HOWARD COLLEGE DEPARTMENT OF DENTAL HYGIENE

Applying to the Dental Hygiene Program
Please read this packet carefully. It is the APPLICANT'S RESPONSIBILITY to ensure that the Dental Hygiene Department receives all required paperwork and information by the deadline. Criteria may change without prior notification. Please contact the department prior to application deadline for verification.

This program is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association, which is a specialized accrediting body recognized by the Council on Post-secondary Accreditation and by the United States Department of Education.

It is the policy of Howard College not to discriminate on the basis of sex, race, color, religion, age, national origin, veteran or qualified handicap in educational programs, activities, or employment practices.

The Dental Hygiene Program accepts (16) students every May.  They are selected on a point system using the "Candidate Evaluation Form (PDF)" with support course grade point averages and science grade point averages as the primary selection criteria.

Candidate Evaluation Form (PDF)

The first step in the application process is to complete the Dental Hygiene Application on the Howard College website. It will automatically come to the department when you submit it. A file will be started in your name as soon as we receive the application. It must be complete and received by March 1^st 5:00 pm.

NO EXCEPTIONS!

Prerequisites for the Program are:

CHEM 1405	Introductory Chemistry	4 credit hours
BIOL 2401	Human Anatomy & Physiology I	4 credit hours
BIOL 2402	Human Anatomy & Physiology II	4 credit hours
BIOL 2420	Microbiology	4 credit hours

The above courses MUST be COMPLETED or ENROLLED in when you apply March 1^st.

Support courses required:

ENG 1301	English I	3 credit hours
BCIS 1305	Business Computer Applications	3 credit hours
SOCI 1301	Introduction to Sociology	3 credit hours
PSYC 2301	General Psychology	3 credit hours
Fine Arts	or Humanities	3 credit hours

Due to the heavy academic and clinical time requirements of the Dental Hygiene courses, it is recommended that most support courses by completed before entry into this program.

Scheduling problems may arise and could delay a student’s graduation. Students using financial aid may choose to delay one or two of the support courses to use during a semester with less than 12 Dental Hygiene course hours (scheduling could still be a problem).

Although the above courses may be taken at any college, check with the counselors here and they will be able to tell you what courses will substitute for Howard College courses. The counselors’ number is 432-264-5085. Please have a course description from the catalog of the school you want to attend (or have attended) ready to compare.

COMPLETE FILE REQUIREMENTS

Below is a list of all items that make up a COMPLETE file for application to the Dental Hygiene Program. All information sent must have:

1. Complete the Dental Hygiene Application on the Howard College website. It will automatically come to the department when you submit it. A file will be started in your name as soon as we receive the application. It must be complete and received by March 1^st 5:00 pm.

2. A background investigation is required and must be completed between January 1^st and April 1^st 5:00 pm of the year you are applying. Students are responsible for the payment of their background investigation, and American DataBank must conduct the investigation. To initiate your background clearance, visit our website at: www.howardcollegecx.com and follow the step by step process. The profile information you input will be sent directly to the school upon completion.

3. Paperwork due in the Dental Hygiene Department no later than 5:00 pm May 15^th is:

1. Written confirmation of 30 hours observation in a dental office. The confirmation must be written on the office stationary and signed by either the dentist or hygienist. You may observe in as many offices as you wish, just be sure and document it.

2. Two certified copies of transcripts from each college you have attended. One will remain in your file in the Dental Hygiene office and the other will be sent to the Registrar’s office for scanning and entering into your file on the Howard College network. If you took classes in the Spring semester and your grade will not show up on your transcript, it is your responsibility to contact the instructor and have him/her fax (on school stationary) your final grade in the course to 432-264-5630 or email Charlotte at cwadleigh@howardcollege.edu Then you need to send a completed certified transcript when the grades are official.
3. The following is a link that will take you to the form entitled:
   "The Physical Examination of Applicant for Dental Hygiene"
   
   This form needs to be completed by your doctor and all inoculations listed below must be included as stated.

1. Hepatitis B – this consists of a series of three shots. These shots must be given on a time schedule with the last one being from four to six months from the first one, so time is of the essence.
2. Tetanus – within the last ten years.
3. TB test – This must be within the last year, with a negative reading.
4. Varicella – A blood test called a titer must be run with results positive for antibodies. A parent or physician validated history of Varicella disease or immunity is acceptable.

4. Items due no later than 5:00 pm August 1^st to the Dental Hygiene Department, IF you are accepted in the program:

1. Form entitled “Dental Examination for Applicant”. This form will be sent with your acceptance letter.
2. A copy of your Health Insurance Card. You must have health insurance, if you do not let Charlotte know and she can send you information on student insurance.
3. A copy of your current CPR card. It must be the Health Care Provider course that is about 8 hours long. It covers adult and infants. It must be provided by either the American Heart Association or the American Red Cross. No exceptions. The class must be taken between June 1^st and August 1^st.

Questions?

Contact Charlotte Wadleigh

Phone: 432-264-5065
Fax: 432-264-5630
cwadleigh@howardcollege.edu