Dental Hygiene
Angeline K. Nichols, M.Ed, B.S.D.H., R.D.H., Coordinator
Phone: (419) 995-8844
Email: nichols.a@rhodesstate.edu
Office: CK 224B
A Career in Dental Hygiene
Registered dental hygienists are licensed oral health professionals who assess patients' oral health status and provide individualized preventive care. Individuals choose this caring profession because it offers a challenging and rewarding career, the security of a professional license, and the opportunity to provide direct patient care. Typical services offered by a dental hygienist include: obtaining social, medical, and dental histories; assessing oral conditions and developing preventive treatment plans; exposing and evaluating dental radiographs; providing individualized oral health instructions; removing deposits from teeth; providing nonsurgical periodontal therapy; administering fluoride therapy; and placing dental sealants.
While most dental hygienists practice in private dental offices, others find employment in public health settings, specialty practices, school systems, industry, federal services, and higher education. The demand for licensed dental hygienists continues to grow as access to preventive oral health care becomes increasingly important.
The Associate Degree program at Rhodes State College offers an excellent dental hygiene education that promotes personal and professional growth. The faculty are committed to delivering high-quality instruction and individualized support. All clinical instruction, assessment, and evaluation are provided by licensed dental hygienists and dentists in our well-equipped Dental Hygiene Clinic. Dental health activities are integrated throughout the program, preparing graduates to be vital members of the community.
The curriculum is a combination of classroom, laboratory, and clinical experiences that provide students with the knowledge and skills necessary for entry into dental hygiene practice. Emphasis is placed on helping students to appreciate the value of comprehensive, patient-centered care.
Mission Statement
The Dental Hygiene Program prepares students to become competent oral healthcare professionals.
Program Learning Outcomes
Upon completion, the student will be able to:
- Demonstrate entry-level competence necessary to provide educational, clinical, and consultative services to individuals of all ages and from any population by assuming the role of a dental hygienist in clinical and non-clinical practice settings.
- Assess the overall health of all patients and develop individualized comprehensive dental hygiene care plans.
- Apply biomedical science and general education knowledge to the practice of dental hygiene.
- Apply dental and dental hygiene science knowledge in the provision of safe and effective dental hygiene care within the scope of the Ohio Revised Code and established professional standards of dental hygiene practice.
- Participate in community activities which promote the importance of oral and general health.
- Assume the responsibility of life-long learning through continued credit and non-credit education by being a participating member in dental hygiene professional associations.
- Analyze current research and apply information to the practice of dental hygiene in private and public health settings.
Notice to Prospective or Current Dental Hygiene Students
You are at risk if you have been convicted of a prior felony and/or some misdemeanors. You may not be able to participate in clinical education experiences required to complete the program. A criminal record may also prevent you from obtaining a license or certificate in your chosen healthcare profession.
Bloodborne Pathogens
Dental hygiene students provide services in the oral cavity where they come in contact with blood and saliva. Although diseases may be encountered, research indicates that risks are negligible when optimal infection control is practiced. Upon entering the program, current infection control measures and practice are presented to the students by qualified faculty. Compliance of these practices is assessed and evaluated throughout the students' clinical experience to ensure a safe working environment.
Prior to entering the program, all new Health Sciences Division students will receive the Division of Health Sciences Infectious Disease Policy. This comprehensive document demonstrates the College's commitment to protecting students' rights, to educating students about infectious diseases, and to taking every reasonable precaution to provide a safe educational and work environment.
Dental Hygiene Licensure
Graduates of the program are awarded an Associate Degree of Applied Science. Upon successful completion of the program, the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination, the American Board of Dental Examiners (ADEX) Dental Hygiene Examination, and the Ohio Jurisprudence Examination, graduates will be eligible to apply for state licensure.
Reentry or Admission with Advanced Standing
Students seeking reentry to the Dental Hygiene Program may be accepted one time on a space-available basis. A student who withdrew or was academically disqualified from the previous academic year must be in good standing with the College and follow the prescribed procedures stated in the program's Re-entry Policy. This document is published in the Clinic Manual and is available upon request from the Office of the Chairperson of Dental Hygiene.
Advanced standing may be granted to a transfer student when courses are equivalent and were completed within the accepted time frame:
Dental Hygiene courses: within the previous academic year
Related (Basic) Studies courses: within the previous five years
Technical Standards
See here for details.
Tech Prep Partner
See here for details.
“C” grade policy
- A minimum 2.0 GPA is required for graduation.
- A grade of “C” or higher must be achieved in all courses carrying the specific program prefix such as DHY, EMS, MAT, NSG, OTA, PNS, PTA, RAD, RES and SRG.
- All programs and certificates require a grade of “C” (2.0) or better in required science courses and in required basic/related health science (BHS) courses as well as in selected general education and basic/related science courses (see program requirements).
All of the following required coursework needs to have been completed within five years of matriculation into a Health Sciences program or certificate. The five year limit may be waived by the Program Chair or Coordinator if the applicant is currently working in a healthcare field.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| BHS 1150 | Applied Functional Anatomy | 4 |
| BHS 1390 | Medical Terminology | 2 |
| BHS 2110 | Growth and Development: Lifespan | 2 |
| BIO 1000 | Basic Human Structure and Function | 3 |
| BIO 1110 | Anatomy and Physiology I | 4 |
| BIO 1120 | Anatomy and Physiology II | 4 |
| BIO 1400 | Microbiology | 4 |
| CHM 1120 | Introductory Organic and Biochemistry | 4 |
| DTN 1220 | Principles of Nutrition | 2 |
| NSG 1721 | Pharmacology for Nursing | 2 |
Admissions Office
Rhodes State College
4240 Campus Drive
Lima, OH 45804
Email: enroll@RhodesState.edu
(419) 995-8320
Criminal Background Checks and Drug Screening
To meet the expanding requirements of our clinical affiliates, both a criminal background check and a drug screen will be mandatory prior to clinical experiences for most students within the Division of Health Sciences and Public Service. Some program exceptions may apply. You are at risk if you have been convicted of a prior felony and/or some misdemeanors. Students with certain felony, misdemeanor, or drug-related convictions will be ineligible for admission into clinical experiences. A criminal record may also prevent you from obtaining a license or certificate in your chosen healthcare profession or to obtain employment post-graduation. Students admitted to a program containing off-campus clinical/practicum experiences will be required to submit to drug screening. Positive drug screenings may result in dismissal from all clinical courses. Any student who refuses/fails to cooperate or complete any required drug screening will be considered “positive” and dismissed from the clinical component of their program. All students requiring drug screening may be subject to random drug screens and for cause during the program.
Recommended High School Coursework
Students are encouraged to complete college prep classes in high school. Although not required, the courses provide a better understanding of college-level work. Recommended college prep courses include:
English: 4 units
Math: 4 units
Natural Science: 3 units
Social Science: 3 units
Health Insurance
The Division of Health Sciences and Public Service is committed to protecting students, faculty, and patients from infectious diseases during clinical practice and taking every reasonable precaution to provide a safe educational and work environment. All new students entering the health-related programs will be informed of the risks of blood-borne and other infectious diseases. Students with a high risk of infectious diseases should be aware of their own health status and risk of exposure to other students, employees, or patients involved in the clinical environment. All students are required to provide their own health insurance coverage for the duration of their program and be able to provide proof of insurance if requested.
Radiation Monitoring
For educational and training purposes, students must be 18 years of age or older to participate in the radiographic imaging clinical environment, as required by Ohio Department of Health regulations for individuals involved in occupational exposure to ionizing radiation. As such, radiographic imaging students are classified as occupationally exposed adults, with a regulatory annual dose limit of 50 mSv, though actual exposures in diagnostic imaging education are typically far below this threshold. All students are monitored with personal dosimeters while in any area where exposure to ionizing radiation is possible.