Dental: Hygiene

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Overview

If you are interested in pursuing a career in the health care industry as a dental hygienist, then look into BTC’s Dental Hygiene program. You’ll learn the clinical skills and core professional values needed to launch a rewarding career in private and public settings, such as dental offices and public health clinics. Dental hygiene students learn under the supervision of licensed dentists and dental hygienists on state-of-the-art equipment in BTC’s on-campus dental clinic. Program graduates are well-positioned for employment, with the hands-on clinical experience employers need today.

The Dental Hygiene Program is approved by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA).

Program Outcomes

After successfully completing the Dental Hygiene program, students will be able to:

• Demonstrate positive work ethics, team skills and professional values integral to the profession of Dental Hygiene.
• Utilize wellness, health determinants, and characteristics of various patient populations to promote oral health and reduce health risks in a variety of settings.
• Apply current dental hygiene techniques, instruments, and materials to provide preventive and therapeutic services in accordance with all safety and health standards.
• Assess, plan, implement, and evaluate community-based health promotion and prevention programs and activities to benefit the general population.
• Demonstrate cognitive retention of dental terminology, theory, and science.
• Identify and access opportunities for professional growth and development.
• Apply the principles of evidence-based research and decision making in the planning and implementation of dental hygiene care.
• Qualify for all national and regional examinations required to practice as a Registered Dental Hygienist in the State of Washington.
• Manage medical emergencies and provide appropriate life support measures using professional judgment.

Placement Requirements

Healthcare & Work Experience. Dental Hygiene applicants must submit a DH Healthcare Experience Verification Form for prior approval. Experience in healthcare may be demonstrated by certification and work experience in an allied healthcare field.

Degree Requirements

Dental Hygiene Degree completion requires a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher and minimum grade of C/2.0 for required courses.

Additional Requirements

The Dental Hygiene Program has a separate admission process from admission to BTC. Students must be admitted into a cohort before beginning nursing coursework. See the Dental Hygiene Program website for more information about the current admission requirements and process.

CLINICAL PLACEMENT REQUIREMENTS:

After acceptance into the Dental Hygiene Program but prior to beginning clinical rotations, students must complete the clinical placement process and be at least 18 years of age. Clinical requirements include:

• Criminal background check
• 10-Panel urine drug screen
• Physical examination
• Tuberculous screening
• Required immunizations
• Current American Heart Association BLS for Provider CPR certification
• Medical Insurance Coverage

More information about the clinical placement requirements process is on the Dental Hygiene Program website.

Programs

• Dental Hygiene, AAS-T

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