Dental Hygiene
Associate of Applied Science
- Entry wage: $53,355*
- Median wage: $68,978*
- Job placement rate: 100%**
A day in the life
Dental hygienists usually work in dental practices. They examine and evaluate the health of patients' gums, expose dental x-rays, and clean patients' teeth. Hygienists also educate patients about good oral health.
Three reasons to consider this program.
- Salaries are excellent. Few two-year degrees have as much earning potential.
- Many hygienists work fewer than 35 hours per week while earning a good salary.
- This is a great profession if you love to learn and to help people.
Before you sign up, make sure you understand...
- Science, science and more science. You must love science to do well in this program.
- Admission is competitive. A typical GPA for a dental hygiene student is about 3.7. Only 12 spots are available.
- Courses such as English and Speech will help you with your communication skills and ability to relate to patients.
Program Navigation
Notes and Map Legend
Key Course: program faculty have identified this course as key to your success
Recommended Elective: check catalog for other acceptable courses- This map assumes completion of course prerequisites
The Roane State Associate of Applied Science Degree Program in Dental Hygiene consists of five semesters of full-time study which includes supervised clinical coursework in the Oak Ridge Branch Campus dental hygiene clinic. Students are required to treat patients in a variance of difficulty and must schedule their own patients.
Dental hygienist provides oral health care services that help prevent gum and bone disease and dental decay as well as teach patients how to improve their oral hygiene. Hygienists examine patients’ teeth and gums; record the presence of diseases or abnormalities. They remove calculus, stains, and plaque from teeth; take and develop x-rays; apply cavity preventive agents such as fluorides and pit and fissure sealants. In Tennessee and many other states, hygienists administer local anesthetics and anesthetic gas; place and carve filling materials, temporary fillings and periodontal dressings; remove sutures; and smooth and polish metal restorations. Dental hygienists also help patients develop and maintain good oral health. For example, they may explain the relationship between diet and oral health, inform patients how to select toothbrushes, and show patients how to brush and floss their teeth. Dental hygienists use hand and ultrasonic instruments to clean teeth, x-ray machines to take dental radiographs, prepare syringes with needles to administer local anesthetics, and take impressions of patients’ teeth.
Dental hygienist must be licensed by the State in which they practice. To qualify for licensure, a candidate must graduate from an accredited dental hygiene school and pass both written and clinical examination.
Dental hygienists should work well with others and must have good manual dexterity, due to working with dental instruments in patient’s mouth. Be willing to refine their verbal, non-verbal and written skills to successfully communicate with patients of all ages and cultural backgrounds.
Dental Hygiene Admissions Information
Applications Required for the Dental Hygiene Program
RSCC Application Link - Steps 1 and 2 are required for admission to the College and Health Sciences programs.
Health Sciences Application
Job Shadowing Instructions & Form - All program applicants must provide evidence of 20 job shadowing hours.
Program Costs
Roane State Tuition & Fees
All tuition and fees are subject to change by the Tennessee Board of Regents.
* Program courses that are taken in an online format are subject to a distance education fee. A Specialized Health Science Fee of $25 per credit hour will be applied to all Health Science courses. See Tuition and Fees link above.
Books, Supplies and Additional Program Expenses
Visit the bookstore for book titles and prices.
- Instruments/Loupes: $3150
- Uniforms: Approximately $220 (first year)
- Students American Dental Hygiene Association Dues: $65 per year
- Radiation Badge: $96
- National Board Examination (NBDHE): $550
- Central Regional Dental Testing Services (CRDTS): $1150, plus site fees dependent on host institution
See the current catalog for out-of-state tuition and fees and residency requirement rules.
Accreditation
The Dental Hygiene Program is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) 211 E. Chicago Avenue, Suite 1900, Chicago, IL 60611-2678; (312) 440-4653; ada.org.
Commission on Dental Accreditation Posting Form for Third Party Comments
Program Outcomes
Melinda K Gill
Click above for email address
(865) 354-3000 ext. 2128
RDH, BSDH, MPA
Program Director
Jessica L Rockwell
Click above for email address
(865) 354-3000 ext. 2209
RDH, BSDH
Clinical Coordinator
Sherri Graham
grahamss@roanestate.edu
Faculty
For information regarding the status of your AHS application for the Dental Hygiene program, please contact:
Dr. Patricia Jenkins
Click above for email address
(865) 354-3000 ext. 4809
Dean of Health Sciences
Looking for Dental Work, not a Dental Cleaning?
Location and Appointments
The Dental Hygiene Clinic is located at:
Roane State's Oak Ridge Campus, Coffey/McNally Building, First Floor.
701 Briarcliff Avenue
Oak Ridge, Tennessee 37830
Phone: 865-481-2016
Clinic Hours *By appointment only*
Fall Semester
Mon & Tues: 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Wed & Thurs: 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m., 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Spring Semester
Mon – Thurs: 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m., 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Fri: 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Please note: the dental hygiene clinic is closed May – August.
Fee Schedule
Cleaning
Includes exam, all necessary radiographs, & fluoride treatment
$30.00 *Veterans are free
Pit & Fissure Sealants
$5.00 per tooth
$25.00 (maximum charge per patient)
Teeth Whitening
Teeth whitening for active patients only—must have had cleaning in our clinic within the past year
$140.00 both arches (includes full starter kit)
$75.00 1 arch (includes 4 tube starter kit)
$32.00 refresher kit (4 tubes)
Records Fee
Patients may request a copy of their records to be sent to a dentist of their choice
$15.00 mailed copy
Electronic copy (no charge)
