Dental Hygiene Associate Degree Program
Dental Hygiene Program Outcomes
Upon successful completion of all Dental Hygiene program requirements, graduates will be able to:
- Value the importance of patient-centered care and concepts of health promotion.
- Assess the need for, expose, develop, evaluate and interpret dental radiographs to support the clinical examination; while employing radiation safety principles and procedures requiring exposure to ionizing radiation.
- Assess, plan, implement, evaluate and document dental hygiene process of care for the prevention and/or treatment of oral diseases.
- Apply principles of nutritional and/or tobacco cessation counseling to the management of oral health.
- Apply standard precautions for the prevention of disease transmission.
- Follow all state and federal regulatory requirements when rendering patient care.
- Demonstrate professional communication skills in all aspects of patient care; while applying principles of professional and ethical behavior when providing patient care.
- Demonstrate concern and understanding of a variety of patient needs based on overall health, oral health, cultural, social, and economic circumstances; while applying principles of evidence-based decision making.
- Recommend referral for additional assessment and/or treatment.
- Self-assess ability to perform dental hygiene services at a high standard of care.