Middlesex County College Dental Hygiene Program has offered quality education in the dental field since 1972. With our excellent faculty of dental hygiene professionals, students are provided with practical experiences in addition to the theoretical knowledge they are learning throughout their studies.

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Middlesex County College Dental Hygiene Program

The Dental Hygiene Program prepares graduates to perform competently in providing preventive oral care. The program incorporates didactic, clinical, technological, and laboratory teaching approaches throughout the curriculum. The dental hygiene curriculum is a challenging one that provides a “hands-on” approach and incorporates a variety of educational experiences and environments from the traditional classroom to the laboratory and the on-campus clinic. The dental hygiene clinic is open to anyone seeking preventative oral health care.

Program Length: 24 months; Preadmission Test: Dental Hygiene Admissions Exam; GPA for admissions eligibility: 2.50

High school applicants must attain the age of 18 by the first day of the first semester of the program.

High School prerequisite courses: Chemistry, with lab; Biology, with lab; Algebra. College requirements: BIO-109, CHM-112, and MAT-040 (if indicated by Placement Testing). Application Deadline: February 1; Program Admits: Fall semester

Eligible candidates are invited to sit for the Dental Hygiene Admissions Examination.

If a high school student is going to apply to the DHY program, they must complete CHM-112, College Chemistry, before the application deadline, Feb 1. A junior or senior high school student, 16 years of age or older, may apply for the College Experience (https://bergen.edu/college), with their guidance counsellor’s or principal’s permission/endorsement. Then they can register for CHM-112 during the fall semester and successfully complete prior to the application deadline.

All core DHY courses MUST be taken in sequential order within the Bergen Community College Dental Hygiene Program. NO DHY courses may be transferred or taken at any other dental hygiene program. All core DHY courses are co-requisites for each other during every semester of the dental hygiene program.

The Dental Hygiene Program is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation. 

Program Learning Outcomes

• Apply a professional code of ethics in all endeavors
• Adhere to state and federal laws, recommendations, and regulations in the provision of dental hygiene care.
• Use critical thinking skills and comprehensive problem-solving to identify oral health care strategies that promote patient health and wellness.
• Use evidence based decision making to evaluate emerging technology and treatment modalities into patient care plans to achieve high-quality, cost-effective care.
• Assume responsibility for dental hygiene actions and care based on accepted scientific theories and research as well as the accepted standard of care.
• Continuously perform self-assessment for lifelong learning and professional growth.
• Integrate accepted scientific theories and research into educational, preventive, and therapeutic oral health services.
• Promote the values of the dental hygiene profession through service-based activities and community affiliations.
• Apply quality assurance mechanisms to ensure continuous commitment to accepted standards of care.
• Communicate effectively with diverse individuals and groups, serving all persons withoutdiscrimination.
• Record accurate, consistent, and complete documentation of oral health services provided.
• Initiate a collaborative approach with all patients when developing individualized care plans that are specialized, comprehensive, culturally sensitive, and acceptable to all parties involved in care planning.
• Initiate consultations and collaborations with all relevant health care providers to facilitate optimal treatments.
• Manage medical emergencies by using professional judgment, providing life support, and utilizing required CPR and any specialized training and knowledge.

middlesex dental hygiene

The Dental Hygiene Associate in Science degree program is designed to prepare competent dental hygiene professionals, capable of providing quality dental hygiene care in a variety of settings within a changing health care system, and a culturally diverse society. Students gain skills and knowledge required to take the National Dental Hygiene Board and Commission on Dental Competency Assessment, and learn to practice in a manner consistent with the highest standards set forth by the ADA/CODA, ADHA, OSHA, CDC, EPA and Massachusetts General Laws pertinent to health care providers/settings, including the State Dental Practice Act. Service-learning is infused in the Dental Hygiene coursework including the clinical experiences.

Students who wish to pursue a career as a dental hygienist in public health, health management, forensics, health education or dental hygiene education are encouraged to transfer to a baccalaureate program after graduation.

According to the 2020 Bureau of Labor Statistics, the national dental hygiene average wage was $6,220 and the Massachusetts state average for full-time hygienists was $84,280 with a median hourly wage of $41.62. Job prospects are expected to be favorable in most areas, but will vary by geographical location. Because graduates are permitted to practice only in the state in which they are licensed, hygienists wishing to practice in areas that have an abundance of dental hygiene programs may experience strong competition for jobs. By the year 2024 the national employment for dental hygienists trend is expected to increase by 19%. At this time, full-time opportunities are fewer than in past years where part-time and temporary employment is more available.

Students must complete a Student Health Record in order to participate in clinical education. This form is confidential and will be kept on file with Enrollment Management. Only pertinent information that may be determined as creating special needs in planning the clinical experience will be shared with the program director. For more information on what is included and required of the Student Health Record, please contact the Admissions.

Students accepted to the Dental Hygiene Program must be in compliance with the current immunization requirements specified by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health for Health Care Personnel (HCP) in order to participate in Community Outreach experiences. Students may also be required to meet additional requirements of the particular clinical agency to which they are assigned.  These requirements may include, but are not limited to CORI and SORI background inquiries, fingerprinting, and drug screening.  Fees may be associated with these screenings for which the student may be responsible to pay.

Students who are not in compliance with these site specific requirements will not be allowed to participate in Community Outreach experiences, which may jeopardize their ability to continue in the program.

All information regarding the health status on an individual is considered confidential, and protected by the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act of 1994.

Once admitted, Dental Hygiene Students purchase their own instruments and supplies, as well as lab coat laundry service as coordinated through the dental hygiene department. Supply kit fees will be included in the first and second semester tuition and fees at a cost of approximately $1000 each semester, totaling $2000.  This amount is subject to change.

Accreditation and Licensure

The program is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation, a specialized accrediting body recognized by the Council on Post-Secondary Accreditation and by the United States Department of Education.

Dental Hygiene Applications

Admission requirements and due dates for the Dental Hygiene Program may be found by clicking here. 24 students are admitted to the professional class in the Fall semester only.

For additional admission information call 1-800-818-3434 or email admissions@middlesex.mass.edu

New and Returning Clinic Patients

Dental hygiene services are available to the public in our Dental Hygiene Clinic at a significantly reduced cost. Fall clinic appointments are available on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Spring appointments are available Tuesday through Friday. To make an appointment, please call the clinic phone/voicemail at 978-656-3250.

You can also visit the dental hygiene clinic website for more information.

For Further Information Contact:

Karen Townsend, Director of Dental Hygiene Education townsendk@middlesex.mass.edu 978-656-3045

bergen community college dental hygiene

Dental Hygiene

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• Health Professions

Department Chair: Tomira Rozar
Phone: (201) 689-7729
Department Secretary: Susan DiSanto
Room: HP-106
Phone: (201) 447-7937
Fax: (201) 447-2384
Dental Hygiene Clinic Phone: (201) 447-7180
Dental Hygiene Clinic Location: HP-103

Our Mission

The Dental Hygiene AAS Program prepares graduates to perform competently in providing preventive oral care. The program incorporates didactic, clinical, technological, and laboratory teaching approaches throughout the curriculum. The dental hygiene curriculum is a challenging one that provides a “hands-on” approach and incorporates a variety of educational experiences and environments from the traditional classroom to the laboratory and clinic. The dental hygiene clinic is open to anyone seeking preventative oral health care. The program for Dental Hygiene is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (and has been granted the accreditation status of “approval without reporting requirements”).

Career Paths

The Associate of Applied Science degree (A.A.S.) is designed to provide students with the coursework and clinical training needed to enter into the field as a dental hygienist. The curriculum provides students with the knowledge and skills needed to pursue a pathway to careers in dental hygiene. Once students complete the program, they are prepared to take the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination (NBDHE) and the Commission on Dental Competency Assessments Examination (CDCA). Once students pass the licensure exam and requirements, they become Registered Dental hygienists (RDH). Students are strongly encouraged to consult with Bergen Community College faculty and Career Services as they begin to explore career options. Students can also utilize Career Coach, a resource provided by Bergen, to explore degree programs and corresponding careers https://bergen.emsicc.com.

Transfer Opportunities

Students pursuing the Associate of Applied Science degree (A.A.S.) in Dental Hygiene may consider transfer opportunities into other allied health and science majors. Students are encouraged to work closely with Bergen Community College faculty and Advising Transfer Services. Students planning to transfer to a four-year institution in NJ can explore the “Transfer Programs” feature on NJ Transfer https://njtransfer.org.