Dental Hygiene

The program’s mission is to graduate students with relevant knowledge, skills, and values necessary to fulfill the professional responsibilities of the dental hygienist to meet the diverse needs of the community and region. The program prepares students to obtain licensure as a dental hygienist by providing high-quality education that is affordable, accessible, and responsive to student needs. The program embraces the Quinsigamond Community College mission of diversity, equity, and inclusion as core values.

Quinsigamond Community College Dental Hygiene Program is a leader in quality innovative academic and workforce programming. The program promotes a climate of respect fostered through diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging. Students are required to be self-directed in their learning and establish high standards of professional and personal excellence. 

Effective learning and student success is achieved by providing a supportive student-centered learning environment. The diverse educational needs of students are recognized and addressed through accessibility of various campus resources. Students are provided with engaging educational opportunities which emphasize communication and collaboration. Critical and analytical thinking is expected throughout academic and clinical experiences. Throughout the program, students are provided with the foundation for advanced educational opportunities and professional development.

Dental hygienists are members of the dental health care team who provide preventive oral health services, including dental health education, health promotion, oral prophylaxis, dental x-rays, fluoride treatments, pit and fissure sealants, and preliminary patient examinations. As licensed health care professionals, dental hygienists promote total health through maintenance of optimum oral health.

Career opportunities for licensed dental hygienists include positions in private dental offices, clinics, hospitals, school districts and federal, state, and local health agencies. For students who continue their education to the bachelor and master degree levels, additional career opportunities exist in public health, research, and dental hygiene education.

This program also prepares students for further study at four-year colleges and universities. To assure that courses are selected that will be applicable to a degree program at a particular four-year college or university, students should make their academic advisor aware of their intent to transfer in order to satisfy the requirements of the receiving institution.

Specialized Health Careers Advising facilitates the entry of students to Health Care Programs.  All students applying should contact Health Careers Advising at 508.854.4308.

All courses in the curriculum are required for graduation.

In order to continue in the program a grade of C or higher must be achieved in all dental hygiene courses, BIO 111, BIO 112, CHM 101, and BIO 232. Students who have received a grade below a C in BIO 111, BIO 112, CHM 101, and BIO 232 are required to repeat the course and obtain a grade of C or higher by the end of the semester in which they are required or required as a prerequisite.

In addition, all clinical and program requirements, including regulations for attendance and conduct, must be satisfied in order to continue in the program and to be eligible for program certification for participation in licensure examinations.

Students who do not have completed health files submitted to the Dental Hygiene Program and cleared by the Clinical Coordinator by July 1st of the respective year will be removed from their dental hygiene courses and will have to file for readmission to the next available year.

The Program is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation. 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, Illinois 60611.

Clinical rotations may be required during summer sessions or winter/intersession. Clinical rotations may be required off campus throughout the duration of the program. Students are responsible for their own transportation. Accepted applicants must have satisfactory physical examinations an provide documentation of immunization currency as required by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health and meet tuberculosis requirements before entering the program. Students are required to maintain health insurance throughout their enrollment.

All students, faculty and staff involved directly in providing patient care must have current certification in Basic Life Support at the American Heart Association’s Health Care Provider Level.

Faculty

• Jane Gauthier, RDH, CHES, M.Ed
• Amber Pfeiffer RDH, M.Ed. 
• Monique Brooks, RDH, M. Ed.
• Elaine Trottier, RDH, M.Ed.
• Sue Graves, RDH, CDA, M.S. Ed.
• Katherine Soal, RDH, CDA, MSDH

Professional Organization

ADHA - American Dental Hygiene Association

Dental Hygiene Clinic

508.854.4306
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