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:
-
Writing and Reading: ASSET score
41 or take ENG095/A
-
Numerical skills: ASSET score 41
or take MAT060
-
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:
|
BIO 168* |
Anatomy and Physiology I |
|
BIO 169* |
Anatomy and Physiology II |
|
BIO 175* |
Microbiology |
|
CHM 130* |
General, Organic, & Biochemistry |
|
ENG 111 |
Expository Writing |
|
ENG 114 |
Professional Research/Reporting |
|
SOC 240 |
Social Psychology |
|
HUM |
See catalog for Humanities/Fine Arts
electives |
|
CIS 113 |
Computer Basics |
|
ACA 118 |
College Study Skills |
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 40th
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 31st.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
The
original HCC Medical History Form.
Applicants are encouraged to keep a copy for their own records.
-
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
Allied Health
Program Information
Prospective students for the Allied Health
Programs should contact Tami Argo at 252-536-7270 or email
argot@halifaxcc.edu for information about the
Associate Degree Nursing, Licensed Practical Nurse, Dental Hygiene, Medical
Laboratory Technician and Phlebotomy programs. Mrs. Argo's office is located in
Room 335 in the 300 Building. The deadlines to meet all entry
requirements for admission are:
|
Associate Degree Nursing
(Integrated) |
February 2,
2009 |
|
Practical Nursing Education |
February
2, 2009 |
|
Dental Hygiene |
February 2,
2009 |
|
Medical Laboratory Technician |
May 30, 2008 |
|
Phlebotomy |
June 29,
2008 |
This includes meeting all entry requirements, excluding
the TEAS
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
|