SUNY Erie Community College

DENTAL HYGIENE

Department Notes

• Dental hygiene courses are integrated and sequenced in a specific manner to enable students to attain program competencies. Candidates admitted to dental hygiene courses must enroll in all courses required during each semester of the program. All required courses must be passed each semester in order to advance to the following semester. Dental hygiene courses must be taken in the prescribed sequence. General education courses may be taken in advance but not later than the prescribed schedule.
• Withdrawal from or failure of a required course results in dismissal from the curriculum. Academically dismissed students must re-apply for program admission on a space available basis and must meet admission requirements. Students who experience a second course failure or excessive withdrawals demonstrate unsatisfactory academic progress and will be dismissed from the curriculum.
• A physical examination and current immunization report are required prior to the start of clinical courses to ensure candidates are in good physical and mental health and capable of completing the requirements of the program.
• Students entering dental hygiene are strongly recommended to receive immunization against Hepatitis B.
• Malpractice insurance, accident insurance and membership in the Student American Dental Hygienists’ Association are required of students in each year of clinical courses. Student health insurance is strongly recommended for those who are not insured.
• Students are required to purchase textbooks, uniforms, supplies, instruments and safety equipment as prescribed by the faculty. Contact the department for a current list of estimated costs.
• Students must participate in clinical practice activities as clinicians and as patients.
• Students must provide their own transportation to off-campus assignments.
• Students are required to recruit patients for treatment at scheduled clinical practice sessions.
• Special attention should be given to course pre-requisites and co-requisites during schedule planning. Students must meet with their dental hygiene academic advisers each semester.
• “C-” is the minimum passing grade in all required courses in the Dental Hygiene curriculum. The grading system for dental hygiene courses is: A = 94-100; B = 87-93; C = 80-86.
• Dental hygiene students are expected to manifest exemplary ethical and professional behaviors and must adhere to the Professional Code of Ethics developed by each class. Academic dishonesty or other unprofessional conduct is subject to peer review by elected members of the dental hygiene student Professional Honor Council and faculty and may result in disciplinary action.
• If continuous registration in the program cannot be maintained, the department reserves the right to have returning students demonstrate skills and knowledge through written, oral, laboratory, and/or clinical evaluation in order to determine the appropriate courses for program re-entry.
• Students may be excluded from clinical courses when, in the judgment of the college, they are unable to provide safe patient care or have demonstrated unprofessional behavior. Appropriate professional conduct is outlined in clinical manuals provided to students.
• To assure current and adequate preparation for licensure examinations at graduation, transfer credit for biomedical sciences taken more than five years ago may not be accepted. Transfer credit for DH courses may be granted only for courses taken at a CODA accredited dental hygiene program within the past three years.