Dental Hygiene

Dental Hygiene

Did you know that Dental Hygiene at Virginia Western Community College prepares you to work in a number of settings such as private practice, hospitals, universities, and community clinics? Other career opportunities include public health, research, and teaching. Begin your journey today to a career that offers a good income, flexibility, and fulfillment. Possible Career Paths from the ADHA can be found here.

Transfer Agreements

Students that graduate from Virginia Western with an associate degree and a minimum grade point average may obtain GUARANTEED admission to more than 30 of the commonwealth’s colleges and universities. Click here for a list of Virginia Transfer Partners.

In addition, Virginia Western has entered into the following agreements specific to the Dental Hygiene program. This list is subject to change, and the most current agreements can be found on our Transfer Agreements page.

• Old Dominion University: Dental Hygiene to BS in Dental Hygiene Post Licensure (online program) (PDF)

Mission & Goals

The mission of the dental hygiene program is to empower students to become ethical, self-directed primary care providers, encompassing a critical thinking evidence-based approach to oral health services within the scope of dental hygiene practice. Students will provide services that enhance oral and total wellness for culturally diverse populations in both traditional and non-traditional settings.

The Goals of the dental hygiene program are to effectively implement the program mission, the college and program faculty have made a commitment to:

• Foster a sense of belonging through a positive, fair, supportive, and inclusive learning environment that inspires student success, values diversity, and promotes community vitality.
• Support the social, emotional, physical, and mental health needs of all students through evidence-based strategies.
• Provide the educational setting and experiences necessary to develop the competencies required for entry into dental hygiene practice.
• Provide an academic environment that promotes, models, and facilitates critical thinking, problem solving, effective communication, self-assessment, and ethical behaviors.
• Provide quality oral health services, applying the dental hygiene process of care and current standards of practice, to residents of the communities served by the college and joint-venture distance program sites.
• Foster an interest in life-long learning and maintaining professional competence through professional activities, continuing education, research, and community service.

Explore Careers Related to This Pathway

Compare local wages for Dental Hygienists in Virginia
Regulations Governing the Practice of Dental Hygiene (PDF)

Accreditation

The program in dental hygiene is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation and has been granted the accreditation status of “approval without reporting requirements”. 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: https://coda.ada.org/.

Complaints Policy

The Commission on Dental Accreditation will review complaints that relate to a program’s compliance with accreditation standards. The Commission is interested in the sustained quality and continued improvement of dental and dental-related education programs but does not intervene on behalf of individuals or act as a court of appeal for individuals in matters of admission, appointment, promotion or dismissal of faculty, staff or students. Only written, signed complaints will be considered by the Commission; oral and unsigned complaints will not be considered. The Commission strongly encourages attempts at informal or formal resolution through the program’s or sponsoring institution’s internal processes prior to initiating a formal complaint with the Commission. The dental hygiene program will maintain a record of student complaints related to the Commission’s accreditation standards and/or policy. A copy of the appropriate accreditation standards and/or the Commission’s policy and procedure for submission of complaints may be obtained by contacting the Commission at 211 East Chicago Avenue, Chicago, IL 60611 or by calling 1-800-621-8099 extension 4653.

See the Virginia Western Community College Student Conduct policy here. This policy includes exemptions for restricted admissions programs, such as dental hygiene, to enact program specific policies. This manual serves as notice of the dental hygiene policies. Students are required to sign a form acknowledging that they have received the policies.

Professional Licensure Disclosure

Current and prospective students located outside the state of Virginia or who may be considering licensure in a state other than Virginia should review the disclosure information for this program here: Virginia Western Professional License Disclosures for Students Outside of Virginia.