Purpose: The curriculum is designed to prepare selected students to serve in a dynamic and growing health profession as valuable members of the Dental Health team. The student will be eligible to take the Dental Hygiene National Board Examination and regional clinical examinations required for licensure by the Virginia Board of Dentistry.The Dental Hygiene program consists of a combination of traditional and clinical learning modalities. 

General Admission Requirements: All students will be required to demonstrate college readiness through transcript review or informed self-placement. Based on this review, students may request or be required to enroll in prerequisite or corequisite math and/or English courses.  Applicants will be offered admissions contingent upon a background check and drug screening. Those who have committed a felony/misdemeanor may not be offered continued enrollment. Applicants who have a drug or alcohol-related offense will be disqualified. 

Program Goals:

1. Graduates will demonstrate competency in ethics, values, skills and knowledge of dental hygiene practice.
2. Graduates will improve the oral health of the population served through efficiency and efficacy of dental care in the private and public dental practice, associated industries, and through community service.
3. Graduates will contribute to the art and science of the dental hygiene profession through demonstrated commitment to professional development and life-long learning.

Program Student Learning Outcomes:

1. Students will demonstrate an understanding and implementation of aseptic technique.
2. Students will understand the purpose of and effectively apply the use of hand, ultrasonic, and laser instruments during preventive and therapeutic dental hygiene procedures.
3. Students will be able to produce dental radiographs of diagnostic quality utilizing ALARA principles.
4. Students will critically evaluate the patient assessment data in the development of a dental hygiene diagnosis and treatment plan.
5. Students will understand the purpose of, apply the use of, and understand the implications of dental materials on dental hygiene therapy and dentistry.
6. Students will understand the purpose, delivery, and implications of pharmaceuticals on dental hygiene therapy and dentistry. 
7. Students will demonstrate various roles of the dental hygienist in community health and intra- and interprofessional health teams to include effective communication with patients, groups, and peers.
8. Students will demonstrate an understanding of the ethical values defined by the American Dental Hygienists’ Association and comply with federal and state laws and regulations.

Transfer Information: Although transfer is not the primary purpose of a certificate program, GCC credits may transfer to other associate degree programs and/or senior institutions. Students interested in transfer should contact a counselor or their faculty advisor early in their program. 

Special Accreditation Status: The program in dental hygiene has submitted an application for accreditation by the Commission on Dental Accreditation.  The program is currently awaiting a program review and site visit.  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/en/coda. Germanna’s expects a site visit to be scheduled for Fall 2021 or Spring 2022.  Third party comments may be submitted by interested parties such as faculty, students, program administrators, Commission consultants, specialty and dental-related organizations, patients, and/or consumers.  Comments are accepted 60 days prior to each program’s site visit to allow time for the program to respond.  Comments should be sent to 211 East Chicago Avenue, Chicago, IL 60611, or by calling 1-800-621-8099, extension 4653.  All comments submitted must pertain only to the standards relative to the particular program being reviewed or policies and procedures used in the accreditation process.

Essential Dental Hygiene Functions: To successfully complete the Program, the student must be able to perform all of the essential functions of a dental hygienist:

1. Students must possess eye/hand coordination, sufficient motor function, strength, and endurance with both hands and arms, as well as utilize digital fine motor skills to deliver patient care for varying lengths of time throughout the day.  
2. Students must have the ability to tolerate frequent hand washing and/or use of disinfectants including hand-sanitizing agents.  Additionally, students must have the ability to wear protective gloves when indicated.
3. Students must have the ability to perform single provider CPR in the management of a patient during an emergency.
4. Students must possess the physical capacity to participate in required laboratory, preclinical, and clinical experiences, as well as lift and operate equipment with necessary strength and dexterity.
5. Students must possess the capacity to participate in administrative duties related to the dental hygiene profession. 
6. Students must have the ability to utilize auditory and sensory perception sufficient to monitor and assess patient needs.
7. Students must possess normal or corrected visual ability in order to assess oral health conditions and perform clinical procedures on patients.
8. Students must be able to communicate in person and via electronic devices by   effective use of the English language.
9. Students must comply with the Code Ethics and bylaws as defined by the American Dental Hygienists’ Association and the statutes and regulations associated with the Commonwealth of Virginia Dental Practice Act.
10. Students must be able to participate as a full-time student and commit at least 42 hours a week to the program. 

Despite the foregoing, a qualified person with a disability who can perform these essential functions with reasonable accommodation will be considered for admission along with other qualified applicants.

Occupational Objectives: This program is designed to provide essential technological and practical knowledge required for a Dental Hygienist to perform ethically and efficiently in a dental office. Training experiences in on-site and community dental clinics will be provided.

Special Admission Requirements: Germanna Community College utilizes a guided admissions process to prepare students for healthcare professions program enrollment. To learn more about the special admissions requirements, please click here. The number of qualified applicants offered admission to the dental hygiene program is contingent upon the space available in the classrooms and dental laboratories, the program’s access to sufficient clinical spaces in the region’s healthcare settings in order to meet the program’s learning outcomes, and the number of qualified dental assisting faculty to teach the students in classrooms, labs, and clinical settings.

Additional Recommendations:

1. It is recommended that students pass all General Education courses with a “C” or better prior to admission into the program.
2. Students may be required to repeat courses or to complete evaluative testing for credits earned more than ten years ago.
3. Since the dental hygiene program has many applicants and the number of admissions is contingent upon available faculty and classroom and clinical spaces, the expected time it will take a student to earn the degree may exceed 24 months. Applicants are advised to complete the general education courses, especially BIO141 and SDV 100/101 prior to entering the first dental hygiene major course.
4. It is recommended that students attend an information session.
5. Students who have completed the Germanna Community College Dental Assisting Program within the last three years,  have an active CDA certificate or appropriate work experience may receive preference for admissions. 
6. Students who have complete volunteer hours or civic engagement activities may receive preference for admissions.

Special Program Requirements: Applicants will be expected to have earned a “C” or better in all general education courses in the Certificate program. The Commonwealth of Virginia Board of Dentistry reserves the right to deny licensure to any candidate who has been convicted of a crime involving moral turpitude or the use of drugs or alcohol to the extent that such use renders him/her unsafe to practice dental hygiene. Any applicant who has been found guilty of a misdemeanor or felony must consult with the Dental Hygiene Program Director prior to admission.

Germanna Community College complies with all recommendations and requirements issued by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA). Any prospective students interested in receiving a copy of the program’s policies on bloodborne pathogens should contact the Program Director at 540-423-9823 or mmesimer@germanna.edu.

Responsibilities of Dental Hygiene Students:

The following are responsibilities of students in the Dental Hygiene Program:

1. To prepare students for the high ethical standards of the health professions, the College expects absolute academic integrity both in the classroom and in clinical practice. Therefore, cheating, attempting to cheat, plagiarizing, lying, stealing academic work which includes secured tests or related materials, submitting papers purchased or written by others, or failing to report an occurrence of academic dishonesty or any violation of this honor code may subject the student to the College’s disciplinary procedures as defined in the GCC Student Handbook.
2. Students in dental assisting program incur a variety of expenses in addition to college tuition and fees. These include, but are not limited to, the cost of uniforms, accessories, and travel to clinical assignments. Students are also responsible for testing fees.
3. A strict dress code is required in the clinical setting. Students may be dismissed if they fail to comply with this dress code.
4. The College reserves the right to require students to obtain and maintain at their own expense liability/malpractice insurance with a carrier authorized to transact such business in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Whether or not insurance appropriate to the program is required, students are encouraged to carry such insurance on their own.
5. Students are required to complete learning experiences at local clinics and/or other community-based agencies. Students may be required to attend both day and/or evening clinical assignments.
6. Students must provide their own transportation to clinical assignments. Strict attendance is required at clinical sites.
7. Students may utilize the resources of the assigned clinical affiliate, at the discretion of the assigned clinical affiliate, for emergency medical treatment for injuries or illness that may occur during the time period when students are assigned to the health care facility. The student is responsible for any expenses incurred for this treatment.
8. Students must comply with all clinical contract protocols including immunization requirements, drug screening and background checks.
9. Students must keep their CPR certifications current.
10. While enrolled in clinical courses, students may not replace or take the responsibility of “qualified” staff in affiliated facilities. However, after demonstrating proficiency, students may be permitted to perform specified procedures under careful supervision. Students may be employed in clinical facilities outside regular education hours provided that such work does not interfere with academic responsibilities. The work must be non-compulsory and subject to employee regulations. Any exception must have the approval of the Associate Dean of Nursing and Health Technologies. Unless formally employed by the clinical site or the College, students are not covered under OSHA regulations or worker’s compensation laws.
11. Students are expected to demonstrate professional behavior consistent with standards associated with health care practitioners.

Continuation Requirements for Dental Hygiene Students

The following continuation requirements govern students in the Dental Hygiene Program:

1. Each course in the program major must be completed with a grade of “C” or better before taking the next course in the sequence and to satisfy graduation requirements, unless waived by the Division Associate Dean upon the recommendation of the Program Director.
2. All courses in the major must be taken in the sequence prescribed in the GCC Catalog, unless otherwise approved by the Program Director.
3. To pass a course, students must successfully complete both the didactic (classroom) and the clinical/lab requirements.
4. Program faculty and clinical affiliates reserve the right to recommend, through appropriate channels, withdrawal of any student who exhibits unsafe performance or non-adherence to prescribed clinical affiliate policies and procedures.
5. Satisfactory physical and mental health must be maintained for continuance in the program. Applicants must be free of any physical and/or mental condition that might adversely affect their acceptance or performances in the program. The College reserves the right to require medical examinations and drug testing to verify continuing compliance. Students with pre-existing physical and/or mental conditions which might adversely affect performance in the program who do not self-disclose this information are subject to dismissal from the program.
6. Students with criminal convictions who do not self-disclose this information are subject to dismissal from the program.

Program Re-Enrollment Requirements for Dental Hygiene Students

Any student who has voluntarily withdrawn or who has been withdrawn due to unsatisfactory academic or clinical performance may apply for re-admission the following academic year. Any student who has voluntarily withdrawn or who has been withdrawn due to ethical violations or criminal actions may not reapply to the program.  Acceptance will be based upon space availability, successful fulfillment of any contingencies agreed to in writing at the time of withdrawal, and Program Director approval. An interview and medical examination may be required.