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Your Curriculum

Dental Hygiene (2008-2009)*
(Restricted Entry, Associate of Applied Science Degree Program)

*Information regarding the requirements for this Restricted Entry program is available by accessing the Admission Requirements page.

MHCC Faculty Advisor
Teresa H. Tong: 503-491-7691 - Room AC 2726 Teri.Tong@mhcc.edu

The Dental Hygiene program at Mt. Hood Community College is six quarters in length, leading to an associate degree. Academic instruction in basic and dental sciences is integrated with instruction in dental hygiene therapy, dental procedures, and work in clinical settings to provide a total learning experience for the dental hygiene student. Having completed the program and passed National and Regional Board examinations for dental hygienists, the graduate can be licensed to practice. Some institutions and agencies require a baccalaureate degree for employment. To this end, many courses in the Mt. Hood Community College dental hygiene curriculum are transferable to four-year colleges and can be applied toward a bachelor’s degree.

Program Outcomes

At the completion of this program, the student should be able to:

• prepare dental hygienists who will be able to effectively assess, plan, implement and evaluate current dental hygiene services
• develop appropriate decision making skills and the utilization of professional judgment, conduct and ethics to provide optimum patient care
• promote innovative approaches to problem solving and critical thinking that stimulate independence and responsibility
• enhance communication skills that enable students to work effectively with diverse populations as members of the health care team
• promote active participation and leadership in community activities and professional associations
• instill a commitment to continued education and skill development.

Prospective students must satisfactorily meet admission program criteria and the application deadline to be considered for admission. Application packets are available on our web site at www.mhcc.edu/LRadmissions. Information sessions are also offered on a regular basis. The information sessions are listed in the application packets. Once you have read the application materials and attended an information session, you may call 503-491-7341 if you have questions about the admission process.

Employment Opportunities/Personal Aptitude

Areas of employment open to dental hygienists include private dental offices or clinics, industrial dental programs, public health, etc. Salaries vary and are commensurate with experience and scope of responsibilities. Opportunities for dental hygienists are excellent. The personal requirements necessary to succeed as a dental hygienist begin with a strong belief in the importance of good oral health and include an aptitude for the biological sciences. Of prime importance are manual dexterity, high ethical standards, a genuine interest in science and an ability to work with people.

NOTE: Prior to entry into the Dental Hygiene program, students must satisfactorily complete CH104, CH105 and CH106, or the equivalent, as well as selected high school level coursework. CH104 must be completed prior to the application deadline. During the program students must maintain a C grade or better in all dental hygiene courses to progress and to be recommended for dental hygiene licensure examinations.

Although BI121 and BI122 is the anatomy and physiology sequence currently required, students are encouraged to enroll in BI231, BI232 and BI233. This more advanced series fulfills the anatomy and physiology requirement and may transfer more readily for advanced degrees.

All classes outside the core curriculum (those not preceded by DH) except general pathology may be taken prior to admission to the Dental Hygiene program.

Students who used the College Placement Test (CPT) to demonstrate mathematics proficiency for program admission as of 2004 – 2005 will not meet the general education requirement for the Associate of Applied Science Degree. Three credits of a mathematics course (MTH65 or higher, excluding MTH211) must be transcripted before graduation. Please see pages 7-10 of the printed catalog for more details about the general education requirements of the Applied Associate of Science Degree. To receive points on your application a 100-level or higher mathematics course must be completed (excluding MTH211).

Please check the MHCC website for any curricular changes that have occurred since the catalog was published.

1 All students are required to participate in a background check and drug testing prior to attending clinical rotations.

‡See pages 7-10 in the printed catalog.