Dental Hygiene

The Dental Hygiene Program provides selected individuals from various experiential and educational backgrounds the opportunity for education in dental hygiene. Graduates are awarded the Associate in Science degree and are eligible for the Commission on Dental Competency Assessments/ADEX Examination and the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination.

The program in Dental Hygiene is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation and has been granted the accreditation status of “approved without reporting requirements.” 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. The Commission’s web address is www.ada.org/en/coda/accreditation

Program Goals

1. Educate students to provide equitable and quality dental hygiene care for patients from diverse populations and to recognize the cultural differences in the dental hygiene process of care on a global scale.
2. Prepare students to become competent, critically thinking health care professionals who promote health and the prevention of disease.
3. Prepare students to maintain high standards of ethical conduct.
4. Provide an equitable learning environment for students that will instill the pursuit of lifelong learning.
5. Provide a curriculum that includes scientific advancement, innovations, opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration, and the use of technology in the practice of dental hygiene.
6. Educate students about the value of active membership(s) in local, state, national, and international professional organizations.

Program Outcomes/Competencies

• Integrate knowledge from the basic, psychosocial, dental, and dental hygiene sciences into the dental hygiene process of care.
• Demonstrate interpersonal skills to effectively communicate and collaborate with professionals and patients across socioeconomic and cultural backgrounds.
• Utilize active learning, critical thinking, problem solving, research and evidence-based decision making to develop comprehensive oral health care solutions and protocols.
• Apply a professional code of ethics while adhering to appropriate legal and regulatory measures to create and maintain safe eco-friendly and sustainable practice compatible with emerging trends when providing equitable oral health services.
• Utilizing risk assessment and health literacy and disease and prevention strategies, beliefs of diverse individuals and populations in the promotion of health, wellness, and the prevention of disease.
• Safely perform the dental hygiene process of care inclusively (assessment, dental hygiene diagnosis, planning, implementation, evaluation, documentation) for all patients and community-based oral health programs.
• Demonstrate competency in the use of technology and security guidelines in the dental hygiene process of care.
• Continually perform self-assessment to maintain professional standards and encourage lifelong learning and a commitment to interdisciplinary collaboration.
• Demonstrate personal and professional growth through civic and social engagement through active involvement in professional activities and associations.
• Demonstrate an awareness of the variety of career opportunities within the dental hygiene profession.
• Comply with local, state, and federal regulations concerning infection prevention protocols.

Essential functions required to complete the Dental Hygiene program:

1. Effectively communicate in verbal, nonverbal and written format in English with patients, families and all members of the dental/health care team.
2. Possess computer skills for student success.
3. Assess, draw conclusions, plan, implement, evaluate and document the dental hygiene process of care.
   1. Read and comprehend relevant information in patient records, textbooks and professional journals.
   2. Measure, calculate, reason, analyze, synthesize.
   3. Exercise proper judgment.
   4. Complete tasks within required time limits.
   5. Retain information and apply knowledge to new / individual patient cases.
4. Possess hearing and vision sufficient, with or without corrective devices, to perform effectively in a dental facility and provide safe and accurate patient care.
5. Visually differentiate subtle changes of gray on radiographs and changes in color, size, shape and texture for tissues.
6. Possess the physical stamina and ability to perform CPR, lift and carry up to 50 pounds, manipulate dental equipment, sit and stand for extended periods of time.
   1. Possess the ability to actively participate in all demonstrations, laboratory exercises, and clinical experiences in the dental hygiene program.
   2. Possess the ability to act as patient during a variety of clinical procedures.
7. Demonstrate fine motor skills/dexterity in combination with eye/hand coordination.
   1. Possess the tactile sensitivity to feel for fine differences in soft and hard structures.
8. Possess the ability to demonstrate the following academic and professional behaviors:
   1. Manage heavy academic schedules.
   2. Perform in fast-paced clinical situations.
   3. Display flexibility.
   4. Demonstrate integrity and empathy for others.
   5. Develop mature, sensitive and effective relationships with patients, colleagues and other members of the dental / health care team.
   6. Accept responsibility and accountability for one’s own actions.
   7. Comply with the American Dental Hygienists’ Association Code of Ethics.
9. Be able to wear protective equipment such as scrubs / scrub gowns, gloves, face mask, face shield and eyewear / loupes during all aspects of patient care.

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts General Law 105CMR 220.600 requires all full-time students (12 or more credits) under 30 years of age and all part-time and full-time health science students and any full or part-time students while on student or other visa, including foreign exchange students attending or visiting classes as part of an academic visitation or exchange program provide record of immunizations. Health Science students require additional immunizations and a physical exam.

• Must be returned 30 days after registration!
• These immunizations are required by Massachusetts General Law 705 CMR 220.600. Failure to provide this documentation may prevent you from pre-registration for future classes, receiving your final grades and/or transcripts.
• Please ask your primary care provider to complete and sign the enclosed form or attach records documenting appropriate immunizations.

1. Hep B

Three doses; laboratory evidence of immunity acceptable

2. MMR

Two doses; first dose must be given on or after the 1st birthday and 2nd dose must be given > 28 days after dose 1; laboratory evidence of immunity acceptable. Birth before 1957 in U.S. is acceptable only for non-health science students.

3. Varicella (chickenpox)

Two doses; first dose must be given on or after the 1st birthday and 2nd dose must be given > 28 days after dose 1; a reliable history of chickenpox includes a diagnosis of chickenpox, or interpretation of parent/guardian description of chickenpox, by a physician, nurse practitioner, physician assistant, or designee or laboratory evidence of immunity acceptable. Birth in the U.S. before 1980 is acceptable only for non-health science students.

4. Tdap

One dose; and history of DtaP primary series or age appropriate catch-up vaccination. Tdap given at 7 years may be counted, but a dose at age 11-12 is recommended if Tdap was given earlier as part of a catch-up schedule. Td should be given if it has been 10 years since Tdap 5.

5. Meningococcal

One dose of MenACWY (formerly MCV4) required for all full-time students 21 years of age or younger administered on or after the 16th birthday. Students may decline MenACWY vaccine after they have read and signed the MDPH Meningococcal Information and Waiver Form provided by the institution. Meningococcal B vaccine is not required and does not meet this requirement.

6. Flu Vaccine

Flu and immunization documentations can be faxed to 508-375-4039 to the Attention of Student Immunizations Records, mailed to Student Immunization Records, Registration Office, 2240 Iyannough Road, W. Barnstable, MA 02668, emailed to sthompson@capecod.edu, or you can drop off your documentation to the Student Immunization Records office Monday through Friday 8:00am-4:00pm. Please be certain that your name is clearly marked on the record and please include your student ID number. You will be notified of any issues by phone or college email. If you have any questions, contact Student Immunization Records Office at 774.330.4331.