RCC's Dental Hygiene Program
Thank you for your interest in the Rogue Community College Dental Hygiene Program! The Commission on Dental Accreditation approves the Rogue Community College Associate Degree Program.
The Dental Hygiene Program is both exciting and challenging, offering graduates opportunities for employment in various settings and for a lifelong career that is personally fulfilling. Admission to the Dental Hygiene Program is a competitive process based on points identified in the Selection Points information on the Application & Selection Process page. The program demands may pose unique personal as well as academic challenges. Most students have multiple responsibilities in addition to going to school (e.g., family, job). Success in the program takes a firm commitment, and the dental faculty members are here to help you succeed. We strongly suggest you prepare well by talking with dental hygienists in various settings, speaking with an advisor to help you with your career plans, and reading through the program and application materials thoroughly. Meetings with dental hygiene advisors are available by appointment only.
About the Program
The curriculum competencies address the need for dental hygienists to be skilled in clinical judgment and critical thinking. The competencies also focus on skills in:
- evidence-based practice
- relationship-centered care
- interdisciplinary collaboration
- teaching, delegation, leadership, and supervision of caregivers
Length of Program
The program coursework is outlined in a two-year framework.
- Prerequisites/preparatory coursework are required to be completed before acceptance/admission to the program.
- Year One: Dental Hygiene curriculum – RCC.
- Year Two: Dental Hygiene curriculum – RCC.
Employment Outlook and Expected Income
Employment opportunities in dental hygiene are available in the Rogue Valley and throughout most of the state. Graduates from RCC's Dental Hygiene Program generally find employment within one to six months after graduation but most often before graduation. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, and the National Institute of Oregon Employment Department, the average hourly salary in Oregon was $47.42/hour with an annual mean wage of $98,630.
Demands of the Program
It is essential to understand the mental and physical demands of the Dental Hygiene Program and the nurse's career. Applicants to the Dental Hygiene Program must be physically and mentally able to cope with the rigors of the curriculum and the demanding nature of the health professions. Dental hygiene students must perform as team members, grasp scientific concepts, set up and answer basic math and algebra problems, and communicate professionally verbally and in writing. Physically, students must be able to remain on their feet for extended periods, lift to 35 pounds, hear heart and breath sounds, read the fine print, and identify skin tones such as pale, ashen, gray or bluish.
Established academic and clinical requirements essential to the instruction program apply to all students and cannot be waived. Attempts will be made to accommodate and retain qualified applicants with disabilities unless results of in-program evaluations indicate that, given reasonable accommodation, an individual cannot perform the program's technical standards. A complete list of the required Technical Standards can be found on the dental hygiene website. Persons with questions concerning qualifications are encouraged to contact the Access and Disability Services Office to arrange an appointment for individual consultation and advice before application.
The program in dental hygiene is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation and has been granted the accreditation status of "initial 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, IL 60611. The Commission's web address is: coda.ada.org.
