Dental Hygiene (A.S.)

Professionalism

The new graduate of the Dental Hygiene program must be able to:

• discern and manage ethical issues of dental hygiene practice in a rapidly changing environment;
• contribute to improve the knowledge, skills and values of the profession; and
• acquire and synthesize information in a critical and scientific manner.

Health Promotion/Disease Prevention

The new graduate of the Dental Hygiene program must be able to:

• provide planned educational services using appropriate interpersonal communication skills and educational strategies to promote the optimal health of the individual; and
• initiate and assume responsibility for health promotive and disease preventative activities for the community.

Patient Care

The new graduate of the Dental Hygiene program must be able to:

• systematically collect, analyze and accurately record baseline data on the general, oral and psychosocial health status of patients using methods consistent with medico-legal principles;
• use critical decision-making skills to identify existing problems, potential problems, etiologic factors, contributing factors, as well as establish realistic goals and treatment strategies to facilitate optimal oral health;
• provide treatment that includes preventive and therapeutic services designed to achieve and maintain oral health and assist the patient in achieving oral health goals; and
• evaluate the effectiveness of planned clinical and educational services and modify services as necessary for optimal oral health.