Notations
A. For students considering the dental hygiene program it is highly recommended to schedule an appointment with a Health and Wellness Advisor prior to starting the dental hygiene prerequisites. This will be an opportunity to review the dental hygiene prerequisites, discuss the student's career choice and possible transfer credits, and to assist in planning for the Scholar Admission.
B. Students must complete the Validation Application and receive a “Semester and Year of Validation” to be eligible to enter the program. It is recommended that this application be submitted during the final semester of prerequisite courses. Validation is a process that allows the Registrar’s Office to review and confirm that the student has completed prerequisite courses and requirements of this program. 20 students are accepted for DH courses each Fall semester, by a combination of Scholar Admission and by the waitlist.
C. Validation requirements: 1) completion of prerequisite courses BIO 152W and BIO 153W or BIO 240 and BIO 241 , ENG 111 , ENG 112 or course equivalents with a “B” (3. 0) minimum grade; completion of PSY 101W or PSY 211W , BIO 203W , COM 112W , or COM 114W , DH 100 , DH 101 , with a “C” (2. 0) minimum grade; 3) Students must maintain a 3. 0 GPA or higher in the prerequisite courses required for valildation. 4) Completion of BIO 152W and BIO 153W , or BIO 240 and BIO 241 within the past five years is required for validation. If this time period is exceeded, an approved biology course must be taken to refresh this content. Please see the Dental Hygiene program coordinator to determine which course(s) must be taken. 5) During the final semester of prerequisite courses students must submit the validation application to the Registrar’s Office. POL 103W and SOC 211W are not required for Validation or for the Scholar Application but are graduation requirements.
D. Scholar applications are emailed to all validated students each year in April/May.
E. Students who anticipate pursuing a Bachelor’s Degree are recommended to take the following courses: BIO 152W and BIO 153W , PSY 211W , and ENG 112 . Students should should should meet with an advisor to discuss transfer options.
F. Dental hygiene students are required to successfully complete DH 101 for Dental Anatomy. However, DA 113W Oral Anatomy & Physiology may be substituted for DH 101 if a “B” (3. 0) or higher was achieved in the course.
G. According to State rules and regulations, a background check is required prior to applying for licensure and licensure may be delayed or denied depending on the history of convictions involving felonies, misdemeanors, and/or involving controlled substances (including traffic violations). Questions dealing with this issue should be directed to the Michigan State Office of Health Services at (517) 335-0918. Background check is required prior to applying for licensure.
H. Once validated, students must waitlist themselves each year during the Special Clinical Registration Period to be eligible to begin the program and to remain validated. Failure to complete the waitlist process annually will result in removal from the validation list. See the validation page on the website for more information and dates.
I. Following entry to the program via special clinical registration, students are required to complete health requirements including but not limited to 1) physical exam with completion of physical form, 2) current CPR certification BLS for the healthcare provider/professional rescuer provider certification, 3) an annual TB skin test, 4) immunization records including MMR, Td/Tdap, Varicella, and Hepatitis B or signed waiver. These requirements will be discussed at the required orientation. All certifications and immunizations must be up-to-date and remain current throughout the program. It is highly recommended that the student talk to a physician about receiving the hepatitis vaccine before the student starts the dental hygiene program.
J. In addition to tuition, fees, and textbook costs, students should plan for the following expenses following successful clinical entry: immunizations and CPR, BLS for healthcare provider certification to meet health requirements, laboratory coats, clinic shoes, scrubs, safety glasses, dental hygiene instrument kits, board examination fees, board review fees, and additional miscellaneous purchases. Program costs are provided in DH 100 , DH 101 , at Orientation and are published in the DH Program Student Handbook and on this page the Dental Hygiene Program webpage under “Additional Costs”. Students are responsible for paying the cost of any medical care that might be necessary if they are injured or become ill as a result of clinical practice activities. The College does not provide insurance coverage for such situations.
K. Dental hygiene courses are offered mostly during day hours with some evenings held Monday through Friday. Evening and Saturday hours may be included for certain required activities. Clinical courses must be taken together concurrently in the sequence shown.
L. Students must achieve a minimum “C” (2. 0) grade in each Dental Hygiene program course to be eligible to continue in the program. Students must achieve a minimum “C” (2. 0) grade in LW 206A , LWA 206B , and LWA 206C to be eligible to continue in the program. These courses meet the Lifelong Wellness graduation requirement.
M. Students who have a first course failure or withdrawal within the second or subsequent semester of their clinical program may complete a request for reentry. Reentry guidelines are published in the DH Student Handbook.
N. Also see “Dual Degrees.”
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