PROGRAM INFORMATION

The Associate in Science Degree in the Dental Hygiene Program is a two-year program. The program includes the fall and spring semesters, winter intersessions, and one summer session. Upon completion of the 60.5-unit program, program prerequisites, and any additional requirements needed to fulfill the Associate in Science Degree (see the Riverside Community College Catalog), the graduate will earn an Associate in Science Degree. Students in good standing in the program are eligible to take the National Dental Hygiene Board Examination in April of their second year. Upon graduation and successful completion of the National Dental Hygiene Board Examination, graduates are eligible to take state and/or regional licensing examinations.

Each fall semester, 20 candidates meeting all qualification requirements will be selected for admission into the Dental Hygiene Program. See Selection Criteria for Admission into the Dental Hygiene Program for more information on this process. All interested students are encouraged to attend a Dental Hygiene Program Information/Orientation Session. See the orientation link for the current schedule.

Grade Point Requirements For Progress In The Dental Hygiene Program:

A minimum of “C� in all dental hygiene courses is required for the student to advance from one semester to the next.  A grade of “C� or better is required in all prerequisite courses, general education graduation requirements and dental hygiene courses.

Required Courses (60.5 units)	Units
First Fall Semester Courses:
DEH 10A Pre-Clinic Dental Hygiene #1	2.5
DEH 11 Principles of Dental Hygiene	2
DEH 12A Principles of Oral Radiology	1
DEH 12B Oral Radiology Laboratory	1
DEH 13 Infection Control in Dentistry	1
DEH 14 Systems Analysis of Dental Anatomy, Morphology, Histology, & Embryology	3.5
DEH 15 Head and Neck Anatomy	2
DEH 16 Preventive Dentistry	1
DEH 17 General Pathology	2
First Winter Intersession Courses:
DEH 10B Pre-Clinic Dental Hygiene #2	1
DEH 19 Pain Control	1.5
First Spring Semester Courses:
DEH 20A Clinical Dental Hygiene #1	3
DEH 21 Clinical Seminar #1	1
DEH 22 Oral Radiology Interpretation	1
DEH 23 Introduction to Periodontology	2
DEH 24 Ethics	1
DEH 25 Medical/Dental Emergencies	1
DEH 26 Dental Treatment of Geriatric and Medically            Compromised	2
DEH 27 Oral Pathology	3
DEH 28 Basic and Applied Pharmacology	2
First Summer Session Courses:
DEH 20B Clinical Dental Hygiene #2	1
Second Fall Semester Courses:
DEH 30A Clinical Dental Hygiene #3	3.5
DEH 31 Clinical Seminar #2	1
DEH 32 Dental Materials	2.5
DEH 33 Periodontology	1
DEH 34 Community Dental Health Education #1	1
DEH 35 Community Dental Health Education            Practicum #1	1
DEH 36 Research Methodology	2
DEH 37 Nutrition in Dentistry	1
Second Winter Intersession Course:
DEH 30B Clinical Dental Hygiene #4	1
Fourth Semester Courses:
DEH 40 Clinical Dental Hygiene #5	4
DEH 41 Clinical Seminar #3	1
DEH 42 Practice Management and Jurisprudence	2
DEH 43 Advanced Periodontology	1
DEH 44 Community Dental Health Education #2	1
DEH 45 Community Dental Health Education            Practicum #2	1
DEH 46 Advanced Topics in Dental Hygiene	1

Selection Process for Admission into the Dental Hygiene Program

1. Preference will be given to those students meeting the RCCD and RCC residency requirements (i.e. applicants residing within the District, and having previously attended RCC for one full semester within the last two years preceding the semester in which they are applying to the Dental Hygiene Program). 
    
2. If a student is not offered a space in the program, a new application will be necessary for the following year.
• Twenty candidates will be randomly selected to begin the program each fall semester.
  
  
3. The following are the priority given to those candidates meeting the minimum requirements:
• First Priority Selection:
Students meeting all GPA* requirements, prerequisites, RCCD residency, and RCC attendance requirements.  If there are more than 20 applicants that meet these requirements, then a random drawing of 20 applicants will occur to select the 20 students for admission in to the Dental Hygiene Program.  An additional 20 applicants will be randomly selected to be on the waiting list for admission for that year only. They will be assigned a waiting list number according to the order they are selected. 


• Second Priority Selection:
Students meeting all GPA* requirements, prerequisites, RCCD residency, and RCC attendance requirements. This category will be used only if there are not enough applicants to fulfill the needs of the program in the First Priority Selection category.  The number of students selected from the second priority selection pool of applicants will depend on the number of applicants needed to fulfill the program and waiting-list slots.

Health and CPR Requirements

Students selected for the program will be admitted pending submission of a valid CPR Certification card (BLS Healthcare Provider Course), verification of receiving the Hepatitis B vaccination, tetanus, MMR, TB testing and completed health examination form with clearance permitting unrestricted functional activities essential to providing dental hygiene care in accordance with the American Disabilities Act (1990).  The CPR card must be kept current throughout the program.  Students need to show proof of meeting these requirements prior to July 5, 2010, to be admitted to the program.  Failure to meet this deadline will result in forfeiting admission into the program.

 

Dental Hygiene Program Expenses/General Information:

(All expenses are approximate, not necessarily all-inclusive and are subject to change.)

1. Uniforms/scrubs/gowns: $100 for two years.
2. Books and supplies: $3,000 for two years.
3. Health examination/immunizations: $200-$300. Students selected for the program must have a completed health exam form which includes a clearance permitting unrestricted functional activities essential to providing dental hygiene care in accordance with the American Disabilities Act (1990). Selected laboratory work and immunizations must be repeated one year later.
4. Health Services fee: $14 per year.
5. Student Fees of $10 per year.  
6. Enrollment fee of $26 per unit.
7. Students must have current CPR card (BLS Healthcare Provider Course). If the CPR card expires prior to completing the program, re-certification is required.
8. It is recommended that students carry personal health and accident insurance including hospitalization. Policies are available to students at reasonable rates.
9. Students must purchase a predetermined instrument and supplies issue. The issue is determined and assembled by the Dental Hygiene Program and will cost approximately $3,500 the first year and $1,000 the second year. Students must purchase the first year issue prior to August 6, 2010. See the Program Director for more information on the instrument and supplies issue.
10. 10. Students must purchase clinical magnification glasses. The Dental Hygiene Program Director will arrange for manufacturers to come to RCC for the students to select the magnification glasses of their choice prior to the beginning of the first semester. These glasses will range from $800-$1,000. Students must have purchased magnification glasses prior to August 6, 2010. See vendor for refund policy.
11. Malpractice insurance: $50 for two years.
12. SADHA membership: $90 for two years.
13. National Board Review Course: $350.
14. National Board Dental Hygiene Examination fee: $300.
15. California Dental Hygiene Licensing Examination fee: $595.
16. Fingerprinting fee: $36-57.

Additional Information

Applicants for licensure in the state of California must be fingerprinted, and report information related to the illegal use of controlled substances, and any convictions or pleas of nolo contendere even if the charges were dismissed. In addition, the application requires specific information related to convictions, misdemeanor or felony, associated with state or federal action. If there are any concerns that may prevent licensure after graduation, direct inquiries to the Dental Hygiene Board of California, 2005 Evergreen Street, Suite 1050, Sacramento, CA 95815