Dental Hygiene - North Dakota State College of Science

Dental Hygiene from North Dakota State College of Science is a Campus Associate Dentistry degree that prepares you for a Healthcare career. The Dental Hygiene program is designed to prepare students as professionals in the discipline of dental hygiene. The roles of the dental hygienist can vary depending on the state board regulations. Some of the patient care services performed by a dental hygienist may include: patient screening procedures such as reviewing of the health history, dental charting, oral inspections, taking and recording blood pressure; exposing and developing radiographs (X-rays); removing calculus and plaque (hard and soft deposits) from the teeth; teaching patients appropriate oral hygiene measures to maintain healthy teeth and gums; counseling patients concerning nutrition, tobacco cessation and other risk factors of disease; applying cavity-preventive agents such as fluoride and sealants; and taking impressions of patients teeth for study models and dental whitening procedures. Career opportunities Dental hygienists are usually employed in general dental practices or specialty practices such as pediatric dentistry (treatment of children) and periodontics (treatment of diseases of the gum and supporting bone of the teeth). Dental hygienists also can apply their skills and knowledge in other career activities including office management and dental hygiene education depending on the level of education, and experience they have achieved. Although career placement is excellent, students interested in pursuing an advanced degree in dental hygiene or related fields have a number of transfer options to four-year colleges and universities. Dental Hygiene competencies At completion of the North Dakota State College of Science Dental Hygiene program, the graduate will be competent to: 1. Collect, organize, record and analyze patient data for a diverse population of patients. 2. Discuss and plan dental hygiene services in an effective and efficient manner. 3. Demonstrate adequate preventive and therapeutic procedures for the promotion of oral health. 4. Integrate critical thinking in the evaluation of care provided and use evaluation results to modify treatment as necessary. 5. Promote optimum oral health through individualized education. 6. Promote optimum oral health through community involvement activities. 7. Apply self-assessment principles. 8. Evaluate scientific information to enhance their knowledge and skills in the promotion of oral health. 9. Manage the ethical and professional responsibilities of the dental hygiene profession and comply with state and federal regulations governing the practice of dentistry and dental hygiene. View more details on North Dakota State College of Science . Ask your questions and apply online for this program or find other related Dentistry courses.