The Dental Hygiene Program’s mission is to work effectively in providing approaches to the educational professional development of the students that stem from the goal to graduate competent clinicians who can positively affect their community and the dental hygiene profession through personal, academic, intellectual and professional achievements. Our mission includes the promotion of health and well being of the public by providing clinical dental hygiene care and community service at the campus Dental Hygiene Patient Care Facility.
The Dental Hygiene Program’s mission is consistent with the College’s mission in that it strives to provide educational opportunities leading to socioeconomic mobility for students from diverse ethnic, racial, cultural, and linguistic backgrounds, particularly Hispanics and African Americans.
About the Dental Hygiene Program
The
Dental Hygiene Program leads to an
Associate in Applied Sciences (A.A.S.)
degree for students who successfully
complete the course of study. Students
are prepared to become registered
dental hygienists and pass an intensive
theory National Board and Clinical
State Board examination. Passing
both examinations is required for
licensure and employment. The Dental
Hygiene Program offers a two and
three consecutive semester preparatory Dental
Hygiene course of study for those
students who do not meet the regular
entrance requirements. These courses
offer students the opportunity to
develop requisite reading, writing,
and mathematics skills; acquire a
science background; develop study
habits; upgrade their academic standing
(GPA); and take pertinent and enriching
liberal arts courses geared toward
facilitating their entrance into
the program.
Approaches to the educational professional development of the students
stem from the goal to graduate competent clinicians who can positively
affect their community and the dental hygiene profession through personal,
academic, intellectual and professional achievements. Students provide
preventive dental health care treatment and education at the campus
Dental Hygiene Clinic.
Students
provide dental hygiene
care for patients of all
ages under the direct guidance
and supervision of licensed
professional dental hygienists
and dentists. Faculty,
students, staff, family,
and friends have access
to free dental hygiene
care and oral health maintenance.
Two academic years and
one summer are required
to complete the 70-credit
degree program. Graduates
are eligible to transfer
to senior colleges and
receive junior year status.
