BIOLOGICAL & HEALTH SCIENCES DIVISION
DENTAL HYGIENE DEPARTMENT
Welcome to our dental hygiene home page. We hope this information is helpful getting you started in this rewarding and exciting health career. The dental hygiene program is two years in length including two brief summer sessions. You will find details for prerequisites and application information as well as links to other dental hygiene related topics on this site.
The Foothill College Dental Hygiene Program has been in existence since 1964 and is accredited by the American Dental Association. Based upon National Board Exam scores, our program was Ranked 2nd in the nation in 2003 and 2005 out of 250 dental hygiene programs in the US. Students have a 100% pass rate on the Dental Hygiene National Board examination, and are highly ranked among U.S. dental hygiene programs, in both 2-year community colleges, and 4-year university programs.
This intensive two-year program begins in the Summer Quarter. The curriculum includes comprehensive courses in basic sciences, oral anatomy, public health, nutrition, clinical dental hygiene, periodontics, pathology, radiology and many others.
The Foothill College Dental Hygiene offers you state-of-the-art clinical facilities, experienced, caring faculty, and comprehensive college support services designed to help you succeed. Students are supervised during their clinic experience on patients. Students who successfully complete the program receive an Associate in Science Degree in Dental Hygiene and are qualified to take the Dental Hygiene National Board Examination and California State Licensing Examination.
Dental Hygienists are in great demand. It is a career offering excellent income,
security, flexibility, variety, prestige and respect – the factors you
value in a career. Please explore our web site and learn more about our program
and the application process.
Thank you for your interest!
Phyllis Spragge, RDH, MA
Division Dean
Click here if you have not read the Program Curriculum Requirement Sheet!
Director's Desk: Additional Program Information.
The mission of the Foothill College Dental Hygiene Program is in accord with the mission of the Foothill-DeAnza Community College District.
The purpose of the dental hygiene program is to educate students who will positively impact the oral health status of the community. This education will include courses in the basic, social and dental sciences, liberal arts and public health with emphasis on the clinical aspect of the dental hygiene practice. This education will provide the student with a foundation to pursue life long learning.top of page
The goals of the Dental Hygiene Program at Foothill College are designed to prepare the dental hygiene student
Introduction
Through the clinic learning situation, the student should strive to develop and practice the following attitudes and behaviors of a professional person. These qualities will be used in daily procedures--the success or failure of a career depends not only upon clinical skill, but also upon personal conduct, appearance, and ability to work with patients, instructors, employers, and colleagues. These attributes and behavior patterns are learned, acquired characteristics, and each student is urged to practice them constantly, not only in clinic, but also in one's personal and professional life.
INTERPERSONAL RELATIONS
An important aspect of interpersonal relations is one's attitude. Professional conduct should be demonstrated in the following areas:
The American Dental Association, Commission on Dental Accreditation, hereafter referred to as "the Commission", accredits the Foothill College Dental Hygiene Program. The Commission is a specialized accrediting agency recognized by the Council on Post secondary Accreditation and the U. S. Department of Education. The Commission conducts the accreditation and site visit process and recommends re-accreditation. The most recent accreditation took place for the Foothill Dental Hygiene Program in October 2004. The next site visit will take place in 2011. The Foothill Dental Hygiene Program's master plan, policies, and curriculum are modeled after Commission guidelines. Copies of the standards and guidelines for a model Dental Hygiene Program are on file in the Director's office. Copies of the Accreditation report for the Foothill College Dental Hygiene Program are also on file in the Director's office.
The Foothill College Dental Hygiene Program is affiliated with the University of California, School of Dentistry, San Francisco, California.
What skills & abilities are required to be successful in an allied health education program such as dental hygiene? I have listed the areas I feel are most critical.
Memory Processes
The field of medical & dental knowledge is immense & constantly changing. Health professionals must acquire & remember a tremendous number of details, making memory processes critical. The successful student cannot take a course, memorize the information for exams, and then forget it. The knowledge you learn in each dental hygiene course is important for subsequent courses, passing your National Board exams, and most importantly - providing the highest quality care to your patients.
Learning Strategies
It is important to be smart in the way you approach your studies so that you maximize your learning. Each of us learns in a different way & you should think about what study strategies work best for you. Some ideas are: taping lectures, forming study groups, re-writing notes at home after class, reading before the lecture so you are familiar with the material, flash cards, drawing pictures or diagrams, etc. Keep assignments on a calendar, schedule study time & don’t procrastinate.
Self-directed in learning
Healthcare education extends over the lifetime of the individual. Health professionals must be self-directed in their learning activities & be able to relate new information to their own experiences. You are just beginning a lifetime of dental hygiene education.
Decision-making, reasoning & problem-solving
Dental hygiene practice requires critical thinking processes & skills. You must apply the information you learn in class to a clinical setting. Each patient is unique, requiring that you, the student, are able to reason & problem-solve each situation in consultation with your instructor. We expect the student to look up information & research topics as needed rather that asking your instructor for the answer; this is the hallmark of a professional.
Sensory-motor ability
Dental hygiene requires a very high level of sensory-motor ability & manual dexterity. You will learn to use surgically sharp instruments that must be manipulated in a safe & effective manner for health & safety reasons. The inability to safely perform dental hygiene instrumentation skills is grounds for dismissal from the dental hygiene program for health & safety reasons. I recommend you practice intentionally when in clinical labs & at home on your typodont. Prior to starting a dental hygiene program it is beneficial to develop manual dexterity and physical strength in the hands & arms.
Ability to deal with anxiety & professionalism
The health care environment is very stressful. The health care professional needs a calm, professional demeanor to establish trust & rapport with patients. During the dental hygiene program there are several presentations, clinical evaluations, and patient interactions that may be stressful. The ability to handle stress is an important factor in successful completion of the program.
Copyright: Phyllis Spragge 2007.
School schedule
The Foothill College Dental Hygiene program is a rigorous two-year program for full time students. Full time students should expect to be in school from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm every day. There are times when classes are held in the evening after 5:00 pm.
It is difficult to work while attending the program. Students who work usually have flexible job schedules or work only during the weekends.
Social functions, work responsibilities, and other personal appointments must be scheduled outside of class time. Attendance is closely monitored as that the dental hygiene program is preparing its graduates to be successful employees in the dental workforce. Poor attendance or tardiness will result in dismissal of the student from classes.
How hard is the program?
The Foothill College Dental Hygiene program is a rigorous and intensive program. Every year many students mention the fact that going through the program is a lot harder than what they thought it would be like. Multiple tests can be given on the same day. Cumulative midterm and final exams are given for many classes to help prepare the students to successfully pass difficult state and national written and hands-on licensure examinations.
Student kit and fee
Purchase of the kit is mandatory and no substitutions from outside sources can be made. You will be informed of the cost of the kit at Orientation.
Clinic Gowns
Students are required to wear surgical gowns as designated by the dental hygiene program. You will receive specific information about the type and color of surgical gown in Orientation. Students are responsible for purchasing four gowns before Fall quarter.
Student conduct
The primary goal of the Foothill College Dental Hygiene Program is to prepare students to successfully work in a private dental office in a diverse cultural, socioeconomic, and ethnic environment. Teamwork is emphasized and students who are admitted into the dental hygiene program are encouraged to work together with other students during laboratory and clinic sessions. The instructor often arranges lab partners and changes are not acceptable. Therefore,students should make an effort to get along with all of the students. We do not expect everyone to be friends but the student should be at least civil to each other.
Students are not only required to work together but will be working in the mouth of other students for certain procedures. This close and personnel working relationship can be unpleasant if students do not get along with each other.
Physical examinations
All students must complete a physical examination before the starting the program. Standard forms are used and need to be completed and filled out by a physician. Medical examination forms are due the first day of school in June.
Hepatitis B antibody, tuberculosis and a rubella test must be performed by your physician and a copy of the lab results must be attached to the form.
Students who have a positive tuberculosis skin test must have a chest x-ray and clearance from their physician prior to attending a clinical rotation.
Hepatitis B vaccination
All students should consider vaccination against Hepatitis B. The vaccination can be obtained from the Foothill College Student Health Center. Students can also obtain the vaccination from his/her private physician. The vaccination is a series of three injections. The second injection is give one month after the first injection and the third injection is given six months after the first injection.
Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)
All dental hygiene students must have and maintain current CPR certification. Students can call either the local American Red Cross ("CPR for the Professional Rescuer"), or the American Heart Association ("Healthcare Provider") for classes. It is the student's responsibility to accomplish this certification before the start of Fall quarter (September).