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1. Is there a waiting list for the Dental Hygiene Program?
The Dental Hygiene Program does not maintain a waiting list. Each year the top twenty-five students are offered admission based on admissions points. If a student is not accepted, he/she may apply in subsequent years. However, no preference is given to previous applicants. For further information about admissions points, please contact the Admissions Office at (567) 661-7777 to request an appointment with an Admissions Representative.
2. Is it possible for a student to be accepted into the program right out of high school?
Students may enter the program directly out of high school or having taken some college courses. If a student has graduated high school within the past five years and has taken courses totaling twelve or more college credits, he/she will be assessed as a high school applicant and as a college applicant. Then the higher point score will be used for the admission decision. Please contact Pre-Health Advising Advisor for further understanding.
3. Will classes taken at another college transfer in for this program?
Students should submit transcripts from all schools attended as part of their admissions application. It is so important to get transfer credit prior to the admissions deadlineso that admissions points are granted for completion of equivalent general education courses required by the Dental Hygiene Program. Course equivalencies can be found on Transferology (formerly U select). View the Transferology Student Guide for helpful information.
4. What salary can a dental hygiene graduate expect?
Entry level salary is $25.97 per hour or $54,000 annually.
5. Can a program graduate work as a RDH without a license?
After graduation from an accredited dental hygiene education program, candidates must pass a national board dental hygiene exam to obtain licensure or certification required in most states. Some states may have different requirements according to dental hygiene practice acts or state regulations. The states of Ohio and Michigan require candidates to pass national and state licensure exams. More information about Dental Hygiene licensure/certification requirements can be found on the American Dental Hygienists’ Association website http://www.adha.org/licensure.
6. Is it possible to take the state licensing test and practice as a dental hygienist if one has a past felony conviction?
This is handled on a case by case basis. A student should contact the licensing board in the state in which he/she wished to practice. In Ohio, contact the Ohio State Dental Board at http://www.dental.ohio.gov or (614) 466-2580.
7. Regarding the licensing exam, what are the associated costs and can it be repeated?
Costs associated with licensure including payment for the national board dental hygiene exam and state licensing exam, BCI and FBI background checks, state application, and Prometric test site testing fees. Depending on the state, total costs could be in the $1900.00-$2300.00 range. If a student does not pass one of the licensing exams, he/she may repeat it but should check with the regulations for re-examination.
8. Will classes taken at another college transfer in to this program?
http://www.transferology.com
9. What is the median salary a dental hygienist can expect?
$62,056 is the Median Salary. New workers start around $46,772. Normal pay is $62,056 per year. Highly experienced workers can earn up to $80,668.
Recruitment of Patients
Students learn and practice skills in the on-campus Dental Hygiene Clinic. Ongoing recruitment of patients for the clinic is necessary for each student to meet his/her program requirements. Students will be expected to recruit patients in addition to the patient that seeks routine care in the clinic.
Health Requirements
Students are required to have a physical exam, including an eye exam, before starting the Fall Semester. Lab exams are required and include: CBC, Urinalysis, RPR/VDRL, Mumps Titer, 2-Step PPD, Diphtheria Toxoid & Tetanus Toxoid, MMR vaccination record or Rubella Titer, Hepatitis B (3part series). Health Requirements must be completed before Fall Semester.
Background Check Requirements
Background checks by the Ohio Attorney General’s Bureau of Criminal Investigation and Identification (BCI & I) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) are required for clinical rotations and community project. The student assumes the cost of the background checks. For more information regarding background checks visit the following websites:
The Ohio Attorney General’s Bureau of Criminal Investigation and Identification (BCI & I), www.ohioattorneygeneral.gov
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), www.fbi.gov
Technical Standards
Review the following standards to examine your ability and compatibility with the physical activity and demands, professional and clinical condition requirements of dental hygienists. Sample tasks and skills are listed below with normal time frames.
- view Technical Standards Chart
Work Environment
The dental hygiene health care worker provides services in an environment that includes blood and saliva. Diseases may be encountered in this type of environment. However, research shows that risks are negligible when appropriate infection control procedure/barrier techniques are used. Upon entering the program, there is in-depth training to meet the protocol for a hazard-free, safe learning environment.
Licensure Exams
All graduates are eligible to take the Dental Hygiene National Board and regional/ state licensure exams in Dental Hygiene. The Board exams include the course material studied in Nutrition, Biology, and Chemistry as well as the Dental Hygiene course material.
The Ohio State Dental Board (OSDB) has restrictions on granting licensure to individuals who have prior felony convictions or mental incompetence. Check the OSDB Website (www.dental.ohio.gov) for further information.
Employment Opportunities
Dental hygienists perform duties such as patient screening and oral health assessment, teeth cleanings, taking teeth impressions and counseling about oral health practices. Additional services may include oral cancer screening, dental charting, counseling about nutrition and taking and developing radiographs.
Dental hygienists in a clinical role assess, diagnose, plan, implement, evaluate and document treatment for prevention, intervention and control of oral diseases, while practicing in collaboration with other health professionals.
Program graduates will be prepared for positions in:
- private dental offices
- hospitals or managed care organizations
- federal, state and municipal health departments
- primary and secondary school systems
- correctional institutions
- private and public health centers
- armed forces
Entry level dental hygienists, working full time can expect to earn $26.62- $30.14 per hour or $55,389 - $62,714 per year.
Many dental hygienists begin working part-time and finish a bachelor’s degree upon graduation. Dental hygienists with bachelor degrees have a wider variety of employment options including education and supervisory positions.
The employment outlook for professionals in the field of dental hygiene is excellent. In January of 2014, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that employment of dental hygienists was likely to grow by 33 percent from 2012 to 2022.
Scholarships and Financial Aid
Owens Community College maintains an Oserve Office on each campus. Oserve is the place for you to ask questions related to financial aid. Contact: 1-800-GO OWENS ext. 7378 or 567-661-7378 email: oserve@owens.edu
Scholarships are available through:
Dental Hygiene Scholarships
The American Dental Hygiene Association, www.adha.org
The Ohio Dental Hygienists’ Association, www.odha.net
The Toledo Dental Hygienists’ Association (contact the Program Chair 567-661-7290)
The American Dental Association, www.ada.org
The Ohio Dental Association, www.oda.org
The Toledo Dental Society (contact them at 419-474-8611)
The American Dental Education Association, www.adea.org
Dental Assisting Certificate Scholarships
The American Dental Assisting Association, www.adaausa.org
The American Dental Association, www.ada.org
The Ohio Dental Association, www.oda.org
The Toledo Dental Society (contact them at 419-474-8611)
The American Dental Education Association, www.adea.org
Transfer Information
Graduates may pursue a bachelor’s degree at area colleges or through on-line options. Meet with an Advisor or the Department Chair for more information.
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