Dental Hygiene (510602)

In the Real World

As a dental hygienist, an individual has the opportunity to work in a variety of settings, including:

• Being employed in a general dental practice under the general supervision of the dentist.
• Being employed in a periodontal practice under the general supervision of a periodontist.
• Being employed to provide services in hospitals, nursing homes, and public health clinics.
• Furthering their education to teach dental hygiene in dental schools or dental hygiene education programs.
• Research of dental-related products,
• Office management and business administration.
• Sales and marketing of dental-related equipment and materials.

Resources

• Careers in Dental Hygiene
• FDTC Etrieve Central for Form Submission
• Health Science Program Eligibility Form Instructions (Detailed)

Learning Goals/Objectives

Dental Hygiene Program Outcomes:

1. Dental hygiene graduates will demonstrate the necessary knowledge and skills to successfully pass the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination.
2. Dental hygiene graduates will demonstrate the necessary assessment and instrumentation skills required to successfully pass the CRDTS Clinical Examination in Dental Hygiene.

Dental Hygiene Program Student Learning Objectives:

1. Communication: Dental Hygiene graduates will be able to communicate effectively with a variety of patients from diverse backgrounds, in addition to peers and other dental health care providers.
2. Professionalism: Dental Hygiene graduates will exhibit ethical and preferred values that mirror the ADHA Code of Ethics in a variety of situations.
3. Critical Thinking: Dental Hygiene graduates will be able to apply knowledge to assess, plan, implement, evaluate and document programs and activities to benefit individual patient needs.
4. Quality and Safety: Dental Hygiene graduates will demonstrate adherence to state and federal laws, recommendations and regulations in providing quality dental hygiene care using safe and effective dental hygiene practices.
5. Life Long Learning: Dental Hygiene graduates will develop an intellectual interest and desire for continual learning both within and beyond formal education and demonstrate ability to self-assess learning needs.