Associate of Applied Science
Specialization in Dental Hygiene
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Please Note: Due Dates have Changed! Please Review the Information Below.
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This program in Dental Hygiene is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association, a specialized accrediting body recognized by the Council on Post secondary Accreditation and by the United States Department of Education.
Admissions Admission into the program is based on a point system that takes into consideration several factors: - Must be at least 18 years of age
- Minimum college GPA of 2.5
- Howard College admission application
- Dental Hygiene admission application
- College or university transcript(s) (OFFICIAL)
- Work experience in dental office or 30 hours of observation (verified)
Completion (“C” or higher) of the following courses prior to acceptance: - Introductory Chemistry
- Anatomy & Physiology I
- Anatomy & Physiology II
- Microbiology
- Completion of support courses
How to ApplyIn order to properly process application material, it is extremely important that all documentation be mailed to: - Howard College
Attention: Dental Hygiene
1001 Birdwell Lane
Big Spring, TX 79720
Please read all information carefully. Late documentation will not be considered toward the application process! - Step 1: Begin the application process by completing the on-line Dental Hygiene Application (available September 1, 2009). The application must be received by February 1 no later than 5 pm. The application will automatically be sent to the department upon submission. The applicant will receive confirmation that the application was received.
- Step 2: Apply to Howard College by completing the Howard College Application form. This form must be completed and mailed to the department no later than April 1.
- Step 3: Complete the required background investigation by visiting www.howardcollegecx.com. This is a simple step-by-step process that requires payment by the applicant upon submission. This must be completed between January 1 and April 1 of the year applying. The deadline is April 1 at 5 pm.
- Step 4: Submit one certified transcript from each college or university attended. Send directly to the department. Copies will be provided to the Registrar. The deadline is April 1. If any courses are in progress during the spring semester, it is the applicant’s responsibility to provide a final transcript prior to May 15. In the event the final transcript is unavailable by May 15, the applicant is required to request the instructors to email the department (
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) and indicate the final course grade. The final transcript must be sent upon availability. Transcripts will be evaluated for specific courses upon which a point system will be applied to determine eligibility for admission. The Candidate Evaluation Form enumerates the point system utilized by the committee.
- Step 5: Complete the form entitled Physical Examination of Applicant for Dental Hygiene. This must be completed by a physician and submitted by April 1. Dates must be provided for all childhood immunizations.
- Hepatitis: Three injection series.
- Tetanus: Within the last 10 years.
- TB Test: Within the last year.
- Varicella: Verification for history of disease is sufficient.
- Step 6: Complete 30 hours of observation in a dental office. Applicants with work experience in a dental office must provide dates of employment. Provide all documentation on office letterhead and submit by April 1.
- Step 7: If accepted to the program, the applicant will be required to pay a $500 acceptance fee. This fee will be applied to the cost of the dental hygiene kit during registration and is due by July 1.
- Step 8: If accepted to the program, the applicant will be required to complete the Dental Examination for Applicant Form and submit the form by August 1. Any necessary dental treatment must be completed prior to the first day of class.
- Step 9: If accepted to the program, the applicant will be required to provide proof of current health insurance by submitting a copy of the insurance card by August 1. For applicants lacking insurance, student health insurance may be purchased by visiting www.CollegeStudentHealthInsurance.com.
- Step 10: The department will set dates in August for Healthcare Provider CPR. All applicants admitted to the program will be required to register for and attend this course. Specific dates will be provided upon acceptance.
Curriculum Prerequisites
(*prerequisites must be completed prior to acceptance)
| BIOL 2401
| Anatomy & Physiology
| 4 credit hrs
| BIOL 2402
| Anatomy & Physiology II
| 4 credit hrs
| BIOL 2420
| Microbiology | 4 credit hrs
| CHEM 1405
| Intro. Chemistry
| 4 credit hrs
| | | | | | Support Courses | ENGL 1301
| Composition I
| 3 credit hrs
| BCIS 1305
| Business Computer Applications
| 3 credit hrs
| SOCI 1301
| Intro. Sociology
| 3 credit hrs
| PSYC 2301
| General Psychology
| 3 credit hrs
| Fine Arts or Humanities
| | 3 credit hrs
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**Due to the heavy academic and clinical time requirements of the Dental Hygiene courses, it is recommended that most support courses be 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.
***Courses not taken at Howard College must be evaluated for transfer.
What is a Dental Hygienist?
A Dental Hygienist is a preventive oral health professional licensed in dental hygiene that provides educational, clinical, and therapeutic services supporting total health through the promotion of optimal oral health.
The education of the dental hygienist emphasizes the basic sciences which include microbiology, chemistry, pathology, anatomy, and physiology. Other components of the curriculum develop the clinical skills of the dental hygienist which ultimately prepares the hygienist to provide preventive dental health services to the public. A Dental Hygienist is eligible for licensure after graduation from an educational program accredited by the American Dental Association Commission on Dental Accreditation and upon successful completion of both a written National Board Dental Hygiene Examination and a clinical examination. The licensed dental hygienist practice in accordance with the requirements of individual state dental practice acts. The purpose of licensure is to protect the public. In many states, a dental hygienist must take continuing education courses to renew his/her license.
A Dental Hygienist may work in such practice settings as: Private dental offices and dental clinics, Federal, state and local health departments or associated institutions, hospitals and nursing homes, school districts or department of education, educational programs for dental, dental hygiene and dental assisting students. Private business/industry. Correctional facilities. Private and public centers for pediatric, geriatric and other individuals/groups with special needs. Health Maintenance Organizations.
A Dental Hygienist is that member of the dental team who is responsible for providing treatment that helps to prevent oral disease such as dental caries (cavities) and periodontal disease (gum disease) and for educating the patient to maintain optimal oral health. This professional is especially knowledgeable about the preventive aspects of dental disease.
Although legal dental hygiene functions vary from state to state, some of the functions routinely performed by a dental hygienist include, but are not limited to: monitoring of patient’s health history, including blood pressure, thorough examination of the teeth and oral structures, including a soft tissue exam; removal of calculus, stain, and plaque (hard and soft deposits) from above and below the gum line; application; application of caries-preventive agents, such as fluorides and fissure-sealants; plaque control instruction and development of individualized oral hygiene programs for home care; dietary analysis and counseling; exposure, processing and interpretations of dental x-rays; placement of temporary fillings and periodontal dressings, removal of sutures, and polishing and re-contouring amalgam fillings; educating the individual patient, the general public and special population groups (e.g., minority groups, geriatric, mentally; physically handicapped persons) about the importance of good oral hygiene habits; oral cancer and blood pressure screenings; designing and implementing community dental health programs. In some states, with additional education a hygienist may provide other services such as administering local anesthetics and nitrous oxide / oxygen analgesia, placing and carving of filling materials, and also additional periodontal procedures.
Vision, Mission, Goals and PhilosophyVision It is the vision of the Howard College Dental Hygiene Program to become a model program, which will meet the future needs of an ever-expanding service area. Our model program will provide comprehensive dental hygiene education utilizing innovative, flexible technology, delivery systems, and partnerships.
Mission Statement and Goals The Mission of the Howard College Dental Hygiene Program is to be a dynamic center of learning that serves the educational and economic community by developing competent dental hygiene practitioners. Our Program will provide innovative and traditional instruction to develop ongoing learning skills that demonstrate the best and most ethical patient care, research and service.
To advance the mission the Dental Hygiene Program will: - Provide a comprehensive dental hygiene program that is sensitive to meeting the needs and requirements of the dental care community of West Texas and the Howard College service area;
- Provide program facilities for clinic, laboratories and classrooms that are conducive to learning, and a learning climate that emphasizes social and ethical development as well as technical competence;
- Provide clinical and didactic curricula incorporating current scientific innovations in dental health care and delivery;
- Recruit and retain faculty motivated to deliver and evaluate curricula in relation to student success; provide access to continuous professional development;
- Stimulate students to critically analyze scientific information and develop ongoing skills and interest in learning.
- Educate students about the various roles of the dental hygienist including private practice, institutional practice, education, research and administration;
- Monitor and evaluate goals and outcomes for the continuous improvement of our Dental Hygiene Program.
- Incorporate critical thinking processes with evidence-based provision of care.
Philosophy The faculty and staff of the Howard College Dental Hygiene Program, in harmony with the vision of Howard College, believe in the worth and dignity of the individual students, patients and fellow staff members, and that an education in dental hygiene will provide an opportunity for growth in service to both the individual students and to others. We believe in providing students access to the information and support they will need to begin and sustain a career.
Dental Hygiene CompetenciesA dental hygiene graduate should be competent in:
Patient Care - Providing for prevention, maintenance and treatment of teeth and periodontal structures in a dental hygiene practice.
- Comprehensively treating a patient through assessment, treatment planning, treatment implementation, evaluation of results, and follow-up care.
- Effectively providing dental hygiene care to all degrees of periodontal pathology.
- Problem solving complete patient management situations in a dental hygiene practice environment.
Professional Growth - Evaluating scientific information and literature to promote lifelong learning.
- Interacting ethically with patients, fellow practitioners, and other health care professionals.
- Advancing the profession of dental hygiene through activity and affiliation in service and professional organizations.
Educational and Prevention - Educating patients in self-care and prevention.
- Communicating effectively with diverse population groups.
- Evaluating the need for and effectiveness of community oral health programs.
Disease Control - Providing appropriate care for medical emergencies encountered in hygiene practice.
- Assessing and managing patients with medical conditions that relate to dental hygiene care.
- Infection and hazard control in a dental hygiene environment.
Howard College Infectious Disease Policy:As healthcare workers, health professions students are frequently exposed to patients that have been diagnosed with communicable diseases including but not limited to tuberculosis, HIV, and hepatitis. Additionally, patients may carry communicable diseases but not be diagnosed at the time that care takes place. All health profession students are expected to follow standard precautions for all patients. Further, they may not refuse care of any patient due to the nature of disease. The only exception to this is for pregnant health care workers who are prohibited by hospital policy from working around a specific disease or treatment process. (Ex. Pregnant health care workers must not work with the drug Ribavirin.) Refusal to accept an assignment based on disease status could result in the student earning an “F” for the clinical course and being ineligible for re-enrollment in the program.
Faculty & Staff
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