As a dental hygienist, you are an integral part of the dental team. You are responsible for the direct provision of oral hygiene, preventative and periodontal services, while monitoring and ensuring the patient to maintain their overall health.
The expanding role of the dental hygienist is to work inter-professionally, involving multiple healthcare workers from different professional backgrounds while working and collaborating together with patients, families, caregivers, and communities to deliver patient-centered care.
Program of Study
This is a limited entry program; 16 students are accepted annually. Applications are available in January and the deadline for submission is in February. Classes begin in the Fall Semester each year on a traditional semester schedule, with completion in May of the second year.
Our two-year (four-semester) program does not include the general education, college or program core requirements for the bachelor of science degree.
Upon completion of the Bachelor of Science Dental Hygiene Degree, the program will:
- Provide the highest quality of instruction and educational experience culminating in a license to practice dental hygiene and the knowledge to provide preventative dental health services safely to the public.
- Prepare competent practitioners to provide educational clinical and therapeutic services supporting total health through the promotion of optimal health.
- To encourage a philosophical appreciation for the highest standard of care, ethical and moral conduct.
- To provide an environment for the development of professional values consistent for lifelong learning for self-improvement, maintain professional competence, and community standing.
- To encourage thought, action and respect appropriate for diverse populations.
- To recognize and understand the roles and responsibilities of health care workers and value the role of teamwork in the delivery of inter-professional patient-centered care.
Upon completion of the curriculum, the Bachelor of Science Degree in Dental Hygiene is awarded, and students are eligible to apply for and take the written Dental Hygiene National Board Examination and sit for the Nevada State Clinical Board or CDCA-WREB-CITA.
In order to become licensed to practice, graduates of TMCC's Dental Hygiene Program must complete the written Dental Hygiene National Board Examination, and a clinical examination conducted by a state or regional board.
