Program Goals and Graduation Requirements

Program Goals

  1. Provide the highest quality of instruction and educational experience culminating in a license to practice dental hygiene
  2. Provide a foundation of knowledge in dental hygiene ethics and law applicable to the scope of practice in California.
  3. Provide inter/intra professional experiences with community partners.
  4. Provide opportunities to network with allied health professionals and organizations leading to advanced education and career growth.

Graduation Requirements

Enrolled dental hygiene students received a program handbook which includes all program information, policies, and procedures.  The following content provides a generalized overview.

The Commission on Dental Accreditation Standards of Education for Dental Hygiene Curriculum and Competency along with the California Dental Practice Act and education requirements mandated by the Dental Hygiene Board of California are implemented by all dental hygiene programs in California.

Program curriculum has been designed to assist the student in meeting CODA standards for competency as well as requirements for California licensing.  All courses have aspects of such requirements.

These requirements include yet may not be limited to the following:

  • Meeting the required minimum number of program hours as mandated by the California Dental Practice Act.
  • Passing grade of 75% or better in all dental hygiene courses
  • Critical thinking and technical competency on patients who are adults, children, adolescents, geriatric, and special needs
  • Local Anesthesia
    • Preclinical: minimum of two (2) experiences per injection, which may be on another student.
    • Clinical: at least four (4) clinical experiences per injection on four different patients andmust include maxillary and mandibular anesthesia techniques for local infiltration, field block and nerve block to include anterior superior alveolar (ASA) nerve block (infraorbital), middle superior alveolar nerve block (MSA), anterior middle superior alveolar nerve block (AMSA), posterior superior alveolar nerve block (PSA), greater palatine nerve block, nasopalatine (P-ASA) nerve block, supraperiosteal, inferior alveolar nerve block (to include Gow-Gates technique), lingual nerve block, buccal nerve block, mental nerve block/incisive nerve block and intraseptal injections.
  • Nitrous Oxide-Oxygen Analgesia: Two (2) preclinical experiences on patients, both of which may be on another student, and at least three (3) clinical experiences on patients. Each clinical experience shall include the performance of a dental hygiene procedure while administering at least twenty (20) minutes of nitrous oxide-oxygen analgesia.
  • Periodontal Soft Tissue Curettage: Three (3) clinical experiences on patients.

Policies

  • Attendance

    Attendance requirements for the Dental Hygiene Program vary from those indicated in the Taft College catalog since the attendance regulations for the program are established by outside regulatory agencies.  Student success depends on attending all class and clinic sessions.

  • Grading

    A grade of 75% (“C”) or better is required in all dental hygiene courses for progression in the Program and to graduate.  The 75% or better standard follows that established by the Dental Hygiene National Board Examination and State or Regional clinic board examinations.

    Courses in the Dental Hygiene Program are not offered as credit/no credit.

  • Dress Code

    TCDH approved scrubs

    ALL School/Professional functions should follow professional/business attire standards

  • Immunizations

    Proof of immunity must be documented by record of immunization or by serological evidence of immunity.  College students are required to meet state/district standards of immunization prior to enrollment.  The dental hygiene program has set additional standards for immunizations due to the higher exposure / contact of students with the general public as health care providers.

  • CPR

    All enrolled dental hygiene students are to be certified in basic life support

  • Liability Coverage

    Students are to have liability/malpractice insurance in effect prior to beginning the first semester and must be maintained throughout the program.