Dental Hygiene Degree (DHY) (selective—day only)

The registered dental hygienist is the member of the dental health care team who provides preventive oral health care services including oral prophylaxis, dental health education, dental x-rays, nutritional counseling, dental sealants, preliminary examinations, and other preventive measures in dentistry. Students will take the National Dental Hygiene Board Examination and the Northeast Regional Board Exam at the successful completion of the Dental Hygiene program. The program is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation, which is a specialized accreditation body recognized by the United States Department of Education. The Commission on Dental Accreditation can be contacted at (312) 440-4653 or 211 East Chicago Ave., Chicago, Illinois.

Campus/format: This program is selective and can be completed during the day at the Burbank Campus; however, many non-day courses can be completed at other campuses.

Application deadline : The application deadline is February 1. This selective enrollment program requires additional application components. The selection process is competitive and space is limited (see pages 18-19 of the college catalog)

Requirements for consideration: Applicants must meet certain academic standards. See pages 18-19 of the college catalog for specific details, or refer to the program application available on our website or through the admissions office. Prior to admission, prerequisite courses needed are ENG101 (advised completion within three years of application with C+ or better), MAT126 with C+ or better, BIO203 and 204, and PER130.

Helpful hints: Because of an extensive classroom/clinical commitment, students are encouraged to complete some of the general education requirements prior to beginning dental hygiene courses.

Transfer options:Transfer agreements are currently being explored and developed for a bachelor’s degree in dental hygiene. Transfer agreements exist with Charter Oak State College and the University of Phoenix.

Visit MWCC’s transfer planning services website: http://transfer.mwcc.edu.

3 Plus ONE eligible–go to: www.mwcc.edu/3PlusONE

Special requirements:Applicants must meet all requirements for consideration before entering the program. Students must meet technical standards and additional requirements including immunizations, CPR certification, liability insurance, and a Criminal/Sexual Offender Records Information (CORI/SORI) check (see page 19 of the college catalog). All BIO, MAT (prerequisite) and DHY courses require a minimum grade of C+ or better to be eligible for promotion to the next level. Also, BIO203, 204 and 205 credits should not be more than five years old. Applicants currently working in a health care field can petition to lengthen the time to 10 years after successfully passing a competency examination. For more information, please call (978) 630-9367.

Career options: Registered dental hygienists can work in private practice, hospitals, clinics, health departments, schools, sales, or research. They can also pursue careers as educators employed at dental hygiene and dental schools.

Earning potential: $56,488 to $72,641 per year for full-time employment.

Information about Selective Admissions programs

Elective courses by abbreviation

Program Competencies

Upon graduation from this program students shall have demonstrated the ability to:

1. Communicate effectively and accurately through oral, written and electronic means.
2. Demonstrate the application of theory to practice in achieving optimal patient care.
3. Use methods of scientific investigation in developing a comprehensive plan of care.
4. Implement comprehensive education plans that promote health and identify risk behaviors in individuals and groups of patients for both community and clinic settings.
5. Practice within the legal, ethical and regulatory framework of dental hygiene in accordance with the standards set by the State Practice Act and Code of Ethics for Dental Hygienists.
6. Demonstrate a commitment to the dental hygiene profession through assuming responsibility for lifelong learning and professional growth.

Technical Standards*

*general information about technical standards and accommodation.

Students entering these programs must be able to demonstrate the ability to:

1. Comprehend textbook material at the 11th grade level.
2. Communicate and assimilate information in either printed, signed or computer voice format.
3. Gather, analyze, and draw conclusions from data.
4. Have the visual acuity with corrective lenses to identify changes in oral tissues.
5. Discern changes in color, texture and shape of tissues. Ability to differentiate among subtle shades of gray as seen on radiographs.
6. Have sufficient physical ability to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation in the handling of a medical emergency.
7. Have sufficient communication (oral and/or written) ability to question the patient about his/her medical condition and to relay information about the patient to others in English.
8. Have sufficient manual dexterity with two hands to manipulate instruments with precision and control in the oral cavity without causing damage to tissues. This skill may not be fully evaluated until the preclinical portion of the curriculum.
9. Have a sense of touch that allows for assessment and palpation of oral tissues.
10. Sit for prolonged (up to four hours) periods of time.
11. Operate and manipulate mechanical equipment, e.g.: dials, switches, push buttons, syringes, and blood pressure measurement devices.
12. Pick up items of very small (2mm in width, 21 mm in length minimum) and varying diameters.
13. Use upper body movements (up to five feet) to grasp, push/pull, reach overhead equipment, and to rotate and reach laterally.
14. Lift, carry, and move equipment and supplies up to 10 pounds.
15. Wear protective equipment such as gloves, face masks, face shields, and protective eye wear.

Information about Selective Admissions programs