Dental Hygiene

The program in dental hygiene is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation [and has been granted the accreditation status of "approval without reporting requirements"]. The Commission is a specialized accrediting body recognized by the United States Department of Education. The Commission on Dental Accreditation can be contacted at 312-440-4653 or at 211 East Chicago Avenue, Chicago, IL 60611. The Commission’s web address is: http://www.ada.org/coda

Prior to starting the program:

• Background check and Compliance Tracker - $100
• CPR Certification (AHA Basic Life Support) - $ 75

First Year; Fall Semester 2018:

• Scrubs, shoes and socks - $400
• First semester instrument, equipment and supply kits A, B, C and D - $2,000
• Books - $1,000
• In-district tuition fall and spring semester for a total of 16 credits - $1,848

First Year; Spring Semester 2019:

• Second semester instrument, equipment and supply kits E, F and G - $1,800
• Replaceable supplies - $200
• Books - $500
• Loupes with headlamp - $1,400
• In-district tuition fall and spring semester for a total of 16 credits - $1,848
• Mandatory American Dental Hygiene Association student membership - $65

Second Year

• Advanced Instrumentation Kit and disposable supplies - $1,000
• Books - $400
• In-district tuition, summer, fall and spring semesters for total a of 26 credits - $3,003
• Mandatory American Dental Hygiene Association student membership - $65
• Spring semester second year has degree culmination and testing expenses.
  They are approximately as follows:
  • Pin purchase - $50
  • National Boards Dental Hygiene Exam application fee - $450
  • CRDTS application fee (clinical boards) - $995
  • Missouri Dental Board Juris Prudence Exam fee - $155
  • License application fee (varies by state) average fee - $200
  • Transcript fee per request (needed for licensure) - $5

TOTAL = $18,009

(Please note that the tuition calculation based on in-district rate of $115.5 per credit. Out of district tuition is $164.50 per credit. Out of State tuition is $225.50 per credit. All fees are subject to change.)

 Program Admission Requirements and Prerequisites:

The following prerequisites must be completed and on file prior to application. Complete and submit the STLCC College Application. Official transcripts from high school, GED certification and other colleges must be mailed to the Registrar’s office (hand carried and faxed transcripts are not accepted). Upon acceptance to the College students will need to specifically apply to the Dental Hygiene Program. It is highly recommended that students meet with a STLCC Dental Hygiene Program academic advisor to complete an academic plan prior to applying for the program.

• Acceptance into the Dental Hygiene Program has three (3) requirements:
  • Cumulative GPA: Students must maintain a regular student status and a cumulative 2.5 GPA.
• Science Pre-requisite GPA:
  • Four science pre-requisite courses must be completed prior to filling out the Dental Hygiene Program application. A minimum of a 3.0 GPA is required for these four science courses: BIO 203 Microbiology; BIO 207 Anatomy & Physiology I; BIO 208 Anatomy & Physiology II; CHM 101 Fundamentals of Chemistry. A minimum course grade of “C” is accepted. Please note that in order to maintain a 3.0 GPA, if a “C” is attained in course, then an “A” must be attained in another course to average to a 3.0 GPA. Science prerequisite courses must be completed within five calendar years of being accepted into the program.
• Observation Hours:
  • Students must complete a total of 20 hours observing dental hygienists in private practice in a minimum of two offices, three preferred. This is to be documented on practice letterhead (date, number of hours spent observing, signature of dentist or dental hygienist) Professional attire is required with no visible tattoos or body piercings; no jeans; only closed toe shoes.

Students in this program receive real life hands-on experience at the public dental hygiene clinic at the Forest Park campus as well as at off site urban and rural dental health facilities. The learning environment includes classroom work, laboratory experience and actual clinical practice. While enrolled in this program, students will learn how to conduct patient assessments, perform dental diagnostic test including, radiographs, administer local anesthesia, instruct patients in dental disease control procedures, perform scaling and polishing procedure for the removal of hard and soft deposits and conduct other dental health procedures. Students are required to serve as clinicians and patients during their peer partner experiences.