The Dental Hygiene Program Goals and Competencies were developed to adhere to licensure and accreditation mandates, and are the industry standard.

 

Upon completion of the program, the student will be competent in:

 

1.a.      Providing and evaluating all aspects of dental hygiene services, including preventive procedures, pain control techniques, periodontal non-surgical therapies, and periodontal maintenance for children, adolescents, adults, older adults, and medically compromised patients from diverse populations. By attending and graduating from the RCC Dental Hygiene Program, I will comprehend and apply the principles of providing all dental hygiene services. Academically, I am learning important information from several classes including Principles of Dental Hygiene, Anatomy, Systems, and all my didactic courses to apply clinically. I will learn preventive procedures including proper OHC, fluoride treatment, patient education, and applying sealants. I will implement and learn pain control techniques through local anesthetic blocks and proper concern and regard for the patient. I will have the opportunity to provide periodontal non-surgical therapies and periodontal maintenance to all age groups of many demographic groups.

 

1.b.      Systematically collecting, assessing, recording assessment findings, diagnosing, treatment planning, implementing and evaluating the general, oral, periodontal, and psychosocial health of diverse populations. Through my educational pursuits and clinical experience at the RCC Dental Hygiene Program, I will learn and apply the principles of preparing a proper treatment plan and diagnosis based on the patient’s demographics, needs and wants.

 

1.c.      Integrating behavioral, dental, and dental hygiene sciences to develop and evaluate a dental hygiene treatment plan for patients with periodontal class I, II, III, IV, and V based on accurate, current and complete assessment data, and modify treatment plan as needed to provide evidence-based treatment.   I will have the opportunity to apply sociological, psychological, and dental hygiene sciences that I am learning in my didactic course work to creating and modifying treatment plans for my patients. I will used evidence-based treatments and motivate and communicate with my patients to help us achieve maximum oral health.

 

1.d.      Recognizing and providing appropriate life support measures for medical emergencies that may be encountered in the dental hygiene practice. As a certified CPR Health care provider, I will be able to respond to medical emergency situations. The Medical Emergencies class that I will take next semester will certainly help me to reinforce these initial skills and provide a framework and solid foundation for responding appropriately to medical emergencies in the dental hygiene setting.

 

1.e.      Utilizing adjunct therapies and new technology when providing dental hygiene therapies. While attending the RCC Dental Hygiene Program, I will learn adjunct therapies and new technologies that will help me to provide the most comprehensive and excellent dental hygiene therapeutic services to my patients at clinic and in my professional career.

 

1.f.       Critical thinking and incorporating problem solving strategies while providing comprehensive patient care and management of patients. Essential to any career are excellent analytical, problem solving, and critical thinking skills. My experiences at the RCC Dental Hygiene Program will give me the didactic and clinical skills to provide excellent comprehensive patient care.

 

2.a.      Adhering to the American Dental Hygienists’ Association’s Code of Ethical Conduct and applying this to established ethical, legal and regulatory concepts for the provision and/or support of dental hygiene process of care.   At the RCC Dental Hygiene Clinic, we adhere to the American Dental Hygienist’ Association Code of Ethical Conduct. I will implement ethical, legal and regulatory concepts as a dental hygiene student and I will utilize this foundation to throughout my career as a professional oral health care provider.

 

2.b.      Applying self-assessment skills to facilitate life-long learning. By creating and updating my e-portfolio, I am encouraged to participate in life-long learning strategies as well as continuing education classes.

 

2.c.      Evaluating and interpreting current scientific literature. Through the many research papers and annotated bibliographies that I write, I will be able to synthesize and analyze current scientific literature and interpret studies. This will help me to enhance my knowledge as I work to provide professional services to my patients.

 

2.d.      Utilizing current technology to enhance education, patient care, research and professional growth. At the RCC Dental Hygiene Program, we are exposed to current technology. We have the ability to learn about the latest technology in our many academic classes and we are able to actually use the technology with our patients in clinic.  

 

2.e.      Demonstrating his/her involvement in community dental health activities and affiliations with professional organizations.   As a dental health professional, it is important that we are involved with SADHA and the ADHA after graduating from the Program. By becoming involved with this organization, we can remain current in our profession and possibly a change agent as we seek for new opportunities within our field of expertise.

 

2.f.       Interpersonal and communication skills to effectively interact with diverse populations. Understanding how to effectively communicate with a variety of people is essential to becoming a successful hygienist. At the RCC Dental Hygiene Program, we have the opportunity to communicate with and motivate fellow students and patients to be the best they can be. 

 

 

3.a.      Assessing, diagnosing, planning, implementing, and evaluating community based oral health programs, including health promotion and disease prevention activities, for different target populations and in a variety of settings. 

3.b.      Promoting the values of oral health, general health and wellness in individual and populations identified with risk factors, and develop strategies that promote health within these individuals and populations. 

 

Graduating from the RCC Dental Hygiene Program will help me to understand the supreme importance of health promotion and disease prevention. I will be providing individualized, humane, empathetic and caring services to ALL patients that enter the dental office. I will want to put myself in their shoes and to truly understand and listen to my patient’s concerns and create an effective win-win situation. Through my educational and clinical skills, I will assess, diagnose, implement, and evaluate oral health and treatment programs for a variety of demographics.