Dental Hygiene, AAS

OVERVIEW

Program Narrative

Dental Hygiene is a rewarding field that offers flexible work schedules and attractive salaries. If you are interested in working directly with clients to help them achieve and maintain optimal oral health, a career in Dental Hygiene could be a great option.

Dental hygienists are licensed oral health professionals who play an essential role in the field of dentistry. Dental hygienists provide a variety of services that prevent, or limit the extent of, cavities and/or gum disease. They also provide educational, clinical and therapeutic services for people of all ages and in every situation. As a licensed hygienist you could have the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of a range of populations, including the medically compromised, mentally or physically challenged, and socially or culturally disadvantaged. While most dental hygienists practice in private dental offices, others provide services in hospitals, private businesses, correctional institutions and a variety of private and public centers.

Northampton's Dental Hygiene program is among the most respected in Pennsylvania. During the two-year program, all pre-clinical and clinical practice occurs in the dental clinic located at the Fowler Family Southside Center campus. Professional hygienists working in the field enhance the hands-on aspects of the clinical portion of the program. The dental hygiene program is competency-based and assesses all clinical and laboratory courses using pass/fail criteria. Students must earn grades of C (75%) or better in all DENH courses to qualify for semester promotion. If you are interested in a higher level of education, Northampton has developed articulation agreements with dental hygiene baccalaureate degree programs to facilitate admissions and the transfer of credits.

Northampton's program in Dental Hygiene 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 60611-2678. www.ada.org

Program Mission

While upholding the mission and vision of Northampton Community College, the Dental Hygiene program provides excellent, comprehensive learning experiences to prepare students with the knowledge and clinical skills to competently practice as dental hygienists.

Statement of Values

The Dental Hygiene program values:

• Excellence - Quality in the educational experiences that we provide

• Innovation - Curricular responsiveness to adapt quickly to changes in the profession

• Sustainability - Commitment through our professional actions to respond to the institution, the community, the economy and the environment

• Accountability - Individual responsibility for his/her actions, growth and development

• Integrity - Academic, personal and professional honesty, fairness, ethical conduct and respect for others

• Diversity Equity & Inclusion - Environment that fosters and values every person's contributions, celebrating the ways in which cultures, identities, and backgrounds enrich the dental hygiene program and enhance our profession

• Engagement - Involvement in and collaboration with, the communities we serve

Career Potential: Public Health Dental Hygiene Practitioner, Dental Sales, Dental Hygiene Instructor, School Hygienist, Registered Dental Hygienist in a general, periodontic, pediatric, prosthodontic and/or orthodontic private practice.

Transfer Potential: Penn College of Technology, West Virginia University, Farmingdale State College, University of Bridgeport, St. Petersburg College