Student and Program Outcomes

Pass Rates

The information below represents pass rates for required board examinations: National Board Dental Hygiene Examination (NBDHE), The Commission on Dental Competency Assessments (CDCA) clinical patient examination, and the CDCA local anesthesia examination.

Program Competencies

The Dental Hygiene Program is competency base.  Successful completion from the program indicates the graduate has acquired the knowledge and skills needed to perform the duties of a dental hygienist in an entry level position.

Upon completion of the Dental Hygiene Program, graduates should be able to utilize the following skill sets in each category:

Core Competencies (C)

1. Apply a professional code of ethics in all endeavors.                                                   
2. Adhere to state and federal laws, recommendations, and regulations in the provision of oral health care.                                                                                                      
3. Utilize problem-solving strategies and critical thinking skills in the provision of comprehensive client care and client management.                                                    
4. Integrate accepted scientific theories and research into educational, preventive, therapeutic oral health services and patient dental hygiene care plans to achieve high-quality cost-effective care.
5. Assume responsibility for dental hygiene actions and care based on accepted scientific theories and research as well as the accepted standard of care.
6. Perform self-assessment and pursue life-long learning and professional growth.
7. Advance the profession through service activities and affiliations with professional organizations.
8. Apply quality assurance mechanisms to ensure continuous commitment to accepted standards of care.
9. Communicate effectively with diverse individuals and groups, serving all persons without discrimination by acknowledging and appreciating diversity.
10. Provide care to all clients using an individualized approach that is empathetic and caring.         

Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Competencies-Individual (HPI)

1. Identify risk factors and develop strategies that promote healthy lifestyles for clients.
2. Recognize oral and related general health needs of individuals and assist in development of individualized self-care regimens.
3. Support clients’ efforts to assume responsibility for their oral health and promote adherence to self-care regimens.
4. Respect the goals, values, beliefs and preferences of the client while promoting optimal oral and general health.                                                                                           
5. Refer clients who may have a physiologic, psychological and/or social problem for comprehensive client evaluation.                                                                                

Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Competencies – Community (HPC)

1. Promote values of oral and general health and wellness to the public and organizations within and outside the profession.
2. Will assess, plan, implement and evaluate community based oral health programs.
3. Identify and advocate for community based services and resources that can assist in oral health promotion and disease prevention.
4. Will demonstrate knowledge of the current oral health care delivery systems including factors which affect utilization.
5. Provide oral health education in a variety of settings.
6. Facilitate patient access to oral health services by influencing individuals or organizations for the provision of oral health care.
7. Evaluate reimbursement mechanisms and their impact on the patient’s access to oral health care.                                                                                                                                           

Client Care –Assessment (CCA)

1. Select, obtain and interpret diagnostic information.
2. Recognize predisposing and etiologic risk factors that require intervention.
3. Obtain, review and update a complete medical, social, and dental history.
4. Recognize relationships among health conditions and medications that impact client care and treatment outcomes.
5. Perform a comprehensive examination using clinical, radiographic, periodontal, dental, and other appropriate data to assess the client’s needs.                                 

Client Care – Diagnosis (CCD)

1. Use assessment findings, etiologic factors and clinical data in determining a dental hygiene diagnosis.
2. Obtain consultations as indicated.    

Client Care – Planning (CCP)

1. Consider client needs and significant findings that impact the development of a dental hygiene care plan.
2. Establish and prioritize a planned sequence of care based on the dental hygiene diagnosis.
3. Establish a collaborative relationship with the client in the planning of care.
4. Make referrals to other health care professionals.
5. Obtain the client’s informed consent for the planned care based on a thorough case presentation.

Client Care – Implementation (CCI)

1. Assist in achieving oral health goals developed in collaboration with the client.
2. Will perform dental hygiene interventions that eliminate and/or manage local etiologic factors to prevent and control caries, periodontal disease and other oral conditions.
3. Control pain and anxiety during treatment through the use of accepted clinical and behavioral techniques.
4. Develop and promote an individualized oral health care program.

Client Care – Evaluation (CCE)

1. Determine the outcome of dental hygiene interventions using appropriate assessment tools.
2. Evaluate the client’s satisfaction with the oral health care provided.
3. Provide subsequent treatment or referrals based on evaluation findings and assessment of outcomes.
4. Develop and promote an individualized oral health care program.
5. Manage client care in a manner that prevents an emergency and provide support measures to manage medical emergencies.
6. Utilize methods that ensure the health and safety of the patient and the oral health professional in the delivery of care.