Allied Dental Programs
Dental Hygiene
Associate of Science Student Learning Outcomes
The Indianapolis-based Associate of Science degree program in dental hygiene is two academic years in length and is composed of a core curriculum of 27 courses presented over four semesters and one summer session. All courses are mandatory. The curriculum supports attainment of the following list of competencies expected of a dental hygienist entering the profession. The graduate will be prepared to:
- apply a professional code of ethics in all endeavors;
- adhere to state and federal laws, recommendations, regulations, and safety practices in the provision of dental hygiene care;
- provide dental hygiene care to promote patient/client health and wellness using critical thinking and problem solving in the provision of evidence-based practice;
- assume responsibility for dental hygiene actions and care based on accepted scientific theories and research as well as the accepted standard of care;
- continuously perform self-assessment for lifelong learning and professional growth;
- advance the profession through service activities and affiliations with professional organizations;
- provide quality assurance mechanisms for health services;
- communicate effectively with individuals and groups from diverse populations both orally and in writing;
- provide accurate, consistent, and complete documentation for assessment, diagnosis, planning, implementation, and evaluation of dental hygiene services;
- provide care to all clients using an individualized approach that is humane, empathetic, and caring;
- provide planned educational services using appropriate interpersonal communication skills and educational strategies to promote optimal oral health;
- initiate and assume responsibility for health promotion, health education, and disease prevention activities for diverse populations;
- systematically collect, analyze, and record data on the general, oral, and psychosocial health status of a variety of patients/clients using methods consistent with medico-legal principles;
- use critical decision-making skills to reach conclusions about the patients’/clients’ dental hygiene needs based on all available assessment data;
- collaborate with the patient/client and/or other health professionals to formulate a comprehensive dental hygiene care plan that is patient/client-centered and based on current scientific evidence;
- provide specialized treatment that includes preventive and therapeutic services designed to achieve and maintain oral health; and
- evaluate the effectiveness of the implemented clinical, preventive, and educational services and modify as needed.