Dental Hygiene


Program Detail

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Program Mission/Overview:

The mission of the Dental Hygiene Program is to provide quality education and opportunities for the Dental Hygiene students to be successful in the program. The faculty and staff will encourage professional and ethical behavior. The program will provide an environment to promote the team concept, lifelong learning, and the development of the skills and attitudes necessary to achieve the student’s goal of becoming a Registered Dental Hygienist.

 

Program Goals

The Dental Hygiene goals/ outcomes and competencies have been planned with the
goals and objectives which are consistent with the goals and objectives of the institution
and that are appropriate for dental hygiene education that address teaching, patient care, research and service.

These program goals, competencies, and philosophy are listed in the D.H. Clinic Manual.

  • Graduates of the Dental Hygiene Program will be able to demonstrate a sound grasp of asic skills and knowledge in the basic sciences, dental sciences, general educationand dental hygiene science.
    • 85% of the Dental Hygiene Program graduates taking the Dental Hygiene National Board will pass the exam.
  • Graduates of the Dental Hygiene Program will be technically proficient.
    • At the close of their final term, 100% of the graduates will be able to practice dental hygiene with a 78% proficiency as directed by the Dental Hygiene faculty.
    • 85% of the Dental Hygiene Program taking a State Licensure Examination will pass the exam.
  • Graduates of the Dental Hygiene Program will be employed in the field.
    • 50% of the graduates of the Dental Hygiene Program will report employment in the field on the Graduating Student Survey administered at the time of program completion.
    • 75% of the graduates of the Dental Hygiene Program will report employment in the field on the Student Survey distributed one year after graduation.
  • Employers of the Dental Hygiene Program graduates will rate the technical and academic skills of the employees as average or above.
    • 75% of the respondents of the Employers Survey conducted each year will respond that they would employ future graduates of the Dental Hygiene Program.
    • A majority of the respondents of the Employers Survey will respond by rating the graduates as average or above.

 

Dental Hygiene Program Competencies:

The Dental Hygiene graduate must be able to:

1. Apply a professional code of ethics in all endeavors.
2. Practice as a member of a team in a professional manner.
3. Acquire and analyze information in a scientific manner.
4. Collect, analyze, and record data on the general, oral and psycho-social health status of clients using methods consistent with medical, legal and ethical principles.
5. Use critical decision making skills to determine the client’s needs related to their oral health and disease, based on available data.
6. Formulate a comprehensive dental hygiene care plan, through consultation with the client and other health professionals. The care plan will identify evidence based dental hygiene interventions.
7. Provide individualized care that included educational, preventive and therapeutic services designed to assist the client in achieving and maintaining oral health.
8. Evaluate the effectiveness of educational, preventive, and therapeutic services and modify as needed.
9. Promote the values of oral and general health to the public and organizations.
10. Assume responsibility for health promotion and disease prevention to the public and organizations within and outside the profession.
11. Demonstrate professional commitment and advancement within the profession.

Job Placement

There are a variety of employment opportunities for graduates of the Dental Hygiene Program. These options include but are not limited to the following:
Private practice – General Dentistry and Specialties; Contract Services for Military Installations; State Institutions - Prison System, public health organizations, Special Needs Organizations; Supply Companies/Sales; Consulting
“Employment of dental hygienists is expected to grow much faster than the average for all occupations through 2012, in response to increasing demand for dental care and the greater utilization of hygienists to perform services previously performed by dentists. Job prospects are expected to remain excellent. In fact, dental hygienists is expected to be one of the fastest growing occupations through the year 2012. Population growth and greater retention of natural teeth will stimulate demand for dental hygienists. Older dentists, who have been less likely to employ dental hygienists, are leaving the occupation and will be replaced by recent graduates, who are more likely to employ one or even two hygienists. In addition, as dentists’ workloads increase, they are expected to hire more hygienists to perform preventive dental care, such as cleaning, so that they may devote their own time to more profitable procedures”. Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2004-05 Edition, Dental Hygienists, on the Internet at http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos097.htm (visited February 23, 2005).

Clinical Facilities

The program facility is located on the ground floor of Snyder Hall, on main campus. There is patient parking at the side of Snyder Hall that is appropriately marked.

 

Program Costs

Program costs listed are estimates and subject to change. Tuition is based on the in-state rate of $39.50 per credit hour.

Tuition $3,000.00
Textbooks/Supplies $1,500.00
Uniforms $250.00
Instruments $1000.00
Dental handpiece $575.00
Liability Insurance $18.00
Parking Fee $20.00 SADHA dues $150.00
Class dues $40.00
Graduation Fee $10.00
Total Estimated costs: $6,563.00

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