Dental Hygiene >> Program Description
Program Description
Accreditation
The program in Dental Hygiene is accredited by the Commission
on Dental Accreditation and has been granted the accreditation
status of approval with reporting requirements. 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.
Associate Degree Program
Dental hygienists are vital members of the dental health care
team. They are known as the preventive oral health professionals
licensed to provide educational, clinical, and therapeutic
services to the public. 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.
The education of the dental hygienist emphasizes basic sciences,
including chemistry, medical microbiology, pathology, and
anatomy and physiology. The curriculum is designed to maximize
the integration of and promote the interrelationship between
general education, biomedical science, dental science, dental
hygiene science, and clinical practice components of preventive
dental hygiene services.
Dental Hygiene courses build on the theoretical knowledge
and clinical competencies gained each quarter. The curriculum
sequence is based on mastering fundamental theory before progressing
to more difficult levels of theory application. Upon mastery
of fundamental theory, the student will begin developing the
skills necessary to deliver preventive, educational, and therapeutic
services to the public. Comprehensive care to the patient
is provided in collaboration with the dentist by assessing
patient needs, planning for treatment and disease prevention,
implementing the treatment plan, and evaluating clinical dental
hygiene services. The Dental Hygiene curriculum is designed
to teach the cognitive, psychomotor, and affective skills
that will enable the 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 Southeast Regional
Testing Agency 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
dental hygienists.
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