Dental Hygiene: A.A.S.
Program Mission
Program Learning Outcomes
- Graduates must be competent in providing dental hygiene care for the child, adolescent, adult, geriatric, and medically compromised patient.
- Graduates must be competent in providing the dental hygiene process of care which includes:
a. Assessment: The systematic collection and analysis of the following data to identify patient needs and oral health problems.
b. Planning: The establishment of realistic goals and treatment strategies to facilitate optimal oral health.
c. Implementation: Provision of treatment as identified in the assessment and planning phase.
d. Evaluation: Measurement of the extent to which goals identified in the treatment plan were achieved. - Graduates must be competent in providing dental hygiene care for all types of classifications of periodontal disease including patients who exhibit moderate to severe periodontal disease.
- Graduates must be competent in interpersonal and communication skills to effectively interact with diverse population groups.
- Graduates must be competent in assessing, planning, implementing and evaluating community based oral health programs including, health promotion and disease prevention activities.
- Graduates must be competent in providing appropriate life support measures for medical emergencies that may be encountered in dental hygiene practice.
- Graduates must be competent in applying ethical, legal and regulatory concepts to the provision and/or support of oral health care services.
- Graduates must be competent in the application of self-assessment skills to prepare them for life-long learning.
- Graduates must be competent in the evaluation of current scientific literature.
- Graduates must be competent in problem solving strategies (critical thinking and decision-making skills) related to comprehensive patient care and management of patients.
SUNY Broome’s Dental Hygiene Department offers a unique program that provides quality educational experience for dental hygiene students.
Dental hygiene is the science and practice of the recognition, treatment and prevention of oral diseases. SUNY Broome graduated its first class more than 50 years ago and the Dental Hygiene Department has become a premier program in New York State. The program’s reputation and examination results attest to the department’s outstanding accomplishments.
This Associate’s degree program is designed to prepare competent dental hygiene professionals, capable of providing quality dental hygiene care in a variety of settings within a changing healthcare system and a culturally diverse society. Students gain skills and knowledge required to take the National Dental Hygiene Board and the Northeast Regional Board Examinations required for licensure.
The on-campus dental hygiene program’s state-of-the-art clinic houses 26 dental units, seven x-ray operatories, two labs and various classrooms for student use. All of the dental and x-ray units have computers using computerized patient data management software, digital radiographs and clinical evaluation. Internet components are used as supplements to enhance instruction and promote student learning in the clinical and classroom setting.
The program is designed to nurture student growth, promote development of critical and ethical judgment, and encourage life-long learning. The curriculum includes didactic, laboratory and clinical instruction sufficient to graduate competent clinicians who are capable of practicing contemporary dental hygiene procedures. Students are educated to clinical competencies in both traditional and advanced procedures, with emphasis on the preventive and therapeutic services essential for providing total patient care to the public.
Pain Management Certification
SUNY Broome’s Dental Hygiene two-year curriculum includes the NYS certification course in local infiltration anesthesia and nitrous oxide analgesia. This is noteworthy because many New York dental hygiene schools do not include this certification course in their curriculum. Their graduates must then seek this education at additional time and expense. Our graduates are competent and are ready to enter the current practice of dental hygiene care in New York State.
Program Notes
Would you enjoy working directly with patients to help them improve their oral health? Are you interested in a program that can often be completed in 2 years? Would you like a job with flexible hours and part-time employment? Would you like to work in a dental office as part of a health care team? If so, the SUNY Broome Dental Hygiene program may be perfect for you!
In order to participate in clinical rotations, which are required to graduate from this program, students are required to submit proof of a current physical and up-to-date required vaccinations, including influenza . Specific instructions about required documentation and deadlines are provided by the Program Director.
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Course Requirements
Contact Information
New Students:
Admissions Office
607-778-5001
admissions@sunybroome.edu
Current Students:
Meghan McGuinness, EdD, RDH607-778-5055
mcguinnessma@sunybroome.edu
Decker Center, Room 217
Accreditation
American Dental Association
Commission on Dental Accreditation
211 East Chicago Avenue
Chicago, IL 60611
Phone: 312-440-4653
www.ada.org/en/coda
Dental Hygiene Clinic
Visiting the Clinic"The SUNY Broome Dental Hygiene Program is very vigorous not only academically but clinically. I was able to pass all of my board exams thanks to the extremely knowledgeable and hands on help from all of the instructors and professors! SUNY Broome has prepared me in all the ways needed to be a successful hygienist."
- Jacklyn Wolfe, 2018
Dental Hygiene in the News
Dental Hygiene Licensure Pass Rates:
Year | National Board Pass Rate | CDCA Clinical Pass Rate | CDCA Computer Pass Rate |
---|---|---|---|
2023 | 100% | 100% | 100% |
2022 | 100% | 100% | 100% |
2021 | 100% | 100% | 100% |
2020 | 100% | 100% | 100% |
2019 | 100% | 100% | 100% |
2018 | 100% | 97% | 100% |
2017 | 100% | 100% | 100% |
2016 | 100% | 100% | 100% |
Transfer Opportunities
This program is designed for students planning to enter the workforce immediately, and for those looking to upgrade skills or change direction. It awards the Associate in Applied Science (AAS) degree and prepares you for transfer to a four-year college if you choose to pursue a bachelor’s degree.
Articulation Agreements
- Penn College (BSDH)
- Farmingdale State (BSDH)
- Farmingdale State Advanced (BSDH)
- University of Bridgeport (BSDH)
- (Nassau BOCES (AAS)
- Monroe 2 BOCES (AAS)
- Greater Southern Tier - GST (Elmira) BOCES (AAS)
Affiliation Agreements
- Farmingdale State (BSDH, MSDH)
- University of Bridgeport (BSDH)
- University of Bridgeport (MSDH) Continuous
- Good Shepherd Village – Retirement Community