Harper College Dental Hygiene Program: Your Path to a Rewarding Career
Are you considering a career as a registered dental hygienist? Look no further than the exceptional dental hygiene program offered at Harper College. The program prepares the graduate to be a dental hygienist. The dental hygienist is a highly skilled primary care oral health professional with the knowledge and skills to recognize, prevent, and treat oral diseases and conditions. As an integral member of the oral health care team, the dental hygienist collaboratively practices evidence-based comprehensive dental hygiene care with the ultimate goal of improving oral health as an essential component of total health.
Why Choose Harper College's Dental Hygiene Program?
Choosing the right educational program is crucial for your future career success. Harper College has a long-standing reputation for producing well-prepared dental hygienists. Take the first step towards a rewarding career in dental health - consider Harper College for your dental hygiene education. Here are some key reasons why Harper College stands out:
Accreditation and Recognition: Harper College’s dental hygiene program is fully accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) and is recognized by the United States Department of Education. This accreditation ensures that the program meets the highest standards of quality and prepares graduates for licensure and practice.
State-of-the-Art Facilities: Harper College boasts modern, well-equipped dental clinics and laboratories that simulate real-world dental environments. These facilities provide students with a hands-on learning experience using the latest dental technology. Before students work on real patients, they work on mannequins.
Experienced and Passionate Faculty: Learn from passionate professionals who bring years of clinical and teaching experience to the classroom. These dedicated instructors provide personalized attention and guidance to help students succeed.
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Comprehensive Curriculum: The program covers all aspects of dental hygiene, including clinical skills, patient education, preventive care, and the latest in dental technology. The dental hygienist must have a strong foundation in biomedical science and demonstrate clinical competency including effective communication and interpersonal skills, and professional and ethical behavior.
Hands-On Clinical Experience: Harper’s program emphasizes practical, hands-on learning. Students gain extensive clinical experience through the on-campus dental clinic, where they provide care to real patients under faculty supervision. Harper Dental Hygiene Clinic is located in Building X, Room X102a, Harper College, 1200 W. Algonquin Road, Palatine, IL 60067.
Affordable Education: As a community college, Harper offers high-quality education at a fraction of the cost of many private institutions.
Diverse Learning Environment: Harper College understands the needs of diverse learners.
Community Partnerships: The college has established partnerships with local dental practices and community health organizations.
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Career Support: Harper’s Career Development Center offers comprehensive support for job placement, resume building, and interview preparation.
Community Service and Outreach: The program emphasizes community service and outreach, providing opportunities to work with underserved populations and gain a broader perspective on oral health needs.
Modern Campus and Resources: Harper College’s campus offers modern facilities and resources beyond just the dental program.
Program Details and Curriculum
This 81-credit hour program prepares the graduate to be a dental hygienist, leading to an Associate in Applied Science degree. The Associate in Applied Science (AAS) degree is designed to prepare you for entry into this profession. AAS may also prepare you to transition to a four-year college or university. This degree prepares the graduate for employment as a clinician in a variety of health care settings including solo, group and specialty dental practices, public health clinics, hospitals, and long-term care facilities.
The curriculum is designed to meet the requirements for the Accreditation of the American Dental Association, the American Dental Association’s National Board Dental Hygiene Examination (NBDHE), and the American Board of Dental Examiner's (ADEX) Clinical Board Examination.
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Tuition and Fees
Because of the nature of clinical experiences and individualized instruction required in this program and specialized technology and the equipment necessary to offer this program, a higher tuition rate is assessed for career-specific courses. These include courses with the prefix DHY. For the Fall 2023 and the Spring 2024 semesters, students will pay the regular rate of tuition and the College will fund the differential portion of tuition.
The Harper Dental Hygiene Clinic: Providing Quality Care at Reduced Costs
The Harper Dental Hygiene Clinic provides high-quality care for a significantly reduced cost. Services that patients would receive at a dentist’s office are available here. For example, cleaning ranges from $27 to $64, and X-rays range from $3 to $35. The clinic serves a diverse patient population in the Chicago metropolitan area. The clinic is an integral part of the dental hygiene program, providing students with valuable hands-on experience while offering affordable dental care to the community.
Licensed hygienists supervise the care sessions. The clinic ensures that all equipment is properly sterilized and maintained and that all procedures adhere to the highest standards of safety and infection control.
The Role of a Dental Hygienist
The dental hygienist is a highly skilled primary care oral health professional with the knowledge and skills to recognize, prevent, and treat oral diseases and conditions. The dental hygienist must have a strong foundation in biomedical science and demonstrate clinical competency including effective communication and interpersonal skills, and professional and ethical behavior. They play a vital role in promoting oral health and preventing dental diseases. Their responsibilities include:
- Performing oral health assessments
- Taking and developing dental X-rays
- Removing plaque and tartar from teeth
- Applying fluoride and sealants
- Educating patients on proper oral hygiene techniques
- Identifying signs of oral diseases, such as gingivitis, periodontitis, and oral cancer
- Collaborating with dentists and other healthcare professionals
From Student to Professional: A Journey of Growth
The Harper College Dental Hygiene Program guides students on their trek to graduation. Popa remembers the first patient she worked on as a student. She notes that "patients might have pre-cancer or cancer lesions."
Application Information
Dental Hygiene is a limited enrollment program. The next application window will open Oct.
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