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Dental hygiene
Overview
Dental hygienists, licensed to work with dentists in the delivery of dental care, combine knowledge and clinical skills to plan and provide dental hygiene care for patients.
You’ll use interpersonal skills to motivate and instruct patients and community groups in preventing oral disease and maintaining oral health.
It’s a career that offers excellent income and scheduling flexibility. While most dental hygienists work in general or specialty dental offices and clinics, you could also work in public health departments, nursing homes, school systems, private industry, academic institutions and dental sales manufacturers.
Stark State’s program consists of one semester of eligibility (pre-application) courses and four semesters plus one summer session of academic coursework and hands-on learning experiences in the classroom, laboratory, clinic and community. An important feature of the program is the on-campus Dental Hygiene Clinic which is open to the public. The hundreds of hours of supervised patient care experiences provide excellent skill and professional development training.
Enrollment in the program is limited. Admission is offered to eligible applicants on a space-available basis. The dental hygiene program requires a separate application; admission to Stark State does not automatically mean acceptance into the dental hygiene program.
Courses
Your pathway to a degree
Associate degree
Accreditation
THIRD PARTY COMMENTS NOTICE
For the June 2022 Reaccreditation Review of Stark State College’s Dental Hygiene Program
On June 21 & 22, 2022, The Commission on Dental Accreditation (the Commission) will send a team of dental professionals to review all aspects of Stark State’s Dental Hygiene Program. This is part of a reaccreditation process that occurs every seven years.
In advance of this visit, the Commission invites comments from interested third-parties including patients, consumers, dental-related agencies, students, faculty and staff, and program administrators. The following stipulations apply to third-party comments in order for them to be considered:
- Comments must be received, in writing, by the Commission office no later than sixty (60) days prior to the visit (no later than April 22, 2022).
- Comments can be signed or unsigned. Names and signatures will be removed from comments prior to forwarding them to the program.
- Comments must pertain only to the Standards for Dental Hygiene Education Programs or to policies and procedures used in the Commission’s accreditation process.
- Note: For comments not relevant to these issues, the individual will be notified that the comment is not related to accreditation and, where appropriate, referred to the appropriate agency.
A copy of the Standards for Dental Hygiene Education Programs and/or the Commission’s policy on third-party comments may be obtained by contacting the Commission on Dental Accreditation at 211 East Chicago Avenue, Chicago, IL 60611, or by calling 1-312-440-4653.
The dental hygiene program is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation. The Commission is a specialized accrediting body of the American Dental Association recognized by the United States Department of Education: Commission on Dental Accreditation, American Dental Association, 211 E. Chicago Avenue, Chicago, IL 60611; 312-440-4653; www.ada.org/en/coda
Transfer agreements
The Stark State College Dental Hygiene Program has the following written articulation agreement for a bachelor in science degree completion program with:
- Ohio State University, dental hygiene program, section of primary care, College of Dentistry
Additional info
Applicants must meet specific eligibility criteria, described in program informational materials. Applicants must meet eligibility requirements:
- Be a high school graduate or have a GED certificate.
- Complete SSC’s ACCUPLACER test and take any courses recommended as a result of the test.
- Complete four pre-application courses – ENG124, PSY121, CHM121, BIO121 and their prerequisites according to the eligibility rules regarding minimum grade, age of course, and number of repeats/drops.
- Achieve a GPA of at least a 2.75 for the four eligibility courses.
- Maintain an overall college GPA of at least 2.00.
- Score at the 60th percentile or above on the PAX test.
- Complete the dental office observation experience requirement.
- Complete specified supplemental requirements.
Specific physical requirements are necessary to perform dental hygiene functions. Details are provided in program information materials.
Program learning outcomes
- Graduates will demonstrate competence in the provision of contemporary dental hygiene services based on assessment of individual patient needs.
- Graduates will demonstrate professionalism and ethics in all aspects of dental hygiene care.
- Graduates will effectively communicate the importance of oral health with patients, healthcare providers and the public.
- Graduates will address the oral health needs of local and diverse communities.
- Graduates will seek opportunities for life-long learning.
Graduates are eligible to take the Dental Hygiene National Board and Northeast Regional Board examinations, both of which are required for licensure in Ohio. Licensure is mandatory for employment in Ohio as a dental hygienist. Other states may have different licensing requirements.
According to Section 4715.21 of the Ohio Revised Code, applicants for licensure must submit to an FBI background check.
Dental hygiene applicants/students are responsible for informing the program director of any misdemeanor related to alcohol or drugs, or felony convictions so that they may be informed of the steps the Ohio State Dental Board will take before considering their application for licensure.
According to various sections of the Ohio Law and Regulations for Certification and Licensure Boards, persons convicted of any felony or a misdemeanor may not be able to take the licensure or certification examinations; may be refused acceptance of placement by the clinical/practicum sites; or may have restrictions placed on their ability to practice. For more information, contact the dean of student services and the applicable licensure/certification board.
