Dental Hygiene

QCC student and professor work on patient in dental clinic

Program Code:

Degree:

Associate in Science

This program may be completed at QCC Worcester (Main Campus).
This program may be completed face-to-face.

Program Contact Email:

dentalhygiene@qcc.mass.edu

Additional Information

Goals

Program Goals:

The QCC Dental Hygiene associate degree program includes the following program goals:
To accept students into the program who have the potential for achieving the stated competencies.
To provide a curriculum that will prepare students to meet the competencies of the program with the knowledge and skills required to provide comprehensive dental hygiene services based on current standards of care.
To prepare each dental hygiene graduate to assume responsibility for ethical dental hygiene care in accordance with the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, as member of the oral healthcare team.
To graduate students who value the importance of being affiliated with their professional organization.
To develop and provide ongoing continuing education programs for community dental professionals.
To provide quality dental hygiene care to the community within the parameters of the educational requirements of the program.

Student Learning Outcomes:

Upon completion of the program, graduates will be able to:

Provide the Dental Hygiene Process of care to a diverse population, including the child, adolescent, adult, geriatric, compromised patient and patients with all classifications of periodontal disease as well as in assessing the treatment needs of patients with special needs.
Demonstrate effective interpersonal and communication skills in the interaction with diverse population groups and other members of the healthcare team.
Assess, analyze data, plan, implement and evaluate community-based oral health programs including health promotion and disease prevention activities.
Apply legal and regulatory concepts to the provision and/or support of oral healthcare services.
Apply of the principles of ethical reasoning, ethical decision making and professional responsibility as they pertain to academic environment, research, patient care and patient management.
Utilize technology as a learning resource and for information management.
Evaluate current scientific literature and research.
Manage comprehensive patient care utilizing critical thinking, problem solving skills and apply self-assessment skills in preparation for life-long learning.
Represent and support the profession through community service and affiliations with professional organizations.
Provide appropriate life support measures for medical emergencies that may be encountered in dental hygiene practice.

Classes

Curriculum:

Course Title	Course #	Semester Offered	Credits	Prerequisites
Semester 1 (Summer I) Register for and successfully complete all courses to graduate in nine semesters. Complete BIO 111 with a grade of "C" or higher. Complete ENG 101. Complete prerequisite(s) for CHM 101.
Anatomy & Physiology I	BIO 111	F/S/SU	4	BIO 101 or High School Advanced Placement Biology, Coreq: ENG 101
Composition I	ENG 101	F/S/SU	3	ENG 091 with a grade of "C" or higher, ENG 096 with a grade of "C" or higher; or approp place score
		Total	7
Semester 2 (Summer II) Complete both BIO 112 and CHM 101 with grades of "C" or higher.
Anatomy & Physiology II	BIO 112	F/S/SU	4	BIO 111
Introduction to the Chemistry of Living Systems	CHM 101	F/S/SU	4	CHM 090 or one year of High School Chemistry, MAT 095 with a grade of "C" or higher; or approp place score
Dental Anatomy	DHY 125	SU	1
		Total	9
Semester 3 (Fall) Meet with a QCC Career Services Representative and attend Workshops. See www.QCC.edu/career-services.
Dental Hygiene Process I	DHY 111	F	4	BIO 112, CHM 101, DHY 125
Anatomy of the Head & Neck	DHY 121	F	2	Admission to Dental Assisting or Dental Hygiene program
Oral Histology & Embryology	DHY 123	F	2
Dental Radiology	DHY 131	F	3
Introduction to Psychology	PSY 101	F/S/SU	3	ENG 091 with a grade of "C" or higher, ENG 096 with a grade of "C" or higher; or approp place score
		Total	14
Semester 4 (Intersession)
Practice Management for the Dental Hygienist	DHY 116	IN	1	DHY 111
		Total	1
Semester 5 (Spring) Meet with a Career Services Representative for Job Search Assistance services.
Dental Hygiene Process II	DHY 112	S	5	BIO 112, CHM 101, DHY 111, DHY 131, Coreq: DHY 250
Periodontology	DHY 124	S	2
Oral Pathology	DHY 126	S	2
Local Anesthesia for the Dental Hygienist	DHY 150	S	2	BIO 111, CHM 101, DHY 111, DHY 121, DHY 125, DHY 131, Coreq: BIO 112, DHY 112
Nutrition in Oral and Systemic Health	DHY 250	S	2	BIO 112, Coreq: DHY 112
		Total	13
Semester 6 (Summer I) Complete BIO 232 with a grade of "C" or higher.
Medical Microbiology	BIO 232	F/S/SU	4	BIO 112 or CHM 105 or CHM 123
Composition II	ENG 102	F/S/SU	3	ENG 101
		Total	7
Semester 7 (Summer II)
Dental Hygiene Process Summer Clinic	DHY 113	SU	1	DHY 112, DHY 250
		Total	1
Semester 8 (Fall)
Health Promotion	DHY 201	F	2
Dental Hygiene Process III	DHY 211	F	5	BIO 112, DHY 113
Dental Pharmacology	DHY 231	F	2
Dental Materials	DHY 241	F	2
Introductory Sociology (Principles)	SOC 101	F/S/SU	3	ENG 091 with a grade of "C" or higher, ENG 096 with a grade of "C" or higher; or approp place score
		Total	14
Semester 9 (Spring) For the Liberal Arts Elective, SPH 101 suggested if considering transfer to bachelor degree program. Register for National and Regional Board Exams early in the semester. Submit an Intent to Graduate Form, located on The Q.
Dental Ethics, Jurisprudence & Professional Issues	DHY 202	S	2
Dental Hygiene Process IV	DHY 212	S	6	DHY 211
Dental Public Health	DHY 243	S	2
Liberal Arts Elective	---	F/S/SU	3
		Total	13
Total Credits Required:			79

Elective Information

Cost & Requirements

Admissions Requirements:

Students should note that some first semester courses carry minimum prerequisites. Refer to the program grid.

High School Diploma or GED/HiSET.
Must take the Accuplacer Placement Test to determine mathematics and English levels, if no college level courses were previously completed.
Mathematics: minimum grade of "B" in MAT 098 or MAT 099 or test into MAT 100-level or above.
Biology: minimum grade of "B" in high school biology or "C+" in BIO 101 (recommended) or other college level biology course.
Chemistry: minimum grade of "B" in high school chemistry or "B" in CHM 090.
English: ENG 091 with a grade of "C" or higher, ENG 096 with a grade of "C" or higher; or appropriate placement score.
Required TEAS V or TEAS scores must be achieved within two attempts of taking the test.
- English: 53%
- Reading: 53%
- Mathematics: 54%
- Science: 40%
GPA: 3.00 or equivalent in high school or 3.00 in college with minimum 10 credits; or 550 Battery Average on GED; or HiSET 45.
Attendance at a Health Information Session.
Four-hour dental office observation.

Admissions Process:

Admissions inquiries should be directed to admissions [at] qcc.mass.edu. Prospective students may apply to the program of their choice by following the enrollment steps at www.QCC.edu/enrollment-steps.

Technical Performance Standards:

See the Technical Performance Standards page. (Note: Not all programs have technical performance standards).

Credit for Prior Learning:

Students enrolled in this program may be able to earn academic credit for prior learning. Please contact Career Services & Credit for Prior Learning (Room 272A) at careerservices [at] qcc.mass.edu or 508.854.4439.

CORI, SORI, Finger Printing & Drug Testing:

Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI), Sex Offender Registry Information (SORI), and National Background checks are required in the program, either annually or every semester. Finger printing and drug testing may be required. Finger printing and drug testing results must meet clinical requirements. An issue with CORI/SORI, National Background, finger printing and/or drug testing could prevent a student from participating in a clinical/field rotation, which could result in dismissal from the program.

Additional Cost:

See the Program Fees page.

Students should anticipate additional expenses for uniforms/clinical wear, textbooks, required academic or skills remediation, membership in the Dental Hygiene Professional Association, Regional and National Board exams.

Additional Information:

The Quinsigamond Community College Dental Hygiene program is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation. The Commission is a specialized accrediting body recognized by the United States Department of Education. The Commission on Dental Accreditation can be contacted at 312.440.4653 or at 211 East Chicago Avenue, Chicago, IL 60611.
Dental hygienists must be licensed by the state in which the student practices. Licensure in Massachusetts requires that applicants pass the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination and the Commission on Dental Competency Assessments (CDCA) Examination.
Students accepted to the Dental Hygiene program must obtain Healthcare Provider level BLS/CPR certification prior to beginning the program.
Although every effort will be made to schedule patients for students, ultimately, students are responsible for supplying their own patients to meet their clinical requirements.
Clinical rotations may be required during Summer sessions or Intersession. Clinical rotations may be required off-campus throughout the duration of the program. Students are responsible for their own transportation.
Provide documentation of immunization currency and satisfactory health status and be cleared by the Health Compliance Officer by July 2.
Students are required to maintain health insurance throughout the students’ enrollment.
Annual TB testing required.
Maintain active membership in the professional organization (ADHA) throughout the duration of enrollment in the Dental Hygiene program.
In order to continue in the program, a grade of "C" or higher is required in the following courses: BIO 111, BIO 112, BIO 232, CHM 101, and all program courses designated by DHY.

Dental Assisting "Bridge" to Dental Hygiene Program:

Graduates of the QCC Dental Assisting Certificate program may transfer into the QCC Dental Hygiene - Associate in Science program; see the Dental Assisting Certificate (Program Code: DA) for details.

Career

Career Outlook:

Please consult the Massachusetts Career Information System at https://masscis.intocareers.org/ or the Occupational Outlook Handbook at www.bls.gov/ooh/ for specific occupational information. The CIP code for this program is 51.0602.

Transfer Articulations & Opportunities:

Prospective students may learn more about transfer articulation agreements at www.QCC.edu/agreements. More information regarding transfer opportunities is available at www.QCC.edu/transfer.

Dental Hygiene

The Dental Hygiene Program prepares students to enter the profession of dental hygiene. At Quinsigamond, students receive a thorough background in the sciences and dental hygiene subjects. They learn and practice their clinical skills in a modern, on-campus dental hygiene clinic.

Dental hygienists are members of the dental health care team who provide preventive oral health services, including dental health education, health promotion, oral prophylaxis, dental x-rays, fluoride treatments, pit and fissure sealants, and preliminary patient examinations. As licensed health care professionals, dental hygienists promote total health through maintenance of optimum oral health.

Career opportunities for licensed dental hygienists include positions in private dental offices, clinics, hospitals, school districts and federal, state, and local health agencies. For students who continue their education to the bachelor and master degree levels, additional career opportunities exist in public health, research, and dental hygiene education.
This program also prepares students for further study at four-year colleges and universities. To assure that courses are selected that will be applicable to a degree program at a particular four-year college or university, students should make their academic advisor aware of their intent to transfer in order to satisfy the requirements of the receiving institution.

Specialized Health Careers Advising facilitates the entry of students to Health Care Programs. All students applying should contact Health Careers Advising at 508.854.4308.

Apply for Admission Request Information

Contact QCC Admissions at 508.854.4262 for more information.

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Dental Hygiene

Additional Information

Dental Assisting "Bridge" to Dental Hygiene Program:

Dental Hygiene

My QCC

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Dental Hygiene

Additional Information

Dental Assisting "Bridge" to Dental Hygiene Program:

Dental Hygiene

My QCC

Resources

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Quinsigamond Community College