Dental hygienists do more than clean patients’ teeth. Collin College’s two-year dental hygiene program can teach you to perform clinical procedures, oral cancer screenings, dental nutritional counseling and identify potential health problems, as well as understand the physical and clinical aspects of treatment, so you can treat the whole patient.
The Dental Hygiene program is designed to prepare you to become a licensed health care professional who specializes in non-surgical periodontal therapy and oral health education. Use advanced technology like intraoral cameras and digital radiography, and gain hands-on training in the college’s dental clinic, working with community members in search of low-cost dental care. The mix of the newest clinical technologies with a broad-based education in biological sciences, humanities and the dental sciences means you will be ready for work in private practice and community settings as a member of the dental health team.
Enrollment is limited and admission is competitive.
Licensure Notice: Students who have been involved with the criminal system, please be advised that your background could keep you from being licensed by the State of Texas. If you have a question about your background and licensure, please speak with your faculty member or the department chair. You also have the right to request a criminal history evaluation letter from the applicable licensing agency.
Dental Hygiene students must meet eligibility requirements for licensure as established by the State Board of Dental Examiners (http://www.tsbde.texas.gov/) in the State of Texas. If a student has reason to believe he/she is ineligible for licensure, he/she should contact the Board regarding their specific concerns prior to entrance into the program.
A drug scan, background check and American Heart Association Basic Life Support CPR certification for health professionals will be required upon acceptance into the program. Requirements for dental hygiene licensure as set by the Texas State Board of Dental Examiners (TSBDE) defines that individuals be “of good moral character.” All individuals accepted into the program must meet licensure eligibility requirements. Information received from the background check or drug scan may result in dismissal from the program.
The applicant must be in good health and emotionally stable and must furnish physical, dental and eye examination records. Forms will be provided by the dental hygiene department. In addition, the state of Texas requires the applicant to provide proof of all immunizations required by the state as defined in the Texas Administrative Code. *Other requirements include Hepatitis B vaccination and titer and annual TB testing, annual Flu vaccine, Varicella titer and TDap shot.
Applicants who believe they are at an increased risk of contracting an infectious disease should seek testing and counseling prior to making application to the Dental Hygiene Program. All students accepted into the program are expected to follow standard precautions and are financially responsible for any necessary testing/treatment resulting from an occupational incident and/or communicable disease exposure. No student is allowed to deliver patient care in any setting until he/she has mastered material on safety/standard precautions with satisfactory accuracy.
The student is awarded an AAS degree upon successful completion of the program. The graduate is eligible for national and regional examinations.
Students planning to transfer to a college or university should check with Collin College academic advisors. Also check the degree requirement of the intended transfer college prior to beginning this program to verify course degree applicability.
FUNCTIONAL ABILITIES/CORE PERFORMANCE STANDARDS STATEMENT
After initial acceptance to this program, all students are required to meet specific functional abilities with or without accommodations for successful completion of the program and to function safely and effectively in the variety of the profession’s settings. The specific functional requirements are found in “Functional Abilities/Core Performance Standards” documents provided in the program information and application packets. Students who think they may not be able to meet the functional standards and need accommodation are encouraged to contact the college ACCESS department as soon as this program is of interest.
ACCREDITATION
Collin College’s Dental Hygiene Program is accredited by the American Dental Association’s Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) and has been granted the accreditation status of approval without reporting requirements. The council is a specialized accrediting body recognized by the Department of Education.
SPECIAL ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
Admission to this program is selective. Admission to the college does not guarantee admission to the Dental Hygiene Program. Registration is by permission only. Information and applications may be obtained from the Dental Hygiene Program Director or dental hygiene website at http://www.collin.edu/dentalhygiene/.
- Complete pre-entrance course requirements with a minimum 2.5 GPA
- Earn a grade of “C” or better in all courses applicable to the Dental Hygiene program
- Submit official copies of all college transcripts
- Complete the HESI exam with satisfactory results
- Complete the health exam with a satisfactory result
- Completion of immunizations required by the Texas Department of State Health Services (TDSHS) *.
- Submit a typed, one -page essay that discusses why dental hygiene has been selected as a profession
- Submit two reference forms: one from an employer and one from an educator
- Completion of an Observation Form: Observing of a dental office/Registered Dental Hygienist
- Completion of a personal interview with the Program Director and faculty
* It is important to note that one of the required vaccinations, Hepatitis B, consists of a three dose series, and a Hepatitis B titer is required, which can take up to 7 months to complete. All immunizations must be completed before the first clinical visit.
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