Mar 28, 2024  
2015-2016 Course Catalog 
    
2015-2016 Course Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Dental Hygiene, AAS


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The Dental Hygiene curriculum is designed to prepare graduates for positions in general and specialty dental offices, hospitals, schools, public health agencies and industrial agencies.

Students are trained in educational methods and preventive clinical services that qualify them as dental health educators and competent clinicians. Emphasis is placed on the correlation between prevention, education and the clinical phases of dental hygiene practice, and on basic and social sciences.

The Dental Hygiene program is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation, a specialized accrediting body recognized by the Council of Postsecondary Accreditation and the United States Department of Education.

For more information about the Dental Hygiene program, please visit our website at www.dmacc.edu/programs/dentalhygiene.

Location: Ankeny

Program Entry Requirements

  1. Complete an application for admission.
  2. Attend a Dental Hygiene program information session.
  3. Provide proof of high school graduation or GED completion.
  4. Complete required COMPASS testing, obtaining satisfactory scores in Reading (81 or above) and Writing (70 or above) or ACT scores in Reading (19 or above) and English (19 or above).
  5. Complete   OR BOTH   AND   with a grade of “C” (not C-) or better.
  6. Complete   with a grade of “C” (not C-) or better.
  7. Complete   OR   with a grade of “C” (not C-) or better.

When transferring equivalent courses to DMACC, an official transcript must be sent to the Admissions Office as courses are completed.

Wait List Processing

Position on the Wait List will be determined by the number of support courses completed. Support courses are:

  

  

  

  

  OR   

When there is no completion of any remaining support courses for three years from the date the student’s name went on the Wait List, the applicant will be deleted from the list.

Graduation Requirements

To earn a Dental Hygiene AAS degree, a student must successfully complete all dental hygiene and liberal arts support courses required in the curriculum, achieving a grade of “C” (not C-) or better in each course. In order to progress to the next semester of the Dental Hygiene program, all required courses in the current semester must be completed with a grade of “C” or better.

Note: Criminal background checks will be completed on each student. Criminal convictions or documented history of abuse may prevent students from participating in clinical experiences. Students who do not participate in clinical education will be unable to complete the program.

Required Course(s)


Total Credits Required to Complete this AAS Degree - 73


Fixed Costs


Tuition……………………………………………………………………………………..$143.00 per credit

The costs for each program are estimates and subject to change.

Varied Costs


  Semester 1 Semester 2 Semester 3 Semester 4 Semester 5
Books (approximate) 750   461 305 160   120
SADHA Dues   65     65    
Uniforms/Shoes/Eyeware 210        
Personal Protective Equipment   96     75   75   75     75
Instruments 510     40       40
Ultrasoni Scaler plus Inserts   1,127      
Magnification Loupes with Headlamp 1,100-1,600        
Exams and Travel Expense         2,000
Review Courses            520
License Fee            336

Approximate total for the program: $19,264*

* Program entry requirements are not included in the total approximate cost.

The Dental Hygiene program utilizes a background check service, www.certifiedbackground.com, to conduct criminal
background/abuse checks and to track immunizations, health records and CPR certification for each student after their
acceptance into the program. Students are responsible for the cost of this service (approximately $58).

What Kind of Work Will You Do?


• Collect data, organize information, and develop patient care plan for dental hygiene services.
• Counsel patients in areas of prevention and treatment of dental diseases.
• Provide direct patient services such as removal of stains and deposits from teeth, radiographs, fluoride, sealants and local anesthetic administration under the supervision of a dentist.
• Keep accurate patient records.
• Design and implement dental health education programs in community settings.
• Provide oral health education and preventive care in public healthcare settings.

What Skills and Abilities Will You Need?


• Participate in continuing education activities to promote lifelong learning.
• Use empathy and understanding when relating to people with varied socioeconomic backgrounds and health status.
• Make decisions and work cooperatively with members of the dental team and allied health community.
• Demonstrate leadership skills through student organizations and professional association activities.
• Communicate effectively with persons of diverse backgrounds in a variety of treatment settings.
• Ability to be a self-starter and initiate and complete tasks under general supervision.
• Basic computer skills.

What Else Should I Consider about this Program or Career Choice?


• Centers for Disease Control and the Healthcare Infection Control Advisory Committee’s Guidelines for Infection Control in Dental Health-Care settings-2003 is applied in all aspects of delivery of care and is available upon request.
• Medical/Dental examinations and immunizations are required.
• Take general education and basic science courses prior to program entry.
• Be aware that program costs are higher in the first and last terms.
• Students should not work more than 16 hours per week, as homework and required activities are demanding.
• Plan ahead to avoid conflicts between personal responsibilities and program demands. A support system is essential.
• Current CPR certification is required prior to program entry and must be maintained for the remainder of the program. (American Heart Association BLS for Healthcare Providers program or Red Cross for Professional Rescuer.)
• Baccalaureate degree completion in dental hygiene is available at four-year colleges that offer dental hygiene completion and accept DMACC transfer credit.
• Applicants for licensure are asked if they have ever been charged, convicted, found guilty of, or entered a plea of guilty or no contest to a felony or misdemeanor crime. A prior criminal history, activity or record can be grounds for license or registration denial. Also, habitual use of drugs or intoxicants, or habitual intoxication or addiction to drugs can also be grounds for license or registration denial.
• Average Starting Salary $48,542 based on 36-hour week (2010-2011 Placement Report).

Nondiscrimination Policy


Des Moines Area Community College shall not engage in or allow discrimination covered by law. This includes harassment based on race, color, national origin, creed, religion, sex (including pregnancy and marital status), sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability and genetic information. Veteran status in educational programs, activities, employment practices, or admission procedures is also included to the extent covered by law. Individuals who believe they have been discriminated against may file a complaint through the College Discrimination Complaint Procedure. Complaint forms may be obtained from the Campus Provost’s office, the Academic Deans’ office, the Judicial Officer, or the EEO/AA Officer, Human Resources. For information about the ADA, the Section 504/ADA Coordinator can be contacted at 515-964-6857. For Title IX questions and concerns contact 515-964-6850.

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