Counseling Meeting March 10, 2011

Bridgete H. Clark, RDH, DDS

• They are health care professionals who focus on preventing and treating oral diseases to protect teeth, gums and patient’s overall health.

• Are graduates of accredited college & university dental hygiene education programs

• Licensed oral health professionals – R.D.H.

• Performs health care assessments that include the review of patient’s health history, dental charting, oral cancer screening, and evaluation of gum disease.

• Removes plaque and calculus from above and below the gum line using dental instruments.

• Administers local anesthetic and/or nitrous oxide analgesia.

• Expose, process and interprets dental radiographs.

• Educates patients on proper oral hygiene techniques to maintain healthy teeth and gums.

• Enjoys people: An effective dental hygienist has great communication skills to engage the patient in the outcome of their own oral care.

• Likes biology: The theory behind oral hygiene is based on how our bodies react to bacteria in our mouth and ridding the mouth of the bacteria that causes infection and bone loss.

• Eye for detail, great tactile skills & patience: Scaling and root planing is performed in a small location . . . the mouth, where much of the treatment is by feel and magnification.

• Engaged dental team member: The dental hygienist is a part of a dental team; including the dentist, dental assistants and practice coordinator.

• Personal satisfaction: Improving patient oral health while establishing trusting clinician/patient relationships.

• Variety: Dental hygienists have the opportunity to meet the oral health needs of many different patients and population groups each day and throughout their career.

• Flexibility: Full and part-time employment in private dental practices, community clinics, educational and research institutions.

• Fair compensation: As a licensed health professional, a clinician can earn from approximately $350 per day/$50,000 a year.

• Two year program: includes courses in Clinical Assessment, Tooth Morphology, Oral Health Education, Dental Materials, Oral Pathology, Dental Radiology, Local Anesthesia, Dental Radiographic Interpretation, Law & Ethics, Periodontics, and Community Oral Health.

• The Dental Hygiene Clinic: o New facility opened Summer 2010 o 18 chair computer equipped main clinico 6 chair digitally equipped radiology clinic

and panoramic unito Computerized patient appointment

schedulingo Dental software instruction and use

• How to be admitted into the program: o Complete pre-requisites as soon as possibleo Submit an application with official transcriptso The counseling office will review your application for

acceptance into the programo Current wait list is short- 1 to 2 year wait o Securing financing for the two years in the program

• Pre-requisites: o Chemistry 30B – Intro to Organic Chemistry o BIO 4 - Human Anatomyo BIO 5 - Human Physiologyo BIO 6 - Microbiologyo ENG 1A or 1AH – English Composition

Finish your General Education Requirements

Get dental experience ~ network

Work and save money

Organize and prepare

DH FIRST YEAR ESTIMATED PROGRAM COSTSTuition 640Textbooks 1,160Campus Bus/Parking - (Purchase from Santa Cruz Metro $50 for 30 days -

Aug-Dec) 250Health Services- (See Orientation Guide for fees) 800DH Student Kit - (Instrument and Clinic Supplies) 8,000Student Dues 175Professional Liability Insurance – (Optional, Highly

Recommended) 70Miscellaneous Supplies & ongoing supplies 1,830

Total First Year Program Costs 12,800

DH SECOND YEAR ESTIMATED PROGRAM COSTS  Tuition 530Campus Bus/Parking - (Purchase from Santa Cruz Metro $50 for 30 days -

Feb-May) 200Health Services (See Orientation Guide for fees) 800Professional Liability Insurance – (Optional, Highly

Recommended) 70Student Dues 175National Board Examination Review Course (+ hotel & fees)

400National Board Examination fee 350WREB or CA State Board Licensing fee 3,000RDH Pin 100

Total Second Year Program Costs 7,000

Two-year estimate Total 19,800

Uniforms: Scrub pants and tops covered by a lab coat

Safety glasses and/or loupes

White leather “nurse-type” closed toed shoes

Odor-free make-up, hand creams, and deodorant

Fingernails must be natural, clean, and trimmed short

Hair is worn off the shoulders,back away from the face.

Men: clean shaven is recommended. Mustaches and beards must be

neat and professional looking.

Jewelry: No bracelets, watches, rings, and small post earrings

No other facial piercings are allowed, i.e. nose rings, not recommended for men

Visible tattoos must be covered

Well established program ReputationNew state of the art facility Beautiful campus

Sparkling beaches Community supportCampus student services to enhance success

Great educational value Short waitlist