Dental Hygiene, A.S.

Associate of Science Degree: (DEH-AS)

About the Program

The Dental Hygiene Associate of Science degree program at Wayne County Community College District is a prominent career for individuals interested in working as an important part of the dental healthcare team. The dental hygienist learns specialized clinical skills to provide direct patient care, and may be responsible for community distribution of information related to the prevention of oral diseases and the maintenance of oral health. The demand for dental services will continue to grow due to the success of preventive dentistry in reducing the incidence of oral diseases. Dentists will need to employ more dental hygienists to meet the increased demand for dental services.

Dental Hygienists are important members of the dental health care team. Their primary duties include the following: oral prophylaxis, such as scaling, root planning and polishing, recording medical/dental history, diagnostic data collection, dental charting, oral cancer screening, oral examinations, treatment planning; expose and interpret dental radiographs, apply fluoride, and dental sealants, teach patients proper oral hygiene techniques, counsel patients about plaque control, develop individualized at home oral hygiene programs, counsel patients on the importance of good nutrition for maintaining optimal oral health and performing other clinical dental hygiene services. The Dental Hygiene program is designed to prepare students to become competent oral health clinicians and educators. Admission to the program is limited and competitive. Upon completion of this program, students are eligible to take the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination and The Commission on Dental Competency Assessments, Western Regional Examining Board and Council of Interstate Testing Agencies, Inc. Examination. The Michigan Board of Dentistry may deny dental hygiene licensure to an applicant who has been convicted of a criminal offense.

This Program Offers:

• Associate of Science Degree: 83 credit hours

Program Goals

• Prepare a dental hygienist who will be competent with respect to “Competencies for the Dental Hygiene”
• Maintain a contemporary program curriculum that reflects evidence-based research of the practicing dental hygienist
• Prepare students to pass all licensing examinations successfully
• Maintain expert dental hygiene faculty and staff with relevant work experience, educational methodology and lifelong learning experiences
• Maintain admissions policies to ensure qualified students
• Maintain an active Advisory Committee
• Satisfy patients with the quality of student dental hygiene care
• Maintain a quality assurance program for patient care

Program Outcomes

• The dental hygiene graduate must be able to discern and manage ethical issues of dental hygiene practice in a rapidly changing environment
• The dental hygiene graduate must be able to acquire and synthesize information in a critical, scientific and effective manner in order to provide dental hygiene care to promote patient health and wellness
• The dental hygiene graduate must be concerned with improving the knowledge, skills and values of the profession
• The dental hygiene graduate must be able to provide planned educational services using appropriate interpersonal communication skills and educational strategies to promote optimum health
• The dental hygiene graduate must be able to initiate and assume responsibility for health promotion and disease prevention activities for diverse populations
• The dental hygiene graduate must be able to provide accurate consistent and complete documentation systematically collect, analyze and accurately record baseline data on the general oral and psychological health status using methods consistent with medicolegal principles
• The dental hygiene graduate must be able to discuss the conditions of the oral cavity, actual and potential problems, etiological and contributing factors and recommended and alternative treatments available
• This involves collaborating with the patient and or other health professionals to formulate a comprehensive dental hygiene care plan that is patient centered and based on current scientific evidence
• The dental hygiene graduate must be able to provide patient centered care that is culturally appropriate and based on current standards of practice and specialized treatment that includes preventive and therapeutic procedures to promote and maintain oral health and assist the patient in achieving oral health goals
• The dental hygiene graduate must be able to evaluate the effectiveness of planned clinical and educational services and modify as necessary

Admission Requirements

Admission is competitive and based on previous academic performance, test scores, criminal background check, letters of recommendation, an interview and fulfillment of ALL admission requirements. Deadline for application to the program is May 15th and admission is granted prior to the Fall semester. Additional admission information is provided during DEN 100, Professional Development, or upon request from the Dental Hygiene Program office. Once a student has been admitted there will be additional required information that the student must submit to the dental hygiene program office.

Students must complete the following:

• Fulfill all WCCCD admission requirements
• Possess a high school diploma or GED
• Must be 18 years of age or older
• Declare intent to enter the Dental Hygiene program by submitting an Allied Health Application
• Successful completion of the Admission Assessment Exam before acceptance
• Obtain a Criminal Background Check
• Provide transcripts of all other institutions to Dental Hygiene Program office
• Before clinical participation, students must show:
  • Attend mandatory New Student Orientation
  • Documentation of current immunizations or immunity for tetanus, MMR and Varicella
  • Receive the Hepatitis B vaccination or declare intent to receive or decline the vaccination
  • Must test negative on a TB test
  • Complete CPR training (A CPR course is offered by the College)
  • Obtain a Criminal Background Check
  • Documentation of a standardized dental and health examination
  • Obtain an Instrument Kit from approved vendor (discussed in detail during orientation)

Degree Requirements

• Students must complete all course work with a grade of “C” or better to meet graduation requirements