Informed Applicant

Applicants seeking admission to the Dental Hygiene Program should be well informed about the demands of the dental hygiene profession and the challenges of the dental hygiene program.  Dental hygiene students should be exceptionally self-motivated, unerringly ethical and professional, exhibit a strong aptitude for sciences, and have good social and interpersonal skills, including the desire to work within group settings.

Advising
Students interested in the Dental Hygiene Program are encouraged to meet and maintain contact with a full-time faculty advisor in the Dental Hygiene department as well as meet with a college counselor/advisor to explore other career options.

Standards of Dental Hygiene conduct
Dental hygienists are responsible, by law, to the people of the State of Washington, for specific standards of dental hygiene conduct: By law WAC 246-815-160—“The standards of dental hygiene conduct or practice identify minimum responsibilities of the registered dental hygienist licensed in Washington in health care settings as provided in the Dental Hygiene Practice Act, chapter 18.29 RCW, and the Uniform Disciplinary Act, chapter 18.130 RCW. The standards provide consumers with information about quality care and provide the secretary of health (of the department of health), guidelines to evaluate safe and effective care. The dental hygienist assumes the responsibility, public trust and obligation to adhere to the standards of dental hygiene practice”. 18.130.010 “Intent. It is the intent of the legislature to strengthen and consolidate disciplinary and licensure procedures for the licensed health and health-related professions by providing a uniform disciplinary act with standardized procedures for the licensure of health care professionals and the enforcement of laws the purpose of which is to assure the public of the adequacy of professional competence and conduct in the healing arts.”

If a student has previously been dismissed from the Yakima Valley Community College Dental Hygiene Program for failure to comply with ethical or professional standards, the student will not be considered for re-admission.

Occupational hazards
Occupational hazards for the field of dental hygiene may include, but are not limited to: exposure to infectious diseases such as AIDS or hepatitis, exposure to hazardous chemicals or substances, accidental injury, neuromuscular problems, exposure to blood borne pathogens, exposure to radiation and allergic reactions to latex, anesthetic agents, or other chemical agents.
Students enrolled in the dental hygiene program are required to sign a “Hazards and Risks” acknowledge document.

Latex Allergy
Over the past few years, the incidence of latex allergy has increased steadily.  Latex is an integral part of dentistry; used in gloves (use of protective wear for hands is mandatory), rubber dams, suction tubes etc.  Individuals with a history of some prior allergic condition, such as hay fever, environmental allergies, and drug allergies, may be at risk for latex hypersensitivity.

Essential Curriculum Components and Technical Standards
While in the program, dental hygiene students are required to be operators and patients, and to deliver and receive injections of local anesthetic and to administer and receive nitrous oxide sedation for dental hygiene learning experiences.  These activities are essential components of the dental hygiene curriculum.

Essential Skills
Dental Hygiene students must possess essential skills/technical standards to perform dental hygiene functions including:

• Vision must allow the determination of minute areas of detail, very small variations in color discrimination and adequate depth perception (size, shape, texture).
• Speech and hearing must permit clear and effective communication with colleagues, clients, faculty and staff.
• Students must be able to read, write, speak and report in English.
• Students must be able to comprehend and carry out written and oral directions given in English.
• Students must possess fine motor movements in order to perform the essential functions of the dental hygiene profession.
• Students must possess adequate physical strength and endurance to perform dental hygiene functions.

(Functional abilities refer to physical, cognitive and behavioral abilities and competencies required for satisfactory completion of all aspects of the dental hygiene program)

• Students must be able to function in a structured environment within significant time constraints.
• Students must be able to complete required tasks/functions under stressful conditions.
• Students must be able to progress toward minimal supervision as they advance through the program.
• Students must be able to interact appropriately with all members of the dental team.

The Dental Hygiene Program is committed to supporting student success and provides opportunities for students to demonstrate the essential functional abilities. To successfully complete the dental hygiene Program, the student must be able to demonstrate performance of all functional abilities and completion of the published Dental Hygiene Competencies.

Yakima Valley Community College Non-discrimination Statement
Yakima Valley Community College complies with all federal and state rules and regulations and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, creed, marital status, age, religion, sexual orientation, or veteran status. Inquiries regarding compliance and/or grievance procedures may be directed to the college’s Title IX/RCW 28A.640 officer and/or Section 504/ADA coordinator through the Human Resources Director, P.O. Box 22520, Yakima, WA 98907-2520, 509-574-4676, / TDD 509-574-4687. (Revised 10-06)

Students with Disabilities
“The American Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 requires that a student seeking accommodations must provide current documentation of a disability to the Disability Support Services office (C138). In order to assure timely, effective accommodations, the student must request accommodations at least three (3) weeks prior to the start of EACH quarter”.

Disability Support Services
The dental hygiene program, as part of YVCC, is committed to the principle of equal opportunity. The program does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, disability, disabled veteran or Vietnam era veteran status. When requested, and with appropriate documentation, the program will provide reasonable accommodation to otherwise qualified students with disabilities. Student who need adaptations or accommodations because of a disability, emergency medical condition, or need special arrangements in case a building must be evacuated, should notify the Program Coordinator and the instructor of the respective course. More information is available through Disability Support Services at 574-4961.

Transportation
Students are responsible for their own transportation and for complying with parking regulations on campus and in the assigned clinical agencies. Some distant sites within our community college district may be utilized.

Academic Standards When Enrolled in the Dental Hygiene Program:

• Didactic clinical courses must be passed with a minimum of 2.0 GPA and completed in consecutive sequence.
• A dental hygiene program cumulative 2.5 GPA or above is required to continue in the program.
• If a student withdraws from the program or fails to successfully complete a course or courses, the student forfeits his or her position in the program.
• Reapplication to the program (starting with the first year) is necessary.
• The reapplication will be evaluated and ranked in exactly the same manner as any new application.
• If accepted (after reapplication) into the program, the returning student will counsel with the department to determine:
  • Courses recommended to be repeated
  • Courses which must be repeated
  • Courses which may be audited
  • Courses which require a proficiency exam or other demonstration of competency

IT IS NECESSARY TO REPORT TO THE DENTAL HYGIENE DEPARTMENT IF YOU HAVE BEEN ENROLLED AND ATTENDED ANY OTHER COLLEGE OR UNIVERSITY, SPECIFICALLY IN DENTAL HYGIENE.

THE DENTAL HYGIENE DEPARTMENT RESERVES THE RIGHT TO OBTAIN COPIES OF ALL CLINICAL EVALUATIONS AND A LETTER SUBSTANTIATING GOOD STANDING, FROM THE PROGRAM PREVIOUSLY ATTENDED.

Identification of Positive Criminal History—Washington State Criminal History Repository

I. Department of Health— Licensing Application
DOH conducts criminal background check on every applicant for licensure (dh program,dentistry, etc.)

• Applicants must answer the DOH Information Data Sheet with integrity and honesty. Future licensure is at great risk if false information is submitted.
• With positive criminal history, the applicant must include all reports and court documents along with detailed and complete explanations, with the application for Washington State licensure.
• Positive criminal history cases are submitted to a DOH review panel where decisions regarding licensure (and possible stipulations) are determined.
• Each case identifying positive criminal history is managed as an individual case.
• License stipulations may be obligatory if patient harm is potential.
• Applicants with positive criminal history should attempt to get the violation records expunged (after a specified time, some records may be expunged).

• It is imperative that the student with an identification of positive criminal history communicate with the dental hygiene department coordinator(s) regarding the violation(s) incurred, and the circumstances of the incident(s).
• Students must provide honest, detailed, and complete explanations to the dental hygiene department.
• Omission of information or fraudulent answers to the Personal Data Sheet questions will adversely affect dental hygiene enrollment.
• During enrollment, specific agencies/institutions participating in scheduled assignments within the dental hygiene curriculum, must be advised of visitations by students with criminal history.
• A student will be assigned a failing grade in a Dental Hygiene course and subsequently dismissed from the Dental Hygiene program, for failure to comply with ethical standards of conduct. Ethical standards of conduct that apply to Dental Hygiene students are described in The Law Relating to Dental Hygiene Practice, The American Dental Hygienists Code of Ethics for Dental Hygienists, Dental Hygiene Policies and Procedures Handbook, YVCC Code of Student Rights and Responsibilities, Dental Hygiene clinical handbooks, procedures manuals and individual Dental Hygiene course syllabi.

The laws of Washington State do not allow community college programs to discriminate in admission policies based on the areas covered by the questions on the Personal Data form. Consequently, it is possible that an applicant be admitted to and successfully complete the Dental Hygiene Program and not be eligible for licensure.

Certain convictions may prevent students from completing program requisite field work experience and may result in the student’s ineligibility to complete the program requirements.

Licensing Criteria
Dental Hygiene programs are approved by the Secretary of the Department of Health. The Secretary adopts those standards of the American Dental Association Commission on Dental Accreditation relevant to the accreditation of dental hygiene programs), in effect in January, 1993 (with specific curriculum required by Washington State. The American Dental Association Commission on Dental Accreditation monitors the quality of education in these programs. The Department of Health has the legal right to inquire about aspects of personal life which might impair the ability to practice safely as a licensed dental hygienist. In the last quarter of the Dental Hygiene Program, the student will apply to the DOH for licensure in Washington State.

The Personal Data form must be completed for the application for licensure in Washington State.

Both the Personal Data form and the Criminal Background Check form are required for application to the Yakima Valley Community College Dental Hygiene Program.

Students and employees of Yakima Valley Community College are not required to disclose information about their HIV status. Neither employment nor student admission into the Department of Dental Hygiene may be denied based on HIV status. Washington State Dental and Dental Hygiene licensure or license renewal is not limited by HIV status. However, by law, when performing health care functions, dental hygienists must protect the health and safety of the public. According to the Washington State Administrative code 18.130.180, Regulation of the Health Professions-Uniform Disciplinary Act. “Engaging in a profession involving contact with the public while suffering from a contagious or infectious disease involving serious risk to public health” constitutes unprofessional conduct which may result in denial of licensure.

Scope of Practice (18.29.050 RCW Scope of licensee’s Functions)
Any person licensed as a dental hygienist in the state of Washington may remove deposits and stains from the surfaces of the teeth, may apply topical preventive or prophylactic agents, may polish and smooth restorations, may perform root planning and soft tissue curettage, and may perform other dental operations and services delegated to them by a licensed dentist. Licensed dental hygienists shall not perform the following dental operations or services:

1. Any surgical removal of tissue of the oral cavity
2. Any prescription of drugs or medications requiring the written order or prescription of a licensed dentist or physician, except place antimicrobials pursuant to the order of a licensed dentist
3. Any diagnosis for treatment or treatment planning
4. Taking of any impression of the teeth for the purpose of intra-oral restoration, appliance, or prosthesis.

Licensed dental hygienists may perform operations and services under the supervision of a licensed dentist and under such supervision may be employed by hospitals, boards of education of public or private schools, county boards, boards of health or public or charitable institutions or in dental offices.

Pre-application Information
High school students interested in health care careers should select a college preparatory tract which includes chemistry, algebra, biology and college preparatory English. The study of foreign language in high school is encouraged. The selection process awards credit for skills in language in addition to English. The selection process also awards credit for paid or volunteer work in the dental field.

High School Diploma
All applicants are required to have earned a high school diploma or to have completed the General Education Diploma (GED) requirements. Applicants must submit a high school transcript or GED certificate.

Dental Hygiene Prerequisites
Dental hygiene prerequisite courses total approximately sixty quarter credits.  Applicants are encouraged to earn the best grades possible.  The average GPA of applicants selected is well above 3.0.

Limited Retakes of dental hygiene prerequisites are permitted.  A maximum of two prerequisite courses may be retaken (each retake one time only).

• First retake or original course grade (whichever grade is higher) will be used to calculate the GPA.
• Science and Nutrition courses must be 5 years current.

Prerequisite coursework may take up to two years to complete in order to qualify for entrance into the Dental Hygiene Program. All prerequisite courses must be completed prior to enrollment into the dental hygiene program. No assurance can be given that applicants successfully completing the dental hygiene prerequisite courses will be admitted to the Dental Hygiene Program.

• Since each quarter of the dental hygiene curriculum is up to 21 credits per quarter, applicants are strongly encouraged to carry full time academic loads during the process of completing the prerequisite courses.
• Additional credit toward selection will be awarded applicants who demonstrate the ability to master a full time (15 credits) college–level, science based curriculum:
       * Course loads taken prior to spring quarter of the year applying.
       * At least one course must be a dental hygiene prerequisite course.
       * 3.0 quarter GPA or above, earned.
• In order to most efficiently complete the dental hygiene prerequisite courses, applicants are encouraged to begin the biology, math and chemistry requirements early on. (Placement in math 95 is required as a prerequisite to chemistry 100 {without high school chemistry}; general biology BIOL 109 is a prerequisite to BIOL 230, 231).

Course Equivalencies
Verification of course equivalency is the applicant’s responsibility.   Applicants seeking course equivalency verification may be required to submit a college catalog and a course syllabus to the dental hygiene department.  Equivalency of most courses taken at colleges in the state of Washington may be determined by referring to the “University of Washington Transfer Guide”.  This guide may be found in college libraries or career and counseling centers. Course numbers and titles vary among colleges. Equivalency of transfer credits is determined by course content. Credits transferred from another college or university may be evaluated by the Registrar’s office to determine equivalency.