Dental Hygiene Admission Guide

Program Duration (Number of Semesters)		Study Mode
Full Time: 5 semesters	Part-Time: N/A	Face-to-Face, Onsite and Offsite Clinic

• Program days and times may vary, but you should plan to attend classes 5 days a week.
• Day classes are generally between 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Clinical classes are generally between 7:30 am to 6:00 pm on weekdays. Please plan accordingly to ensure you have proper transportation.
• Dental Hygiene courses are only offered at the Coleman campus in the Texas Medical Center. All courses are conducted Face-to-Face, In-Person.

 

On average, approximately 120 students apply for admission each application period. Of these, 18 are accepted.

 

The Dental Hygiene program is a selective admission program. Prospective applicants should review the HCC Application Requirements, Dental Hygiene Program Application Requirements, and Pre-Enrollment Process & Requirements outlined in this guide.

HCC Application Requirements:

Step 1: Apply for Admission to HCC:

New student to HCC: If you are new to college or transferring to HCC, your first step is to become an HCC Eagle by submitting a free admissions application to HCC. Please create a profile and complete a degree-seeking application: https://applytexas.org/. Upon completing the application, you will receive your acceptance letter and a welcome email that contains your HCC Student ID number and P-number (if assigned). If you have filled out an HCC application at any point or you already have an HCC student ID number, please do not submit another HCC application. Multiple HCC new student applications and/or ID numbers are not allowed.

Returning student to HCC: If you have not been enrolled in HCC for the past 3 semesters, you must re-activate your HCC student account. If you need assistance with this process, please visit: Returning HCC Student | Houston Community College - HCC.

International Students: If you are an international student planning to attend HCC on a status F-1, (DACA, refugee, L visa, H visa, etc.), please visit https://www.hccs.edu/support- services/international- students/.

Veteran students: Please visit https://www.hccs.edu/support-services/veteran-affairs/. Download and complete DD Form 214 & SF-180 Form and submit with the application.

Step 2: Apply for Financial Aid (this step is optional):

All students should apply for financial aid immediately after applying for admission to HCC. Filling out a financial aid application is the first step in learning your options to pay for college. HCC accepts financial aid applications throughout the year.

• Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at fafsa.gov, School Code: 010422
• Free Application for Texas Application for State Financial Aid (TASFA) at hccs.edu/tasfa.

 

If you need assistance paying for college, please visit the Coleman Financial Aid office for assistance or visit www.hccs.edu/applying-and-paying/financial-aid/.

Step 3: Complete My Eagle HCC Account Checklist:

Please visit: myeagle.hccs.edu, and sign into the Student System. Review and complete the HCC Policy and On-Boarding Checklist sections. To avoid delays in the processing of your application, please complete all To-Do List items.

Career Interest Assessment: All first-time HCC students must complete this module.

Meningitis Vaccine – Future and returning students who are under the age of 22 are required to submit proof of vaccination. For more information on requirements, resources & any religious, medical, or online student exemptions, please visit Meningitis Vaccine.

Submit Official Transcript(s): Please submit your official sealed (unopened) transcript(s) from high school, GED, and any other colleges and/or Universities previously If you have completed your courses at HCC, you do not need to submit an official transcript. We do not accept unofficial copies or official copies that have been opened. There are two ways to submit an official transcript from your high school or previous institution:

Submit Electronically: Have an official PDF transcript electronically sent from approved service providers such as Credentials, Parchment, and National Student Clearinghouse to: admissions@hccs.edu

Submit by Mail: Please use the address: Houston Community College, Office of Admissions & Records, P.O. Box 667517, Houston, TX 77266-7517
If you have completed coursework outside HCC and need more information on transfer equivalency with HCC, please visit http://www.hccs.edu/support-services/transfers/transferring- credits/.

All foreign transcripts must be evaluated by an approved credential evaluation service. The evaluation must include course-by-course evaluation and US equivalency for earned degree. Then the official evaluation report must be submitted to HCC. The HCC Internal process can take up to 8 weeks for evaluation and transfer of course credits. To find a list of approved evaluation companies, please visit Foreign Transcript/ Foreign Credit Evaluators.

For more information on transcript(s) submission, please visit Transcript(s).It is the responsibility of the student to allow enough time for the evaluation of transcripts; please allow 6-8 weeks for evaluation and transfer of course credits.

To receive Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) credit towards admission to the Dental Hygiene program, an applicant should not have previously taken or attempted the course (by title), that is the same as the PLA credit for which he/she is applying. For more information on PLA you may visit https://www.hccs.edu/resources-for/current-students/prior-learning-assessment/.

Texas Success Initiative requirements –If you have the "Texas Success Initiative College Readiness Requirements" Checklist on your To-do List in the Student Center, you have to be placed into core courses one of two ways:
Have an approved exemption (reason) for not taking Texas Success Initiative Assessment 2.0 (TSIA2); or
Take the Texas Success Initiative Assessment 2.0 (TSIA2)

Please visit the Texas Success Initiative Assessment to learn about your options to complete this requirement.

Dental Hygiene Program Application Requirements:

Step 4. Meet with HCC Coleman College Representative: 

At least once during the application acceptance period, we strongly recommend that an applicant attend an In-Person/Virtual Program Information Session or meet with an HCC Coleman Advisor via phone or in-person or virtually to ensure they are meeting all of the program admission criteria. To view up-to-date in-person hours for Coleman College Student Services  https://www.hccs.edu/support-services/academic-advising/.
 

Step 5. Complete Requirements and Submit Program Application:

• Student must be 18 years old before the first day of class.
• In addition to the HCC admission application, you must complete and submit a typed Dental Hygiene program application (handwritten not accepted) via email dhygadmit@hccs.edu to student services. Please send all the required documents listed below with your program application and label each attachment with the file name.
•  Copy of all transcript/s showing completion of the prerequisite courses and recommended academic courses
• HESI exam results including critical thinking result.

 

For more information about prerequisite courses, recommended academic courses, and HESI exam, please refer to the sections: Program Application: Academic Course Requirements & Program Application: HESI Pre-entrance Exam Requirements.

 

Course Description
Student Success Course Required only if new to college or transferring to HCC with less than 12 college-level credits EDUC 1300 – Learning Framework	3
Prerequisite Courses GPA Minimum prerequisite GPA 2.5 or higher
Prerequisite Courses Completion of the following courses with a minimum grade of ‘C’ upon application submission.
BIOL 2301 and BIOL 2101 (formerly BIOL 2401) – Anatomy & Physiology I (LEC & LAB) Must be completed within 5 years prior to the application deadline to the program. No exceptions.	4
CHEM 1305 – Introduction to Chemistry or higher Must be completed within 5 years prior to the application deadline to the program. No exceptions.	3
ENGL 1301 - English Composition I	3
SOCI 1301 - Introduction to Sociology	3
Academic Courses A minimum grade of “C” or above is required in all academic requisite courses, no substitutions allowed. Academic courses are HIGHLY ENCOURAGED to be taken in advance but are not required for the application. Note: Additional points will be received for each completed academic course.
PSYC 2301 - General Psychology	3
BIOL 2302 and BIOL 2102 (formerly BIOL 2402) – Anatomy & Physiology II (LEC & LAB)	4
BIOL 2320 and BIOL 2120 (formerly BIOL 2420) –Microbiology (LEC & LAB)	4
SPCH 1318 - Interpersonal Communications	3
PHIL 2306 – Introduction to Ethics	3
Placement Test If assessed below college-level math, an applicant must show proof of completion of MATH 0314P, with a grade of “C” or higher.
Note: Applicants with completed full load (12 credit hours or more) from the above prerequisite and/or corequisite courses in the last four semesters by the application submission deadline will receive additional points. If you would like to determine your eligibility by calculating your cumulative points earned, please use our Admission Rubric form.

 

 

The HESI A2- Admissions Assessment entrance exam is required to apply for the Dental Hygiene program at HCC Coleman College and must be taken at HCC Coleman College Testing Center.

Schedule HESI-A2 test: Please contact HCC Coleman College Testing Center via email: Coleman.testing@hccs.edu.
The cost of the HESI is $75.00 per attempt. Payment must be made by either credit or debit card.

HESI required sections: The HESI test has two components as below. Applicants must take all required sections and submit results with the Dental Hygiene program application. The application will be declined if HESI- A2 exam results are not submitted with the application by the application deadline.

Component 1. Academic sections: The minimum required cumulative score for the Academic Component of the HESI is 80%. Please note no minimum required score for academic sections. If the cumulative score is below 80% for the academic component, applicant may retake section(s) to improve the cumulative score.

• Anatomy & Physiology
• Grammar
• Vocabulary & Knowledge
• Chemistry
• Reading Comprehension

Component 2. Critical Thinking: The minimum required critical Thinking component score is 750.

• Applicant has a maximum of 2 attempts on each component of the HESI test (academic component and critical thinking component) which must be completed within the period (4-1-2024 to 3-31-2025). Please note that HESI Remediation through Elsevier is free.
• You are recommended to wait at least 30 days before retesting.
• Any current degree in any discipline will not be considered as a substitution for the HESI exam.

 

Resources for HESI study material:
The Center for Healthcare Professionals is offering the following courses listed below (edu/chp):

• Online - HESI® A2 and TEAS® Preparatory course: Anatomy and Physiology.
• Online - Critical Thinking for Standardized Tests
• Online - Study Skills for Student Success
• Online - Successful Test Taking
  For additional information about any of these programs, please contact via phone at 713-718-7796 or via email at hcc- chp@hccs.edu.
• HCC Library: https://library.hccs.edu/home. Search with the keyword ‘HESI’ to access available resources. To find the latest HCC library hours, please visit Home - Locations - Libraries at Houston Community College (hccs.edu)
• Please refer to the following links for information on HESI study materials:
  https://evolve.elsevier.com/cs/product/9780323582261?role=student;
  https://nursehub.com/;
  https://quizlet.com/;
  https://www.iprep.online;
  https://0-portal-mometrixelibrary-com.librus.hccs.edu/?__acct=171

 

How to access your HESI exam scores, including Critical Thinking scores:

Please note that HESI official scores including Critical Thinking must be downloaded directly from the Elsevier/ Evolve website in a .pdf format - No exceptions.              

1. Go to https://evolve.elsevier.com/cs/.
2. Click on Sign in and log in to your account.
3. Go to the My Other Products tab and click Student Access.
4. HESI exam score:
   Click on Admission Assessment Report under Exam History to Save the report in PDF.
5. Critical Thinking Scores:
   Click on the plus sign (+) next to Admissions Assessment Report.
   Critical Thinking will appear in the drop-down list. Click on the link View Results.
   Click on Results Report.pdf under View Your Detailed Scoring Report on the right. (Save this document as PDF)

 

When the number of eligible applications exceeds program seat availability, selective criteria are used to determine which applicants are offered admission. Selective criteria are awarded based on the following:

• 50% may be awarded based on the health program academic criteria (grades earned from pre-entry form required and recommended courses and general education requirements.)
• 25% may be awarded based on the interview including a timed essay.*
• 25% may be awarded for psychomotor skills conducted at the time of the interview. *

 

*An applicant with a minimum score of 0% in the timed essay or psychomotor skills test will not be eligible for admission.

If you are offered admission you will need to complete the following pre-enrollment requirements by a specific due date to maintain eligible status. Please note the program director will be in contact with you once your Letter of Intent has been received to provide you the information on the process of getting a background check, drug screen, personal health insurance, and deadlines for immunizations. Please check your email regularly for updates and information.

• Complete the Letter of Intent form by the deadline stated in the admission acceptance offer email. The offer will be sent to your submitted email address with the application form.
• Proof of personal health insurance (needed for the duration of the Program). If you need to purchase health insurance please visit: https://www.hccs.edu/resources-for/current-students/student-health- insurance/ for a list of healthcare insurance providers that HCC has compiled as a courtesy to students who wish to contact a potential provider to meet their personal health insurance needs. Students are advised to contact more than one company and compare offerings.
• Pass drug screening by program orientation.
• Physical examination (by medical doctor, nurse practitioner or physician assistant licensed in the United States)
• Immunization record showing: Completion of Hepatitis B immunization series (may take up to 6 months), MMR – 2 shots or titer, Tdap – every 10 years, TB – every year, Varicella – 2 shots or titer, Meningitis (required for students 22 years or younger) and Influenza must be completed by the 27^th of September. Mandatory Basic Life Support (Adult, Child, Infant, and AED) for Healthcare Providers (Hands-On Only) must be completed by the 1st day of class.
• Complete the mandatory student services and program orientation on the date provided in your admission email. (Please clear your calendar so you are available to attend the mandatory orientations if you are offered admission as follows: Fall Term – plan to attend orientation between July and August).
• Student must adhere to and comply with requirements in the currently published program handbook.
• Cleared Criminal Background by program orientation - All applicants are conditionally accepted and must have a clear background check. Therefore, if an applicant has ever been arrested, charged, convicted, plead guilty or not guilty, adjudicated, case disposed, case dismissed for any misdemeanor or felony, the applicant is required to submit an “Eligibility of Licensure” letter from the Texas State Board of Dental Examiners by the required application deadline date. For more information on the Eligibility of Licensure letter, go to http://tsbde.texas.gov/licensing/criminal-history-evaluation/
• Eligibility of Licensure letter from the Texas State Board of Dental Examiners must be “current” within the last or current calendar year. So, it must be dated for 2024 or 2025.
• If you fail the background check without submitting the letter, your application will be disqualified.

 

Clinical Requirements for Program Progression & Completion

To provide students with the most robust clinical educational experience and to ensure that students progress and graduate as scheduled, it is highly recommended that applicants weigh all of their options before agreeing to a conditional acceptance into their desired health science program. In order to facilitate this decision-making, students should understand all of the requirements of their program, including clinical education.

To be placed in a clinical educational experience, students must comply with the guidelines and requirements of HCC clinical sites, including health and wellness directives. Most clinical sites require background checks, health testing, drug screens and immunizations, including proof of COVID-19 vaccination. 

Students are required to provide to HCC proof that students meet all clinical requirements, with the exception of their COVID-19 vaccination status.  Consistent with state law, HCC does not mandate the COVID-19 vaccination. Students have the choice to voluntarily disclose or not disclose their COVID-19 vaccination status through their HCC Complio account.

However, most healthcare facilities do require the vaccine as a condition of employment, volunteering, or student clinical placement.  If a student chooses not to disclose their COVID-19 vaccination status or is not vaccinated, HCC may not be able to place the student in clinical rotations.  HCC will work to place such students into a clinical site that does not require the vaccine, provided such a site is available and HCC has an active affiliation agreement in place that meets the necessary conditions to provide an appropriate learning opportunity for the student.  However, HCC cannot guarantee that clinical sites that do not require the COVID vaccine will be available at the time the student requires placement.  At this time, many healthcare facilities are not accepting religious or medical exemptions for the COVID-19 vaccine for clinical students.

If a student chooses not to receive or to provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination and no clinical sites are available to accept the student that do not require the COVID-19 vaccination, the student’s progression in the program and graduation will be delayed or stopped all together.  If a student cannot be timely placed in a qualifying clinical site, a student may not be able to complete the program. Our affiliate partners’ expectations are the same for our students as they would be when our students ultimately become employees in their chosen field.

Students with questions about clinical requirements and placement may contact the program director of their program of interest. 

 

HB 1508 requires the following information be given to students:

If you are applying for admission to a program that prepares an individual for an initial occupational license or certification and/or if you later decide to change to a program that prepares you for an initial occupational license or certification, in accordance with state law, please be advised of the following: 

1. An individual who has been charged or convicted of an offense or who is on probation may not be eligible for issuance of an occupational license or certification upon completion of the educational program.
2. It is the responsibility of the individual to immediately report to the program any change in status that would affect that individual’s eligibility to apply for a license or certification.
3. Local, state or national licensing and certification authorities may issue additional guidelines related to criminal history. Applicant should contact their respective licensing or certification authority for more details.

 

Most healthcare programs require all students, admitted to the program, to submit to a national background check which may include fingerprinting. Applicants are encouraged to review all applicable eligibility requirements related to the respective occupational license or Certification. Questions related to eligibility requirements should be directed to the individual program and applicable licensing or certification authority.

The Dental Hygiene Program requires participation in clinical rotations in order to complete the program. In order to participate in clinical rotations at our affiliate sites, certain background information must be verifed. Students participating in clinical rotations must meet the same background verifications as clinical staff at our affiliate sites. For that reason, we require students to submit the following required background information before admission/enrollment in the program is completed: 

1. Social Security Number Verification
2. Criminal Search (7 yrs. or up to 5 criminal searches)
3. Violent Sexual Offender and Predator Registry Search
4. OIG List of Excluded Individuals/Entities
5. GSA List of Parties Excluded from Federal Programs
6. US Treasury, Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), List of Specially Designated Nationals (SDN)
7. State Exclusive List https://hhs.texas.gov/
8. Driver’s license or government-issued identification 

Please note: Verification of this information is the financial responsibility of the student and must be completed through the program-approved vendor - Complio.

 

Advanced Standing – HCC Dental Assisting Graduates

The Dental Hygiene Program will hold two (2) seats per year for former HCC Dental Assisting graduates or current HCC Dental Assisting students graduating prior to the start of the 1st semester of the Dental Hygiene Program. The applicant must meet the same minimum admission criteria as all other program applicants. The student will have conditional acceptance until verified that all dental hygiene minimum requirements are met. In case of more than two applicants applying, the applicants with the highest admission points will be offered the slots. 
Once accepted, students who meet this criteria will have the opportunity to test out of DHYG 1319, Dental Materials. The DHYG 1319 lecture and lab test must each be passed independently with a 75%. If the student scores less than 75% in the lecture or lab test, they will be required to take the course within the Dental Hygiene program. 

 

HCC Coleman College Grading Scale

To best prepare students for success in their chosen fields, Health Sciences Programs have high standards for progression. Unlike other HCC programs, the Dental Hygiene program requires a C (75%) or better to progress to the next course or semester in the program. For specific questions about grades, grading, and progression within Health Science programs, please contact Coleman College at co.dentalhygiene@hccs.edu. 

Dental Hygiene Program Grading Scale

A = 100 – 90 %
B = 89 – 80 %
C = 79 – 75 %*
D = 74 – 60 %
F = 59 – 0 %

*A grade of C (75%) or better must be achieved to progress to the next course or semester. 

 

Tuition is estimated using the Texas resident rates. Out-of-district and out-of-state residents will have higher tuition fees. Please visit http://www.hccs.edu/applying-and-paying/tuition-calculator/ for more information.
Tuition is for core coursework only. General Education and Support courses are not included. These are high estimates; actual costs will vary depending on health insurance coverage.

Due to increases/decreases in books and supplements, please check the bookstore website at https://hccs.bncollege.com/shop/hccs-central/home for updated cost information. Only required books are included in the estimate.

DHYG PROGRAM COSTING SHEET (In-District)
Pre-Entrance
Criminal Background/Drug Screening	$ 97.00
Physical Exam	$ 20.00
Immunization	$ 25.00
Medical Insurance	Varies
Student Kit (Instruments etc.)	$ 4,050.00
SUBTOTAL	$ 4,192.00
1st Semester (15 semester hours)
Tuition	$1,320.50
Books	$ 989.00
Uniforms	$ 150.00
Student Association Membership	$ 85.00
Parking (4 months)	Varies
SUBTOTAL	$ 2,544.50
2nd Semester (16 semester hours)
Tuition	$1,411
Books	$470.00
Parking (4 months)	Varies
SUBTOTAL	$ 1,881.00
3rd Semester (2 semester hours)
Tuition	$ 175.00
Books	$ 0
Parking (2 months)	Varies
SUBTOTAL	$ 175.00
4th Semester (11 semester hours)
Tuition	$ 935.50
Student Association Membership	$ 85.00
Books	$ 370.00
Parking (4 months)	Varies
SUBTOTAL	$ 1,390.50
5th Semester (11 semester hours)
Tuition	$ 935.50
Books	$ 190.00
NBDHE Certification Exam	$ 565.00
Regional Hands-On Clinical Exam	$ 1, 095.00
Site Fee for Regional Clinical Exam	$ 250.00
Jurisprudence Exam for Licensure	$ 54.00
Application for Licensure to State (TX)	$ 126.00
Parking ( 4 months)	Varies
SUBTOTAL	$ 3, 215.50
Total Program Cost	$ 13,398.50

 

 

Learn more about the degree plan by visiting the HCC Catalog.

 

You can use a valid MasterCard, Visa, Discover, or American Express card to pay for tuition and fees. You can also use debit card with Visa or MasterCard logo, but not a non-USA credit card. Online payment via check is also available.
Check or echeck payments have a 10 day hold on release of official transcripts. International students or their parents can also pay online from their country of origin with their local currency, where applicable. Online payment from other countries can be made through “International Fund Transfer” payment option.

Additional Option For Payment

•  Financial Aid - If you need assistance paying for college, please visit the Coleman Financial Aid office for assistance or visit www.hccs.edu/applying-and-paying/financial-aid/
• Capital IDEA Houston - Capital IDEA Houston fully funds participants’ tuition, fees, and books for an Associate’s Degree or College-level Certificate with no loans or paybacks required. Please visit College Degree Programs | Capital IDEA Houston to see the List of Sponsored Programs.
• Scholarships - In addition to federal and state aid, scholarships are a great way to offset all or part of the cost of your education. Please visit https://www.hccs.edu/applying-and-paying/financial-aid/scholarships/ for more information.
• Installment Payment Plan -If you are paying out of pocket and need assistance on how to setup a payment plan, please visit Business Office at HCC Coleman or visit https://www.hccs.edu/applying-and-paying/student-financial-services/ for more information.

 

Accreditation Agency

Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) of the American Dental Association
American Dental Association
211 East Chicago
Avenue Chicago,
Illinois 60611
312-440-2500
https://www.ada.org/en/coda

 

Licensure Testing

Graduates can earn certification by passing the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination (NBDHE). In addition, students obtain licensure by passing the state board of dentistry clinical “hands-on” exam. After obtaining their license, dental hygienists become Registered Dental Hygienists.

 

Employment Opportunities

Graduate dental hygienists are in demand in general dental practices and specialty practices such as periodontics or pediatric dentistry. They may also work in hospitals, nursing homes, or public health clinics.

 

Average Salary

The Bureau of Labor Statistics lists median pay at $37.41 an hour. Hourly pay can vary. Find out the entry-level wages, medium wages, and high wages for each career field in High School or less, Vocational Certificate, Associate's degree, Bachelor's degree, and Graduate degree: Career Coach | Houston Community College  (HCC) | (hccs.edu).

 

Questions

Read our Frequently Asked Questions at Dental Hygiene | Houston Community College - HCC (hccs.edu) or for further assistance on program admission requirements, please email us at: co.admissionadvising@hccs.edu  or co.dentalhygiene@hccs.edu.

 

Psychomotor Skills

Functional Capacity	Standards (Tasks)
Gross Motor	Use either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines, equipment and/or systems (e.g., X-Ray, Model Trimmer, Vacuum Former, Autoclave, Ultrasonic Scaler, Instrument Washer, etc.). Multi-limb coordination (e.g., coordinate two or more limbs, for example, two arms, two legs, or one leg and one arm while sitting, while standing. It does not involve performing the activities while the whole body is in motion).
Fine Motor	Sustain repetitive movements (e.g., quickly and repeatedly adjust the controls of a machine to exact positions). Make precisely coordinated movements to grasp, manipulate, or assemble very small objects. Safely perform procedures requiring eye-hand coordination and manual dexterity. Control clinical equipment and adjust instruments to safely perform clinical procedures (e.g., install, position, and manipulate materials). Use dental hygiene instruments with tactile sense and strong bimanual grasp as required. Use dental hygiene instruments for extended periods of time in a variety of motions.
Physical Strength & Endurance	Keep hand and arm steady while moving arm or while holding arm and hand in one position. Lift up to 25 pounds for short distances. Move and operate equipment (e.g., up to five (5) pounds). Push and pull heavy objects; transfer and position patients/clients (e.g., into and out of a wheelchair). Stand unassisted for long periods (e.g., up to three (3) hours for lab and/or clinical).
Mobility	Maneuver freely, safely, and efficiently in and around work areas. Perform continuous patient/client treatment, often requiring prolonged sitting, repeated position change, head and neck in prolonged downward position, and repetitive hand/wrist motion. Climb, lift, balance, stoop, maneuver, and handle objects (e.g., reach equipment at heights greater than six (6) feet).
Cognitive Skills
Critical & Analytical Thinking	Use scientific rules and methods to solve problems. Arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations). Problem sensitivity (e.g., identify when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong; it does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem. Apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense. Keep up-to-date technically and apply new knowledge to your job. Use computers and computer systems to program, enter data, or process information. Develop and implement a dental hygiene treatment plan. Evaluate and assess outcomes of treatment. Formulate and defend sound principles of dental hygiene practice. Critically self-evaluate performance, accept constructive criticism in a professional manner, and be responsible for improving performance. Anticipate and consider consequences of actions (solutions). Establish priorities, organize a workload, and manage time in order to complete tasks within allotted time.
Safety	Follow established universal/standard precautions, safety procedures, and post-exposure protocol in classroom, laboratory, and clinical facility settings. Work safely with potentially hazardous body fluids and contaminated sharp instruments. Incorporate effective sterilization procedures, utilize disinfectants and cleaning agents. Make use of appropriate clinical safety equipment. Tolerate frequent hand washing. Tolerate wearing examination gloves, mask, and safety eye wear, and any other personal protective equipment as indicated. Maintain awareness of alarms and emergency signals, and respond appropriately (e.g., monitors, fire alarms, etc.).
Sensory Skills
Observation	Accurately observe gauges, dials, or other indicators to ensure a machine is working properly. Observe and recognize objects at close range (e.g., 6-20 feet). Observe patients’/clients’ condition. Recognize readings on radiographic/imaging equipment. Discern fine lines, distinguish gradual changes in blacks, grays, and whites (e.g., evaluate medical images for appropriate positioning and image quality). Observe patient/client responses. Observe laboratory and clinical demonstrations by faculty. Perform prolonged, multiple tasks in a small, artificially lit area.
Perception	Perceive verbal and nonverbal communication by others (e.g., respond to patients’/clients’ verbal inquiries). Perceive faint or muffled communication when the use of surgical masks is required. Communicate with other personnel involved in the care of the patient/client. Differentiate between surfaces, sizes, and shapes of dental instruments. Discern variations in color, size, and shape of oral tissues. Perceive depth in surrounding environment sufficient for patient/client safety and comfort.
Interpretation	Comprehend and understand text, numbers, and graphs displayed in print and/or digital format. Comprehend technical and professional textbooks, journals, handbooks, and manuals.
Social-Behavioral Skills
Communication	Demonstrate English language proficiency to communicate and interact with patients/clients and health care team members (e.g., communication that is clear and easy to understand). Use proper communication techniques in printed and typed correspondence (e.g., correct grammar, punctuation, and spelling). Correspond via telephone using proper technique and etiquette. Actively listen (e.g., give full attention to what other people say, take time to understand the points being made, ask questions as appropriate, and do not interrupt at inappropriate times). Teach, instruct, explain procedures (e.g., teach others how to do something with step-by-step instructions). Enter, transcribe, record, store, or maintain information in written or electronic/magnetic form. Perform for people or deal directly with the public. Follow printed and/or verbal instructions in order to accurately perform dental hygiene clinical and laboratory procedures. Communicate concisely, effectively, and courteously. Explain treatment procedures and provide dental health education. Maintain clear, concise, and accurate printed clinical records and reports.
Adaptability	Be open to change (positive or negative), and to considerably variety in the workplace. Adapt effectively to changing environments and increasing tension levels in a variety of situations. Demonstrate flexibility and learn to function in the face of uncertainties and ambiguities inherent in the clinical problems of many patients/clients.
Emotional Stability	Demonstrate reliability, responsibility, dependability, and fulfill obligations. Attention to detail (e.g., demonstrate careful, nuanced attention, and thorough completion of work tasks). Monitor and appropriately regulate own emotions to maintain composure, without prompting from others (e.g., control anger and avoid aggressive behavior, even in very stressful or demanding situations). Display a good-natured, cooperative attitude, and be pleasant with others on the job and in the educational setting. Perform multiple tasks while establishing priorities in a limited time frame. Tolerate taxing workloads and function effectively under stress. Focus sustained attention on tasks. Recognize constructive criticism and performance feedback as avenues for improvement.
Interpersonal Skills	Actively look for ways to help people. Adjust actions in relation to others’ actions. Be aware of others’ reactions and understand why they react as they do. Provide personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as co-workers, customers, or patients/clients. Observe, receive, and otherwise obtain information from all relevant sources. Demonstrate sensitivity to others’ needs and feelings and be understanding and helpful on the job. Establish rapport with patients/clients, teachers, classmates, and colleagues of all cultures, genders, health status, and backgrounds. Develop mature, sensitive, and effective relationships with all others.
Ethics & Professionalism	Monitor/assess performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action. Demonstrate a strong work ethic, honesty, and ethical judgement. Exude willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges. Establish and maintain personally challenging achievement goals and exert effort toward mastering tasks. Interact professionally, honestly, and forthrightly with others. React compassionately, ethically, and sensitively to the various needs of others. Exercise professional judgment in prioritizing needs of patients/clients. Protect patients’/clients’ privacy and confidential information (e.g.,adhere to HIPPA restrictions).