Dental Hygiene, A.A.S.

Associate of Applied Science
118

Purpose: The curriculum is designed to prepare students as primary preventive oral health professionals licensed to practice dental hygiene. Upon successful completion of the program, graduates will be eligible to take national, regional, and state board examinations leading to licensure as a registered dental hygienist (RDH).

Program Objectives: A dental hygienist may practice in dental offices and dental clinics; federal, state, and local health departments; hospitals and nursing homes/home health organizations; school districts or departments of education; educational programs for dental, dental hygiene, and dental assisting students; correctional facilities; private and public facilities for pediatric, geriatric, and other individuals/groups with special needs; or health maintenance organizations/ managed care organizations.

Developmental Requirements: Applicants must meet the requirements for admission to credit-level coursework established by the college.

Applicants must receive an ENG 111 placement recommendation or have successfully completed all developmental English requirements.

Applicants who do not demonstrate proficiency in MTE 1 , MTE 2 , MTE 3 , MTE 4 , MTE 5 , MTE 6 , MTE 7 , MTE 8 and MTE 9 must have successfully completed all developmental Mathematics requirements.

Admissions Requirements: Applicants to the Dental Hygiene program must hold a high school diploma or GED and meet the developmental requirements listed above. Additionally, applicants must complete the prerequisites listed below with a grade of “C” or higher by the end of the spring semester prior to beginning the program:

One unit of high school or college biology
One unit of high school or college chemistry
Completion of BIO 141-BIO 142, Anatomy and Physiology I-II
Completion of Algebra I-II or MTE 1-MTE 9

The applicant’s high school or college (if applicable) cumulative grade point average (GPA) must be at least 2.75. College GPA is based on at least 12 credit hours in a 12-month time frame. The GPA is determined at the end of the fall semester prior to admission. A minimum of 16 hours of shadowing or observation of a licensed dental hygienist is required.

All qualified applicants must take the TEAS for Allied Health (at student’s expense - nonrefundable).

Admission Procedures: Admission to the dental hygiene program is offered to qualified applicants on an annual basis at the Roanoke campus. Admission to the VWCC-DCC joint venture distance program site in Danville is offered to qualified applicants on a biennial basis during odd-numbered years. Admission to the VWCC-Lord Fairfax joint venture distance program site in Middletown is offered on a biennial basis during even-numbered years. Deadline for submitting complete application materials is February 15 for the upcoming academic year. Early applications are encouraged for advising purposes. Applicants are responsible for making certain that the following have been submitted in addition to a current college application: completed program application; official high school transcript showing completion of high school diploma or copy of GED scores, if applicable; official transcripts from all colleges attended (Virginia Western and other Virginia Community College transcripts are not necessary); and two letters and forms of recommendation. Shadowing documentation will be due by the interview date held in the spring. Applicants should be aware that meeting the curriculum admission standards does not guarantee program admission. Applicants will be notified in writing of the action taken by the Dental Hygiene Admissions Committee in May. Students interested in this program should consult the VWCC Dental Hygiene Program page, VWCC policy on Infectious Disease Status, Essential Dental Hygiene Functions, Clinical Environment, Student Responsibilities, Student Retention and Readmission Policy. The page as well as application materials can be accessed through the VWCC website (http://www.virginiawestern.edu/academics/health/dental/index.php).

Although this program is not designed for transfer, agreements with specific institutions may exist. Contact the Dental Hygiene program head as listed on program webpage.

Prior to First Semester

BIO 141 - Human Anatomy and Physiology I 4 CR ^{2, *}
BIO 142 - Human Anatomy and Physiology II 4 CR ^{2, *}

First Semester

SDV 100 - College Success Skills 1 CR ⁴
SDV 101 - Orientation to Health Professions 1 CR ⁴
DNH 111 - Oral Anatomy 2 CR
DNH 115 - Histology/Head and Neck Anatomy 3 CR
DNH 120 - Management of Emergencies 2 CR
DNH 130 - Oral Radiography for the Dental Hygienist 3 CR
DNH 141 - Dental Hygiene I 5 CR

Second Semester

DNH 142 - Dental Hygiene II 5 CR *
DNH 145 - General and Oral Pathology 2 CR *
DNH 146 - Periodontics for Dental Hygienist 2 CR ^*
DNH 216 - Pharmacology 2 CR ^*
BIO 205 - General Microbiology 4 CR *, ²(or BIO 150)

Third Semester (Summer)

DNH 150 - Nutrition 2 CR ¹ ^*
DNH 143 - Dental Hygiene III 3 CR *
DNH 235 - Management of Dental Pain and Anxiety in the Dental Office 2 CR *
ENG 111 - College Composition I 3 CR ^*

Fourth Semester

DNH 214 - Practical Materials for Dental Hygiene 2 CR ^*
DNH 226 - Public Health Dental Hygiene I 2 CR ^*
DNH 244 - Dental Hygiene IV 5 CR *
PSY 230 - Developmental Psychology 3 CR *

Fifth Semester

DNH 227 - Public Health Dental Hygiene II 1 CR *
DNH 230 - Office Practice and Ethics 1 CR ^*
DNH 245 - Dental Hygiene V 5 CR *
PHI 220 - Ethics 3 CR (or PHI 226) ³

Total Minimum Credits for Degree: 72

¹ Health and wellness are emphasized throughout the dental hygiene program, but specifically in DNH 150 - Nutrition .

² Must be completed within five years of beginning the program.

³ Students at Virginia Western and Lord Fairfax CC should complete PHI 220. Students at Danville CC should complete PHI 226 for this requirement.

⁴The two credit SDV 108 will satisfy both the SDV 100 and SDV 101 requirements. SDV 108 is for developmental English students.

* This course has a requisite.

Program Notes: This program has been accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association, a specialized accrediting body recognized by the United States Department of Education.

Individuals who have a felony or misdemeanor conviction may not be eligible for licensure. This decision is made by the Virginia Board of Dentistry. For questions regarding this issue, call Virginia Board of Dentistry (804) 367-4538. Clinical agencies may require that students have periodic background checks and drug screenings completed at the student’s expense before beginning enrichment rotations, VWCC requires a clear background and drug test prior to admission.

Students who have begun a dental hygiene program at an accredited institution other than Virginia Western may be considered for admission by transfer if there is class availability and if certain conditions are met.

Retention Policy: Satisfactory progress is demonstrated by achieving a grade of “C” or better in required Dental Hygiene and Biology courses. Students must satisfactorily complete BIO 205 with a grade of “C” or above before progressing to the second year of the program. Because curricular components build upon each other over the five semesters, students must complete required Dental Hygiene courses in sequence.