Dental Hygiene – Associate in Applied Science
The Dental Hygiene Associate in Applied Science program consists of integrated lectures, labs and clinical experiences. As a graduate of the Jackson College dental hygiene program, the student will have the knowledge and skills necessary to provide preventive and periodontal treatment.
The responsibilities of a registered dental hygienist generally include: scaling and root debridement, delivery of local anesthesia, nitrous oxide sedation, topical fluoride, antibiotic and antimicrobial medicament placement, impressions, diagnostic models, dental radiographs, dental education, nutritional counseling, and various laboratory procedures. The treatments and services are prescribed under the supervision of the dentist.
The dental hygiene program is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation, or CODA. Upon successfully completing the program at Jackson College, the student will be eligible to take the national, regional and state board examinations for dental hygiene licensure.
There are various employment opportunities for the registered dental hygienist. The registered hygienist may choose employment in a general or specialty dental practice, schools, clinics, hospitals, HMOs, public health or governmental agencies. The dental hygienist may also be employed in the area of management, research, sales, consulting or education.
Students must apply for admission to the dental hygiene program and must do so by the application deadline. The program starts every spring semester and continues for for four academic semesters after the student has completed the prerequisite courses. Admission to dental hygiene is highly competitive and is not guaranteed. It is the student’s responsibility to understand and adhere to the specific admission criteria. The selection process considers academic and non-academic qualities. Assessment of an applicant’s academic qualities is based on the applicant’s prerequisite grades and overall GPA. Non-academic criteria consider qualities such as work ethic, motivation, compassion, integrity, communication skills, leadership, and desire to contribute to society. Students with the highest points will be admitted based on space availability. The selection process is subject to change.
The program for which you are applying requires that you successfully complete clinical requirements in an on-site clinic. A provider’s license may be jeopardized if the State of Michigan learns through the required criminal history background clearance that they or an adult age 18 and over who is employed by them or in practicum with them, has a pending criminal charge or has been convicted of certain various crimes. Clinical sites are subject to Act 303 of the Public Acts of 2002, amended April 1, 2006, of the State of Michigan, which restricts persons with certain criminal convictions from having access to vulnerable populations. Therefore, Jackson College requires that as a condition of admission, all students will be subject to a fingerprint-based criminal background check, including an FBI check.
Exclusions for convictions can range from one year to permanent exclusion. Following graduation, applicants for licensure as a registered dental hygienist will also be asked about criminal convictions and this could impact the individual’s ability to become licensed. In addition, all dental hygiene students must pass a drug screen as a condition of admission to the dental hygiene program. While enrolled in the program, a student may be asked to submit to a drug test if there is reason to believe the student is under the influence of alcohol or other drugs.
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