1. Here are some answers to your questions!

2.  Infectious disease transmission can pose significant concerns in the dental workplace  All dental healthcare workers must understand the basic principles of disease transmission, infection control, and safety to minimized the risks associated with exposure to biohazardous agents.  To ensure an understanding of the risks presented and to implement safe work practices, federal regulations require that all healthcare professionals participate in specific training in infection control practices for exposure to an handling of biohazardous materials.

3.  Upon entering Dental Health Professions, the students are given a training session that includes, but not limited to, an explanation of the Bloodborne Pathogens Standard, the Exposure Control Plan, hazard communication, engineering controls, work practice controls and personal protective equipment.  The Exposure Control Plan and the Bloodborne Pathogen standard are available to all students, faculty and staff in Programs’ Policy Manuals.

4.  Dental Hygienists are licensed professionals who provide preventive dental care and encourage patients to develop good oral hygiene skills.

5.  Evaluates and charts patient’s dental health and history  Administers infiltration anesthesia  Removes hard and soft deposits and stains from above and below the gum line and polishes teeth  Applies topical medications to teeth and between teeth to help prevent decay

6.  Exposes, develops and interprets x-rays  Places temporary fillings  Removes sutures  Places pit and fissure sealants  Cleans, sharpens and sterilizes equipment  Monitors Nitrous Oxide Sedation  Infiltration Anesthesia

7.  Working hours range from 35 to 40 hours per week.  Dentists often employ hygienists for only two or three days per week.  It is not unusual for a dental hygienist to hold several part-time jobs.

8.  What are the steps to enrollment in the Dental Hygiene Program?

9.  Complete and submit a York Technical College Application  Take the placement test or submit SAT/ACT scores  Submit college transcripts (if applicable)  Meet with an Admissions Counselor  Be accepted to the Pre-Dental Hygiene program  Work with your advisor each term  Meet requirements for program goal  Meet with a member of the Enrollment Services Team  Pay the $50.00 wait list fee  Pay the $100.00 deposit when seat is available  Maintain 2.0 GPR each semester  Fulfill entry criteria Physical Exam Health and liability insurance

10.  Physical Assessment  Proof of two MMR vaccinations AND Rubella titer is required or if no proof of MMR is available you must have titers for each(Measles, Mumps, and Rubella)  Varicella (Chicken Pox) titer required  Proof of Diphtheria-Tetanus Booster (Last booster must have been received within the past 10 years.)  Hepatitis B vaccination is recommended (Documentation of declination is required if student does not have the vaccine.)  Proof of 2 step PPD within 3 months prior to entry of program is required.  Physician’s evaluation

11.  Algebra  Biology  Chemistry  College Preparatory English

12.  What job opportunities exist?

13.  Dental Offices  Schools  Hospitals  Civil Service offices  Mobile Dental

14.  What salary will I make after completing this program?  Graduates earn $28-$30 per hour locally and $30-$35 per hour in Charlotte.

15.  Curriculum is rigorous – requires extensive reading, study time and good time management skills- takes 21 months to complete  Program runs concurrently – starts only once each fall; if you withdraw or fail a DHG course, you have to reapply to be able to reenter  Critical thinking required on the job  Stress level – medium to high  Must be a team player as well as able to work independently  Very interesting and rewarding field of study

16.  You might find yourself trying to polish teeth of a geriatric client who forgot that it is necessary to brush everyday.  Or scaling hard deposits off teeth that you cannot see because of all the blood and plaque surrounding them  Or giving anesthetic (novacaine) injections when you might be “squeamish about shots”  And, you need to realize there are more harmful bacteria in the mouth than any other orifice of the body.

17.  You may work on patients with pus coming out from under the gum which gives off a foul odor.  You need to realize that every patient you see has the potential to transmit HIV, TB, or herpes despite what they tell you or how they look.  You may see patients, including children with badly decayed teeth and know they have no funding.

18.  How much time should I expect to spend in this program to be successful?

19.  The program is very demanding!  The program is a full-time, Monday through Friday, daytime program.  Between the coursework and the clinical rotations, successful students should plan to devote approximately 40 hours per week each semester to their education.

20.  This schedule can make it challenging to be employed full-time while enrolled in the program.  For students who must work, it is highly recommended that they work no more than 20 hours per week.

21.  How stressful is the clinical environment?

22.  The program can be quite stressful. Classroom material must be retained for the clinical setting where students are acquiring hands-on skills to make the connection between theory and practice. Students must be willing to become motivated, independent learners and accept constructive criticism while in the clinical setting.

23.  What are the physical requirements for this field?

24.  Good hand dexterity  Use of feet to operate equipment  The ability to sit or stand for long durations of time

25.  What type of special skills do I need to possess in order to be a successful Dental Hygienist?

26.  Responsible/reliable  Flexible/adaptable  Good communication skills  Like working with people and equipment  Strong interest in science  Able to apply principles of logical or scientific thinking  Able to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions and forms

27.  The grading scale for the DHG program for both coursework and clinicals:  Students MUST maintain a MINIMUM grade point average of 80 in all DHG coursework in order to remain in the program.  A minimum of 80 is required in all clinical coursework. Below 80 is considered unacceptable clinical performance.

28.  Students who earn any grade below an 80 in any Dental Hygiene course will not be eligible to continue.  It is very difficult for students to work more than 20 hours per week and be successful in this program.

29.  What are the estimated expenses for the program?

30.  Tuition & fees for five semesters (in county)$14,747  Textbooks$3,782  Uniforms$700  Universal Protection Kit$2,674  Instruments & Supplies$1,840  Liability Insurance$15  Health Insurance ( varies)$ 600 Physical Exam ( varies)$600  Eye Exam$75  Dental Exam ( at York Technical College)$35  Hepatitis B Vaccination (Required)$420  CPR Certification$50  National SADHA Dues$110  National Boards $400  Clinical Board Fee ( CRDTS / SRTA)$1500  Nitrous Oxide Certification$25  Infiltration Anesthesia Certification$120  Graduation Fee/Cap/Gown$35  SC Dental Hygiene Licensure$150  TEAS Test$86

31.  What is required to become a Dental Hygienist once I graduate?  Students must pass licensure exams in order to practice dental hygiene?  Continuing education is mandatory for re-licensure each year.

33.  If so, you may have additional questions.  Please feel free to contact:  Edna Martin Program Manager, at 981-7068