Dental Hygiene, A.A.S.

Associate in Applied Science
Health Sciences Division

Program Code: DENH2

Office: Curtice-Mott Complex CM2313

Phone: (810) 762-0317

The program in dental hygiene is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation. The commission is a specialized accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Dept. 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 http://www.ada.org/100aspx.  The program prepares the student to provide preventive dental hygiene care in dental offices, clinics, and educational or health care institutions. Registered Dental Hygienists (RDH) work as part of the dental health team to provide preventive health care for each patient. Responsibilities include oral health screenings, initial treatment appointments and maintenance appointments, nutritional counseling, fluoride, sealant application, and radiographic techniques. H.S. preparation should include biology and chemistry. Courses in physics and geometry are highly recommended.

MINIMUM ELIGIBILITY/PROGRAM ENTRY REQUIREMENTS:

Successful completion of the following requirements is required for eligibility:

1. Be admitted to Mott Community College and declare intent to enter the dental hygiene program.
2. Demonstrate College level reading comprehension on the ACCUPLACER placement test within the last 5 years, OR a minimum score of 20 on the reading portion of the ACT within the last 5 years. A satisfactory grade in RDNG 030  or ENGL 100  within the last 5 years will also meet this requirement.
3. Demonstrate math proficiency by placing into MATH 130  (or higher) on ACCUPLACER within the last 5 years or complete MATH 120  or MATH 123   (or higher) with a grade of 2.0 or higher.
4. Submit verification of 8 hours of observation of a dental hygienist.
5. Provide high school transcript or G.E.D. and any related college transfer transcripts.
6. Complete 2 of the following four science courses: BIOL 151 , BIOL 152 , BIOL 156 , and CHEM 118   with a 2.5 or better in the last five years. All four science classes must be completed prior to beginning the program.
7. Pre-program students must maintain a minimum overall college GPA of 2.8. In ENGL 101  and ENGL 102  , COMM 131  , PSYC 281  , and SOCY 191 , students must have a minimum of 2.0 in each course.
8. All transfer credits must be from an accredited institution.
9. Submit a Dental Hygiene Application by January 30th to Health Science Division when eligibility is complete. Students will be notified of the final outcome of the admissions process. Applications will be considered for one year only. Students not accepted into the entering class must submit a new application for the next year..
10. Must have an acceptable criminal background check by July 1st, for the purpose of identifying any student who could not continue in the program due to a felony conviction (within the last 15 years) or misdemeanor conviction (within the last 1, 3, 5 or 10 years) in accordance with State statutes and laws. Students will be required to have an additional criminal background check at the time of application for licensure as required by the board of Dentistry. The cost of the criminal background check is the responsibility of the student.
11. Submit a current CPR card. The card must be either the BLS Health Care Provider (American Heart Association) or the Professional Rescuer (American Red Cross).

Criminal Background Investigations & Drug Screens

Michigan Law requires criminal background screening for individuals working in most health care settings and facilities. Students in the Dental Hygiene program are affected by the law. Conviction of a criminal offense (felony or misdemeanor) may make a student ineligible to be assigned to a clinical site, making program completion and graduation unattainable.

A criminal background investigation is required to apply for the Dental Hygiene program. Informational packets may be obtained from the Division office (CM 2313) or from an advisor.

The packet provides instruction regarding the process to complete an submit the background investigation. Students will not be admitted to the Dental Hygiene program without a clear CBI.

In some cases, clinical sites may require students to complete additional background investigation and submit to drug screening procedures prior to or during the clinical experience. All background investigations and drug screenings are at the student’s expense.

Conviction of a criminal offense may also make graduates of the Dental Hygiene program ineligible for state or national licensure/certification at program completion. All applicants for a Dental Hygiene license in Michigan are required to submit fingerprints and undergo a criminal background investigation prior to licensure/certification.

Program coordinators, faculty, advisors, and staff cannot give legal advice to any student regarding potential eligibility/ineligibility based on prior convictions or negative findings on the criminal background investigation. The student should consult an attorney for questions specific to his/her individual case.