Admission Information

 What is a Dental Hygienist?

 A dental hygienist is a licensed preventative oral care professional that provides educational, clinical, and therapeutic services to the public. In order to become prepared to perform these services, the dental hygienist requires an extensive educational background. Most people first meet the dental hygienist in a private dental office where the hygienist performs many critical services that detect, prevent, and treat diseases of the mouth. Career paths for the dental hygienist include positions in clinical dentistry, administration, education, research, consumer advocacy, hospital dentistry, and public health.

 What are the Responsibilities of a Licensed Dental Hygienist?

 Dental Hygiene graduates from our program will be able to:

• Perform infection control procedures.

• Perform general and oral health assessments.

• Provide nutritional counseling and self-care programs to prevent disease.

• Examine head, neck, and oral regions for disease.

• Take and process radiographs and perform other diagnostic tests.

• Complete oral prophylaxis and other preventative services.

• Administer medications prescribed by a licensed dentist.

• Provide oral hygiene care instruction.

• Place and remove temporary fillings and periodontal dressings.

• Remove sutures

What are the Program Goals for the Dental Hygiene Program at Halifax Community College?

The mission/goals of the Dental Hygiene Program are to facilitate the development of professional, ethical, and competent dental hygienists that exhibit the following:

• An awareness of their present and future roles and responsibilities within the profession and the community served.

• The knowledge and clinical skills necessary to provide comprehensive care to patients/clients.

• A commitment to lifelong learning and professional development.

The dental hygiene curriculum provides the dental hygiene student with the knowledge and skills to assess, plan, implement, and evaluate dental hygiene care for the individual and the community. The curriculum also trains the dental hygiene student to collaborate with the dentist, the patient, and other health professionals to provide comprehensive patient care. Graduates will receive an Associate of Applied Science Degree and will be eligible to take National and State/Regional Dental Hygiene Board Examinations.

 North Carolina State Board Examination

 Applicants to the Dental Hygiene Program should be aware the following questions must be answered when completing the North Carolina State Board of Dental Examiners Application for Licensure to Practice Dental Hygiene. The North Carolina State Board of Dental Examiners may refuse to grant a license to an individual in accordance with Section 90-30 of the Dental Practice Act of North Carolina.

“Have you ever been summoned, arrested, taken into custody, indicted, convicted or tried for, or charged with, or pleaded guilty to the violation of any law or ordinance or the commission of any felony or misdemeanor (excluding traffic violations), or have you been requested to appear before any prosecuting attorney or investigative agency in any matter?”  (Include all such incidents no matter how minor the infraction or whether guilty or not.)  Although a conviction may have been expunged from the records by order of the court, it nevertheless must be disclosed in your answer to this question.

________Yes        _______No

 Within the last ten (10) years, have you been addicted to or received treatment for drugs, alcoholism, or afflicted with a contagious or infectious disease?

_______Yes          _______No

 If yes, give full details of your treatment.

Please contact the Board office if you have any questions.

All applicants for the North Carolina State Board Examination are subject to criminal background checks.  Also, employers may require drug testing.

 This program in dental hygiene has been granted the status of Accreditation without reporting requirements 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.

 Competencies for the Dental Hygiene Graduate

Introduction:

 Competencies for the Dental Hygiene Graduate define and organize the skills, understanding, and professional values of an individual ready for beginning dental hygiene practice in a variety of settings. Graduates are prepared not only for the traditional dental hygiene duties as clinician and health educator, but also for roles as consumer advocate, change agent, researcher, and health care manager/administrator.

By defining the competencies of the new graduate, the HCC Dental Hygiene Program will have a basis with which to (1) review, redefine, and restructure the dental hygiene curriculum, (2) review and improve student evaluation processes and promotion criteria, and (3) establish and apply measures to assess the effectiveness of the dental hygiene program.

What are Competencies?

 Competencies describe the skills, understanding, and professional values of an individual ready for beginning dental hygiene practice. They are stated in terms of what a student must be able to do to be considered competent by the profession after the completion of the dental hygiene curriculum. As used in the HCC Dental Hygiene Program, the term competency does not imply marginal performance; it implies performance at a clinically acceptable level.

How Are the Competencies Organized?

 The competencies are organized into four domains reflecting the overall emphasis in the dental hygiene curriculum. These domains include (1) Ethics, (2) Comprehensive Dental Hygiene Care,  (3) Community Involvement, and (4) Professional Growth and Commitment. With each domain are cited additional core competencies which include the foundation knowledge, skills, and attitudes found in the dental hygiene curriculum.

  1.     Ethics: The dental hygiene graduate will incorporate ethical behavior and professionalism into dental hygiene practice.

1.1   The graduate will be able to apply a professional code of ethics in all endeavors using the highest professional knowledge and ethical principles.

1.2   The graduate will practice as a member of a team in a professional manner.

1.3   The graduate will practice within the context of the appropriate state Dental Practice Act.

 2.     Comprehensive Dental Hygiene Care: The dental hygiene graduate will apply the principles of dental hygiene care from the biomedical, clinical, and social sciences.

2.1   The graduate will collect, analyze, and record data on the general, oral, and psycho-social health status of clients using methods consistent with medical, legal, and ethical principles.

2.2   The graduate will use critical decision-making skills to determine the client's needs related to his/her oral health and overall health based on all available data.

2.3   The graduate will consult and collaborate with clients and other health professionals to formulate a comprehensive dental hygiene care plan that identifies evidence-based dental hygiene interventions.

2.4   The graduate will provide individualized care that includes educational, preventive, and therapeutic services designed to assist the client in achieving and maintaining optimal oral health.

2.5   The graduate will evaluate the effectiveness of educational, preventive, and therapeutic services and modify those services if necessary to assist the client in achieving and maintaining optimal health.

 3.     Community Involvement: The dental hygiene graduate will develop and assume responsibility for health promotion and disease prevention to the public and community partners within and outside the profession.

3.1   The graduate will assess, plan, implement, and evaluate community-based oral health programs including health promotion and disease prevention activities.

3.2   The graduate will provide dental hygiene services as a member of an interdisciplinary health care team to a diverse population in a variety of community-based settings.

 4.     Professional Growth and Commitment: The dental hygiene graduate will not only continue to develop and improve his/her own knowledge, skills, and values in the practice of dental hygiene but those of the profession as well.

4.1   The graduate will use self-assessment skills to prepare for and engage in life-long learning.

4.2   The graduate will acquire and analyze scientific literature and use an evidence-based approach to patient care.

4.3   The graduate will advance the profession of dental hygiene through participation and affiliation with professional and community organizations.

How  Do I Apply to the Dental Hygiene Program?

 All applicants must:

Attend an Information Session. This meeting is required. A schedule of upcoming Information Sessions is included in this packet. If an applicant currently resides outside of North Carolina and cannot attend one of the scheduled information sessions, he/she must contact the Dental Hygiene Department Head, at (252) 538-4305 to make other arrangements.

Submit a completed Halifax Community College Application (on Website) with transcripts from high schools and/or other colleges or universities that you have attended. On the application, indicate your chosen Program of Study by putting a check in the box beside Dental Hygiene A45260. To be official, transcripts must be received by HCC in a sealed envelope or they will not be accepted. Transcripts for courses taken at HCC do not have to be requested and will be accessed by the Registrar at HCC. If you are enrolled at HCC in another program, you must complete an Application for Readmission/Change of Major/Allied Health Program form available from the Admissions Office/Allied Health Programs. Students enrolled in Pre-dental (A103000-D) must also complete the Application for Readmission/Change of Major/Allied Health Program form.

Take the ASSET placement test or equivalent exam (COMPASS, ACCUPLACER).  Students without credit for college courses should call the Testing Coordinator at (252)536-7254 to schedule an appointment for testing. 

For each of these courses, you must make either make the following placement test scores, successfully complete the developmental courses, or receive credit for regular college courses.  Placement scores are valid for 2 years from date of testing (if continuously enrolled) and must be valid at point of entry (first day of class). 

Minimum scores required for the Dental Hygiene Program are:

1. Writing and Reading:  ASSET score 41 or take ENG095/A

2. Numerical skills:  ASSET score 41 or take MAT060

3. Elementary Algebra:  ASSET score 41 or take MAT070

If placement tests have been taken at another community college, it is the student's responsibility to ensure their scores are submitted to Halifax Community College by the February 2 deadline.

Have coursework evaluated for transfer into the HCC Dental Hygiene Program. While courses identified by the DEN prefix may not be taken prior to official admission into the Dental Hygiene Program, it is advantageous to take General Education courses that are part of the Dental Hygiene Course Sequence prior to enrollment in the Dental Hygiene Program. Within the General Education courses listed below there are four Technical Core Courses (marked with *). These courses must have been taken no earlier than 5 years prior to enrollment in the Dental Hygiene Program.

General Education Courses:

The possible transfer or substitution of General Education Courses must be evaluated by the Registrar's Office. Call (252) 536-7221 for information regarding transcript evaluation and credit transfer.

Submit scores for the TEAS test. This test is given only to those who meet all entry requirements and qualify by February 2, 2009.  Applicants must meet the minimum score requirements on the TEAS with a program type test score in the 40^th percentile. There is a TEAS study guide in the campus bookstore.  It is highly recommended you review the material prior to taking the test.  The test takes approximately four hours to complete and consists of Reading, Math, Science, and English.  All students are charged a $25.00 fee to take the exam.  Test scores are valid for two years and must be valid at point of entry (first day of class).

If a point-tie occurs during the selection process, the applicant with the highest test score will be ranked higher. Those who have taken the TEAS in previous years should be aware that only those scores from the tests taken within the past two (2) years will be considered in the point criteria selection process.

 Evidence of an overall GPA of 2.5 at time of entry.

 Submit one of the following documents:

• The Dental Assisting Experience Documentation Form included in this packet, if you have dental assisting experience.

•  The Dental Office Observation Form included in this packet, if you have not been employed in a dental office or attended an ADA accredited dental assisting or hygiene program. Applicants without dental office experience must observe four-six hours in a dental office. A letter stating the purpose and goals of this visit is included in this packet. Please give this to the dentist whose office you visit.

•  The Certificate of Current Enrollment in an ADA Accredited Dental Assisting Program form, if you are enrolled at this time in a dental assisting program. This form is available upon request from the Dental Hygiene Department Head or at the Information Session.

•  Documentation of prior enrollment in an ADA Accredited Dental Hygiene Program, if you were previously enrolled in a dental hygiene program. Call the Dental Hygiene Department Head at (252) 538-4305 for information regarding the policies and procedures for admission transfer students from another dental hygiene program.

When Do I Apply?

 Admission to the dental hygiene program is limited to eighteen (18) students each August. Applications will be accepted through February 2nd preceding the desired fall entry date. By February 2nd you must have submitted all required documents to the Allied Health Admissions Office, including all test scores. It is the applicant's responsibility to ensure that all requirements are met by the established deadline. Deadlines, guidelines, and policies apply equally to all students. HCC retains the right to extend the application deadline in order to enroll 18 qualified applicants.

Halifax Community College does not maintain a waiting list. Applicants to the Dental Hygiene Program must reapply each year.

How Are Students Selected for the Dental Hygiene Program?

The Dental Hygiene Program will use a point system for admission. See the enclosed Selection Criteria Point System form.

The Dental Hygiene Program at Halifax Community College (HCC) is being offered with collaborative agreements with Edgecombe Community College (ECC) and Nash Community College (NCC). Two students from ECC and NCC with the highest points and meeting minimum admission requirements will be accepted into the Dental Hygiene Program at HCC. The remaining fourteen positions (14) will be filled with HCC students or other qualified applicants. Should NCC or ECC not have applicants meeting minimum admission requirements, HCC reserves the right to fill these vacant positions with other qualified applicants.

Preference will be given to students with the highest point scores based on the selection criteria enclosed in this packet. In the case of a point tie, preference is given to the student with higher percentile scores on the TEAS exam.

Please do not call the Allied Health Admissions Office to inquire about acceptance into the program. Information about admission status will not be given over the phone. If you have not received a letter by May 15th, then call to inquire about when the letter might be coming.

In addition to the eighteen (18) students accepted into the program, an alternate's list will be maintained to fill vacancies in the event that selected students do not choose to enter the program.

 Once Accepted into the Program, What is Required?

 All accepted applicants must:

• Submit a letter to the HCC Allied Health Admissions Office stating your acceptance or declination by May 31^st.

• Attend two (2) mandatory orientation meetings prior to enrollment. These meetings will be held in July and August prior to the start of classes. Accepted applicants will be notified of the date, time, and place of the meetings in their acceptance letter. Absence from these orientation sessions and failure to submit the following completed documents at the first orientation meeting will result in forfeiture of your space in the Dental Hygiene Program.  In case of emergency you may contact the HCC Dental Hygiene Department Head at (252) 538-4305.

1. A copy of Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) Certification by the American Red Cross or American Heart Association. Certification must be maintained during the student's entire course of study in the Dental Hygiene Program. Documentation must be on file for anyone who is medically or physically unable to perform such services. Failure to remain certification will result in dismissal from the Dental Hygiene Program.

2.  Documentation of the receipt of at least the first dose of the Hepatitis B Vaccine or a declination form available from the Dental Hygiene Department Head.

3.  The original HCC Medical History Form. Applicants are encouraged to keep a copy for their own records.

4. Documentation of the results of a TB test within the past 12 months.

• Purchase equipment and supplies through the HCC bookstore prior to the first day of class. Methods of payment include check, cash, money order, scholarship, financial aid, VISA, or Master Card. This amount is based on the estimates given in this packet but may change at the date of acceptance. Accepted applicants will be notified of the amount due in their acceptance letter.

NOTE:

Health Care Providers Who Test Positive for Hepatitis or HIV Must Notify:

Chief, Communicable Disease Control Section
P. O. Box 27687
Raleigh, NC 26711-7687

What Are the Risks Involved in the Program?

 Because students in the dental field are at a higher risk than the general population for Hepatitis B, it is recommended that students start the vaccination process for Hepatitis B as soon as they are accepted into the program. A comprehensive medical history, physical examination, dental exam, and immunizations are requirements for entrance into the program. Any applicant who is aware that he/she is a carrier of Hepatitis B or C or is HIV positive is required to advise the State Department of Human Resources regarding ability to have patient contact.

 Although there are no documented cases of occupational spread of HIV to dental workers, students enrolled in the Dental Hygiene Program are at a slight risk of exposure to blood and bodily fluids. Therefore, the potential does exist for transmission of bloodborne and other infectious diseases during patient care services.  The risk of HIV disease transmission from dental patients to members of the dental team is extremely low. Nevertheless, there is some potential for this to occur. The Americans with Disabilities Act forbids discrimination against patients with HIV; therefore, students are required to treat all patients assigned, regardless of the health status of the patient. Refusal to treat any patient may affect the student's academic status.

 What are the Costs of the Program?

 College tuition is set by the North Carolina State Legislature and is subject to change. The approximate costs for the Dental Hygiene Program are included on a separate sheet in this packet.

Are Scholarships and/or Financial Aid Available?

 All applicants are encouraged to apply for financial aid. Please refer to the HCC College Catalog for scholarship and financial aid information and assistance.

 What is the Grading Policy in the Dental Hygiene Program?

Students in the Dental Hygiene Program must maintain a grade of “C” or better in all dental hygiene program coursework to remain in the program. The grading scale for DEN prefix courses (dental sciences) will be as follows:

A = 93-100

B = 85-92

C = 77-84

D = 70-76

F = below 70

 Credits in the Dental Hygiene Program are determined as follows:

Class               1 hour credit for each hour class

Lab                  1 hour credit for each two-three hours lab

Clinical            1 hour credit for each three hours clinic

Other Dental Hygiene Admissions Contacts

Tami Argo
Halifax Community College
100 College Drive
P.O. Drawer 809
Weldon, NC 27890
(252) 536-7270
argot@halifaxcc.edu

Dorothy Gardner
Nash Community College
P.O. Box 7488
Rocky Mount, NC 27804
(252) 443-4011, ext. 300
dgardner@nashcc.edu

Ginny McLendon
Edgecombe Community College
Rocky Mount Campus
225 Tarboro Street
Rocky Mount, NC 27801
(252) 823-5166, ext. 332
mclendong@edgecombe.edu