Dental Hygiene Technology
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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,

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

Credentials

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

Admission

Admission to the dental hygiene program is selective and competitive.  It is limited to fifteen (15) freshmen each August.  Applications are accepted through May 1^st 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.

Dental Hygiene Curriculum  (Use your browser's back button to return to this page)

Pearl River Community College
Dental Hygiene

About the program
 

• Established in 1992
• Only on site clinical facility at PRCC providing direct patient care
• Accredited by the American Dental Association
• Selected #1 technical program in 1995 by Mississippi Association of Vocational Education
• Public Education Forum Award for Excellence in 1996
• 1996 Community College Exemplary Instructional Program awarded by the American Association of Community Colleges
• 1997 H.E.A.D.W.A.E faculty honoree

• 100% passage of written national board exam
• 100% passage of clinical state board exam
• 100% placement of graduates
• Students listed in Who's Who of Community and Junior Colleges
• Member of Sigma Phi Alpha—Dental Hygiene Honor Society

• Head and neck exam
• Oral and periodontal exam
• Oral hygiene instructions
• Radiographs
• Oral prophylaxis
• Non-surgical periodontal therapy
• Fluoride treatments
• Sealants

• Dr. Stanley L. Hill, Chair of the Department of Dental Hygiene/Dental Assisting, Technical Instructor of Dental Hygiene Technology (Forrest County Center); B.S., University of Southern Mississippi; D.M.D., University of Mississippi School of Dentistry.
• Gina Fitzgerald, Technical Instructor of Dental Hygiene.  Certified in Dental Hygiene, University of Mississippi Medical Center.
• Michelle Giles, Technical Instructor of Dental Hygiene.  Certified in Dental Hygiene, B.S. University of Southern Mississippi.