College Catalog

This curriculum offers the theoretical and clinical education needed for a variety of dental hygiene careers. The major provides a diversified background to prepare students for licensing exams, for additional education and for immediate employment.

Career Opportunities

Dental hygienists are employed by dentists in private dental practices, research, government health agencies, school systems, hospital and industrial clinics, military services, and in dental hygiene education programs.

Recommended High School Subjects

Because of the strong emphasis on science in this major, applicants must have successfully completed one year of high school biology and two years of high school algebra. It also is recommended that the applicant have chemistry with a laboratory.

Special Admissions Requirements

SAT scores are strongly advised for applicants applying within two years of high school graduation. A minimum 2.0 GPA in math/science is required in order to be considered for admission in the major. Acceptance into this competitive major is based on an admissions ranking process. To view detailed information on acceptance criteria, testing requirements, performance expectations, and the admissions ranking system, consult the Special Admissions page (http://www.pct.edu/catalog/specialadmission.htm ) of this website.

Special Equipment Needs

Upon admission to this major, additional expenses will be encountered for uniforms, personal protective equipment, and instruments.

Remediation Strategies

Deficiencies identified by placement testing will be remediated prior to admission. Chemistry must be satisfied prior to admission to the major. Applicants not having a "C" or better in high school chemistry with a lab within the past 10 years must pass one of the following: CHM 100, or CHM 108 or higher, or an adult education chemistry course at an approved high school prior to admission to the Dental Hygiene major.

Transfer Procedures

Students in this major can transfer to the Dental Hygiene bachelor-degree option (BHM or BHP) or the Applied Health Studies major (BAH). This major will subscribe to the transfer standards established by the College.

Program Goals

A graduate of this major should be able to:

• apply a professional code of ethics in all endeavors.
• adhere to State and Federal laws and regulations in the provision of dental hygiene care.
• utilize methods to ensure the health and safety of the patient and the dental hygienist in the delivery of dental hygiene.
• manage medical emergencies in the patient care environment through recognition and/or provision of appropriate life support measures.
• assume responsibility for dental hygiene actions and care based on accepted scientific theories and research as well as the accepted standard of care.
• provide accurate, complete, and confidential documentation of dental hygiene services rendered in the dental hygiene process of care.
• evaluate published reports of oral health research and critically apply this information to the practice of dental hygiene.
• communicate effectively with individuals and groups.
• promote and support the profession through service activities and affiliations with professional organizations.
• perform self-assessment for life-long learning and professional growth.
• identify dental hygiene career opportunities within healthcare systems, industry, education, and research.
• collect, analyze, and record data on the general, oral, and psychosocial health status of a variety of patients using methods consistent with medicolegal principles.
• use critical decision-making skills to reach conclusions about the patient's dental hygiene needs based on all available assessment data.
• consider methods that can be used to promote patient adherence to disease prevention and/or health maintenance strategies.
• collaborate with the patient and other health professionals to formulate a comprehensive dental hygiene care plan that is patient-centered and based on current scientific evidence.
• provide specialized treatment that includes preventive and therapeutic services designed to achieve and maintain oral health; assist in achieving oral health goals formulated in collaboration with the patient.
• evaluate the effectiveness of the implemented clinical, preventive, and educational services and modify as needed.
• assess, plan, implement, and evaluate program and activities that comprise community dental health.

Performance Standards

Students must earn a minimum grade of 'C' in each aspect of their dental hygiene courses. Failure to do so will result in termination from the major.

Curriculum

Notice of Conviction

Child abuse clearance and criminal background checks are required by some agencies involved in fieldwork and/or capstones. Agencies can bar students from their sites if a criminal record exists or a positive drug test is noted. By virtue of contract for Penn College students to be at clinical sites, agencies have the right to ask for random drug testing. The Pennsylvania Board of Dentistry advises that a drug-related conviction and/or conviction of a felonious act can result in denial and/or revocation of a license to practice dental hygiene.

Inability to gain clinical or fieldwork or intern education experiences results in inability to meet program objectives and outcomes.

For additional clarification, students can speak with their program director.

Accreditation

The Dental Hygiene major is accredited by the 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, IL 60611-2678. The Commission's web address is: (http://www.ada.org/117.aspx).