Dental Hygiene

Admissions: 1-877-UMA-1234 ext. 3465 or (207) 621-3465
Advising Center: 1-877-UMA-1234 ext. 3149 or (207) 621-3149
Coordinator: Nancy Foster
Website: www.uma.edu/academics/programs/dental-programs/dental-hygiene/

Degrees Offered: Associate of Science in Dental Hygiene and Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene (degree completion program)

Intro/Overview

A program in dental hygiene provides an attractive opportunity to individuals interested in health related careers who enjoy attention to detail, utilizing fine motor skills, and interacting one-on-one with people. The Associate degree program is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) of the American Dental Association. The Commission is a specialized accrediting body recognized by the United States Department of Education. The Commission on Dental Accreditation can be contacted at (312)440-4653 or at 211 East Chicago Avenue, Chicago, IL 60611. It is the goal of the Dental Hygiene Program to educate the students, both didactically and experientially to be current in the profession of dental hygiene, to a degree whereby the student can become clinically competent in all of the dental hygiene procedures recognized by the Maine Practice Act. The Dental Hygiene Program teaches any remaining procedures and experiences required by CODA to laboratory competency. The main focus of the dental hygienist is the maintenance of good oral health in relation to total health. The student is educated to perform clinical services on student partners and then to the public to include patient assessment, instrumentation, dental radiography, application of fluorides and sealants, locally delivered chemotherapeutics, and administration of local anesthesia. The student also learns to be an oral health educator, and to teach patients and the community the principles of preventive oral health care. The program emphasizes the dental hygienists’ role in the prevention of oral diseases. Laboratory equipment and state of the art dental hygiene clinic are among the facilities provided by the program. Patients from the community serve as the primary learning experiences for students. The schedule of clinical experiences includes clinic hours which may vary and include occasional evening and Saturday clinics. Students are required to be on site every weekday at the Bangor campus location for all of the second and third year (for preclinical and clinical) coursework.

Extramural clinical experience may be gained through the cooperation of CODA approved external affiliation sites located in Maine. Students gain enrichment experiences through extramural rotation assignments in specialty dental practices and regional community dental clinics. In addition to the permanent faculty, staff are also drawn from practicing dentists and dental hygienists throughout the state.

The curriculum is designed to give the student a well-rounded foundation in health sciences, specific knowledge and clinical skills in the dental sciences, and an understanding in the humanities. The courses are particularly suited to those who have a sincere interest in science and enjoy working with people.

Upon graduation and successful completion of required examinations, graduates are eligible for licensure. The Maine Board of Dental Practice licensure application process requires a criminal background check. Full disclosure regarding criminal background checks could preclude the ability to obtain professional licensure.

Admissions Requirements (see UMA general requirements)

To be considered for admission to dental hygiene, all applicants must have the following (emphasis is placed on the science grades in admission decisions):

a high school diploma or General Equivalency Diploma
completed college preparatory or college level laboratory courses in biology and chemistry with grades of “C-” or better
passed high school algebra I and MAT 030: Algebra I or waiver
passed all courses indicated by placement tests in math, reading, and writing. A math placement test is not required for those who have passed a college math course. Reading and writing placement tests are not required for those who have passed ENG 101 .
a cumulative grade point average of 2.75 or higher on a 4.0 scale
grades of “C-” or better in all courses applied toward degree credit

It is solely the responsibility of the applicant to ensure that the completed application and related materials (high school transcript, transcripts beyond high school, placement test scores, etc.) are received by the Office of Admissions and Enrollment Services. Class sizes are limited so early application is encouraged. Eligible high school applications are reviewed for admission decisions in the Fall; Internal UMA students who meet pre-requisites are reviewed early in the Spring term once Fall term grades are made available.

Early Decision Plan

An early decision plan is offered under the guidelines established by the College Board. Under this plan, high school seniors who apply to the University as their first choice college before November 15th will be notified by December 15th of the early admission decision.
Applicants who have not completed the dental hygiene entrance requirements may be offered admission to the Liberal Studies Program. When the Dental Hygiene Program entrance requirements have been successfully completed, the student will be considered for admission to the Dental Hygiene Program, along with other qualified applicants, as space allows. Admission to the Dental Hygiene Program is competitive and those students whose academic history reflects both an ongoing pattern of success and higher grades than the minimum required (with strong grades achieved particularly in the science coursework) are granted admission.

Clinical Course Prerequisite:

Before entering the clinical portion of the dental hygiene program, normally in September of the second year of the curriculum, students are required to attend a mandatory pre-clinical student orientation. Any student who does not attend the mandatory orientation risks forfeiting their seat in the program. Prior to the start of the clinical portion of the curriculum, students are strongly encouraged to complete a physical examination including an eye examination. Other details include fulfilling the requirements of completing selected immunizations and titers, obtaining and maintaining certification in healthcare provider cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) or equivalent, and fitting for professional eyewear. Once admitted into the clinical portion of the curriculum, an annual PPD, fitted for a respirator mask and maintenance of CPR certification are required. The CDC and OSHA requires that dental practitioners working in the dental setting that performs and utilizes aerosol generating procedures be fitted for and wear a respirator mask (e.g. N95). A respirator is designed to protect the wearer from inhaling airborne contaminants such as fumes and infectious agents associated with inhaling small and large particle droplets; guidance on appropriate selection and use is covered by OSHA’s respiratory protection and personal protective equipment (PPE) standards.

Applicants considering dental hygiene need to be aware that this program is academically rigorous and physically demanding, requiring long hours (8-9-hour days) and prolonged periods in a seated position. Tasks require hand-eye coordination, visual acuity, fine motor dexterity and close focus vision. (See Technical Standards, which thoroughly describe physical and mental skill requirements, which follows below)

Immunization Requirements

The programs teach and utilize the Center for Disease Control Infection Control Guidelines. (www.cdc.gov/vaccines/adults/rec-vac/hcw.html) and therefore dental hygiene students must fulfill the requirements of having a physical examination, and completing specified immunizations and titers (blood tests which must be ordered by the students own medical provider), specifically: Hepatitis B Vaccine Series with titre indicating immunity; Varicella vaccine, history of the disease, or titre showing immunity; Tetanus within the past 10 years; Flu vaccine each year enrolled in the clinical coursework; Tuberculin Skin Test on an annual basis. Students are strongly encouraged to be fully vaccinate with a COVID-19 vaccine prior to the start of the clinical program.

*The CDC recommends repeating the Hepatitis B vaccine series and titre if the initial titre does not indicate immunity. If after a second series, the titre does not indicate immunity, the individual is considered a non-responder. Non-responders should be considered susceptible to Hepatitis B Virus and should be counseled by their own healthcare provider regarding the risks of working in the healthcare field as a non-responder. Being a non-responder does not preclude students from participating in the dental hygiene program or profession, however, it is imperative that dental hygiene students be aware of their immune status to properly manage post exposure incidents.

Dental Hygiene Services:

The goal of the Dental Hygiene Programs is to educate the students, both didactically and experientially to be current in the profession of dental hygiene and clinically competent in all of the dental hygiene procedures recognized by the Maine Dental Practice Act. The Dental Hygiene Program will teach any other procedures or experiences required by CODA to laboratory competency.

Differential Tuition:

Each dental hygiene student must purchase their own lab coat and clinical uniforms (including scrubs and shoes). Transportation costs to attend extramural clinical sites are the student’s responsibility as are the licensing board examination fees and related licensing applications.

In place of course fees for instruments and related clinical equipment, dental hygiene students pay differential tuition and is financial aid eligible. Please contact the UMA Financial Services office at 207-621-3455 for more information regarding differential tuition.

Technology Requirements

All dental hygiene students are required to purchase a Windows® compatible laptop computer computer (Mac/Apple computers are not compatible) meeting detailed specifications to support learning and improve productivity in clinical applications and the classroom. Required laptop computer minimum hardware/software requirements are as follows (and are subject to change): 4th generation Intel Core i5 Processor (or newer), 4 GB RAM, 250-500 GB available Hard Drive, and Windows® 10 Professional. Please contact your dental hygiene academic advisor directly for questions regarding the laptop requirements prior to purchasing.
Specifically, the laptop will allow access to a broad range of learning resources including the specific dental software used by the Dental Hygiene Program: Eaglesoft (proprietary dental software), as well as UMA library databases. Due to their portability, the laptop will aid in facilitating group work and encourage accessibility and connectivity on campus, at work, and home environments. Laptops are available for purchase through the University of Maine - Orono campus bookstore (Computer Connections) at competitive pricing, offering on site hardware support, and warranty coverage. Financial aid may be available to assist students prior to purchasing a laptop- contact the UMA Financial Services office at 207-621-3455 for more information.

Criminal Background Checks:

Applicants to the Dental Hygiene program should be aware that a criminal background check may be required while enrolled in the program or as a condition of professional employment. Internship/extramural sites may limit or deny clinical privileges to those who have a prior or current criminal record. If denied clinical privileges, the student is at risk of not being able to obtain the number of clinical hours required for graduation. Students will be expected to provide clinical internship sites with a current background check at the request of the interning site(s), with associated expenses the students’ responsibility. Applicants of the dental hygiene program should also be aware that full disclosure regarding criminal background checks could preclude the ability to obtain professional licensure.

Technical Standards

The practice of Dental Hygiene can be physically and mentally demanding. Students preparing for this profession need to have the skills and abilities to perform the essential tasks as follows:

Motor Skills

Perform CPR.
Perform regular and repetitive use and range of motion of shoulders, elbows, wrists, hands and fingers.
Lift and carry up to ten pounds.
Reach overhead equipment to a height of five feet.
Rotate and reach laterally, standing or sitting.
Perform for a prolonged period without breaks, e.g., typical shift of eight hours.
Manipulate mechanical and patient care equipment, i.e., dials, switches, push buttons, keyboards, syringes, and blood pressure equipment.
Maneuver in tight quarters, common to dental offices.
Use dental instruments with precision and control in confined areas.
Pick up items of very small sizes and varying shapes.
Exhibit sufficient motor function to perform a patient diagnostic examination.
Carry out OSHA infection control procedures using cleaners and chemicals.
Endure physically-taxing workloads.

Sensory Skills / Perception Abilities

Differentiate among subtle shades of gray used in radiographic image formation.
Discern changes in color, texture, and shape of oral tissue.
Respond to requests and direction.
Perceive and interpret tactile vibrations appropriately.
Elicit information from a patient by palpation, auscultation, percussion, and other diagnostic modalities.
Observe demonstrations at a distance and close at hand.
Have appropriate depth perception from a distance of 18 inches with or without corrective lenses and be able to comprehend three-dimensional relationships.
Conceptualize right, left, and mirrored images.
Wear protective equipment such as surgical gloves, lab coats, respirators (e.g. N95), surgical facemasks, face shields, and protective eyewear. Function in an environment where latex is present.

Intellectual Skills

Integrate, analyze, evaluate and synthesize data.
Possess the intellectual abilities required to carry out reasoning, analysis, problem-solving, critical thinking, and self-evaluation.
Effectively communicate (verbally and in writing) with patients, faculty, and team members in English.
Understand and be attentive to safety concerns for both patients and self, including possible exposure to hazards such as dental materials, radiation, blood and body fluids.

Behavioral Skills

Students should possess the emotional health and mental stability necessary to:

Demonstrate respect and caring for patients, peers, staff, and faculty in a professional and ethical manner.
Demonstrate respect for the diversity of cultures among patients, college personnel and peers.
Demonstrate a team approach in carrying out responsibilities in all settings.
Function effectively under stress and adapt to changing environments.
Be able to accept criticism and respond by appropriate modification of behavior.
Demonstrate collegiality among faculty, staff and peers.
Exercise appropriate judgment in keeping with the ethics and standards of the profession.
Respect the confidentiality of patient privacy.

Adapted from Mt Ida Community College with permission, http://catalog.mountida.edu/preview

Academic Progress:

All students enrolled in the Dental Hygiene Program must achieve a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.50 and at least a grade of “C-” in all courses applied toward degree credit. Students earning less than a C- in any course applied for degree credit are immediately dismissed from the Program. Students earning less than a 2.50 UMA GPA may be dismissed from the program or offered academic probation. To be eligible for graduation, the student must have successfully completed all requirements, have a minimum of 90 credit hours, and a grade point average of at least a 2.50. Professional behavior and attitude are expected at all times. A student in good academic standing may request a change in cohort from the Dental Hygiene Program for a period of no more than two consecutive semesters (one academic year). Students may be readmitted based on availability.

Skills You’ll Acquire

UMA’s Dental Hygiene program consistently produce caring, competent, knowledgeable professionals who provide a valuable service to their communities. Additional skills and abilities are listed as follows:

Communication

Promoting awareness of health issues
Counseling patients about tobacco intervention and prevention of oral and pharyngeal cancers
Taking patient histories
Counseling about dental caries prevention
Teaching patients measures for maintaining periodontal health

Technical

Understanding medical and dental terminology
Utilizing precision dental instruments
Administrating local anesthesia and nitrous oxide and oxygen analgesia
Detecting and removing calculus and biofilm
Applying topical fluorides
Toothbrush and rotary polishing
Polishing teeth
Applying dental sealants
Utilizing infection control
Placing medicaments
Interacting with Patients
Assessing and individualizing needs
Managing patients throughout lifespan

Organization

Assessing medical, nutritional, and dental histories
Determining implications
Behaving professionally
Making ethical decisions and judgments
Applying theory to clinical practice
Implementing and evaluating treatment plans

Career Opportunities

Dental practices of general dentists and dental specialists
Public health agencies, hospitals and community health clinics
Public school systems, dental schools and dental hygiene education programs
Dental equipment and product sales and research

Delivery Area: Bangor - BS completion - Statewide - Online

The Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene offers professional education, in an individualized program of study, to prepare dental hygienists for positions of responsibility in a variety of settings, including health care delivery, research, education and public health, and for further study. Advanced dental hygiene courses following the completion of the Associate of Science in Dental Hygiene degree increase the depth of professional knowledge while selections in general studies give breadth to the education.

The goals of the Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene are to provide students with an advanced level of the following:

the necessary biophysical, psychosocial, and dental science knowledge requisite for a comprehensive understanding of dental hygiene practice
the technical skills, both fundamental and advanced, essential to the practice of dental hygiene
the reasoning, judgment and leadership necessary to develop problem-solving and decision making skills
the theoretical bases and research and communication skills necessary for the acquisition, advancement, and dissemination of dental hygiene knowledge
the interaction skills, both verbal and nonverbal, to effect change
the professional and ethical characteristics for the responsible practice of dental hygiene within society

Program Objectives

This program is designed to enable students to further the knowledge, skills, and professional behaviors needed for the competent and responsible practice of dental hygiene beyond the Associate of Science in Dental Hygiene. It is designed to create an intellectual environment which fosters the development of individuals who are literate, capable of making decisions and solving problems, and motivated to be life-long learners. Most additional general educational requirements beyond the Associate Degree including the 400 level dental hygiene courses are available on-line or as hybrid courses to enable those enrolled in the Bachelor degree completion program to complete coursework either on a full or part time basis and at a distance.

Learning Outcomes

Upon satisfactory completion of the program, the student will be able to:

competently practice dental hygiene in a variety of health care and educational settings
demonstrate concern for the quality of care
exhibit an intellectual curiosity which will enable them to respond to a changing profession and society

Admissions Requirements (see Associate of Science in Dental Hygiene and UMA general requirements)

Applicants for admission to the Bachelor of Science in dental hygiene degree program must first possess an associate degree in dental hygiene from UMA or an institution accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) of the American Dental Association. It is solely the responsibility of the applicant to ensure that the completed application and related materials (high school transcript, college transcripts, test scores, recommendations, etc.) are received by the Office of Admissions and Enrollment Services. Class sizes are limited so early application is encouraged.

English Language Proficiency Requirement
Courses and clinical training in Dental Hygiene require effective communication skills in speaking, reading, and writing in English at a level that ensures the student’s ability to benefit from and make satisfactory progress in academic instruction involving patient treatment and safety. A student must be able to effectively communicate with patients during treatment and obtain necessary verbal informed consent during patient care and potential medical emergencies. Students will be asked to indicate their English language proficiency in each of the following areas: speaking, reading, and writing.

Graduation Requirements

All students enrolled in the dental hygiene program must achieve a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.50 and at least a grade of “C-” in all courses applied toward degree credit. Once admitted, students receiving less than a C- in any course which is applied to degree credit are immediately dismissed from the program. To be eligible for graduation, the student must have successfully completed all requirements, have a minimum of 120 credit hours and a grade point average of at least a 2.50 or greater.

Programs

Associate of Science

Dental Hygiene, AS

Bachelor of Science

Dental Hygiene, BS