team, dental hygienists can have a positive influence on the health of others, play a key role in the prevention of oral diseases and enjoy a flexible, rewarding career.
Program Accreditation
The program in dental hygiene is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation. The Commission is a specialized accrediting body recognized by the United States Department of Education. The Commission on Dental Accreditation can be contacted at (312) 440-4653 or at 211 East Chicago Avenue, Chicago, IL 60611.
Special Admissions Requirements/Prerequisites
The clinical dental hygiene course sequence begins in the fall semester. Admission is competitive and limited to 60 students. Completed applications and supporting transcripts must be received in the North Campus Admissions Office by May 31 for fall admission. Applications received after that date are considered on a space available basis. Acceptances are contingent on satisfactory College Placement Test results and successful completion of current academic courses.
The Admissions Office has responsibility for selecting qualified applicants who have the potential to successfully complete the dental hygiene program. To be considered for admission to the dental hygiene program, applicants must demonstrate evidence of the following requirements:
- Current high school graduates - a cumulative average of 88 percent or higher and courses in general biology and chemistry at 88 percent or higher. Reading and writing competencies at the EN 110 level and mathematics competency at the MT 007 level as determined by the College Placement Tests or other admissions criteria.
- Current college students - internal and external college transfer applicants must have a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale and grades of "C" or higher in general education courses required in the dental hygiene curriculum. Reading and writing competencies must be at the EN 110 level and mathematics competencies at the MT 007 level. Applicants who do not meet the chemistry requirement for current high school graduates must take CH 010 and CH 011 or CH 140 and CH 141 (General Chemistry with lab). Applicants who have not had a biology course must take BI 149 (Survey of Anatomy & Physiology) or BI 107 (Human Biology) prior to BI 150/151 (Anatomy and Physiology with lab). Science courses taken more than 10 years ago may not be applicable. Preference is given to qualified applicants who have completed EN 110, BI 150, BI 151, BI 230 and BI 231.
(Note: Meeting minimum requirements does not guarentee admission due to space availability.)
Most dental hygiene students elect to complete required general education courses in the curriculum prior to entering clinical courses as part of a general studies option. This path is helpful to students who have other personal responsibilities or who have no college experience. Applicants who do not meet admission requirements may also be accepted to the general studies option. This option provides an individually developed schedule of courses based on the applicant's academic background and College Placement Test results, and is an opportunity to meet program admission requirements for clinical courses. Students may begin general education courses in the fall, spring, or summer semesters.
Degree: Associate in Applied Science
Hegis: 5203
Curriculum Code: 0545
Total Degree Credits: 72.0
Campus Location: North
Health Sciences Division