Dental Hygiene - Howard College

Dental Hygiene from Howard College is a Campus Associate Dentistry degree that prepares you for a Healthcare career. What is a Dental Hygienist? A Dental Hygienist is a preventive oral health professional licensed in dental hygiene that provides educational, clinical, and therapeutic services supporting total health through the promotion of optimal oral health. The education of the dental hygienist emphasizes the basic sciences which include microbiology, chemistry, pathology, anatomy, and physiology. Other components of the curriculum develop the clinical skills of the dental hygienist which ultimately prepares the hygienist to provide preventive dental health services to the public. A Dental Hygienist is eligible for licensure after graduation from an educational program accredited by the American Dental Association Commission on Dental Accreditation and upon successful completion of both a written National Board Dental Hygiene Examination and a clinical examination. The licensed dental hygienist practice in accordance with the requirements of individual state dental practice acts. The purpose of licensure is to protect the public. In many states, a dental hygienist must take continuing education courses to renew his/her license. A Dental Hygienist may work in such practice settings as: Private dental offices and dental clinics, Federal, state and local health departments or associated institutions, hospitals and nursing homes, school districts or department of education, educational programs for dental , dental hygiene and dental assisting students. Private business/industry. Correctional facilities. Private and public centers for pediatric, geriatric and other individuals/groups with special needs. Health Maintenance Organizations. A Dental Hygienist is that member of the dental team who is responsible for providing treatment that helps to prevent oral disease such as dental caries (cavities) and periodontal disease (gum disease) and for educating the patient to maintain optimal oral health. This professional is especially knowledgeable about the preventive aspects of dental disease. Although legal dental hygiene functions vary from state to state, some of the functions routinely performed by a dental hygienist include, but are not limited to: monitoring of patient's health history, including blood pressure, thorough examination of the teeth and oral structures, including a soft tissue exam; removal of calculus, stain, and plaque (hard and soft deposits) from above and below the gum line; application; application of caries-preventive agents, such as fluorides and fissure-sealants; plaque control instruction and development of individualized oral hygiene programs for home care; dietary analysis and counseling; exposure, processing and interpretations of dental x-rays; placement of temporary fillings and periodontal dressings, removal of sutures, and polishing and re-contouring amalgam fillings; educating the individual patient, the general public and special population groups (e.g., minority groups, geriatric, mentally; physically handicapped persons) about the importance of good oral hygiene habits; oral cancer and blood pressure screenings; designing and implementing community dental health programs. In some states, with additional education a hygienist may provide other services such as administering local anesthetics and nitrous oxide / oxygen analgesia, placing and carving of filling materials, and also additional periodontal procedures. Vision, Mission, Goals and Philosophy Vision It is the vision of the Howard College Dental Hygiene Program to become a model program, which will meet the future needs of an ever-expanding service area. Our model program will provide comprehensive dental hygiene education utilizing innovative, flexible technology, delivery systems, and partnerships. Mission Statement and Goals The Mission of the Howard College Dental Hygiene Program is to be a dynamic center of learning that serves the educational and economic community by developing competent dental hygiene practitioners. Our Program will provide innovative and traditional instruction to develop ongoing learning skills that demonstrate the best and most ethical patient care, research and service. To advance the mission the Dental Hygiene Program will: 1. Provide a comprehensive dental hygiene program that is sensitive to meeting the needs and requirements of the dental care community of West Texas and the Howard College service area; 2. Provide program facilities for clinic, laboratories and classrooms that are conducive to learning, and a learning climate that emphasizes social and ethical development as well as technical competence; 3. Provide clinical and didactic curricula incorporating current scientific innovations in dental health care and delivery; 4. Recruit and retain faculty motivated to deliver and evaluate curricula in relation to student success; provide access to continuous professional development; 5. Stimulate students to critically analyze scientific information and develop ongoing skills and interest in learning. 6. Educate students about the various roles of the dental hygienist including private practice, institutional practice, education, research and administration; 7. Monitor and evaluate goals and outcomes for the continuous improvement of our Dental Hygiene Program. 8. Incorporate critical thinking processes with evidence-based provision of care. View more details on Howard College . Ask your questions and apply online for this program or find other related Dentistry courses.