HEALTHCARE
Dental Hygienist
As a dental hygienist, you will play an essential role in helping patients maintain good oral health
Salary Range Potential:
$50,000+ /YEAR
Education Required:
Community College or Technical Degree
Skills Needed:
Speaking, Active Listening, Critical Thinking, Social Perceptiveness, Decision Making, Active Learning
Types of Employers:
Dental Offices
Job Description
Dental Hygienists work under the supervision of a dentist. Most hygienists' daily duties include removing plaque from and polishing a patient's teeth during a routine checkup, screening patients, reviewing a patient's oral health history and teaching appropriate brushing and flossing techniques.
Training Opportunities
Four semester program after core academic requirements are met. A.A.S. degree awarded upon completion of the program.
Pre-requisites required:
Length of Program:2 years
Summary of Program Requirements:
Skills Needed
Forrest County Center
ContactDr. Shana Allen 601.554.5509sallen@prcc.edu
The Dental Hygiene Program provides students with a general education and clinical dental hygiene experience to prepare them for a career in the dental hygiene profession. A dental hygienist is a licensed preventive health professional who provides educational, clinical and therapeutic services and promotes total health through the maintenance of optimal oral health. All phases of dental health education are covered and sustained through community dental health activities and clinical experience by treating patients in all categories including children, the aged, and patients with oral and general systemic conditions. MCCs Dental Hygiene Program is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation and has been granted the accreditation status of approval with 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. The Commissions web address is: http://www.ada.org/en/coda. Graduates of the program are awarded an Associate of Applied Science Degree in Dental Hygiene and are eligible to write the National Board of Dental Examiners as well as individual state board examinations for dental hygiene. In an effort to better prepare dental hygiene graduates for the workforce, MCCs Dental Hygiene Program includes digital intraoral and panoramic x-ray, computerized charting, and electronic records keeping in the curriculum.
Pre-requisites required:Chemistry Survey/Chemistry Survey Lab
Length of Program:2 years
Summary of Program Requirements:Chemistry Survey/Chemistry Survey Lab
Skills NeededCritical thinking skills; interpersonal skills sufficient to interact with co-workers and patients; written and verbal communication skills; fine motor skills; hand-eye coordination.
