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    Florida State College
   
 
  Mar 27, 2023
 
2010-2011 Catalog [Aug. 2010-Aug. 2011] 
    
2010-2011 Catalog [Aug. 2010-Aug. 2011] [Archived Catalog]

Dental Hygiene (2300) (A.S.)


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Associate in Science

Mission Statement

Our mission is to create competent, ethical, confident entry–level dental hygienists in a supportive learning environment who are committed to professional development through life–long learning and service to the community.

The Career

Dental hygienists are licensed preventive oral health professionals who provide educational, clinical and therapeutic services. They support total health through the promotion of optimal dental health. A dental hygienist clinician works with the licensed dentist and other dental auxiliaries as a member of an oral health care team. A dental hygienist must obtain a license by completing both a written and a clinical examination before practicing.

The Program

The associate degree program in dental hygiene requires a minimum of two years of college education. The program is accredited by the American Dental Association Commission on Dental Accreditation. Because the Dental Hygiene program includes dental and basic science courses, high school preparation should include biology and chemistry. In addition, the program includes courses in liberal arts (such as English and social psychology), basic sciences (such as anatomy, microbiology and pathology) and clinical sciences (such as dental hygiene, dental radiology and dental materials). Students are strongly advised to take the basic sciences before applying for the program. A minimum grade of “C” must be maintained in all natural science and dental hygiene courses in order to continue in the Dental Hygiene Program.

Certification and Licensing

Upon completion of the program, graduates must take a written and clinical exam prior to licensing. You must be state licensed in order to work as a dental hygienist.

This program prepares students to take the State of Florida licensing exam, thus preparing students to work in the State of Florida only. Those interested in obtaining employment in another state should check that state’s licensing requirements.

Upon completion of coursework, Florida State College at Jacksonville does not guarantee employment or salary in a given field of study. Any jobs or salaries mentioned are given as examples of potential employment not a representation of a guaranteed income.

Application Deadline

The application deadline is June 15 of each year with classes starting in the fall term.

Application Procedure

Acceptance into the Dental Hygiene program is based upon academic performance and other criteria. One class is admitted fall term. To be considered as a qualified applicant, individuals must complete the following by the application deadline:

  1. Have a complete dental hygiene application on file.
  2. Complete the Health Occupations Test (HOT) and include the results in the dental hygiene application file.
  3. Forward official college transcripts to the Dental Programs.
  4. Provide evidence of current CPR certification for health care providers (infant, child, adult).
  5. Complete the required prerequisite courses with a minimum grade of “C.”

Need More Information?

View Program Information and Contacts

Prerequisites


These courses should be completed prior to submitting an application to the program.

Curriculum


Total Credit Hours: 88

General Education (Credit Hours: 16)


*Refer to A.S./A.A.S. General Education Requirements .

*Humanities Credit Hours: 3

Professional Courses (Credit Hours: 12)


Dental Hygiene Courses (Credit Hours: 60)


Dental Hygiene is a selective access program. Students may not enroll in the following courses unless they have been admitted to the dental hygiene program.

Immunizations


Prior to contact with patients or patient specimens, students must furnish proof of immunizations and Hepatitis B immunization and demonstrate that they are negative for tuberculosis. Contact program manager for additional information.

Record of Conviction of a Crime


Effective July 1, 2009, pursuant to Section 456.0635, Florida Statutes, health care review boards shall refuse to renew a license, certificate or registration, issue a license, certificate or registration and shall refuse to admit a candidate for examination if the applicant has been convicted or plead guilty or nolo contendre, regardless of adjudication, to a felony violation of: chapters 409, 817, or 893, Florida Statutes; or 21 U.S.C. ss. 801-970 or 42 U.S.C. ss. 1395-1396, unless the sentence and any probation or pleas ended more than 15 years prior to the application, terminated for cause from Florida Medicaid Program (unless the applicant has been in good standing for the most recent 5 years) or terminated for cause by any other State Medicaid Program or the Medicare Program (unless the termination was at least 20 years prior to the date of the application and the applicant has been in good standing with the program for the most recent 5 years). The Florida nursing or allied health licensure or certification application requires disclosure of any criminal history and the disposition of all cases prior to board review. Being convicted of, or having entered a plea of guilty or nolo contendre to, any of the listed felonies in Florida Statute 456.0635 or termination for cause from the statutorily-described Medicaid programs will preclude an applicant from obtaining a nursing or allied health license or certification in the state of Florida. Entry and acceptance into the nursing or allied health program does not guarantee licensure or certification in the State of Florida.

Graduation Requirements


In order to be awarded the associate in science or associate in applied science degree, students must have met the following requirements:

  1. Earned a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 (C) at Florida State College in courses eligible toward the associate in science or applied science degree programs (A.S. Florida State College GPA or A.A.S. Florida State College GPA).
  2. Earned an all–college cumulative grade point average of 2.0 (C) on all courses attempted, including transferred credits. (All college cumulative).
  3. Completed at least 25 percent of credit semester hours required for the degree at Florida State College.
  4. Completed a minimum of 60 semester hours, as specified by the degree, of which a minimum of 15 semester hours must be General Education requirements.
  5. Earned a grade of at least a “C” in each course used to satisfy the A.S./A.A.S. General Education Requirements .
  6. Can demonstrate mastery of the Information Literacy Assessment. Refer to the assessment section  for details.
Note: Students are cautioned to pay particular attention to the following statements.
  1. Graduation dates will be the date at the end of the college term in which the students complete the academic requirements for the degree or certificate for which students are applicants. (The removal of an incomplete grade does not affect students’ graduation dates, since the grade change is effective as of the end of the term in which the incomplete grade was assigned rather than the term in which the incomplete work was made up.)
  2. If students expect to complete the coursework under the terms of the catalog in effect during the term of their first registration, they must graduate within five years or they will need to be reassigned to an active catalog. Accordingly, students who enter under this catalog (2010/2011) must graduate by the end of the Summer Term 2015, or they will automatically be reassigned to the 2014/2015 catalog requirements. Changes to requirements as mandated by law or by rule of the District Board of Trustees may supersede this provision.
  3. The General Education Requirements may be taken on any Florida State College campus or center.
  4. Many courses in this catalog have prerequisite and/or corequisite courses which are listed in the course descriptions. Students are advised to be guided by these requirements.
  5. Students who place into college preparatory courses are required to complete designated college preparatory courses with a grade of “C” or better regardless of program of study.
  6. Students enrolling in associate in applied science programs must pass all sections of the placement test before award of an A.A.S. degree, regardless of the degree program’s general education requirements.
  7. Degree–seeking students whose native language is not English, who fall below a designated cutoff score on the English as a second language (ESL) entry placement test, will be required to take ESL courses with EAP prefix prior to registering for other college credit classes. The level of these courses will be determined by the entry placement scores. Individual exceptions will be determined by the ESL program manager.
  8. Degree–seeking students identified as non–native speakers must take an English as a second language (ESL) placement test prior to taking the College’s standard course placement test. Students who place into ESL, as determined by the test, must complete ESL courses before registering for other college credit classes. Non–degree seeking college credit students who plan to take English or reading courses must also meet these requirements. Exceptions to these requirements can be made by the ESL program manager or designee.

Articulation


This A.S. degree program articulates into a bachelor’s degree program. For more information, please visit the Transfer Services Web page and look for your A.S. program of study.

University Transfer


This associate in science degree program is intended primarily for students who desire to complete an associate in science degree and become employed. Students who decide to pursue university transfer study must meet certain course and test requirements. For details refer to the University Transfer Guide.

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