Dental Hygiene, AAS

Location: Ankeny

Pathway: Health Science & Fitness

Wait List Processing: Position on the Wait List will be determined by the number of support courses completed. Support courses are: OR When there is no completion of any remaining support courses for three years from the date the student's name went on the Wait List, the applicant will be deleted from the list.

Graduation Requirements: To earn a Dental Hygiene AAS degree, a student must successfully complete all dental hygiene and liberal arts support courses required in the curriculum, achieving a grade of "C" (not C-) or better in each course. In order to progress to the next semester of the Dental Hygiene program, all required courses in the current semester must be completed with a grade of "C" or better. Note: Criminal background checks will be completed on each student. Criminal convictions or documented history of abuse may prevent students from participating in clinical experiences. Students who do not participate in clinical education will be unable to complete the program.

Total Credits Required to Complete this AAS Degree - 73*

What Skills and Abilities Will You Need?: - Participate in continuing education activities to promote lifelong learning. - Use empathy and understanding when relating to people with varied socioeconomic backgrounds and health status. - Make decisions and work cooperatively with members of the dental team and allied health community. - Demonstrate leadership skills through student organizations and professional association activities. - Communicate effectively with persons of diverse backgrounds in a variety of treatment settings. - Ability to be a self-starter and initiate and complete tasks under general supervision. - Basic computer skills.

What Else Should I Consider about this Degree program?: - Centers for Disease Control and the Healthcare Infection Control Advisory Committee's Guidelines for Infection Control in Dental Health-Care settings-2003 is applied in all aspects of delivery of care and is available upon request. - Medical/Dental examinations and immunizations are required. - Take general education and basic science courses prior to program entry. - Be aware that program costs are higher in the first and last terms. - Students should not work more than 16 hours per week, as homework and required activities are demanding. - Plan ahead to avoid conflicts between personal responsibilities and program demands. A support system is essential. - Current CPR certification is required prior to program entry and must be maintained for the remainder of the program. (American Heart Association BLS for Healthcare Providers program or Red Cross for Professional Rescuer.) - Baccalaureate degree completion in dental hygiene is available at four-year colleges that offer dental hygiene completion and accept DMACC transfer credit. - Applicants for licensure are asked if they have ever been charged, convicted, found guilty of, or entered a plea of guilty or no contest to a felony or misdemeanor crime. A prior criminal history, activity or record can be grounds for license or registration denial. Also, habitual use of drugs or intoxicants, or habitual intoxication or addiction to drugs can also be grounds for license or registration denial. - Average Starting Salary $54,000 based on 36-hour week (2014-2015 Placement Report).

Program Competencies: - Utilize the Dental Hygiene Process of Care to provide comprehensive, patient-centered dental hygiene care - Deliver preventive, therapeutic, and educational procedures to facilitate optimum oral health for general and specialized health care patients of all ages - Acquire the attitudes, skills, behaviors, and policies that enable effective cultural competence for the delivery of oral health services. - Demonstrate effective communication with patients, caregivers, and other health professionals to provide comprehensive care - Promote the values of the dental professions through service-based activities - Apply the rules and laws of safe practice as defined in the Dental Hygiene Scope of Practice - Demonstrate self-awareness through reflective assessment for continued improvements