Accreditation
The program in Dental Hygiene is accredited by the American Dental Association 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, Illinois 60611.
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Mission Statement
The mission of the associate degree dental hygiene program is to prepare competent and qualified dental hygienists with the necessary knowledge and technical skills, who will respond in an ethical and professional manner to the needs of their patients and the health care setting.
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Work Environment
Dental hygienists work in clean professional environments. Important health safeguards include strict adherence to asepsis and infection controls standards, radiology health and safety, and CDC protocols for sharps injury prevention. Emphasis is placed on ergonomic and proper positioning for patient care for injury prevention.
Flexible scheduling is a distinctive feature of this profession. Full-time, part-time, evening, and weekend schedules are common. Dentists frequently hire hygienists to work only two or three days a week, so hygienists may hold jobs in more than one dental office. In 2008, about half of all dental hygienists worked part time-less than 35 hours a week.
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Nature of the Work
Dental hygienists are vital members of the dental health¬care team. They are preventive oral health professionals licensed to provide educational, clinical, and therapeutic services to the public. Dental hygienists provide comprehensive care to patients in collaboration with dentists by assessing patient needs, planning for treatment and disease prevention, implementing the treatment plan, and evaluating clinical dental hygiene services.
As members of the dental team, registered dental hygienists are responsible for providing treatment that helps prevent oral diseases such as decay and periodontal (or gum) disease. Hygienists also educate patients to maintain optimal oral health. Registered dental hygienists integrate many roles in their profession depending on whether they practice in traditional or nontraditional settings to support total health through the promotion of oral health and wellness.
Preparation for the comprehensive preventive care provided by a hygienist emphasizes basic sciences, including chemistry, introductory microbiology, pathology, and anatomy and physiology. The Dental Hygiene curriculum maximizes the integration of and promotes the interrelationship between general education, biomedical science, dental science, dental hygiene science, and clinical practice components of preventative dental hygiene services.
Dental Hygiene courses build on the theoretical knowledge and clinical competencies gained each semester. Program instructors base the curriculum sequence so that students can master fundamental theory before progressing to more difficult levels of theory application. Upon mastery of fundamental theory, students begin developing the skills necessary to deliver preventative, educational, and therapeutic services to the public. The Dental Hygiene curriculum teaches the cognitive, psychomotor, and affective skills that will enable prospective dental hygienist to provide the highest quality of care to patients. Upon completing degree requirements, graduates of accredited dental hygiene programs are eligible to take the written National Board Examination for Dental Hygiene, the Central Regional Dental Testing Service clinical exam, and /or the clinical board given in the state chosen for practice. Upon successful completion of the examinations, graduates are employable as licensed registered dental hygienists.
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Employment
Dental hygienists held about 174,100 jobs nationally in 2008. Almost all jobs for dental hygienist-about 96 percent-were in offices of dentists. Graduates may also find employment as educators, administrators, managers, and researchers. Other options for practice settings include school systems, hospitals, correctional facilities, long-term care facilities, HMOs, dental supply and product companies, insurance companies, universities and other research centers, government agencies, community health programs, and areas of forensic dentistry. Employment of dental hygienist is expected to grow 36 percent through 2018, which is much faster than the average for all occupations. This projected growth ranks dental hygienist among the fastest growing occupations, in response to increasing demand for dental care and more use of hygienist.
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Earnings
Median annual wages nationally of dental hygienists were $66,570 in May 2008. The middle 50 percent earned between $55,220 and $78,990. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $44,180, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $91,470. Earnings vary by geographic location, employment setting, and years of experience. Dental hygienists may be paid on an hourly, daily, salary, or commission basis. Benefits vary substantially by practice setting and may be contingent upon full-time employment. According to a 2009 survey conducted by the American Dental Hygienist Association, about half of all hygienists reported receiving some form of employment benefits. Of those receiving benefits, paid vacation, sick leave, and retirement plans were the most common.
Source: U.S. Department of Labor Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2010-2011 Edition (http://www.bls.gov/oco/)
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Student Learning Outcomes
Graduates of the associate of applied science degree program in Dental Hygiene will be able to complete the following tasks:
- Perform current services and function as a clinically competent dental hygienist
- Use critical thinking skills in conjunction with the Dental Hygiene Process of Care: Assessment, Planning, Implementation, and Evaluation
- Function as a clinically competent dental hygienist
- Demonstrate an appreciation for and an understanding of the importance of being a member of the dental team
- Pass the Dental Hygiene Written National Boards and the Dental Hygiene Regional Clinical Boards
- Demonstrate an understanding of the importance of continued learning and professional development
- Demonstrate an appreciation for community involvement
- Demonstrate the importance of being actively involved in professional organizations
- Demonstrate the personal and professional ethics and interpersonal skills that are expected in the workplace
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Essential Functions
The ethical practice of Dental Hygiene requires intellectual ability, physical competence, and personal responsibility. This list of technical standards and essential functions is for students to become aware of and informed of the skills required in the performance of duties of a Dental Hygiene student. The physical abilities and the personal and behavioral characteristics necessary are conditions of admission and for successful completion of the program. The list of essential functions includes:
- Must be able to reach up to a height of five feet in order to position equipment and reach, manipulate, and operate equipment necessary for the Dental Hygienist
- Must be able to assist patients in and out of the dental chair and move, adjust, and position patients as needed
- Have the ability to function with both hands and arms and have adequate manual dexterity to perform dental hygiene procedures
- Must work in a sitting position for at least one hour at a time
- Have adequate hand-eye coordination and the ability to distinguish right from left in order to perform dental hygiene procedures
- Must be able to visually assess patients' condition and clearly see patients' teeth from a distance of 20 inches
- Have adequate sensory perception in hands and fingers to detect and remove tooth deposits
- Have the ability to handle instruments and syringes with sufficient fine motor control to avoid injury to the patient
- Have the ability to hear for reception of spoken communication when the speaker is wearing a mask
- Must be able to visibly differentiate the color spectrum for tissue discrimination
- Must have the ability to collect, interpret, and integrate information and make decisions in order to provide appropriate and safe patient treatment
- Have the ability to prevent and manage dental and medical emergencies, including performing CPR and/or other appropriate life support measures for medical emergencies that may be encountered in a dental practice
- Have the ability to communicate effectively in English using verbal, non-verbal, and written formats with faculty, other students, patients, and all members of the dental team
- Must have the ability to read technical English rapidly and with comprehension
- Must be able to receive and comprehend, write, and interpret verbal and written communication in both the academic and clinical settings
- Must have the ability to assess the oral hygiene treatment needs of special patients, such as the medically, mentally, or physically compromised patients, and the socially and culturally disadvantaged patients
- Must have sufficient emotional stability and responsibility to withstand the stresses, uncertainties and changing circumstances that characterize the work duties of dental hygiene
- Display flexibility and adaptability
- Must possess compassion, integrity, motivation, and concern for others
- Must possess the ability to demonstrate professional behaviors and a strong work ethic and comply with the Code of Ethics for Dental Hygiene as established by the American Dental Hygiene Association (ADHA)
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Program Expenses
The Higher Education Act requires all colleges and universities to notify students and prospective students of all program costs for which they will be responsible. Students will be responsible for the following expenses each semester (unless otherwise noted):
- Tuition ($75 per credit hour)
- Registration fee ($39)
- Student activity fees ($30)
- Accident insurance fee ($6)
- Instructional and technology supply fee ($55)
- Background check and drug screening (Approximately $100 per required check/screening)
- Cardiopulmonary resuscitation certification ($40)
- Dental Hygiene instrument kit, supplies, and loupes (Approximately $4,000 for entire program)
- Digital imaging fee ($500)
- Examinations
- National board examination ($285)
- Clinical board examination ($1,150)
- Clinical board related expenses ($500)
- Examination Reviews
- National board examination ($500)
- Film badge fee ($25 per semester)
- Immunizations
- Hepatitis B ($200)
- Mumps, Measles, Rubella ($25)
- Varicella ($25)
- Tetanus ($25)
- Tuberculosis skin test ($25)
- Licensure application fee ($200)
- Malpractice insurance ($11 each year)
- Physical examination (Approximately $100)
- Program placement examination ($75)
- Radiology fee ($250)
- RDH pin ($120)
- SADHA dues ($90 for entire program)
- Textbooks (Approximately $1,900 for entire program)
- Uniforms (Approximately $1,075 for entire program)
These expenses are based on costs in effect at the time this catalog was published. Prices are subject to change.
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Admission Requirements
The Dental Hygiene program uses a competitive admission process to select students. Program faculty and the Admissions Office staff designed the process to ensure maximum opportunity for student success in the program and on the licensure examination. Prospective students may gain admission to the college initially as Healthcare Science program students/applicants to Dental Hygiene in order to complete any learning support classes and required general education and health core courses. The Dental Hygiene program admits students once per year at the beginning of Fall Semester.
The application and file completion deadline for the associate degree program in Dental Hygiene is the first day in which campus offices are open after January 1 of the year for which applicants are seeking admission to the program. Applicants who are on academic probation or are academically dismissed from the college as of the application deadline will not be considered for admission. Applicants not selected for the program may reapply during subsequent admission intake periods. There is no waiting list between intake periods; applicants must complete the application process for each attempt for entry into the Dental Hygiene program.
Applicants must possess the specific Dental Hygiene essential functions that reflect dental hygiene performance abilities and characteristics that are necessary to complete the requirements of the Dental Hygiene program successfully. Dental experience is a plus and/or graduation from a dental assisting program highly favorable. To receive consideration for admission to the program, applicants must submit:
- Completed and signed application for admission and a $20 nonrefundable application fee
- Official transcripts showing that applicants earned a minimum grade point average of 2.0 on a 4.0 scale in high school and on all college work attempted (applicants transferring from other colleges will not be required to submit high school transcripts if they completed a minimum of 30 semester or 45 quarter credit hours of study at one or more colleges)
- Documentation of completion of college mathematics (MATH 1101 or MATH 1111), human anatomy and physiology I and II (BIOL 2113, BIOL 2113L, BIOL 2114, and BIOL 2114L), introductory microbiology (BIOL 2117 and BIOL 2117L), and chemistry (CHEM 1211 and CHEM 1211L) or equivalent courses with grades of C or better (applicants transferring from other colleges must confirm the transferability of credit for these courses with the college's director of registration and records by the January application deadline)
- Scores from the Health Occupations Basic Entrance Test V (HOBET V) (see Selective Admission Examinations)
- Three forms of recommendation from individuals familiar with applicants' academic or work history, community service, extracurricular activities, and leadership abilities (blank recommendation forms are available in the Admissions Office and online at www.athenstech.edu/oldcatalog/programsofstudy.cfm - select Selective Admissions Forms)
- Documentation showing the completion of 40 hours of observation in a dental office, preferably with a registered dental hygienist (blank observation forms are available in the Admissions Office and online at www.athenstech.edu-select Prospective Students and then Competitive Health Pgms)
- Signed Dental Hygiene Code of Ethics (available from program chair and online at www.athenstech.edu/oldcatalog/programsofstudy.cfm - select Selective Admissions Forms) which includes the responsibility to provide oral care for all patients without discrimination
- Completed and signed Intent Form (blank forms are available in the Admissions Office and online at www.athenstech.edu/oldcatalog/programsofstudy.cfm - select Selective Admissions Forms)
- Attend a mandatory pre-admission orientation session if invited (failure to attend or to make alternate arrangements to obtain necessary information will result in the forfeiture of admission to the program)
Although applicants must have a minimum grade of C in all prerequisite courses listed in item C, it should be noted that the prerequisite course grade point average is one of the main criteria for selection in life science programs, so grades of C are typically not competitive.
Applicants must take Health Occupations Basic Entrance Text V (HOBET V) no later than November to receive consideration for admission to the program. The Admissions Office staff and program faculty will invite a group of the highest-ranking applicants (based on the above criteria) to participate in a formal interview and essay writing process.
From this group, 15 students will gain admission to the program. Students admitted to the Dental Hygiene program must have the following official documents on file in the Dental Hygiene Office prior to entering any Dental Hygiene (DHYG) course:
- Current certification in cardiopulmonary resuscitation for healthcare providers/basic first aid
- Copy of immunization records
- Results of medical and dental examinations (conducted a maximum of six months prior to admission)
- Verification of both health and malpractice insurance (see Malpractice Insurance)
- A signed document acknowledging that the commission of a felony before or during their enrollment in this program may prevent graduates from taking the licensure exam to become dental hygienists and that they may be required to complete drug testing and/or background checks at their own expense prior to participating in internships, practicums, or clinical activities at certain host sites for these activities (see Drug Testing/Background Checks) (blank documents are available from the program chair or the Admissions Office and online at www.athenstech.edu/oldcatalog/programsofstudy.cfm - select Selective Admissions Forms)
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Readmission Policy
If students withdraw from the program for any reason, they must follow the steps detailed under Life Sciences Programs Readmission. In addition, students seeking readmission will abide by all policies and procedures in place at the time of their request for readmission.
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Residency Policy
Only in the event that the program slots cannot be filled with Georgia residents who meet the minimum admissions criteria can out-of-state students be admitted to the Dental Hygiene program.
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