Student Clinical Requirements
The RCC Dental Programs utilizes a variety of clinical sites throughout Josephine and Jackson counties. Students will be assigned to clinical experiences in most if not all the sites and must expect to travel to communities other than those in which they reside for these experiences. At times, carpooling to clinical sites will not be possible, and reliable transportation will be needed by students.
The Oregon Health Authority, in collaboration with the State Workforce Investment Board, has developed standards for administrative requirements for dental student placement in clinical training settings throughout the state of Oregon. Along with state-wide requirements, some clinical sites may require additional screenings and/or vaccinations. Because RCC Dental programs use multiple clinical sites, student requirements will align with the strictest requirements. For information regarding religious or medical exemptions, please contact the RCC Dental Department at [email protected].
Immunizations and Health Screenings
Required Immunizations for all RCC Dental Programs
Documented receipt of vaccine, documented immunity via titer or valid history of disease, or via a record from the Oregon ALERT Immunization Information System.
- Hepatitis B (Hep B)
- Measles, mumps and rubella (MMR)
- Tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis (Tdap)
- Varicella
Recommended but not required*
- Influenza (seasonal flu)
- SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19)
*Requires extra documentation if declining. Please email [email protected] for more information.
Tuberculosis Screening All health profession students will be screened for TB preplacement. Screening includes:
- Baseline TB risk assessment
- TB symptom evaluation
- TB test (TB blood test or a 2-step skin test)
- If completed a 2-step skin test, the second test must be within 4 weeks of entry into the program.
- Additional evaluation for TB disease as needed or required by facility.
- RCC will share approved vendor information regarding drug screens and criminal background checks to students preparing for admission via the RCC Student Email.
- 11-panel drug screen is required prior to initial placement; subsequent screens only for cause or at re-entry into a program after falling out of progression.
- Students should note that marijuana- even with a prescription- is not a federally approved medication. As a recipient of federal funding and in accordance with federal laws, RCC continues to have no tolerance policy on marijuana use. Presence of marijuana on a urine drug screen will result in dismissal from the program.
- Initial or subsequent urine drug screen results showing a ‘dilute specimen’ will require to submit a second urine specimen at their own cost, by the deadline imposed by the Director.
- Results that show ‘not eligible for a safety-sensitive position’, confirmed positive, positive for THC, or that a urine substitute has been used or is ‘not consistent with human urine’ will result in immediate dismissal from the program.
- RCC will share approved vendor information regarding drug screens and criminal background checks to students preparing for admission via the RCC Student Email.
- A Criminal Background Check (including Social Security Number trace, state/national criminal background history, sex offender registry check, and OIG LEIE check) will be conducted prior to initial placement; but no more than three months before entry into a training program; subsequent screens only for cause or at re-entry into a program after falling out of progression.
- The Dental Program has the right and responsibility to deny admission or program continuation to any student whose background poses a threat to an individual, the college, the dental profession and/or the community.
- Applicants and students should be aware of potentially disqualifying offenses related to criminal history as outlined in OAR 407-007-0041.
- OAR 851-001-0111 outlines the process for a person to petition the Oregon Board of Dentistry for a determination as to whether a criminal conviction would prevent the person from receiving an Dental Assistant certificate or Dental Hygiene license. Further instructions are available at the Oregon Board of Dentistry website.
- At the time of admission and throughout the program, students must disclose any warrants, arrests, charges, and/or convictions that arise. The Dental Program will evaluate next steps for the student at that time, which may include additional background checks, drug testing, an approved interruption in the student’s course of study, or possible dismissal. Failure to disclose or concealment of criminal history or refusal of a urine drug screen will result in immediate dismissal.
Basic Life Support for Health Care Providers
All clinical students are required to have an active American Heart Association Basic Life Support (BLS) for Health Care Providers card. Cards are valid for 2 years. It is the responsibility of the student to ensure course renewal should your card expire while enrolled in dental programs. An expired BLS card will result in removal from the clinical setting until recertified. Student absences from clinical may result in clinical failure.
