Dental Hygiene

Description
The two-year program in Dental Hygiene prepares graduates for careers in preventive dentistry.
Working under the supervision of a dentist, the dental hygienist provides patient care through clinical service and dental health counseling. Graduates of the program find employment in private dental offices, hospitals, clinics, and community health agencies.

The program is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association, 211 East Chicago Avenue, Chicago, IL, 60611; phone (312)440-4653, and is registered with the State Education Department.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS: CPR certification (CPR for health professionals, including adult, child and infant - no on-line courses), Admission to this program is conditional upon meeting medical requirements, clearance of existing problem(s), and ability to meet technical standards (physical demands) of the program.

The program includes courses in liberal arts, basic dental science and clinical experience. All students will complete off-campus clinical assignments as part of their clinical experience.

A minimum grade of C is necessary in all required Dental Studies courses for continued matriculation in the program. No student may progress to the next Dental Studies course level without successful completion of all courses in the previous level. A student who has been previously enrolled in Dental Studies and earned a grade below C or a W in the course will not be eligible for admission/re-admission to Dental Studies, unless there are documented extenuating circumstances that warrant consideration. A student who believes that there is an extenuating circumstance should speak with an advisor in the Admissions Office or the Advisement Center. Re-admission of students after an unsuccessful attempt requires permission of the department and is always on a space available basis. Such an appeal may be made only one time. Dental Studies is a high-demand, competitive program; therefore, re-admission to the Dental Studies program is rare. Any student who is re-admitted to the Dental Studies program and fails to achieve a grade of C or higher a second time is ineligible to continue in the Dental Studies program. Admission/re-admission is always on a space available basis. Students must follow the sequence of courses semester by semester as presented. A student who fails to achieve the C in the fourth semester DEN courses will be ineligible for graduation. Successful completion of the program permits admission to licensure examinations. Students must also take a clinical exam in the region in which they plan to practice. MCC Dental Hygiene students take the National Board examination after graduation. Dental hygienists must be licensed in order to practice. Prior to clinical experience, students must have a physical examination. Students are required to recruit patients in order to meet clinical requirements.
(Housed in the Health Professions Department)

Program Learning Outcomes
1.Apply a professional code of ethics in all endeavors using the highest professional knowledge and ethical principles within the context of the New York State Dental Hygiene Practice Act
2.Collect analyze and record data on the general oral and health status of patients using methods consistent with medical and legal principles
3.Use decision-making skills to determine the patient’s needs related to his/her oral health and overall health based on all available data.
4.Provide individualized care (and will be prepared to manage medical emergencies) that include accepted infection control procedures and appropriate education preventive therapeutic and referral services to assist the patient in achieving and maintaining optimal oral health.
5.Evaluate the effectiveness of educational preventive therapeutic and referral services and modify those services if necessary to assist the client in achieving and maintaining optimal health
6.Assess plan implement and evaluate community-based oral health programs to a diverse population including health promotion and disease prevention activities.
7.Analyze scientific literature and use an evidence-based approach to patient care
8.Support the profession of dental hygiene through participation and affiliation with professional and community organizations

Employment Potential
For related jobs: Career Coach
Occupational Resource: http://www.onetonline.org

Requirements for Program Entrance
High school Algebra or MTH 098 at MCC with a grade of C or better. Biology and Chemistry with a grade of C or better.

Competitive Admission — Please contact the Admissions Office regarding current admission criteria and/or geographic limitations.

Distribution Requirements	Credit Hours
FIRST SEMESTER
BIO 134 Essentials of Human Anatomy and Physiology I (grade of C or higher required)*	3
DEN 110 Dental Health Education (grade of C or higher required)	1
DEN 111 Dental Radiography I (grade of C or higher required)	2
DEN 112 Oral Anatomy and Physiology I (grade of C or higher required)	2
DEN 113 Barrier Precautions and Infection Control Measures (grade of C or higher required)	1
DEN 114 Dental Hygiene I (grade of C or higher required)	2
DEN 115 Clinical Dental Hygiene I (grade of C or higher required)	2
ENG 101 College Composition (grade of C or higher required) OR ENG 200 Advanced Composition (grade of C or higher required)	3
Total	16
SECOND SEMESTER
BIO 135 Essentials of Human Anatomy and Physiology II (grade of C or higher required)*	3
BIO 202 Microbiology (grade of C or higher required)	4
DEN 121 Dental Radiography II (grade of C or higher required)	2
DEN 122 Oral Anatomy and Physiology II (grade of C or higher required)	2
DEN 123 General & Oral Pathology I (grade of C or higher required)	1
DEN 124 Dental Hygiene II (grade of C or higher required)	2
DEN 125 Clinical Dental Hygiene II (grade of C or higher required)	3
DEN 129 Periodontics I (grade of C or higher required)	1
Total	18
THIRD SEMESTER
BIO 217 Nutrition (grade of C or higher required)	3
DEN 211 Dental Materials (grade of C or higher required)	2
DEN 212 Community Dentistry I (grade of C or higher required)	1
DEN 213 General & Oral Pathology II (grade of C or higher required)	1
DEN 214 Dental Hygiene III (grade of C or higher required)	2
DEN 215 Clinical Dental Hygiene III (grade of C or higher required)	4
DEN 216 Dental Therapeutics I (grade of C or higher required)	1
DEN 217 Dental Specialties (grade of C or higher required)	1
DEN 219 Periodontics II (grade of C or higher required)	1
Total	16
FOURTH SEMESTER
DEN 222 Community Dentistry II (grade of C or higher required)	2
DEN 224 Dental Hygiene IV (grade of C or higher required)	2
DEN 225 Clinical Dental Hygiene IV (grade of C or higher required)	4
DEN 226 Dental Therapeutics II (grade of C or higher required)	1
DEN 229 Periodontics III (grade of C or higher required)	1
CHE 124 General, Organic, and Biochemistry (grade of C or higher required)	4
PSY 101 Introductory Psychology (grade of C or higher required)	3
SOC 101 Introduction to Sociology (grade of C or higher required)	3
Total	20
TOTAL CREDITS	70

*BIO 144 and 145 may be taken instead of BIO 134 and 135.
Revised 5/17/2024