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What to Expect in the Dental Hygiene Program

Program Goals

  1. Provide education in the ethical, legal, and evidence-based practice of dental hygiene which meets the diverse needs of the students and the greater community.
  2. Advance student growth and career readiness through state-of-the-art clinic and classroom instructional technology and resources.
  3. Promote a collaborative, diverse, equitable and inclusive environment that fosters personal and professional growth.
  4. Support faculty development in pedagogy, leadership, and innovation in dental hygiene education.

The practice of dental hygiene varies from state to state. The JCCC program complies with the practice of dental hygiene in the state of Kansas. The scope of practice for the state of Kansas includes providing the following:

  • educational, preventive, and therapeutic procedures to patients including:
    • removal of extraneous deposits, stains and debris from the teeth;
    • scaling of teeth and polishing of teeth;
    • placement of dental sealants; and
    • local anesthesia and nitrous oxide analgesia under direct supervision of a dentist.

Program Attendance and Communication Policy

The following statements reflect the accepted standards for attendance and communication of absences in the Dental Hygiene Program:

Attendance

Full-time attendance is required for all clinics including the Oral Health on Wheels rotation, clinic conferences, class sessions, and labs. Defined objectives and clinic hours must be met in order to assure successful completion of courses.

Excessive Absences

  1. Excessive absences jeopardize the student's learning of material in a course or clinic and will be defined individually by each course instructor in the course syllabus. If a student has excessive absences, they will be notified by the course instructor. Excessive absences can lead to a failing grade and an "Instructor-Initiated Withdrawal" from the course.
  2. Absence in Lecture Courses
  3. The number of absences in each didactic (lecture) course is outlined in each course syllabus and is determined by how many times the class meets per week.
  4. Absence in Clinic
  5. A maximum of two absences are allowed in all clinic courses. In the event of a third (3rd) absence in clinic, the faculty will initiate a withdrawal for excessive course absence.
  6. If a student is absent due to illness and misses one class for the day, but chooses to come to another class, the student may receive a 1% deduction for the class missed. If it is a test day, the student will receive a zero (0) on the exam.
  7. Leaving early from class, lab, or clinic constitutes an absence. Tardiness in excess of 30 minutes constitutes an absence.

Communication of Absence(s)

In the event of illness or emergency, the student must notify the dental hygiene professor(s) by email_ or phone prior to the time the experience is to begin. The student is responsible for cancellation and reappointment of patients when unable to attend clinic. Any absence that is not communicated to the course instructor in advance either by email or phone may result in an automatic 1% grade deduction.

Tardiness

Each student can be late/tardy for class/clinic/lab two (2) times per semester. There will be a 1% grade deduction for each additional late arrival/tardy thereafter that will affect the student's final grade.

Missed Exams and Coursework

  1. If the student is aware that a scheduled examination will be missed, arrangements for taking the examination should be made with the course professor prior to the scheduled date.
  2. It is the responsibility of the individual student to seek assistance from the course professor the first day back on campus to secure information relative to assignments and/or announcements missed during clinic, class, or lab.
  3. The student is expected to make up exams or quizzes missed due to an absence the first day back on campus unless prior arrangements are made with the course professor. Makeup activities will be determined by the course professor on an individual basis. A grade of zero (0) will be assigned if a quiz/examination/assignment is not made up according to arrangements made with the professor.
  4. Late Assignments will receive a 20% deduction, if not turned in 1 day after the due date, the student will receive a zero (0).

The practice of dental hygiene involves the integration of the cognitive (knowledge), affective (emotional tone) and psychomotor (hands-on application) domains by the practitioner. You must develop abilities in each of these three domains prior to graduation.

In order to progress from one semester to the next in the Dental Hygiene program, you must satisfactorily complete the appropriate sequence of courses as defined by the program curriculum. Satisfactory completion of courses is defined by:

  • A grade of no less than “C” (2.00) in all required BIOL, CHEM and DHYG prefix curriculum courses.
  • The final grade in some DHYG courses consists of scores from both lecture and clinical/laboratory portions of the course. You must maintain a minimum proficiency level in both the lecture and clinical/laboratory component of each course, which demonstrates consistent performance in attainment of course objectives. Specific proficiency scores and competency levels are stated in each course syllabus. Final grades must be a grade of “C” or higher in the clinic/lab portion and the lecture portion of the course in order to continue in the curriculum.
  • Achievement of course competencies and requirements as stated in each course syllabus.
  • An overall grade point average of 2.00 on a 4.00 scale.

You are responsible for monitoring your academic progress and for seeking assistance from the course professors when necessary. You are encouraged to seek faculty assistance during posted office hours. You are expected to meet with the course professor for remediation when performance falls below 70%.

Course progress:  There is adequate time during clinic assignments and courses to complete requirements. Your inability to complete requirements is considered lack of progress. Receiving a grade of incomplete in a course jeopardizes your completion of future program requirements. Therefore, a contract for a grade of incomplete in a DHYG course is not an automatic option. Eligibility for a contract will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis by the course professor and program director. If a contract is granted, remaining requirements must be completed prior to starting the subsequent clinical course or by the specified deadline date. You are encouraged to seek assistance from the course professor in order to avoid having incomplete requirements at the end of the semester. The option for an I Contract is not available for DHYG 121 Clinical Dental Hygiene II Pre-Clinic or DHYG 250 Clinical Dental Hygiene IV.

If you have significant absences due to illness or extenuating circumstances, you may request a Contract for a Grade of Incomplete (I Contract), which indicates that course requirements and objectives have not been met. You must contact the course professor in order to be considered for an I Contract. In order to be eligible for an I Contract, 80% of the course requirements and 80% of the clinic/lab requirements must be completed. Eligibility for an I Contract will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis by the course professor and program director. Once approved, specific deadlines will be given to complete course requirements the following semester.

A contract not completed by the deadline stated on the contract is recorded as a grade of “F.”

Academic dishonesty on coursework will result in no credit for the coursework involved and/or dismissal from the program.

Grade review and appeals process:

The initial procedure a you follow in an attempt to resolve a final grade issue for a credit course begins with the course professor. See grade appeal procedures.

Repeating a DHYG course:

If you receive a grade of “D” in a DHYG course you will not be permitted to continue in the program. Students interested in applying for readmission must meet with the department director. Students accepted for readmission will have one attempt at successfully completing a DHYG course.

You must exhibit professional characteristics and provide dental health care which in the professional judgment of the Johnson County Community College Dental Hygiene faculty:

  • Is consistent with the American Dental Hygienists Association Code of Ethics, the Johnson County Community College program goals and the JCCC Student Code of Conduct.
  • Is exemplary of professional conduct.
  • Follows safety and infection control standards as stated in the department clinic manual.

Individuals associated with the JCCC Dental Hygiene Department are expected to adhere to the Code of Ethics of the American Dental Hygienists’ Association. Violation of any portion of the JCCC Student Code of Conduct is subject to disciplinary action and/or dismissal from the department.