The Dental Hygiene Program at Cape Cod Community College is a fully accredited program that prepares you for a career in dental hygiene. Working with skilled professionals in our state-of-the-art clinical environment, you’ll graduate with an Associate in Science Degree and join the ranks of health care professionals who are in high demand.
What does a dental hygienist do?
As a dental hygienist, you are an important part of the dental team. Hygienists are licensed professionals who provide oral health care services such as teeth cleaning, evaluation of oral health, fluoride treatments, sealants, and x-rays.
Our Program
Learn specifics about courses and program requirements in our Academic Catalog: Dental Hygiene Program.
Admissions Information
Each fall, 24 students are accepted into the freshman class. Visit Admissions to learn about special admissions requirements and deadlines.
IMPORTANT NOTE:
COVID Vaccine Statement for Health Profession Students
Although currently the Commonwealth of Massachusetts doesn’t mandate the COVID Vaccine, students in a health profession program may be required to have the vaccine and show proof if required by a clinical/fieldwork partner.
While the college will make a reasonable effort to place you in a clinical facility, clinical placement cannot be guaranteed in an un-immunized status. If the college cannot secure a clinical placement due to your un-immunized status then you will be unable to complete the program's clinical requirement. Thus, you will be unable to progress and will fail out of the program. In order to avoid this situation, the College strongly recommends that all Health Profession students obtain the COVID Vaccine no later than August 11th, 2021.
Our Accreditation
The Dental Hygiene Program at Cape Cod Community College is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation and has been granted the accreditation status of “approval without reporting requirements.” The Commission is a specialized accrediting body recognized by the United States Department of Education. The Commission on Dental Accreditation can be contacted at (312) 440-4653 or at 211 East Chicago Avenue, Chicago, IL 60611. The Commission’s web address is: http://www.ada.org/100.aspx
Dental Hygiene Clinic
Dental hygiene students treat patients while under the supervision of licensed dental hygienists and dentists. Visit Dental Hygiene Clinic for more information.
Dental hygienists examine patients' teeth and oral tissues, recording the presence of diseases or abnormalities. They remove calculus, stains, and plaque from teeth; take and develop x-rays; educate patients about diseases that affect the oral cavity and periodontium, and apply cavity-preventive agents such as fluorides and pit and fissure sealants.
Dental hygienists complete a full assessment of the health of the periodontium and prepare a dental hygiene diagnosis as well as clinical and laboratory diagnostic tests for the dentist to interpret.
Dental hygienists also help patients develop and maintain good oral health by educating them on the relationship between diet and oral health and the link between oral health and such serious conditions as heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and pregnancy complications.
Dental hygienists must be licensed by the state in which they practice. To qualify for licensure, a candidate must graduate from an accredited dental hygiene school and pass both a written and a clinical exam. In addition, most states require an examination on the ethical and legal aspects of dental hygiene practice.
An associate degree is sufficient for practice in a private dental office. A bachelor's degree or master's degree usually is required for research, teaching, or clinical practice in public or school health programs.
| Denise Bridges, Administrative Assistant, Dental Hygiene | |
|---|---|
| Phone | 774.330.4371 |
| Location | Maureen Wilkens Hall, G9 |
| dbridges@hwfj-art.com | |