Dental Hygienist

Associate Degree Program (349P) - Harrisburg

After completing academic and clinical requirements, students are awarded an Associate in Arts degree. The successful completion of the National Dental Hygiene Board and Northeast Regional Board Examinations are required for state licensure. Licensed dental hygienists are capable of providing clinical, educational, and therapeutic services that promote optimum oral health. Graduates have found employment opportunities as clinicians, educators, and public health advocates.

ADA Dental Hygiene video from ADA website (2 min excerpt)

Continuing Education for Dental Hygienists
Local Anesthetics Course for Dental Hygienists (several dates)
Information about HACC's Dental Clinic
About the Program - Curriculum and Costs
Admission Criteria and Essential Qualifications (and Shadow Form) (pdf)
On-line Application Instructions (Coming - check back - for Fall 2010 applications)
Program Accreditation
Who to Contact
Expanded Functions Dental Auxiliary Program (EFDA)
Positions Available

Description of Occupation - A dental hygienist is a licensed member of the dental team responsible for the preventive aspects of oral health. There are currently six roles dental hygienists are educated to assume: change agent, client advocate, clinician, educator, manager, and researcher. One of the top 25 projected fastest growing occupations (1998-2008) according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Assessment of conditions, radiographs, dental hygiene care planning, dental hygiene treatment planning, preventive therapies, various treatment modalities, ultrasonic and hand instrumentation, polishing, application of fluoride, home care instructions, application of sealants, finishing and polishing of filling materials, and record keeping. Many procedures performed may expose dental hygienists to bloodborne pathogens, potentially hazardous materials and ionizing radiation.

Candidates should be “people-orientated” and able to interact well with others as dentistry requires a team approach to patient care. Individuals should possess excellent communication and organizational skills. Adequate hand-eye coordination is needed to be able to perform the required fine motor skills inherent in the tasks.

Places of Employment and Outlook - Dental hygiene is among the fastest growing occupations requiring post-secondary or associate’s degree training in Pennsylvania 2002-2012. Most positions are part-time with full-time employment still available.

Private practice, specialty practices, public health facilities, product sales, and hospital settings. With degree completion programs, other career opportunities exist in public schools, dental hygiene programs, research, and management.

Salary Ranges for Geographical Area - $56,300 median salary in Pennsylvania 2008. Dental hygienists may be salaried or paid hourly, daily, or on a commission basis. Benefits may be contingent upon full-time employment.

Educational Advancement - HACC has an affiliation agreement with Pennsylvania College of Technology, as well as possible transfers to other programs for bachelor's degree completion. Franklin University offers a BS in Healthcare Management and Shippensburg University offers a BS in Healthcare Administration. Immaculata University offers an accelerated BA in Health Care Management (classes in accelerated format and held at HACC's Lancaster Campus).