Dental Hygiene

Description

A registered dental hygienist (RDH) is a licensed healthcare professional, oral health educator and clinician who, as a co-therapist with the dentist, provides preventive, educational, and therapeutic services supporting total health for the control of oral diseases and the promotion of oral health. State licensure requirements mandate that a dental hygienist must graduate from an accredited dental hygiene education program. In addition to treating patients directly, dental hygienists may also work as educators, researchers, and administrators. The dental hygiene program is offered through a unique partnership with the University of Oklahoma (OU) and the SouthernTech. Students receive lectures through interactive video-conferencing delivered live from the College of Dentistry, located in downtown Oklahoma City. All laboratory and clinical training are conducted at the new state-of-the-art dental hygiene clinic located at SouthernTech.

Accreditation

American Dental Association (ADA) Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA)

Application

All curriculum, fees, application, etc. are processed through the OU Health Sciences Center College of Dentistry. There are 60 hours of specified prerequisite coursework required prior to application of the program, which may be taken at any higher education institution. Once an applicant is awarded acceptance into the program, the dental hygiene curriculum is two years and is held on the SouthernTech campus. Upon graduation, students are awarded a Bachelor of Science degree in Dental Hygiene from the University of Oklahoma and are eligible to take examinations for licensure to practice as a registered dental hygienist (RDH). For the list of prerequisite coursework, transfer policies, forms, fees, admission statistics, and the entire application process, please visit dentistry.ouhsc.edu.

Program/Courses/Hours

Targeted Certifications and/or Credentials

► National Board of Dental Hygiene Exam

Certifications may vary by Program and are subject to change without notice.

Employment Options

The following list is associated with the approved SOC (Standard Occupational Classification) for this program and does not necessarily represent immediate opportunities; additional training may be required for some options listed.

Dental Hygienist; Dental Hygienist, Mobile Coordinator; Education Coordinator; Hygienist; Implant Coordinator; Pediatric Dental Hygienist; Registered Dental Hygienist (RDH); Registered Dental Hygienist, Part Time Clinical Faculty – Approximate Pay Potential: $16-48/Hour. (source: https://www.onetonline.org/link/summary/29-2021.00):