Mar 28, 2024  
2018 - 2019 Catalog 
    
2018 - 2019 Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Dental Hygiene - AAS


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Program Code: AAS.20515

As a graduate of the Delta College Dental Hygiene program, the student will have the knowledge and skills to provide preventive and periodontal treatment The responsibilities of a registered dental hygienist generally include: scaling and root debridement, delivery of local anesthesia, nitrous oxide sedation, topical fluoride, antibiotic and antimicrobial medicament placement, impressions, diagnostic models, dental radiographs, dental education, nutritional counseling, and various laboratory procedures. The treatments and services are prescribed under the supervision of the dentist.

The Dental Hygiene program at Delta College is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association (CODA). CODA is a specialized accrediting body recognized by the Council on Postsecondary Accreditation and the U.S. Department of Education.

Upon successfully completing the CODA accredited Dental Hygiene program at Delta College, the student will be eligible to take the National, Regional and State Board Examinations for Dental Hygiene licensure.

There are various employment opportunities for the registered dental hygienist. The registered hygienist may choose employment in a general or specialty dental practice, schools, clinics, hospitals, HMOs, public health, or governmental agencies. The dental hygienist may also be employed in the area of management, research, sales, consulting or education.

Fall First Year:


Total Semester Credits: 15


Winter First Year:


Total Semester Credits: 15


Total Semester Credits: 18


Total Semester Credits: 17


Total Semester Credits: 8.5


Total Semester Credits: 17.5


Total Semester Credits: 12


Total Credits: 103


Notations


  1. A grade of "C" (2.0) or better is required in all courses (except courses listed in Note B).
  2. A minimum grade of "B" (3.0) is required in BIO 140W  (or BIO 152W  and BIO 153W  or BIO 240  and BIO 241  with a minimum grade of "C" and DA 113W  with a minimum grade of "B").
  3. For students considering the dental hygiene program it is highly recommended to schedule an appointment with a Health and Wellness Counselor/ Advisor. This will be an opportunity to review the dental hygiene prerequisites, discuss the student's career choice, and possible transfer opportunities prior to starting the dental hygiene prerequisites.
  4. Every Fall semester a maximum of 20 students will be accepted into the dental hygiene program.
  5. Dental hygiene prerequisite qualifications are: a) high school graduate or GED equivalent; b) admission to Delta College; c) submission of complete transcripts from high school and other colleges attended to Delta College; d) successful completion of prerequisite courses; e) upon succesful completion of the dental hygiene prerequisite courses the student must follow the validation procedures as outlined in Health Program procedures of this catalog.
  6. Dental hygiene courses are offered mostly during day hours with some evening and Saturday hours, and must be taken together in the sequence shown. You must achieve a minimum “C” (2.0) grade in each dental hygiene course to be eligible to continue in the program.
  7. After enrolling in the dental hygiene program, the student must have a complete physical examination, including TB and Hepatitis carrier tests. It is highly recommended that the student talk to the family physician about receiving the hepatitis vaccine before the student starts the dental hygiene program.
  8. The student must maintain a current Professional Rescuer CPR certification throughout the dental hygiene program. In the state of Michigan the registered dental hygienist must always have a current CPR Professional Rescuer certification.
  9. In addition to tuition, fees, and textbook costs, the student must purchase laboratory coats, clinic shoes, scrubs, safety glasses, dental hygiene instrument kits, board examination fees, board review fees, and additional miscellaneous purchases. Please see the dental hygiene handbook for detailed information regarding the additional fees per semester.
  10. Student re-entry procedures are printed in the handbook given to all dental hygiene program students.
  11. 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.
  12. According to State rules and regulations, 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.
  13. Successful completion of LW 206A , LWA 206B , and LWA 206C  meets the Lifelong Wellness graduation requirement.
  14. Also see “Dual Degrees.”

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