Career Opportunities

Dental hygienists are employed in private dental practices, corporate dental practices, research, government health agencies, school systems, hospital and public health clinics, and military services.

Recommended High School Subjects

Because of the strong emphasis on science in this major, applicants are encouraged to complete one year of high school biology, two years of high school algebra, and chemistry with a laboratory.

Special Admissions Requirements

Anyone desiring entrance into this major must first gain admission to Penn College. Acceptance into this selective admission major is based upon additional requirements beyond College admission. Details are available on the Selective Admission Criteria and Process webpage.

Special Equipment Needs

Upon admission to this major, additional expenses will be encountered for uniforms, personal protective equipment, and instruments. Refer to the list of tools, uniforms, and supplies .

Laptop Computer Required 

• Windows 11 or higher (recommended).
• Intel Core i5 or i7 (generation 10 or higher) processor (recommended).
• 8+ GB RAM (recommended). 
• 250+ GB Solid State Disk (SSD) drive (recommended).
• Laptop must include a webcam and microphone (required).
• Laptop must include a wireless network card (required).
• Laptop must have a privacy screen installed (required).
• Broadband Internet connection when working off campus (required).
• Additional plug-ins may be required (Information Technology Services Service Desk available for assistance).
• Chromebooks and other devices running Chrome OS are prohibited.

Remediation Strategies

All incoming students must meet placement requirements in math. Students are expected to remediate any deficiencies as explained in the College Catalog (see https://www.pct.edu/catalog/admissions-policy). Incoming students whose placement results identify a need for the developmental math course MTH 004 may not enroll in this major.

Transfer Procedures

Students in this major can transfer to the bachelor's degree in Dental Hygiene or Applied Health Studies. This major will subscribe to the transfer standards established by the College.

International health credentials/licensure, sciences courses, and most math courses will not be accepted to satisfy requirements of this major. Please see additional information for international students applying to Health Sciences majors.

Program Goals

• demonstrate professional and ethical conduct consistent with current dental hygiene standards of care.
• develop the knowledge and skills necessary to apply the dental hygiene process of care to diverse populations in all age ranges.
• promote oral health within the community.

Performance Standards

Students must earn a minimum grade of 'C' in each DEN course. Failure to do so will result in termination from the major.

The following grading system applies to all dental (DEN) courses in this major. There is no rounding of grades:

A= 90-100
B= 80-89.99
C= 75 –79.99
F= 74.99 and below

Notice of Conviction

Child abuse clearance and criminal background checks are required by some agencies involved in fieldwork and/or capstones. Agencies can bar students from their sites if a criminal record exists or a positive drug test is noted. By virtue of contract for Penn College students to be at clinical sites, agencies have the right to ask for random drug testing. The Pennsylvania Board of Dentistry advises that a drug-related conviction and/or conviction of a felonious act can result in denial and/or revocation of a license to practice dental hygiene. Inability to gain clinical or fieldwork or intern education experiences results in inability to meet program objectives and outcomes. For additional clarification, students can speak with their program director.

Penn College complies with the federal Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act Amendments of 1989. Pursuant to this Act, all forms of marijuana, including medical marijuana, are classified as prohibited controlled substances. Additionally, alcohol, illegal drugs, and legal drugs obtained without a prescription or which may impair a student’s ability to perform his/her educational responsibilities are strictly prohibited. Students are subject to drug screening at various phases of the program. Please note that a positive drug screening for marijuana will be deemed a positive test and will result in a student being dismissed from the program, even if the student has been lawfully certified to use medical marijuana and/or possesses a valid medical marijuana identification card issued in accordance with applicable state law.

Accreditation

The associate degree program in dental hygiene 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 60611-2678. The Commission’s web address is: http://www.ada.org/en/coda

Technical Standards/Essential Functions

A candidate for the Dental Hygiene program must have abilities and skills in six categories: observation, communication, motor, intellectual, behavioral/social, and environmental. Students must be able to meet both academic standards and technical standards, with or without reasonable accommodations. The Dental Hygiene program wishes to ensure that access to its facilities, programs, and services is available to all students, including students with disabilities. Students with disabilities are encouraged to contact the Disability and Access Resources  office (dar@pct.edu or 570-320-5225) immediately to begin confidential conversation about possible accommodations necessary to meet these standards.

OBSERVATION: Candidates must adequately acquire, interpret, and assimilate information in the classroom, laboratory, and clinic settings. Skills to perform examinations and detect subtle surface textures are required. Candidates must be able to adequately observe a patient's condition, inspect subtle color and characteristic changes in oral tissues, interpret radiographs, and detect fine changes on tooth surfaces. 

COMMUNICATION: Candidates must be able to communicate effectively in both academic and healthcare settings. Candidates must show evidence of effective written and in-person communication skills, such as those needed to interact with patients and professionals and to communicate patients’ needs in a prompt and effective manner.

MOTOR: Candidates must be able to perform physical procedures for comprehensive dental hygiene care such as probing, scaling, and calculus detection in a safe and efficient manner. Candidates must be able to negotiate patient care environments and be able to move between settings, such as clinic and classroom buildings. Physical stamina sufficient to complete the rigorous course of didactic and clinical study is required.

INTELLECTUAL: Candidates must be able to measure, calculate, reason, analyze, and synthesize. Problem solving, one of the critical skills demanded of dental hygienists, requires all of these intellectual abilities. In addition, candidates should be able to comprehend three-dimensional relationships and understand the spatial relationships of structures. Candidates must be able to read and understand scientific literature. In order to complete the Dental Hygiene degree, candidates must be able to demonstrate mastery of these skills and the ability to use them together in a timely fashion in problem-solving and patient care.

BEHAVIORAL AND SOCIAL: Candidates must possess skills to effectively handle and manage the prompt completion of all academic and patient care responsibilities and exercise good judgement. The development of mature, sensitive, and effective relationships with patients and other members of the healthcare team is essential. The dental hygienist’s role requires flexibility, compassion, integrity, motivation, interpersonal skills, concern for others, and the ability to function in the face of the uncertainties and stress inherent in clinical practice. 

ENVIRONMENTAL: Candidates must be able to function in an environment that requires use of agents for infection control, such as nitrile gloves, masks, protective eye wear, surgical gowns, and chemical solutions and aerosols used to kill pathogens.