Since 1994, Century's Dental Hygiene program has been preparing students for dental hygiene licensure and practice. Our graduates work in dental offices, community clinics, schools and health departments, providing direct care to patients.
Awards
Program benefits
- Our students practice their skills in a bright, spacious and
well-equipped 12-chair clinic on campus, as well as several
off-campus locations.
- We also operate a Community Dental Clinic. Volunteer dentists
from the community provide dental
care, assisted by faculty,
staff and student volunteers.
- Since 2005, we have participated in "Give Kids a Smile" day,
offering free dental services to over
200 children who might not
otherwise see a dentist at all.
Dental Assisting to Dental Hygiene: Requirements
Our program is perfect for registered dental assistants who want to continue their education and become dental hygienists.
In addition to having a background in dental assisting, you should have completed specific general education courses in:
- English
- psychology
- sociology
- speech
- and human disease, with a GPA of 2.5 or higher.
You are also required to complete four college-level science courses:
- chemistry
- anatomy
- physiology
- and microbiology, with a GPA of 2.75 or higher.
Articulation agreements
Graduates of our program may pursue a baccalaureate degree in Dental Hygiene (BSDH) from Metropolitan State University or Mankato State University (online) through an articulation agreement.
Both of these colleges will accept the undergraduate credits earned at Century as the first two years of the four-year degree.
Points of pride
- Century College's graduating classes routinely rank in the top 25% in the U.S. on the Dental Hygiene National Board Examination, one of the required board exams for licensure.
- Century's Dental Hygiene students belong to the student chapter of the American Dental Hygienists' Association (ADHA). Activities revolve around professional development and fundraising.
Each year, the club funds one student's travel expenses for the ADHA's Annual Session during the summer.
- In 2007, two Century dental hygiene students visited the Ukraine on a mission trip and provided dental care to children in several orphanages. They earned letters of commendation from the college for going above and beyond the normal expectations for service learning.
Occupational trends
In 2007, typical starting pay for a dental hygiene graduate was between
$28 – 32 per hour. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, "dental hygienists rank among the fastest growing occupations,
and job prospects are expected to remain excellent."
Benefit packages are often provided for full time work and include uniforms, paid vacation, continuing education costs, health insurance, free or reduced fee dental care, 401k, and paid sick leave.
Contact
For more information, contact Program Director Linda Jorgenson at 651/779-3983