Dental Hygienist

Associate in Applied Science Degree in Dental Hygiene (AAS_DHYG)

Occupational Title: Dental Hygienist
Flanagan Campus, Lincoln only

This program is accredited by the American Dental Association, Commission on Dental Accreditation, 211 East Chicago Ave., Chicago, IL, 60611.

The dental hygienist is a licensed professional who provides primary preventive dental services to patients in a wide variety of settings. Students in this program attend lecture and laboratory classes and provide treatment in a modern, state-of-the-art dental hygiene clinic at the Flanagan Campus in Lincoln. This course of study prepares students for board examinations required for dental hygiene licensure. Participation in the dental hygiene program exposes students to infectious diseases, blood born pathogens and ionizing radiation.

Technical Standards: The physical activity (strength) level for dental hygienist (078.361-010) is classified as “light” by the Department of Labor in The Dictionary of Occupational Titles.

Note: Many courses require prerequisites and/or testing. See course descriptions for details.

CCRI also offers a Dental Assisting certificate program, see this page for details.

Minimum requirements needed to apply to the Dental Hygiene program

1. CCRI application – Submit a completed CCRI Application for Enrollment. General Studies should be first choice; DHYG should be second choice.
2. High school transcript – Send an official copy of a transcript from an accredited high school or GED® certification, including date of graduation or, if the applicant holds a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college/university, the high school transcript may be waived; college transcript must indicate completion and degree awarded.
3. Placement testing – Complete a standardized test (ACCUPLACER) issued by CCRI's Department of Advising and Counseling. Students may retake the ACCUPLACER test once before completing any remedial course(s).
   1. Math – Demonstrate competency by placing into MATH 0101 with a test score of 75 or above for the algebra section or completion of MATH 0101: Foundations of College Algebra with a grade of "C" or better. The entry course for MATH 0101 is MATH 0095. The following courses will substitute for MATH 0101:1025,1139,1175,1240,1241,2077, 2110,2111,2138,2141,2142 or 2243.
   2. English (writing) test must show readiness to take ENGL 1010: Composition I or applicant must have completed ENGL 1005: College Writing with a grade of "C" or better. ENGL 1300 will not substitute for ENGL 1010.
   3. Reading comprehension test must show competency of 80 or above or students must complete ENGL 0890: Critical Reading with a grade of "B-" or better.
4. Complete courses required for admission with a grade of C or better:
   1. CHEM 1010 - Survey of Biomedical Chemistry (Chemistry placement testing is required prior to enrolling in CHEM 1010.)
   2. DENT 1000 - Introduction to Dental Health
   3. BIOL 1010 - Human Anatomy
   4. BIOL 1020 - Human Physiology
5. GPA – A cumulative grade point average of 2.0 or better for all college courses taken. All science courses must have earned a final course grade of "C" or better. If not, the science course(s) must be repeated.
   1. All the above requirements must be completed satisfactorily BEFORE submission of performance-based Health Sciences application and do not guarantee acceptance to the program. Students declining acceptance into the program for the semester offered must resubmit a performance-based Health Sciences application for the program and meet the current admission requirements for the application period in which they reapply. Once accepted into Dental Hygiene, the student must attend a mandatory orientation conducted by the Dental Health Department.
6. Health Sciences application – Submit a completed performance-based Health Sciences application including a preadmission degree evaluation. Deadlines are listed on form.
7. BCI – Students are required to submit a background check when directed by notification from Enrollment Services. Results of BCI may prevent admission due to clinical agencies requirements.

Program Requirements

• Students must complete all BIOL, CHEM, and DENT 1000 with a grade of C or better.
• A cumulative grade point average of 2.0 or better is required at the end of each semester to proceed in the program.
• General education courses in the Dental Hygiene curriculum may be taken prior to the semester recommended. BIOL 2210 must be taken prior to or during the second semester.
• Program faculty reserve the right to dismiss any student from the program or refuse reinstatement based on academic, clinical or professional performance.
• ENGL 1300 may not be substituted for ENGL 1010.
• All science courses must be completed with a grade of C or better or the course(s) must be repeated.
• Students must complete all DHYG and DENT courses with a grade of C+ or better.

Readmission

Any student who leaves the program for any reason may apply for readmission in a subsequent year. Such application must be made by letter to the program director and must be received by Oct. 15 or March 15 preceding the semester for which readmission is sought. Consideration for possible readmission will be by concurrence of the Dental Hygiene Readmittance Committee and the program director who will review each request individually. There is no guarantee that a student will be readmitted to the Dental Hygiene program.

A student may be readmitted to the Dental Hygiene program only once and must comply with the recommendations of the Dental Hygiene Readmittance Committee and the program director.

These recommendations may include but are not limited to:

• reinstatement on a space available basis;
• reinstatement that may include repeating any previously completed clinical courses;
• reinstatement that may include repeating or auditing any previously completed didactic courses;
• denial of reinstatement with no further consideration for readmission.

Total General Education Requirements Credits 17

Total General Education Credits (including preadmission) 30

Total Major Requirements Credits 46

Total Program Credits 78