Cabrillo College Dental Hygiene Program

1. Cabrillo College Dental HygieneProgram Counseling Meeting March 10, 2011 Bridgete H. Clark, RDH, DDS

2. What is a Dental Hygienist? They are health care professionals who focus on preventing and treating oral diseases to protect teeth, gums and patient’s overall health. Are graduates of accredited college & university dental hygiene education programs Licensed oral health professionals – R.D.H.

3. What does a dental hygienist do? • Performs health care assessments that include the review of patient’s health history, dental charting, oral cancer screening, and evaluation of gum disease. • Removes plaque and calculus from above and below the gum line using dental instruments. • Administers local anesthetic and/or nitrous oxide analgesia. • Expose, process and interprets dental radiographs. • Educates patients on proper oral hygiene techniques to maintain healthy teeth and gums.

4. What makes an excellent RDH? • Enjoys people: An effective dental hygienist has great communication skills to engage the patient in the outcome of their own oral care. • Likes biology: The theory behind oral hygiene is based on how our bodies react to bacteria in our mouth and ridding the mouth of the bacteria that causes infection and bone loss. • Eye for detail, great tactile skills & patience: Scaling and root planing is performed in a small location . . . the mouth, where much of the treatment is by feel and magnification. • Engaged dental team member: The dental hygienist is a part of a dental team; including the dentist, dental assistants and practice coordinator.

5. Career advantages • Flexibility: Full and part-time employment in private dental practices, community clinics, educational and research institutions. • Fair compensation: As a licensed health professional, a clinician can earn from approximately $350 per day/$50,000 a year. • Personal satisfaction: Improving patient oral health while establishing trusting clinician/patient relationships. • Variety: Dental hygienists have the opportunity to meet the oral health needs of many different patients and population groups each day and throughout their career.

6. Cabrillo College Dental Hygiene • The Dental Hygiene Clinic: • New facility opened Summer 2010 • 18 chair computer equipped main clinic • 6 chair digitally equipped radiology clinic and panoramic unit • Computerized patient appointment scheduling • Dental software instruction and use • Two year program: includes courses in Clinical Assessment, Tooth Morphology, Oral Health Education, Dental Materials, Oral Pathology, Dental Radiology, Local Anesthesia, Dental Radiographic Interpretation, Law & Ethics, Periodontics, and Community Oral Health.

7. Cabrillo College Dental Hygiene • How to be admitted into the program: • Complete pre-requisites as soon as possible • Submit an application with official transcripts • The counseling office will review your application for acceptance into the program • Current wait list is short- 1 to 2 year wait • Securing financing for the two years in the program • Pre-requisites: • Chemistry 30B – Intro to Organic Chemistry • BIO 4 - Human Anatomy • BIO 5 - Human Physiology • BIO 6 - Microbiology • ENG 1A or 1AH – English Composition

8. While You’re Waiting • Finish your General Education Requirements • Get dental experience ~ network • Work and save money • Organize and prepare

9. Two Year DH Program Costs DH FIRST YEAR ESTIMATED PROGRAM COSTS Tuition 640 Textbooks 1,160 Campus Bus/Parking - (Purchase from Santa Cruz Metro $50 for 30 days - Aug-Dec) 250 Health Services- (See Orientation Guide for fees) 800 DH Student Kit - (Instrument and Clinic Supplies) 8,000 Student Dues 175 Professional Liability Insurance – (Optional, Highly Recommended) 70 Miscellaneous Supplies & ongoing supplies 1,830 Total First Year Program Costs 12,800

10. DH Program Costs DH SECOND YEAR ESTIMATED PROGRAM COSTS   Tuition 530 Campus Bus/Parking - (Purchase from Santa Cruz Metro $50 for 30 days - Feb-May) 200 Health Services (See Orientation Guide for fees) 800 Professional Liability Insurance – (Optional, Highly Recommended) 70 Student Dues 175 National Board Examination Review Course(+ hotel & fees) 400 National Board Examination fee 350 WREB or CA State Board Licensing fee 3,000 RDH Pin 100 Total Second Year Program Costs 7,000 Two-year estimate Total 19,800

11. Professional Clinical Image for DH Students Uniforms: Scrub pants and tops covered by a lab coat Safety glasses and/or loupes White leather “nurse-type” closed toed shoes Odor-free make-up, hand creams, and deodorant Fingernails must be natural, clean, and trimmed short Hair is worn off the shoulders,back away from the face. Men: clean shaven is recommended. Mustaches and beards must be neat and professional looking. Jewelry: No bracelets, watches, rings, and small post earrings No other facial piercings are allowed, i.e. nose rings, not recommended for men Visible tattoos must be covered

12. Why choose Cabrillo? Well established programReputation New state of the art facility Beautiful campus Sparkling beaches  Community support Campus student services to enhance success Great educational value  Short waitlist