A registered dental hygienist is a preventive oral health professional licensed in dental hygiene who provides preventive, educational, and therapeutic services supporting total health through the promotion of optimal oral health.
No. Many of our students have little or no dental experience. Students without experience have had no difficulty in completing the dental hygiene program. Dental experience can be helpful in a few courses, such as dental radiography or dental anatomy. However, it is not necessary for acceptance into the program.
Those students that have graduated from an accredited dental assisting program have the option to challenge DH 74A only. All inquiries concerning this challenge process should be directed to Linda Zweifel, CDA, RDA, RDH, MA, Radiology Specialist.
No. Age varies from class to class, and it is not an issue. As for gender, the program does not discriminate. Historically, dental hygiene programs have been predominantly female. However, within the past few years, more men have been enrolling in Dental Hygiene programs throughout the state.
The Dental Hygiene program is a full-time, 2-year program. The program starts in mid-August each year and ends approximately at the end of May. There is no summer Dental Hygiene program. This professional program has sequential curriculum, and learning is cumulative and competency-based. Your placement into the program requires academic and personal commitment to study. It is recommended that students assume self-direction in the educational process.
Yes. Just before the fall term starts, the second year class hosts a luncheon sponsored through the Student American Dental Hygiene Association (SADHA) for incoming students. This gives students and faculty a chance to meet and socialize. Additionally, classes hold a number of potluck lunches, some with guest speakers. Also, many classes have held fund-raisers or paid additional dues to help with costs. Fund-raisers must have the approval of Chabot Administration.
Yes. Classroom instruction covers a great deal of information during the program; however, the student has additional reading and assignments to do outside class. It is important that students understand that the program is academically challenging. It is helpful to take a study skills class before entering. This will help greatly when going through the program.
The best support system is your fellow classmates. Classes work as a team. Each member of a class has an understanding of the demands and work within the program. Also, each first year student has a big brother or sister, who is a member of the second year class. These big brothers and sisters act as mentors and resource persons to first year students.
Counseling Services, Financial Aid, and Tutorials can also offer services. Ernesto Victoria from the Counseling Division is assigned to the Health and Natural Sciences division for counseling. He is willing to create support groups within the program for students.
Though costs vary from year to year, please refer to our list of approximate costs. You can expect that costs for books, the instrument kit, and personal protective equipment will change somewhat from year to year.
Yes, you can work, but due to the demands of the program, it is not advisable. Most current students recommend that enrollees should not plan to work for the 2 years while they are in the program.
No. Students must take the required prerequisite courses and obtain a minimum of “C” in all of them. A point system is used to determine which students will be placed into the class. Points are awarded for grade point averages, grades in Anatomy, Physiology, and Microbiology, and for residence in the district. Those with the highest point totals will be offered spaces in the program. Remaining students will be put on an alternate list in point order. If any of the students originally chosen for the program decline to be in the class, alternates will be offered spaces in the class in order of point total.
Chabot College does not maintain a waitlist. Non-accepted applicants must reapply each year. It is suggested that prospective students apply to other accredited Dental Hygiene Programs as well.
It is excellent! 100% job placement of graduates who pass the State Board Examination is typical. This is expected to continue into the foreseeable future.
Earnings vary depending on the amount of experience of the dental hygienist, the location of employment, and the employer specialty. Dental hygienists who work in private dental offices are usually salaried, although some are paid a commission for work performed or a combination of salary and commission. Most dental hygienists work for more than one dentist. The approximate annual earnings for a full time dental hygienist in the East Bay run $70,000-$80,000.
Dental hygienists work in a number of settings. Most work in private dental offices. However, some work in public health settings and for dental corporations. Important health protection for persons working in this field includes regular medical check-ups and strict adherence to established procedures for using x-ray equipment and infection control measures.
We do not provide dormitories or other types of college-sponsored housing. Housing information is available through the Office of Student Life.
Chabot College uses the California Articulation Number (CAN) system to determine course equivalency between colleges. A CAN match between colleges means the courses are equivalent. For more information on the California Articulation Number (CAN) system, please go to: http://www.can.csus.edu/CANCatalog.asp.
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