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Academic Programs

Dental Hygiene

Link to website maintained by the School of Health

The Dental Hygiene program educates men and women to become vital members of the dental health profession. The two-year basic core curriculum leading to an Associate in Science degree follows the guidelines adopted by the American Dental Association’s Commission on Dental Accreditation. The Dental Hygiene graduate must successfully pass the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination and regional clinical licensing examinations before being eligible for state licensure. These examinations are administered in the final semester of the Dental Hygiene curriculum.  Once these examinations are successfully completed, the graduate may apply for Dental Hygiene licensure in any of the fifty states.  Graduates may transfer credits to a four-year institution to complete a Baccalaureate degree. The Dental Hygiene program is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association, a specialized accrediting body recognized by the Council on Postsecondary Accreditation and by the United States Department of Education.

The curriculum is designed to provide the student a broad educational experience. The student is thus prepared to render preventive oral health services and dental health education. Students receive clinical experience at the STCC Dental Hygiene clinic, community health clinics and schools. Students are responsible to complete clinical services on a minimum number of patients. Patient recruitment is the responsibility of the student. Assistance will be provided by the College. The purchase of an instrument kit is mandatory for each dental hygiene student.

Successful completion of all courses listed in the program curriculum is required for graduation. The dental hygiene courses are offered once per year and are restricted to the semester in which they appear in the curriculum. The Dental Hygiene curriculum is completed within two academic years, once accepted into the program. Qualifying students may be exempt from certain Dental Hygiene courses upon successful completion of a challenge exam or transfer credit.

Applicants for admission to the Dental Hygiene program must be high school graduates or the equivalent. All candidates must provide verification that they have achieved grades of “C” or better in the high school level courses, or their equivalents, of algebra 2, biology w/lab, and chemistry w/lab. The SAT is suggested but not required for admission. Applicants who have completed the college-level courses of Anatomy & Physiology 1 and 2, Biochemistry, Microbiology, English Comp I, General Psychology, Introduction to Sociology, and Fundamentals of Oral Communication will be given priority in the admission process.  All accepted students must undergo a Criminal Offender Record Information or other check as part of their admission to health programs.  Results of the criminal background check my impact the applicant’s acceptance status in the Dental Hygiene program.  For further information, please contact the Office of the Dean, School of Health & Patient Simulation.

Blood-borne Pathogen Policy: Applicants are advised that there is an increased risk of dental healthcare providers and students contracting blood-borne infectious diseases.  Dental Hygiene students provide services in the oral cavity where they come in contact with blood and other potentially infectious materials (OPIM).  Although diseases may be encountered, research indicates that risks are negligible when optimal infection control is practiced.  It is required that all students complete the Hepatitis-B vaccine prior to treating patients.

All accepted students must complete, prior to semester 2 of the curriculum, the HIPAA Awareness/Privacy Training Class for Healthcare Providers, Standard First Aid, and HealthCare Provider/Professional Rescuer CPR.  First Aid and CPR certifications must be maintained by all Dental Hygiene students throughout their tenure in the program.  State licensure requires up-to-date CPR certification.

Students must achieve a minimum grade of “C” (73%), or better, in each Dental Hygiene course. In addition, students must attain a minimum grade of “C” (73%), or better, in related science and general studies courses. The student who is unable to meet this minimum requirement will be withdrawn from the program. Application for re-entry can be made only once and the decision will be based on the recommendations of the faculty and program coordinator.

Dental Hygiene Program Goals

1. Maintain admission policies to ensure qualified students with appropriate emphasis on under-represented groups.
2. Ensure that students will achieve knowledge, skills and values consistent with national dental hygiene standards.
3. Prepare dental hygiene graduates to assume responsibility for ethical dental hygiene care within the legal scope of practice in the Commonwealth of MA or other governing jurisdictions.
4. Facilitate interactive educational experiences designed to foster critical thinking, promote appreciation for evidenced based clinical practice and the need for lifelong learning.
5. Graduate students who will advance the profession through affiliation with professional organizations, and who will serve society through expertise, leadership, health education and health promotion.
6. Provide continuing education programs for community dental professionals.
7. Maintain a state of the art teaching environment.
8. Provide the highest quality of student dental hygiene care to our patients.
9. Maintain a knowledgeable, productive and diverse faculty to engage in multiple dimensions of scholarship which includes discovery, integration, application and teaching expertise to improve dental hygiene and health care.
10. Professional Rescuer CPR (Red Cross) or Healthcare Provider CPR (American Heart Association) and standard first aid must be completed before the beginning of the second semester in the program.

Dental Hygiene Information Sheet (PDF)

Programmatic Technical Standard (PDF)

Upon completion of the requirements for this program, the degree of Associate in Science in Dental Hygiene will be awarded.