Dental Health Programs FAQ

We offer the Associate in Science degree in Dental Hygiene and the Certificate in Dental Assisting.

The A. S. in Dental Hygiene and Dental Assisting Certificate programs begin in the Fall semester.

A. S. degree in Dental Hygiene: Once the prerequisites are completed, the program can be completed in five (5) semesters.
Dental Assisting Certificate: Requires one year (3 semesters) to complete.

There is a limited number of students that may be accepted into each program. The Health Care Professions programs require applicants of its programs to meet additional "selective admission" requirements. These requirements include the submission of a Health Care Professions Program application, appropriate academic preparation, students passing criminal background checks and drug screening, and submitting records of specific immunizations prior to being admitted to the program.

A. S. degree in Dental Hygiene - 30 per year
Dental Assisting Certificate - 24 per year

A. S. degree in Dental Hygiene: All college prep courses completed; prerequisite courses with a GPA of 2.5; SAT or ACT scores with a cumulative GPA of 2.5

Dental Assisting Certificate: All college prep courses completed; a GPA of 2.0; graduated high school or earned a GED.

Each state has its own specific regulations and the range of services performed by dental hygienists vary from one state to another. As part of dental hygiene services, dental hygienists may:

Perform oral health care assessments that include reviewing patients' health history, dental charting, oral cancer screening, and taking and recording blood pressure;

Expose, process, and interpret dental X-rays;

Remove plaque and calculus (tartar), soft and hard deposits, from above and below the gumline;

Apply cavity-preventive agents such as fluorides and sealants to the teeth;

Teach patients proper oral hygiene techniques to maintain healthy teeth and gums;

Counsel patients on the importance of good nutrition for maintaining optimal oral health.

Dental hygienists can work as clinicians, educators, researchers, administrators, managers, preventive program developers, consumer advocates, sales and marketing managers, editors, and consultants. Clinical dental hygienists may work in a variety of health care settings such as private dental offices, schools, public health clinics, hospitals, managed care organizations, correctional institutions, or nursing homes.

Procedures a dental assistant may perform are regulated on a state by state basis and may not include duties assigned to dental hygienists. But the varied activities of an assistant in most states make for a challenging, interesting and responsible position whether chairside or in the business office.

In smaller practices, the assistant might work with the dentist as well as managing the business aspects of the practice such as scheduling, billing and purchasing. In larger practices the duties may be more specialized. Many assistants are qualified to take X-rays...expose radiographs as it is properly called. In most dental offices, the dental assistant is in charge of infection control procedures, which are closely regulated by OSHA (the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration). The complexity and importance of this task is a real challenge for any professional, requiring constant updates to remain current with registrations.

The "RDH" means Registered Dental Hygienist. The RDH credential identifies a dental hygienist as a licensed oral health professional. State licensure requirements typically indicate that a dental hygienist must graduate from an accredited dental hygiene education program, successfully pass a national written examination, and a state or regional clinical examination. (In Indiana, the designation LDH [Licensed Dental Hygienist] is used instead of RDH.)

Yes, the dental hygiene and dental assisting programs are accredited by the American Dental Association (www.ada.org).

No, the dental program does not keep a waiting list. All classes are selected from a list of eligible applicants each term. Therefore, if you are not admitted when you apply, you will have to submit another application for the next class.

Prerequisites must be completed the semester before the program begins.

Applications for Dental Assisting and Dental Hygiene are accepted in the Fall and Spring.

Application deadlines are posted on the web. Always apply by 5 p.m. on or before the deadline.

It may take up to six weeks to receive the admission decision.

Yes, dental students are eligible for the same financial assistance programs offered to Tallahassee Community College students. There are dental scholarships available to qualified students once students are taking dental courses.

Yes, equivalent general education coursework may be transferred from another college.

Possibly, dental courses from other institutions are evaluated on a course by course basis. For more information, contact the Dental Program Director.

Yes, but working over 20 hours per week is not recommended.