Overview Degrees Courses
Sylvania Campus
Health Technology Building (HT), Room 206
971-722-4236
Health Admissions Office
Health Technology Building (HT), Room 205
971-722-4795
www.pcc.edu/dh
Career and Program Description
The dental hygienist is a licensed dental health care professional who specializes in periodontal therapy and oral health education. A broad-based education in biological sciences and humanities as well as dental sciences and clinical techniques prepares the graduate for work in private practice and community settings. In the dental office, the hygienist assesses the patient’s oral health, treats periodontal (gum) disease and provides follow-up care. In addition, the hygienist provides a variety of preventive services including the application of fluoride and sealants, tobacco and nutritional counseling and oral health education to individuals and community groups.
The Dental Hygiene Program offers a two-year curriculum that is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA). The program of study prepares students for the National Board written examination and regional licensure examinations.
Students enrolled in the Dental Hygiene Program will be performing exposure prone procedures and will be required to wear safety glasses, gloves, face masks and protective clothing during all laboratory and clinic activities that produce airborne particulate matter, or expose students to patients during dental procedures. An exposure prone procedure is one in which there is an increased opportunity for the exchange of blood borne pathogens between the patient and the dental health care provider because of the kind of procedure being performed.
Safety policies, procedures and protocols are taught and followed according to OSHA regulations and CDC standards to provide a safe learning and patient care environment. The program policies on Blood borne Pathogens and Infectious Disease are available to applicants upon request. Upon acceptance to the program, extensive training in this area will occur.
Applicants who have an infectious disease or who are carriers of an infectious disease should seek counsel from their physician and the program director prior to application. The college will follow CDC suggested work restrictions for health-care personnel infected with or exposed to major infectious diseases in health care settings, from the CDC’s Guidelines for Infection Control in Dental Health-Care Settings–2003, available at www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/rr5217a1.htm Table 1, attached to and incorporated by this reference to this policy.
All PCC students enrolled in a health care or child care program, including dental hygiene, with requirements for practical experience of field training may have to pass a Criminal History Check (CHC) as a condition of their acceptance into a medical or other facility for training.
Students who do not pass the CHC may not be eligible to complete training at affiliated practicum sites, to sit for licensing or certification exams, obtain state licensure, or be hired for some professional positions. If you believe that your past history may interfere with your ability to complete the program of study or to obtaining licensure, or certification in your chosen field, you should contact the appropriate state board or program director.
Computer skills: Students must have acquired basic computer skills in word processing and the Internet. It is recommended that this preparation be taken prior to entry. The Dental Hygiene program requires one course of nutrition, communications, sociology and psychology.
Applications are accepted each year from January 1 to April 15 only. Twenty students and twelve alternates will be selected based upon specific admissions criteria. Further information can be obtained from the Dental Sciences Department or the Health Admissions Office:
Health Admissions Office
Sylvania Campus, (HT) Room 205
Portland Community College
P.O. Box 19000
Portland, Oregon 97280-0990
For additional help call 971-722-4795 or check the website www.pcc.edu/dh.
Degrees and Certificates Offered
Associate of Applied Science Degree
Dental Hygiene
Prerequisites and Requirements
Completion of the following courses or their equivalents* with a C or higher are required to be considered for application to the Dental Hygiene Program:
WR 121
MTH 65 or higher
BI 231 and BI 232 sequence with lab. Students planning to transfer dental hygiene course work to a university baccalaureate degree should take BI 231, BI 232, BI 233 and CH 104, CH 105, CH 106
BI 234 with lab (completed within the last seven years)
CH 102 or CH 106. These courses are required for entry into the program and may be used to fulfill the AAS General Education requirement.
PSY 101
SOC 204
COMM 111
All prerequisite course must be complete by the end of winter term prior to the application deadline. Courses planned for spring term will not be considered. Pass/No Pass grade is not acceptable in the prerequisite courses.
The Dental Hygiene Program is a limited entry program with restricted enrollment. The admissions process is competitive and based on a point system. Applicants with the highest point totals will be accepted. Completing admission requirements and applying to the programs does not guarantee admission. For our current point evaluation sheet please visit www.pcc.edu/dh. Candidates will be notified of their admissions status by the beginning of June.
All students are required to be immunized against Hepatitis B as well as evidence of immunity to measles. Tetanus immunization and current tuberculin skin test (TST). Test must be within previous twelve months. Positive TST will require evidence of normal chest x-ray (supply upon acceptance).
Valid CPR for the Healthcare Provider Card
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