Overview

The Dental Hygienist is a licensed preventive oral healthcare professional who provides a variety of patient care services. The graduate will be able to work in a variety of settings such as private practice, group specialty practice, hospitals, and schools. After completion of the Associate degree program, graduates are eligible to sit for licensing board exams.

The student's clinical experience will span three semesters, including a summer session, and will take place at several facilities including the Harcum College on campus Cohen Dental Building, St. Christopher's Hospital for Children, Philadelphia VA Hospital, Community Volunteers in Medicine and other community sites. The student will be responsible for transportation to and from these sites. Students may need to supplement the patient pool in the clinical educational experience.

Program Goals

Through the utilization of various educational principles and by providing a variety of on-site clinical and community-based experiences, the Dental Hygiene program endeavors to facilitate the development of individuals who will be able to:

• Provide comprehensive dental hygiene services based on the current standard of care.
• Be committed to lifelong learning and professional development within the changing environment of the healthcare professions.
• Integrate knowledge from general education, basic science, and dental hygiene coursework.
• Incorporate ethical and professional judgment into the practice of dental hygiene.
• Demonstrate effective communication skills-written, oral and interpersonal.
• Demonstrate a proficiency in critical thinking, problem-solving, and self-assessment skills in the provision of dental hygiene care.

Application Requirements

Acceptance into the Dental Hygiene program is dependent upon the following entrance requirements:

• Completed Harcum College application
• Official copy of high school transcript
• Completion of high school Algebra I, Algebra II, Geometry, Chemistry, and Biology (with lab) with grades of B or higher. College courses may be substituted for any or all of these courses.
• Official college transcript(s), if applicable.
• SAT scores. Scores received for tests taken on or after April 1, 1995, will require a recentered minimum combined score of 900. Scores for tests taken prior to April 1, 1995, require a minimum combined score of 800. A college cumulative grade point average of 2.5 or higher is acceptable in lieu of SAT scores.
• Letter of recommendation
• Personal essay
• TOEFL scores are required for students for whom English is a second language.
• An interview is recommended
• All application materials must be received by February 15.

Admission to the Dental Hygiene program is competitive, and completion of minimum admission requirements does not guarantee admittance to the program. Criteria such as completion of non-Dental Hygiene coursework, cumulative grade point average, and date of completion of minimum requirements may be used in the evaluation and decision process.

Due to class size limitations, the College does not guarantee continuous enrollment between non-Dental Hygiene coursework, the Dental Assisting Certificate program, and the Dental Hygiene program. Should a current Harcum student be interested in the Dental Hygiene program, a new application, along with supporting documents, must be submitted to the Admissions Office. All Dental Hygiene admissions requirements must be met.

Students accepted into the Dental Hygiene program must meet the following additional criteria:

• Physical examination, chest x-ray or tine test, and hepatitis B vaccination, provide evidence of an optimal level of individual health to complete required program competencies 
• Proof of completion of a CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) course for an invant, child, and adult and run by the American Heart Association or American Red Cross prior to enrolling in Preventative Oral Health Services I
• Harcum Placement Tests. All candidates must take the Harcum Placement Tests in English, mathematics, and reading. All remedial coursework must be completed prior to enrollment in the Dental Hygiene program.
• Provide original copies of criminal clearance and child abuse checks

Dental Hygiene students must achieve a grade of C or higher in all science and dental hygiene courses and maintain a grade point average of 2.0 or higher throughout the program. A failing grade (C- or lower) or a grade or W/F in two dental hygiene courses on the first attempt will result in dismissal from the program. Re-entry into clinical courses is on a space-available basis.

Course Sequence:

ENG 101	Composition I	3 cr.
CHE 102	Fundamentals of Chemistry	3 cr.
IDS 101	Harcum Colloquium	1 cr.
		7 cr.

BIO 103	Anatomy & Physiology I	4 cr.
DE 150	Dental Radiology	3 cr.
DE 131	Orofacial Anatomy	2 cr.
DH 101	Preventive Oral Health Services I	4 cr.
DH 170	Dental Histology/Embryology	2 cr.
CIS 106	World Wide Web	1 cr.
		16 cr.

AHS 121	Medical Emergencies	1 cr.
BIO 104	Anatomy & Physiology II	4 cr.
BIO 205	Microbiology	4 cr.
DE 191	Head & Neck Anatomy	1 cr.
DH 110	Preventative Oral Health Services II	2 cr.
DH 111	POHS II Clinic	2 cr.
DH 180	Periodontics I	2 cr.
		16 cr.

DH 111	POHS II Clinic (continued)	2 cr.
DH 280	Periodontics II Lab	0 cr.
ENG 103	Public Speaking	3 cr.
PSY 111	Intro. to Psychology	3 cr.
		8 cr.

DH 201	POHS III Seminar	2 cr.
DH 202	POHS III Clinic	4 cr.
DH 280	Periodontics II	3 cr.
DH 270	Pharmacology	2 cr.
DH 142	Dental Materials	2 cr.
DH 190	Oral Pathology	2 cr.
BIO 210	Nutritional Biochemistry	3 cr.
		18 cr.

DH 210	POHS IV Seminar	2 cr.
DH 211	POHS IV Clinic	5 cr.
DH 271	Community Dental Health	2 cr.
DH 282	Current Issues in Dental Hygiene	2 cr.
ENG 102	English Comp II	3 cr.
SOC 109	Intro. To Sociology	3 cr.
		17 cr.

Total number of credits: 82 credits

Dental Hygiene students meeting EFDA entrance requirements are eligible to take an optional Expanded Functions I & II course (DA 260 & 261) during the third or fourth semester or anytime after graduation. This will make students eligible to sit for the Pennsylvania Expanded Functions Certification Examination.

Additional Important Information

• The Dental Hygiene program has a required summer semesters.
• Dental Hygiene students participate in clinical rotations at the VA Hospital and geriatric facilities, students also participate in clinical or rotations, providing experience in hospital-based dental hygiene and geriatrics.
• A maximum of 30 transfer credits in equivalent Harcum College Dental Hygiene coursework can be accepted. Transfer credits are determined by the Harcum College Admissions Committee and Transfer Credit Evaluator.
• Dental Hygiene students participate in community clinical rotations allowing students to experience a diverse patient population.
• There are additional fees for instrument kit, clinical attire, and other clinical-related needs.

The College Protocol for Serious communicable and Bloodborne Infectious Disease is available upon request from the College Safety officer, Health Center, Office of Human Resources, and Admissions Office.

The Dental Hygiene Program is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation.

I would like to talk to an admissions counselor about this program.