Dental Hygiene Department

Paula Russell, Department Chair/Online Director, Klamath Falls

Professor: P. Russell, P. Hendrix
Assistant Professors: K. Beaty, J. Bopp, J. Luebbers, D. Swigart
Instructors: C. Botsch, S. Neely, E. Gustafson-Plummer, A. Rollins

Degrees Offered

Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene (entry level program)
Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene, RDH to BSDH Online Degree Completion (for licensed dental hygienists who have already graduated from an entry level AAS program)

The Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene is offered on the Oregon Tech campus in Klamath Falls, on the Chemeketa Community College campus in Salem, Oregon, and online for licensed professional dental hygienists completing their Bachelor’s degree.

Accreditation

The Dental Hygiene Program is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA), a national Commission that is responsible for the professional accreditation of dental schools, dental hygiene programs, and other programs related to dentistry. Oregon Tech’s Dental Hygiene Program’s accreditation status is “approval without reporting requirements” which means it meets all of the “Accreditation Standards for Dental Hygiene Education Programs”.

Career Opportunities

Dental hygienists are most commonly employed in private or corporate dental practices and provide oral health preventive and therapeutic services. Graduates are prepared for licensure as a dental hygienist and graduate with the qualifications to obtain permits and endorsements for expanded practice in such settings as nursing homes, schools, and hospitals. In addition to clinical practice, dental hygienists have careers in the fields of education, research, administration, and public health.

Program Goals and Purpose

The Dental Hygiene Program supports developing Oregon Tech’s Institutional Student Learning Outcomes through its Program Goals and the curriculum design based on professional standards developed by experts in the field. The Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene program prepares students for entry into the dental hygiene profession and additional careers such as public health, administration, education, research, and marketing. The graduate will be prepared to enter master’s degree programs in dental hygiene and related programs.

Upon graduation, students are prepared for entry into the dental hygiene profession and are eligible for state and national exams leading to licensure as a registered dental hygienist, including all expanded functions allowed within the scope of practice for a dental hygienist. Program educational objectives are:

Provide the dental hygiene student the opportunity to gain the necessary knowledge, skills, and values to enter the registered practice of dental hygiene.
Prepare the student to sit for the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination.
Prepare the student to take clinical board examinations in dental hygiene, anesthesia, and restorative functions.

Program Mission Statement

The Oregon Institute of Technology Dental Hygiene Program provides a humanistic learning environment that fosters student and graduate success through respect and professionalism, and by encouraging innovation and critical thinking.   Its mission is to prepare students to become healthcare professionals who serve diverse populations in multiple roles including leadership, clinical and public health, research, education, and entrepreneurship.  Oregon Tech Dental Hygiene graduates gain experience with project-based learning, community service, applied research emphasizing evidence-based practices; and are empowered to become life-long learners. 

Program Learning Outcomes:

The dental hygiene graduate will be competent in:

Communication: The dental hygiene graduate will be competent in communication and collaborating with other members of the health care team to support comprehensive patient care

Critical Thinking and Problem Solving: The dental hygiene graduate will be competent in critical thinking and problem solving related to comprehensive care and management of patients

Professionalism, Ethical Practice: The dental hygiene graduate will be competent in applying ethical, legal, and regulatory concepts in the provision and/or support of oral health care services

Lifelong Learning: The dental hygiene graduate will demonstrate competent knowledge and self-assessment skills necessary for life-long learning

Provision of Oral Health Care: The dental hygiene graduate will be competent in providing the dental hygiene process of care for a wide range of patient profiles and all types of periodontal diseases

Community Health: The dental hygiene graduate will be competent in assessing, planning, implementing, and evaluating community based oral health programs including health promotion and disease prevention activities

Disease Prevention: The dental hygiene graduate will evaluate factors that can be used to promote patient adherence to disease prevention and/or health maintenance strategies.

Evaluating Research: The dental hygiene graduate will be competent in evaluating current scientific literature to incorporate evidence-based decisions into dental hygiene practice.

Professional Development & Membership

Faculty and students are expected to maintain membership in the ADHA professional organization, attend regularly scheduled SADHA meetings, and to participate in professional development, such as local and regional conferences that lead to lifelong learning as defined in the Program Outcomes. Students are required to join the student chapter of the American Dental Hygienists Association. There is an annual fee for membership, and this is outlined in the anticipated expenses provided to students upon entry into the Dental Hygiene program.

Program Goals and Purpose

Provide the dental hygiene student the opportunity to gain the necessary knowledge, skills, and values to enter the

registered practice of dental hygiene.

Prepare the student to sit for the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination.
Prepare the student to take clinical board examinations in dental hygiene, anesthesia, and restorative functions.

Program Mission Statement

Program Learning Outcomes:

The dental hygiene graduate will be competent in:

Interprofessional Collaboration/Communication: The dental hygiene graduate will be competent in communication and collaborating with other members of the health care team to support comprehensive patient care.
Critical Thinking: The dental hygiene graduate will be competent in critical thinking and problem solving related to comprehensive care and management of patients.
Professionalism, Ethical Practice, Evidence Based Decision Making: The dental hygiene graduate will be competent in the application of ethical reasoning, legal, and regulatory concepts in the provision of care, and evidence-based support of oral health care services.
Lifelong Learning: The dental hygiene graduate will demonstrate competent knowledge and self-assessment skills necessary for life-long learning.
Provision of Oral Health Care: The dental hygiene graduate will be competent in providing the dental hygiene process of care for a wide range of patient profiles and all classifications of periodontal diseases.
Community Health: The dental hygiene graduate will be competent in assessing, planning, implementing, and evaluating community based oral health programs.
Disease Prevention: The dental hygiene graduate will evaluate factors that can be used to promote patient adherence to disease prevention and/or health maintenance strategies.
Evaluating Research: The dental hygiene graduate will be competent in evaluating current scientific literature to incorporate evidence-based decisions into dental hygiene practice.

Student Preparation

A strong science background is essential for individuals interested in any health sciences profession. Students considering a career in dental hygiene should take a college-bound course of study in high school that includes algebra, chemistry, and microbiology and human anatomy and physiology.

Professional Dental Hygiene Competencies

The professional standards of the profession have been published by the American Dental Hygienists Association and by the American Dental Education Association. Students are expected to meet these standards to graduate. Students must show competence by the standards provided by the Commission on Dental Accreditation.

Competency-Based Curriculum

Dental Hygiene academic and clinical courses are both graded and competency-based, which means that the essential skills, knowledge, and attitudes expected of students at a given point in the curriculum are specified with the conditions under which students are expected to perform. The criteria for evaluation are also defined. This includes a process of learning that develops in stages.

The expected level of development at any point in the curriculum is defined in the Program Competency Timeline. Competency assessments are Pass/Fail. Grades are only earned once the required minimum level of performance has been reached. All Competency assessments are required and MUST be passed at the appropriate level in order to continue in the program. They are benchmark assessments. A non-passing score will receive a zero grade and will warrant an F in the overall course grade. The Competency Timeline is a list of benchmark expectations for when students are expected to develop certain skills has been developed for the entire professional curriculum. The Competency Timeline also defines the graduation requirements for clinical experiences.

Essential Functions/Technical Standards of a Dental Hygienist

In accordance with its professional and accreditation standards, the Dental Hygiene program has established technical standards as essential requirements. To be admitted and maintain enrollment, participate in, and successfully complete the professional program, a student must meet these non-academic standards of performance. Essential Functions are characteristics deemed necessary to become a professional, licensed, dental hygienist. They are evaluated continuously throughout the program in both clinical and didactic settings.

To be admitted to or continue in the Dental Hygiene Program a student must possess skills and abilities essential to perform as a dental hygienist. Students are required to perform dental hygiene services for patients in the clinical setting. The department is responsible for ensuring the safety of the patients, including completion of treatment within an acceptable amount of time and without significant regression of skills. With these considerations a dental hygiene student/candidate must be able to meet the following essential functions:

Physical Skills

Sit or stand; bend and reach while performing clinical procedures. Function in a structured environment for several hours. Demonstrate hand/eye coordination, manual dexterity, and tactile sensitivity necessary to manipulate a variety of instruments, materials, and equipment. Perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation and assist in emergency situations.

Sensory Skills

Read charts, records, small print, typed and handwritten notes. See with measurable depth perception and in low-light conditions. Distinguish color variations and discern shades of black and white. Hear and understand verbal directions. Discern sounds related to patient assessment and treatment. Distinguish smells of various drugs, solutions and materials used in healthcare settings. Feel subtle differences in surface textures. Recognize changes in patient status.

Cognitive Skills

Comprehend, analyze, and synthesize complex science and clinical findings. Apply prior learning to new situations. Concentrate on the task at hand amidst a variety of environmental distractions. Interpret patient findings, recognize anomalies, and make decisions which affect patient care. Use personal computers to complete assignments.

Communication Skills

Speak and write fluent English, including language comprehension skills that are essential for healthcare providers. Provide patients with clear instructions appropriate for their level of understanding. Write clear and legible chart notes. Organize thoughts and ideas into written essays and research papers. Understand, comprehend, and effectively communicate the English language with peers and patients; both in written and verbal formats at English Proficiency levels expected for healthcare providers.

Interpersonal Skills

Interact with individuals, small groups, and large audiences. Establish sufficient rapport and maintain appropriate boundaries to effectively relate to patients, colleagues, faculty, and staff. Always display a respectful attitude. Demonstrate concern and empathy for a diverse variety of patients. Address problems or questions to the appropriate person at the appropriate time.

Professional Skills

Present a professional appearance and maintain personal health. Maintain composure during stressful situations. Work both independently and as a team member. Organize tasks, set priorities, and manage projects. Maintain accuracy and confidentiality of patient records. Comply with established policies, procedures, infection control standards, Oregon Tech student conduct code, ADHA code of ethics and the class code of conduct. Provide care to all patients regardless of age, race, ethnic origin, physical or mental status or other condition.

Inability to Meet Essential Functions and Technical Standards

It is critical that each student understands if she/he does not perform to the expected level of professionalism, or posesse the technical standards required in each category of the “essential functions” they risk being dismissed from the Program. Appropriate “Essential Functions of a Dental Hygienist” must be demonstrated, not only in the classroom and clinic, but in the entire surrounding area, anywhere on or off campus when representing the university or Program.

If a student has an essential functions violation, a conference will be called with the student and the faculty. The result of this meeting will be

· counseling with a recommendation to change behavior

· a grade reduction in the associated course

· and/or a recommendation for dismissal from the program.

Admissions Procedures

Any student who meets the general admissions requirements may enroll in Pre-Dental Hygiene courses (freshman year). Students must be selected to enter the professional program (sophomore-senior year) through a separate application process. A limited number of seats are available in the professional program courses (sophomore, junior, and senior years).

The application deadline is in late March of the year prior to enrollment. To be eligible for admission into the Dental Hygiene Program the following minimum eligibility requirements must be met:

Applicants must have on file with the Oregon Tech Office of Admissions an official Application for Admission to Oregon Tech, accompanied by a $50 non-refundable fee and official transcripts of each college or university attended. Admission to Oregon Tech is independent of admission to the Dental Hygiene Program. All applicants to Oregon Tech are admitted as pre-dental hygiene majors until accepted into the dental hygiene program.
Applicants must have successfully completed or be in progress of completing all freshmen pre-dental hygiene courses. Introduction to Dental Hygiene ( DHE 100 online) must be taken through Oregon Tech. Prerequisite (freshman) science, writing, and speech courses must be completed by the end of spring term, except for BIO 233, which may be extended into the summer but must be successfully completed prior to program entry in the subsequent fall term. Students are encouraged to work ahead and take courses in the summer to help offset credit loads during their regular academic terms while in the program.
Applicants must have a minimum cumulative 2.75 GPA in previous college work.
Applicants must complete a Dental Hygiene Application for Admission, related forms, and application fee of $75 to the Dental Hygiene department. Detailed information and instructions can be found on the Oregon Tech Dental Hygiene Program web page, www.oit.edu/dentalhygiene/how-to-apply.

Professional Development & Membership

Program Requirements

Dental hygiene students admitted to the Dental Hygiene Program (sophomore, junior, senior years) must purchase instruments, uniforms, and other supplies to be used during clinical practice and pay additional fees associated with dental hygiene courses. A background check, drug test, and proof of immunizations specific to healthcare workers are required prior to final admission into the professional program. Medical insurance coverage is required to be maintained throughout the program in case of exposure incidents.

Graduation Requirements

All courses listed in the curriculum for the catalog year a student begins a program must be fulfilled. Total credits required for graduation are: Bachelor of Science degree, 180. A minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 is required for graduation. Students must maintain a grade of “C” or better in all Dental Hygiene required courses and demonstrate competency in all technical standards and Essential Functions of a Dental Hygienist to continue in the program.

Programs

Major