Offering Campus
Argosy University, Twin Cities
Program Overview
Argosy University offers an Associate of Science (AS) in Dental Hygiene degree program. The mission of this program is to provide the community with well trained entry-level dental hygienists who are prepared to perform effectively and productively within the allied health arena. Enrolled students will experience an integrated curriculum which is designed to provide opportunities for building skills in assessment, cognitive, and lifelong learning, as well as technical skills.
Students will be prepared to provide preventative and therapeutic dental services as dental hygienists under the supervision of the dentist.
The AS in Dental Hygiene degree program requires the satisfactory completion of 90 semester credit hours that includes 30 credit hours of general education and 60 credit hours of program specific courses. The maximum allowable time frame for students entering during the spring semester based upon full-time status is 44 months.
Program Learning Outcomes
Core Patient Care Competency
The AS in Dental Hygiene graduate will be competent in providing dental hygiene care for the child, adolescent, adult, geriatric and medically compromised patient.
The AS in Dental Hygiene graduate will be:
1.1 Able to apply the ADPIE process, using methods consistent with ethical and legal principles, including providing appropriate life support measure for medical emergencies.
1.2 Competent in providing dental hygiene care for all classifications of periodontal disease including patients who exhibit moderate to severe periodontal disease.
1.3 Competent in providing dental hygiene care for the child, adolescent, adult, and geriatric patient including patients with special needs.
Core Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Competency
The AS in Dental Hygiene graduate will be able to initiate and assume responsibility for health promotion and disease prevention activities using appropriate communication skills to effectively interact with diverse population groups.
The AS in Dental Hygiene graduate will be:
2.1 Able to perform population based activities that apply community dental health principles to prevent disease and promote health.
Core Professionalism, Growth and Development Competency
The AS in Dental Hygiene graduate must possess communication, problem-solving and critical thinking skills necessary to pursue professional goals.
The AS in Dental Hygiene graduate will:
3.1 Demonstrate effective communication skills, respect for others, an awareness of the impact of ones actions on others and a commitment to lifelong learning.
3.2 Be competent in the evaluation of current scientific literature.
Licensure
Graduates of the program must successfully pass three exams prior to being issued a license to practice dental hygiene: The American Dental Association (ADA) National Board Dental Hygiene Exam (NBDHE), the Central Regional Dental Testing Service (CRDTS) exam required by the practicing state, and the state jurisprudence exam for dental hygienists. Requirements for taking and passing licensing exams are subject to change without notice to Argosy University. The most current information regarding the American Dental Association National Board Dental Hygiene Exam (NBDHE) can be found at www.ada.org. Since licensing may change and often varies from state to state, students should verify the current requirements of the state in which they plan to become licensed.
Admission Requirements
Students applying for this program will be selected for acceptance based on an objective point system.
Applicants must provide proof of high school graduation or GED and meet one of the following conditions:
- ACT Composite score of 18 or above, or
- Combined Math and Critical Reading SAT score of 870, or
- Passing score on Argosy University entrance exam, or
- Minimum High School or College GPA as follows:
- For students with 12 or fewer college credits, cumulative High School GPA of 2.0 or above
- For students with 13 or more college credits, cumulative College GPA of 2.0 or above
- A minimum score on an Argosy University pre-approved English language proficiency test is required for all applicants whose native language is not English or who have not graduated from an institution at which English is the language of instruction as specified in Section Five, Admission Policies, “English Language Proficiency Policy .”
All applications for admission to the AS in Dental Hygiene degree program must be submitted to the Admissions Department. An admissions representative will help interested applicants complete the following required documentation:
- Student Information Form
- Personal interview
- Completed Application for Admission Form
- Application fee (Non-refundable, except in Arizona. In the state of Arizona, the application fee is refundable if the application is canceled within three business days of the applicant signing the Enrollment Agreement.
- Proof of high school graduation or GED, or proof of earned college degree
- ACT or SAT or Argosy University Entrance Exam and pre-approved English language proficiency exam score (if applicable)
- Official transcripts from all post-secondary schools attended
- Clinical Training Agreement
- Technical Standards Form
- Health forms
In addition, because this program is highly competitive, Argosy University, Twin Cities has established a set of objective criteria to identify applicants for admission acceptance. Applications will be evaluated by the Argosy University, Twin Cities Admissions Committee and representatives of the department. A wait list will be maintained.
Applicants accepted into the AS in Dental Hygiene degree program are required to remit a non-refundable deposit of $100.00 by the date stipulated on the written notification to reserve a place in the entering class. This deposit will be applied toward the tuition of the student’s first semester. An applicant, if rejected, can reapply by following the reapplication policy.
Once admitted to the AS in Dental Hygiene degree program, the student must achieve a minimum grade of “C” in all General Education and dental hygiene courses. Any student who has been in the program and fails a course is dismissed from the program and can reapply and be considered with the other applicants at that time. Allied health professionals perform a wide range of physical tasks and assignments, and they must accept certain risks that are inherent in healthcare delivery. In applying for admission to Argosy University, prospective students are given information regarding these tasks, and applicants agree that they are capable of and willing to perform these tasks and assume these risks.
Students must successfully complete the American Heart Association two year CPR certification training in June, July, or August prior to enrolling in the technical dental hygiene courses offered during the Fall semester.
Graduation Requirements
- Satisfactory completion of all requirements in the program of study
- Successful completion of all didactic instruction
- Successful completion of all General Education courses
- Completion of all technical courses with a grade of “C” or better
- Completion of all General Education courses with a grade of “C” or better
- Successful completion of all required clinical proficiencies per semester
- Successful completion of all clinical patient requirements per semester
- A completed Petition to Graduate submitted to campus administration
- Students must also be current on all financial obligations in order to receive official final transcripts
Program Requirements
Students enrolled in the AS in Dental Hygiene degree program are required to successfully complete 90 semester credit hours distributed as follows: general education requirements, 30 credit hours and core course requirements, 60 credit hours. Students will be dismissed from the AS in Dental Hygiene degree program for receipt of a grade of “D+” or below in any technical course
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