Department of Health Professions - Program Information

Program Information - Health Professions

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The registered dental hygienist is a licensed professional who works with a dentist to provide dental care to patients. The dental hygienist also functions as a dental educator. Hygienists utilize their knowledge and communication skills to motivate and instruct patients on techniques of preventing disease, and maintaining oral health. You can enjoy a career in dental hygiene which offers several advantages. Hygienists gain satisfaction by providing valuable health services to diverse populations. They are in demand and respected members of the dental team. In addition, either full-time or part-time employment is available in a variety of settings, which enables hygienists to balance a career and a personal lifestyle.

Employment Opportunities

Dental Hygienists can be employed in general practice offices or in offices that specialize in pediatric dentistry (treatment of children) and periodontics (diseases of the gum and bone). Other practice settings include: nursing homes, public health clinics, hospitals, school districts, and correctional facilities. Hourly starting salaries vary by location but generally meet or exceed the national average of $20 to $25 for graduating dental hygienists. Benefits such as paid vacations, paid holidays, and the availability of a retirement program influence the hourly compensation.

Degree Options

The Dental Hygiene Program is a five semester curriculum leading to an Associate in Applied Science degree. At the conclusion of the program, students are eligible to take regional and national board examinations. Upon successful completion of these examinations, you may apply for licensure to practice dental hygiene in Ohio as well as 13 other northeastern states. If you are interested in further specialization and education in the allied health field, you may consider the Bachelor of Science in Applied Science degree. Completion of this degree will provide opportunities in dental hygiene education, research, health departments and health care companies.

Faculty

YSU maintains a faculty student ratio of approximately 1:6 in the clinic, 1:15 in laboratories, and 1:27 in the classroom. This enables students to receive the individual attention they need to acquire the necessary dental hygiene skills and knowledge. The dental hygiene faculty is composed of registered dental hygienists, dentists, and dental specialists.

Accreditation

The Madeleine Haggerty Dental Hygiene Program of the Bitonte College of Health and Human Services is accredited by the American Dental Association Commission on Dental Accreditation.

Facilities

Cushwa Hall is home to the dental hygiene program which houses the classrooms, conference rooms, and the fully equipped dental hygiene clinic with reception area, x-ray units, darkroom, and asepsis room.

Outside the Classroom

Since experience in nontraditional settings is an important learning opportunity, the program arranges for students to provide dental health education in the area school systems and dental hygiene services in regional dental clinics.

Special Costs

Dental hygiene students incur costs beyond regular University tuition and fees due to the nature of the services they provide in the clinical setting. Special costs include those for uniforms, an instrument kit, clinic supplies, state, regional, and national licensure examinations, and the hepatitus-B vaccine.

Admission Requirements

Students are admitted to the Dental Hygiene Program beginning Fall Semester. Current students must apply in the Dean's Office of the College of Health and Human Services by December 31. New transfer, and former students must apply by December 31. Applications for new, transfer, and former students must be complete and all necessary records received by January 31. Freshmen applicants who have graduated from high school or satisfactorily completed the General Education Development (GED) test must have a GPA of 3.2 (on a 4.0 scale) and completed Algebra I, Algebra II or Geometry, Biology and Chemistry with grades of C or better. Current, former, and transfer students must meet all requirements for freshman admission and have a minimum program GPA of 2.5 (on a 4.0 scale). Students not meeting the above admission requirements remain enrolled in the Bitonte College of Health and Human Services as "undetermined" majors until all program requirements are met.