Dental Hygiene
Program Requirements
Dental Hygiene, AAS Program Checksheet
Includes:
- General Education and Major Courses
- Admission and Transfer Requirements
- Graduation Requirements
Why Choose Dental Hygiene?
The Dental Hygiene program has been at Ferris since 1967 and is the largest in the State of Michigan. The program enjoys a reputation of educational excellence, with expert faculty who are recognized at the state, national and international levels within the discipline of dental hygiene for the delivery of innovative academic and continuing education.
Dental hygiene is a practice area that continues to grow with the increased consumer awareness of the importance of good oral hygiene in the prevention and detection of systemic disease processes. Dental hygiene will continue to grow based on the increasing focus on preventive dental care needs of the public.
Completion of the three-year associate in applied science degree, and final written and clinical exams enables the graduate to sit for the state licensure exam. Student clinical experiences occur within the college as the students work with patients from the University, community, and local schools in the College's on campus Dental Hygiene Clinic.
Career Opportunities
Dental hygienists are professionals, licensed by the state in which they practice, who complete extensive educational and clinical preparation in preventive oral health care. A dental hygienist is a clinician, oral health care educator, health promoter, consumer advocate, administrator, and researcher.
The responsibilities of a dental hygienist include the development, implementation, and
evaluation of a dental hygiene plan of care that is based on the needs of the patient. Clinical services can include:
- the evaluation and monitoring of medical and dental health histories
- examining, assessing, and documenting oral conditions
- exposing, processing and interpreting x-rays
- removal of calculus and stain that form on the teeth
- application of caries-preventive agents such as fluorides and pit and fissure sealants
- delivery of dietary education and counseling
- design and implementation of community or school oral health programs
- delivery of local anesthesia and nitrous oxide
Accelerated employment growth is expected for several years in response to increasing demand for dental care. Earnings of dental hygienists are affected by geographic location, employment setting, education, and experience. The average hourly wage in Michigan is $26 - $30 per hour in private practice employment settings. Dental hygienists who work for school systems, public health agencies, the federal government, or state agencies often have substantial benefits.
More Information
College of Health Professions
Ferris State University
200 Ferris Drive
Big Rapids, MI 49307
Phone: 231-591-2270
email: [email protected]
For information about accredited programs and educational requirements contact:
Commission on Dental Accreditation
American Dental Association
211 E. Chicago Ave.
Suite 1814
Chicago, IL 60611
www.ada.org