Dental Hygiene, BS

(Nashville and Online)

Mission/Purpose

The Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene program is designed to meet the continuing education needs of Associate degree in Dental Hygiene graduates. This program offers students a foundation of knowledge that will prepare them for the emerging roles within the dental hygiene profession. Foundation courses include focus on teaching, research, and public health. Emphasis is placed on broadening the career paths for practicing hygienists.

Program Expected Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of all Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene requirements, the student will be competent in:

• Utilizing critical thinking skills to determine the treatment needs of geriatric and special needs patients.
• Utilizing professional judgement to determine the treatment needs of geriatric and special needs patients.
• Performing leadership theories as they pertain to the dental hygiene practice.
• Performing management theories as it pertains to the dental hygiene practice.
• Analyzing scientific literature as it pertains to dental hygiene.
• Applying scientific literature as it pertains to dental hygiene.
• Applying educational theory to dental hygiene education.
• Applying educational methods to dental hygiene education.
• Applying educational practice instruction to dental hygiene education.
• Applying educational instruction methods to dental hygiene education.
• Applying educational instruction methods to dental hygiene education.

Overview of the BS Dental Hygiene Program

Following completion of the Associate in Dental Hygiene, the courses needed for completion of the Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene may be completed in six quarters. The curriculum provides a strong emphasis on Educational Methodology, Epidemiology, Inter-professional Education and Practice, Evidence-Based Dental Hygiene Practices and Research Methods, and Leadership and Administration. The Capstone Project consists of an extensive literature review with submission in writing and an oral presentation to the Dental Hygiene Faculty.

Admisssion Requirements

Applicants to the South College Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene must provide the following:

1. Completed South College application for admissions;
2. Completed admissions application to the Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene program;
3. Official transcripts for all undergraduate work completed; and
4. $50 application fee (online payment or payment via telephone is available).

Applicants must meet the following requirements to be admitted in good standing to the program:

1. Associate of Science in Dental Hygiene or Associate of Science (dental hygiene concentration) from any program accredited by Commission on Dental Accreditation (126 quarter credit hours if earned from South College) or concurrent enrollment in the Associate of Science in Dental Hygiene program at South College admitted to rotation (BS degree will not be awarded without completion of the AS degree and minimum GPA indicated in #3 earned).
2. If not earned from South College, evidence of earned Associate degree from accredited institution and CODA accredited Dental Hygiene program and satisfactory completion of the following are required. If the below hours are not satisfactorily earned, courses to fulfill must be satisfactorily completed at South College.

English Composition College Algebra Humanities Social Science Communications

9 quarter hours 4.5 quarter hours 4.5 quarter hours 9 quarter hours 4.5 quarter hours

3. Evidence of cumulative 2.0 grade point average for undergraduate dental hygiene courses.

Graduation Requirement

For a student to graduate from the Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene program, the student must be in a good academic and professional standing, have had satisfactory progress in all quarters of the academic program, and satisfactorily complete the following:

1. The student normally must complete the course requirements in the catalog in effect when the student enrolled. However, academic programs are subject to change at the discretion of the institution. Students who leave the college will be required to meet catalog requirements at the time of their return. Students may request Dean/Department Chair approval for course substitution. Deviation from any program requirements must be approved by the Dean of Academic and Student Services (Nashville).
2. The student must earn the minimum grades designated by the program in all required courses.
3. The student must have a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 or higher for all coursework taken at the college (if higher CGPA is required by the program, this requirement must be met). At least 30% of any degree or certificate program must be taken at South College (higher percentage may be required by program).
4. The student must complete the Career Services exit program and all outcomes assessment exams prior to graduation.
5. The student must abide by all college rules and regulations and settle any financial obligations to the college prior to graduation.
6. Programs may have additional graduation requirements that must be fulfilled.

South College reserves the right, and the student, by the act of matriculation, concedes to give South College the right to require withdrawal at any time the college deems it necessary to safeguard the standards of scholarship, conduct, and compliance with regulations, or for such other reasons deemed appropriate by South College as set forth in the South College Student Handbook and/or the South College Catalog.

Academic Progression and Retention in the Dental Hygiene Major

Students admitted the Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene program are required to earn a minimum grade of “C” in all courses. Students earning less than a “C” in any course will be required to repeat the course prior to graduation.

Readmission

Readmission to the Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene program will be made on a case-by-case basis through the Readmissions Committee via review of Application for Readmission.

Grading Scale

90-100 = 80-89 = 70-79 = 60-69 = Below 60 =

A B C D Failing

Program Termination

Students accepted into the Bachelor of Science Dental Hygiene program in the Department of Dental Education are expected to demonstrate professional behavior and demeanor. Professional behavior encompasses a broad range of expectations, including the expectation of trustworthiness and at all times keeping the welfare of the individual receiving care a priority. To this end, any instance of student intent to misrepresent facts will be cause for immediate program dismissal.

Misrepresentation of facts, verbal or written, including but not limited to the following situations, is prohibited.

• Bribery
• Deliberate withholding information about a patient, patient care, and/or self
• Plagiarism
• Presenting another student’s work as one’s own
• Cheating in any form
• Forgery or falsification in any form
• Plagiarism, cheating, and other forms of academic dishonesty are prohibited. Students guilty of academic misconduct, either directly or indirectly through participation or assistance, are immediately responsible to the course instructor. Students are expected to respect and follow the South College Academic Honor Code.

Grounds for immediate termination from the Dental Hygiene programs include:

1. Receiving a grade of “D” or “F” in any major course listed in the curriculum.
2. Insubordination.
3. The conviction and/or known use of, distribution of, or possession of illegal drugs or controlled substances.
4. Failure to accomplish didactic and/or clinical assignments.
5. Unprofessional, unsafe, and/or unethical conduct.
6. Academic dishonesty in related or professional courses.
7. Participant clinical agencies retain the right to reject any student whose behavior may be hazardous to the agency.

Any student wishing to reapply to any program must contact the Chair of Dental Education and follow the Program Readmission policy outlined in the Dental Hygiene Department Policy and Program Manual.

Voluntary Withdrawal

Students withdrawing from a program due may reapply for program readmission as delineated by the policy in the Dental Hygiene Program and Policy Manual.

The Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene degree program is currently offered Online, with core and several major courses also available onground at the Nashville campus. Students may enroll at the identified campus for this program, but online course completion is necessary for completion of the program (Hybrid).