Roane State Community College

The Dental Hygiene Program includes a background of general studies, dental science, and clinical skills with which the student becomes a proficient provider of oral health care while working under the supervision of a dentist.

The goals of the Dental Hygiene program are:

1. Provide the didactic and clinical instruction that prepares students for the practice of dental hygiene.
2. Provide students with the skills to effectively interact with dental and other health care providers.
3. Encourage students to commit to lifelong learning.
4. Provide necessary skills that prepare students to become effective members of the dental health team.
5. Encourage students to assume active leadership roles in community and professional organizations.
6. Provide quality patient centered dental hygiene treatment.

Admission Policies for Allied Health Sciences A.A.S. Degrees

In addition to the special admission policies for Allied Health Sciences programs, the Dental Hygiene Program utilizes the following factors in ranking and acceptance of applicants:

1. The number of required course hours completed in the Dental Hygiene Degree Plan
2. The student’s grades for required science courses completed. Science courses must be taken within 5 years of the published application deadline. 
3. Work experience in the field of Dentistry
4. Registry/Certification in Dental Assisting
5. GPA in the Dental Hygiene degree plan
6. Results of a personal interview and writing sample. Interviews will be granted only to the top twenty selected applicants who have met the minimum requirements for admission to the program.

All DHYG courses must be taken in sequence. All required science courses must be taken in the semester as listed if applicant is admitted to the program OR any of the courses may be completed prior to the beginning of the program in August. Admission to the Dental Hygiene program is required prior to enrolling in any DHYG courses.  All DHYG courses are taught on the Oak Ridge Branch Campus.

The program in dental hygiene is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation. The Commission is a specialized accrediting body recognized by the United States Department of Education. The Commission on Dental Accreditation can be contacted at (312) 440-4653 or at 211 East Chicago Avenue, Chicago, IL 60611.

Effective Fall 2021

1st Fall			Hours
ENGL	1010	Composition I	3
PSYC	2130	Lifespan Development Psychology (Recommended) OR PSYC 2210 or PSYC 1030	3
BIOL	2010	Human Anatomy and Physiology I1	4
MATH	1530	Introductory Statistics (Recommended) OR MATH 1130 or MATH 1630 or a higher content level MATH course	3
		TERM TOTAL	13
Action Items
	Oct	Meet with Success Coach or Advisor Complete FAFSA for upcoming fall term
	Nov	Register for next term
	Dec	Complete AHS application
1st Spring			Hours
CHEM	1010	Introductory Chemistry I1 OR CHEM 1110-General Chemistry	4
BIOL	2020	Human Anatomy and Physiology II2	4
PHIL	1030	Intro to Philosophy (Recommended) OR Humanities Elective	3
SOCI	1010	Intro to Sociology (Recommended) OR SOCI 1040-Social Problems	3
		TERM TOTAL	14
Action Items
	Feb	Submit supplemental admission documents by program deadline
	Mar	Meet with Success Coach or Advisor
	April	Register for next term
1st Summer			Hours
BIOL	2230	Microbiology	4
		TERM TOTAL	4
2nd Fall			Hours
DHYG	101	Pre-clinical Dental Hygiene	5
DHYG	111	Dental Science I	3
DHYG	132	Dental Radiography	3
		TERM TOTAL	11
Action Items
	Oct	Meet with Faculty Advisor Complete FAFSA for upcoming fall term
	Nov	Register for next term
2nd Spring			Hours
DHYG	112	Dental Science II	3
DHYG	121	Clinical Dental Hygiene I	1
DHYG	141	Principles of Dental Hygiene I	3
DHYG	161	Biochemistry and Nutrition	3
		TERM TOTAL	10
Action Items
	Mar	Meet with Faculty Advisor
	April	Register for next term
2nd Summer			Hours
DHYG	133	General and Oral Pathology	3
DHYG	171	Dental Materials	3
		TERM TOTAL	6
3rd Fall			Hours
DHYG	201	Pharmacology and Pain Control	4
DHYG	221	Clinical Dental Hygiene II	2
DHYG	240	Principles of Dental Hygiene II	2
DHYG	251	Periodontology	3
		TERM TOTAL	11
Action Items
	Sept	Complete Application for Graduation
	Oct	Meet with Faculty Advisor
	Nov	Register for next term Register for National and Clinical Boards
3rd Spring			Hours
DHYG	211	Dental Hygiene Seminar	2
DHYG	212	Community Health	3
DHYG	222	Clinical Dental Hygiene III	2
DHYG	242	Principles of Dental Hygiene III	2
		TERM TOTAL	9
Action Items
	Feb	Take Exit Exam (ETS Proficiency Profile)
	Mar	Begin job search with RaiderRecruit
		TOTAL HOURS	78

¹BIOL 2010 and CHEM 1010 must be taken by fall semester of the first year.  CHEM 1010 prerequisite is an ACT Math score of 21 or greater OR completion of Math Learning support courses and MATH 1000- Algebra Essentials.
²BIOL 2020 must be taken by spring of the first year.

Students pursuing this option will be advised by the Allied Health Sciences Division.

Program Application Deadline: February 28

This program is designed for students who plan to enter the workforce upon graduation.  Students intending to transfer to a baccalaureate program are advised that they should check with their academic advisor and the four-year institution regarding specific transfer of courses.

http://www.roanestate.edu/?127-Dental-Hygiene