Overview

If you are interested in pursuing a career in the health care industry as a dental hygienist, then look into BTC’s Dental Hygiene program. You’ll learn the clinical skills and core professional values needed to launch a rewarding career in private and public settings, such as dental offices and public health clinics. Dental hygiene students learn under the supervision of licensed dentists and dental hygienists on state-of-the-art equipment in BTC’s on-campus dental clinic. Program graduates are well-positioned for employment, with the hands-on clinical experience employers need today.

Program Outcomes

• Demonstrate positive work ethics, team skills and professional values integral to the profession of Dental Hygiene.
• Utilize wellness, health determinants, & characteristics of various patient populations to promote oral health and reduce health risks in a variety of settings.
• Apply current dental hygiene techniques, instruments, and materials to provide preventive and therapeutic services in accordance with all safety and health standards.
• Assess, plan, implement & evaluate community-based health promotion and prevention programs and activities to benefit the general population.
• Demonstrate cognitive retention of dental terminology, theory, and science.
• Identify and access opportunities for professional growth and development.
• Apply the principles of evidence-based research and decision making in the planning and implementation of dental hygiene care.
• Qualify for all national and regional examinations required to practice as a Registered Dental Hygienist in the State of Washington.
• Manage medical emergencies and provide appropriate life support measures using professional judgment.

Placement Requirements

ATI Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) v.6 assessment. Applicants must score at the “PROFICIENT” level or higher in each of the four areas on one transcript. 

Healthcare & Work Experience. Dental Hygiene applicants must submit a DH Healthcare Experience Verification Form for prior approval. Experience in healthcare may be demonstrated by certification and work experience in an allied healthcare field.

Degree and Certificate Requirements

Dental Hygiene Degree completion requires a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher and minimum grade of C/2.0 for required courses.

Additional Requirements

The Dental Hygiene Program has a separate admission process from admission to BTC. Students must be admitted into a cohort before beginning nursing coursework. See the Dental Hygiene Program website for more information about the current admission requirements and process

CLINICAL PLACEMENT REQUIREMENTS:

After acceptance into the Dental Hygiene Program but prior to beginning clinical rotations, students must complete the clinical placement process and be at least 18 years of age. Clinical requirements include:

• Criminal background check
• 10-Panel urine drug screen
• Physical examination
• Tuberculous screening
• Required immunizations
• Current American Heart Association BLS for Provider CPR certification
• Medical Insurance Coverage
• More information about the clinical placement requirements process is on the Dental Hygiene Program website.

Programs

Associate of Applied Science – Transfer

• Dental Hygiene, AAS-T

BTC offers free dental clinic for students during summer quarter

Western students in need of dental care this summer will have an option for free care, as Bellingham Technical College’s Dental Clinic is looking for volunteer patients to help the college’s dental hygiene students build their patient care experience.

The services offered summer quarter will include exams, x-rays, simple cleanings and sealants. Appointments are available Mondays and Fridays from July 12- August 20. There are two times available, either 9:30 a.m. or 1:30 p.m., with appointment lasting about two and a half hours. 

The process begins with a limited dental examination and any necessary x-rays. After the examination process, patients will be presented with what treatment the clinic is able to provide. The clinic is looking for patients in need of simple cleanings (examples: patients who have never been told they have gum disease, who go to the dentist fairly regularly, etc.). The clinic reserves the right to decline any patient that is too difficult for a student, including complex medical conditions, behavioral conditions or extensive dental needs.

Because students are providing services, appointments may be longer than expected at a traditional clinic to ensure thorough care that is supervised and checked by licensed professionals. Children and adolescents may be completed in a single visit, however adults can expect care to take 2-3 appointments right now. Volunteers will be given an estimate of time needed for treatment once their initial screening is complete.

Students who are interested can contact the clinic at dental@btc.eduopen_in_new(opens in new window) and indicate what days and times are best for an appointment.

Bellingham Technical Collegepowered by NEOGOV ®

Instructional Technician II – Dental Hygiene Program/Clinic – Temporary

    APPLYSalary See Position DescriptionLocation Bellingham, WAJob TypeTemporaryDepartmentDental Hygiene ProgramJob Number2021-00031ClosingContinuous

Description

Per Governor Inslee’s Proclamation 21-14 (Download PDF reader) (Download PDF reader) state employees must be fully vaccinated no later than October 18, 2021.  Your vaccine status will be verified.  Please reach out to the HR Office at hr@btc.edu if you need information on a medical or religious accommodation.

Bellingham Technical College is establishing a pool of qualified candidates for the current academic year to work in the Dental Hygiene Program/Clinic as an Instructional Technician II. This position is located on campus. Assignment begins in mid September and goes through June, 2022.
 
These are temporary, hourly assignments. Hours are not guaranteed and assignments are based on the needs of the department. Reports to the Dean of Nursing and Allied Health with additional direction from the program instructors.
 
Bellingham Technical College is committed to recruiting dedicated faculty and staff who together create a welcoming academic climate that reflects the diverse backgrounds of our community, including ethnicity, national origin, religion, race, gender, gender identity, age, status as a veteran or disabled veteran, disability, political status, and sexual orientation. The successful candidate will be expected to establish a successful and supportive learning environment for a diverse college student population with a wide-range of backgrounds and experiencesPosition Duties & Responsibilities

Note: the examples of work are not necessarily descriptive of all work for this position. The intent of this description is to give a general indication of the levels of responsibility, knowledge, skills, training, experience, and complexity required to perform the work of the position. The omission of specific duties or tasks does not preclude management from assigning additional duties or tasks not listed.

Dental Assistant & General Duties

• Primary responsibility centers around coordination of the dental clinic activities, assisting students with scheduling patients, coordinating patient intake and flow, and assisting dental hygiene students in learning clinic business practices;
• On years the program is offered, also supports and assists in coordination of the EFDA (Expanded Function Dental Auxiliary) program; 
• Support the clinic dentist and faculty as needed; 
• Maintain area for cleanliness as well as safety; Act as a safety officer; monitor the clinic for OSHA and WISHA compliance; maintain safety files and records as appropriate on clinic staff;  
• Prepare patient dental charts, patient scheduling, maintain both digital and paper patient records; 
• Maintain required Safety Data Sheet, waterlines testing and sterilization testing logs and files; 
• Greet and assist scheduled and walk-in patients for the dental programs as needed; 
• Answer telephone, discuss treatment options for patients of the hygiene programs; Provide information to callers according to BTC clinic policy and procedures; follow clinic policies and procedures; Assist  patients with referrals to appropriate dental sources; Explain and assist patients and students with scheduling complex treatment plans; 
• Supervise the patient schedule and maintain clinic appointments as needed; 
• Supervise the creation and maintenance of patient files. 

Inventory Control

• Estimate quantity and quality of supplies and materials needed; Coordinate requisition of equipment and supplies for the program; Maintain adequate stock levels;  
• Maintain equipment list for repair and required maintenance. Schedule and coordinate repairs as needed.   

Instructional Duties

• Assist and instruct students in clinical and front office procedures, to include specialized dental software; 
• Ensure that students and patients are adhering to the COVID-19 protocols for BTC campus safety and the BTC dental clinic policies; 
• Assist students in managing patient records;
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:

• Two years of full-time dental office experience including chairside assisting and front office duties; current WA state Registered Dental Assistant;
• Working knowledge in word processing and dental office computer software skills (i.e. Dentrix).

Preferred Qualifications:

• Dental Assisting certificate, Certified Dental Assistant, or Registered Dental Hygienist; 
• Experience using the following programs: Dentrix, Word, Excel, Access, Internet, Outlook.

Essential & Physical Requirements:
Demonstrated knowledge of basic dental office procedures, specifically accounting, dental patient charting, patient record management, scheduling, and recall systems; Demonstrated proficiency in spelling and letter writing skills; Computer word processing and spreadsheet skills. Excellent customer service skills interacting with staff, students and vendors. Excellent organizational skills. Frequent standing, walking and lifting; guiding and/or carrying of lightweight materials or equipment; handle and safety clean up and dispose of biohazard materials common to the designated program area; work routinely with and around hazardous materials and potential allergens; ability to lead others.Supplemental Information

$21.44 per hour, no additional benefits.  Work schedule is generally Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays with possible subbing on Mondays and Fridays up to approximately 18 hours per week. The position will follow the academic calendar for this program: fall, winter, spring and summer quarters.  Temporary positions are not to exceed 1050 hours in the fiscal year July through June of each year.

Application Procedures:
Required application materials must be completed and submitted online at https://www.btc.edu/jobs.  Applications will be reviewed as received and/or as needed during the 2021-2022 academic year.  You will be contacted if selected for an interview. More information about Bellingham Technical College is at www.btc.edu  or contact the Human Resources Office at (360) 752-8354.
 
 Required Online Application Materials:
  • Completed BTC Online Employment Application  

Condition of Employment:
COVID Vaccinations: All BTC students and employees who participate in or attend courses, operations, or other activities in person at BTC locations must be fully vaccinated against COVID -19 by October 18, 2021, subject to any medical exemptions required by law and any religious exemptions. Beginning August 23, 2021, face masks must be worn at all times regardless if vaccinated or not per Governors order 8/18/21.
 
Until further notice, interviews may be conducted via phone or video conferencing (Zoom). If you are asked to come to campus for in-person interviews, BTC masking and social distancing protocols will be in place. 
   
BTC is following CDC and Washington State Department of Health (DOH) guidance regarding masking and social distancing. Additional BTC updates and resources.  AgencyBellingham Technical CollegeAddress3028 Lindbergh Avenue

Bellingham, Washington, 98225Phone360 752-8354
Websitehttps://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/btc