Information Session

Thank you for your interest in becoming a Dental Hygienist! Designed to provide you with information on the Dental Hygiene profession, this session will outline the responsibilities of students and provide insight to the requirements and expectations of our program.

Begin by reading all sections of this page to gain an understanding of the key points of the profession and the program, including program entry requirements, expectations during the program, additional requirements for completion upon acceptance into the program, tuition/fees, material covered throughout the program, and graduation requirements.

After reviewing the material, you must complete the Information Session Quiz. You will answer a few questions about the information you have received and provide us with your personal information necessary for proof of completion to meet this entry requirement.

Questions regarding the Admissions (application) process may be directed to Carah Mabry camabry@dmacc.edu.

Thank you!
Jackie Kollasch- Dental Programs Chairperson

Information Session

Introductions

Jackie Kollasch, RDH, MS, CDA, Dental Programs Chairperson
Abbie Moffatt, Educational Advisor
Mary McClure, MS, LMSW, Counselor
Erica Hoskins, Admissions Specialist
Julie Benson, BS, Administrative Assistant

We hope to answer all your questions!

Program Purpose

The Dental Hygiene curriculum is designed to prepare graduates for positions in general and specialty dental offices, hospitals, schools, public health agencies and industrial agencies.

Students are trained in educational methods and preventive clinical services which qualify them as dental health educators and competent clinicians. Emphasis is placed on the correlation between prevention, education, and the clinical phases of dental hygiene practice as well as basic and social sciences.

Handouts

Program information brief and entry requirements
Application for admission is completed online
Catalog is accessed online via the DMACC home page
Resource contact information
Clinic information brochure
Dental Hygiene Skills guide
Bloodborne pathogens exposure plan*

Our program is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) of the American Dental Association. The CODA is a specialized body recognized by the UD Department of Education. This Commission invites your comments regarding this program and can be contacted at (312)440-4653 or at 211 E. Chicago Ave; Chicago, IL 60611

Entry Requirements

Complete an application for admission.
Attend a Dental Hygiene program information session.
Provide proof of high school graduation or GED completion.
Complete required ACCUPLACER Next Gen testing, obtaining satisfactory scores in Reading (248 or above) and Writing (254 or above) or ACT scores in Reading (19 or above) and English (19 or above).
Complete BIO 164 - Essentials Anatomy/Physiology OR BOTH BIO 168 Anatomy and Physiology I AND BIO 173 Anatomy and Physiology II with a grade of “C” (not C-) or better. **BIO 168 Prerequisite: A grade of "C" or better in BIO 157 or a grade of "C" or better in BIO 104 or a grade of "C" or better in BIO 112 or a "C" or better in high school Anatomy within the last five years. **BIO 173 Prerequisite: A grade of "C" or better in BIO 168 - Anatomy & Physiology I
Complete CHM 122 - Intro to General Chemistry with a grade of “C” (not C-) or better. NOTE: The course has a prerequisite that can be satisfied through ALEKS, SAT, or ACT testing.
Complete BIO 186 - Microbiology with a grade of “C” (not C-) or better.

When transferring equivalent courses to DMACC, an official transcript must be sent to the Admissions Office as courses are completed.

After completing the Program Entry Requirements, your name will be added to a Standby List until a position in the program becomes available.

While on the Standby list, you should take the following courses. Your position on the standby list will be determined by the number of support courses completed:

CHM 132 Intro to Organic and Biochemistry
ENG 105 Composition I
SPC 101 Fundamentals of Oral Communication OR SPC 122 Interpersonal Communication
PSY 111 Intro to Psychology
SOC 110 Intro to Sociology

Taking the liberal arts courses will reduce your course load once you are admitted to the program and will give you more time to devote to your Dental Hygiene courses.

Standby List

Position of the Standby List will be determined by the number of support courses completed:

CHM 132 - Intro to Organic/Biochemistry
PSY 111 - Introduction to Psychology
SOC 110 - Introduction to Sociology
ENG 105 - Composition I
SPC 101 - Fund of Oral Communication OR SPC 122 - Interpersonal Communication

When there is no completion of any remaining support courses for three years from the date the student’s name went on the Standby List, the applicant will be deleted from the list.

Courses by Semester

Wait List

CHM 132 - Intro to Organic/Biochemistry
PSY 111 - Introduction to Psychology
SOC 110 - Introduction to Sociology
ENG 105 - Composition I
SPC 101 - Fund of Oral Communication OR SPC 122 - Interpersonal Communication

When there is no completion of any remaining support courses for three years from the date the student’s name went on the Wait List, the applicant will be deleted from the list.

Semester 1- Fall

CPR Certification
CHM 132 - Intro to Organic/Biochemistry Credits: 4
DHY 170 - Principles of Dental Hygiene Credits: 2
DHY 171 - Principles of Dental Hyg Pract Credits: 3
DHY 121 - Oral Histology & Embryology Credits: 2
DHY 114 - Dental Anatomical Sciences Credits: 4
DHY 161 - Oral Radiology Credits: 3

Semester 2- Spring

DHY 141 - General & Oral Pathology Credits: 3
DHY 181 - Dental Hygiene I Credits: 2
DHY 182 - Clinical Dental Hygiene I Credits: 4
DHY 230 - Oral Health Nutrition Credits: 2
ENG 105 - Composition I Credits: 3

Semester 3- Summer

DHY 281 - Dental Hygiene II Credits: 2
DHY 282 - Clinical Dental Hygiene II Credits: 2
DHY 211 - Periodontology Credits: 2
DHY 133 - Pharmacology Credits: 3
PSY 111 - Introduction to Psychology Credits: 3

Semester 4- Fall

DHY 221 - Dental Materials Credits: 2
DHY 223 - Dental Materials Lab Credits: 1
DHY 261 - Dental Health Education Credits: 3
DHY 291 - Dental Hygiene III Credits: 2
DHY 292 - Clinical Dental Hygiene III Credits: 5
SOC 110 - Introduction to Sociology Credits: 3

Semester 5- Spring

DHY 251 - Community Oral Health Credits: 3
DHY 301 - Dental Hygiene IV Credits: 2
DHY 302 - Clinical Dental Hygiene IV Credits: 5
Option 1 - Select 1 Course
SPC 101 - Fund of Oral Communication Credits: 3
SPC 122 - Interpersonal Communication Credits: 3

Costs

Fixed Costs

Tuition…………………………………………………………………………...$174. 00 per credit hour

The costs for each program are estimates and subject to change.

Approximate total for the program: $22,413*

* Program entry requirements are not included in the total approximate cost.

Be financially prepared!!!!

Varied Costs

Costs	Semester 1	Semester 2	Semester 3	Semester 4	Semester 5
Books (approximate)	$1290	$405	$440	$250	$310
SADHA Dues	$65		$65
Uniforms/Shoes/Eyewear	$210
Lab Fees	$150	$100	$100	$150	$100
Instruments	$900		$40		$40
Ultrasonic Scaler Plus Inserts		$200
Magnification Loupes with Headlamp		$1400
Exams and Travel Expense					$2000
Review Courses					$500
License Fee					$336

Your Career

Job shadowing Required
Collect data, organize information, and develop patient care plan for dental hygiene services.
Counsel patients in areas of prevention and treatment of oral diseases.
Provide direct patient services such as removal of stains and deposits from teeth, radiographs, fluoride, sealants and local anesthetic administration under the supervision of a dentist.
Keep accurate patient records.
Design and implement dental health education programs in community settings.
Provide oral health education and preventive care in public healthcare settings

Skills You Will Need

Participate in continuing education activities to promote lifelong learning.
Use empathy and understanding when relating to people with varied socioeconomic backgrounds and health status.
Make decisions and work cooperatively with members of the dental team and allied health community.
Demonstrate leadership skills through student organizations and professional association activities.
Communicate effectively with persons of diverse backgrounds in a variety of treatment settings.
Ability to be a self-starter and initiate and complete tasks under general supervision.
Basic computer skills.

Other Considerations

Centers for Disease Control and the Healthcare Infection Control Advisory Committee’s Guidelines for Infection Control in Dental Health-Care settings-2003 is applied in all aspects of delivery of care and is available upon request.
Background Checks are a requirement of DMACC and State of Iowa for Dental Hygiene Registration.
Medical/Dental examinations and immunizations are required.
Students should not work more than 16 hours per week, as homework and required activities are demanding.
Plan ahead to avoid conflicts between personal responsibilities and program demands. A support system is essential.
Current CPR certification is required prior to program entry and must be maintained for the remainder of the program. (American Heart Association BLS for Healthcare Providers program or Red Cross for Professional Rescuer.)
Mandatory Reporter Training for Adult and Child is needed prior to program entry.
Baccalaureate degree completion in dental hygiene is available at four-year colleges that offer dental hygiene completion and accept DMACC transfer credit.
Applicants for licensure are asked if they have ever been charged, convicted, found guilty of, or entered a plea of guilty or no contest to a felony or misdemeanor crime. A prior criminal history, activity or record can be grounds for license or registration denial. Also, habitual use of drugs or intoxicants, or habitual intoxication or addiction to drugs can also be grounds for license or registration denial.
Average salary for a dental hygienist is $77,000 per year with an average wage per hour of $37.06. *U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics 2021

Graduation Requirements

To earn a Dental Hygiene Associate of Applied Sciences (AAS) degree, a student must successfully complete all dental hygiene and liberal arts support courses required in the curriculum, achieving a grade of “C” (not C-) or better in each course. In order to progress to the next semester of the Dental Hygiene program, all required courses in the current semester must be completed with a grade of “C” or better.
86 credit hours total
Licensing Requirements in IOWA

Graduate from an accredited institution
Pass the Jurisprudence exam
Pass the National Board (computerized 250 question exam accepted for 5 years)
Pass a Regional Clinical Board. We train for the Central Regional Dental Testing Service (CRDTS) exam.

Top 25 Job Ranking

Dental Hygiene

Primary Tasks	Types of Supervision	Education	Starting Salary
Preventive: scale and polish teeth, examine head, neck, and oral areas for signs of disease; apply sealants and other medicaments to prevent cavities; expose and develop radiographs Therapeutic : removal of plaque and calculus from tooth surfaces; diagnostic tasks	General: dentist does not have to be in building but has seen patient Direct: Dentist must be on the premises	Formal education: at least 86 credit hours at community college Must pass national, regional, and state exams to become licensed Earns AAS degree or higher	Average starting salary: $54,000 ($70, 240)

Primary Tasks

Types of Supervision

Education

Starting Salary

Preventive: scale and polish teeth, examine head, neck, and oral areas for signs of disease; apply sealants and other medicaments to prevent cavities; expose and develop radiographs

Therapeutic : removal of plaque and calculus from tooth surfaces; diagnostic tasks

General: dentist does not have to be in building but has seen patient

Direct: Dentist must be on the premises

Formal education: at least 86 credit hours at community college

Must pass national, regional, and state exams to become licensed

Earns AAS degree or higher

Average starting salary: $54,000 ($70, 240)

Immunization Records & Hepatitis B Vaccination

A requirement for all healthcare givers
Fee involved – student’s responsibilities
You must provide proof of vaccinations to this program as they are received.
It is delivered in 3 vaccinations, several weeks apart
you must have at least 2 vaccinations before entering clinicals in January.

Approximate cost: $200?

Other required vaccinations or tests: Tuberculosis; Adult Diphtheria/Tetanus/Pertussis (Tdap); Varicella; Measles, Mumps Rubella (MMR)
COVID-19 vaccination and Influenza vaccination are not requirements for admittance into the dental assisting or dental hygiene program. However, you may be assigned to an external rotation site that requires these vaccinations.

***DMACC is not required to place students in rotations based upon vaccination status

CPR Certification

Must be a Basic Life Support class for Healthcare providers

Requirement of program
DMACC offers a class every month
Can also try

Red Cross
American Heart Association
community education or
local Fire department for classes

Approximate cost: $65-90

Uniforms

Requirement of the course
Name tags
ID Patches
Protective Eyewear
Two sets of scrubs
two lab coats
ALL white, closed toe, leather or vinyl tennis/work shoes
Can get on sale if you watch throughout the summer
Must be worn only in clinic/lab
Requirement for class 2nd week of school

Approximate cost: $300

Other Personal Protective Equipment

Provided by DMACC

Masks, exam gloves, face shields
*Utility Gloves
*Radiology Dosimeters
*Laundering Lab Coats
*Student responsible for replacement costs, if lost

*Student responsible for replacement costs, if lost

How Can My Family Help Me In My Educational Pursuit?

Be supportive of you and understand you will be carrying a heavy load.
Be a patient in the Dental Clinic when you are in need (i.e.. radiography & coronal polish).
Help to secure community education sites if possible.

Registering For Class

The Academic Advisor will walk you through registration for Fall Courses.
You may register yourself online for courses in subsequent semesters.
Lab sizes must be kept equal and of even numbers so there may be some shuffling right at first.

Want To Contact Us Later?

Chairperson/Instructor: Jackie Kollasch, Jskollasch@dmacc.edu
Administrative Assistant Julie Benson, jrbenson@dmacc.edu
Instructor Melissa Hoffman, mjhoffman6@dmacc.edu
Instructor Johanna Land, jlland@dmacc.edu
Educational Advisor Abbie Moffatt, ajmoffatt@dmacc.edu
Admissions Specialist Erica Hoskins, ehoskins@dmacc.edu
Counselor Mary McClure, mmmcclure@dmacc.edu
Dean Jeanie McCarville Kerber, jamccarville1@dmacc.edu

Quiz

Please click here to start the Required Information Session Quiz

Information Session

Dental Hygiene

Information Session

​Wait List

Semester 1- Fall

Semester 2- Spring

Semester 3- Summer

Semester 4- Fall

Semester 5- Spring

Varied Costs

Wait List