powered by FreeFind Main Dental Hygiene Program Application . .

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If you are interested in a health career oriented toward preventing disease and helping patients maintain good oral health, dental hygiene may be the career for you.

If you would like

• the responsibility of direct patient care
• the opportunity to work in pleasant surroundings
• the satisfaction of helping others
• the chance to work with people on an individual basis
• the convenience of flexible work hours
• the opportunity to practice nationwide and abroad

• a career with many job opportunities,

Then dental hygiene may be right for you.

Dental hygiene functions vary somewhat from state to state.  Functions routinely performed by dental hygienists in Mississippi include, but are not limited to:

• scaling and polishing teeth
• applying fluoride treatments and dental sealants
• taking and processing x-rays
• examining teeth and surrounding tissues
• screening for hypertension and oral cancer
• educating patients regarding dental diseases, plaque control, and proper home care
• providing dental health education in the community

• providing nutritional information and advice

Dental hygienists can work in private dental offices; dental clinics and hospitals, public health facilities, and product research centers.  Hygienists can also work in health education and product sales and marketing.

Credentials

All states require licensure to practice this profession.  A license is issued by the State Board of Dental Examiners after successful completion of both clinical and written examination.  The National Board of Dental Hygiene Examination must also be passed to qualify for licensure.

Admission to the dental hygiene program is selective and competitive.  It is limited to fifteen (16) freshmen each August.  Applications are accepted through March 2nd of each year.  Selection is based on a formula with components of ACT score, college GPA (using only those classes needed for admission), and an interview.  After notification of acceptance, a college health form must be submitted before final acceptance and registration.