Joint Degree with Wiregrass Georgia Technical College
An Associate of Applied Science degree program with a major in dental hygiene is offered in cooperation with Wiregrass Georgia Technical College. Upon successful completion of required coursework, students are directed to apply for admission to the clinical portion of the training conducted at Wiregrass Georgia Technical College. Students who complete the prerequisites are not guaranteed admission to the clinical study portion of the program at Wiregrass Georgia Technical College. Admission decisions are based on competitive criteria. Fifteen students are admitted to the clinical program annually in the fall semester. Students in the DHYG program treat patients through supervised learning. Instructors provide continuous feedback and ensure students are following safety protocols. Students practice skills like oral assessment and prophylaxis, patient education, taking x-rays, applying Muoride and sealants, periodontal charting, providing local anesthesia, and taking X-rays in a clinical setting. Students gain experience treating various patients, including children, adults, and those with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The occupational based program provides students with real-world experience while serving the community.
Program Advising and Admissions Packet
Admissions Requirements
Minimum requirements to be considered for admission to the clinical program are:
- A declared major in Dental Hygiene
- Completion of all Core IMPACTS courses as it pertains to the dental hygiene curriculum.
- A 2.5 Dental Hygiene GPA using the highest grade earned in courses in Writing, STEM, and Field of Study Courses
- A grade of C or better in all Writing, STEM, and Field of Study courses, including lab sections.
- A minimum of 75 on each of the five tested areas of the HESI exam (Reading Comprehension, Grammar, Vocabulary, Math, and Anatomy)
- Complete program competitive admission application requirements, including shadowing and mandatory program orientation.
Selected Education Outcomes
Program outcomes for entry-level clinical dental hygiene include the following:
- Perform comprehensive assessments, develop and implement patient-centered care plans, and provide evidence-based preventive and therapeutic services.
- Effectively communicate with diverse patients and colleagues, both verbally and in writing.
- Use critical thinking, scientific principles, and data to make clinical decisions.
- Educate patients on risk factors and self-care and promote oral and general health.
- Maintain accurate documentation, adhere to regulations, and provide care in a humane and empathetic manner.
Examples of Outcome Assessment
Measures Students who graduate with an Associate of Applied Science - Dental Hygiene will be able to:
- Successfully complete the ADEX Dental Hygiene Examination designed to measure clinical competence.
- Successfully complete the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination which will assess each candidate's ability to understand essential information from basic biomedical and dental hygiene sciences and apply this information in a problem-solving context.
- Apply for and obtain state licensure to practice clinical dental hygiene.
Major Requirement for Programs Progression and Retention
Once admitted into the program, dental hygiene classes are taken in 5 semesters in a prerequisite course sequence. Students must successfully complete all DHYG courses with a "C" or better and maintain a program and overall GPA of 2.5 or better. In addition, students must meet all specified clinical requirements to progress from semester to semester, be eligible to sit for boards and graduate from the program. Due to nature of the dental profession, potential students must be aware of the possibility for exposure to bloodborne and airborne pathogens in the learning environment.
Accreditation Status
The Dental Hygiene program at Wiregrass in collaboration with Valdosta State University is accredited by the Commission on Dental Association (CODA). The program holds full accreditation without reporting requirements. The next site visit is scheduled for October 2028. Please see the following links for information related to complaints and third Party comments. Formal Complaint Process and Policy on Third Party Comments.
University Requirements:
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Communicating in Writing | ||
| ENGL 1101 & ENGL 1102 | Composition I and Composition II | 6 |
| Mathematics and Quantitative Skills | ||
| MATH 1101 | Introduction to Mathematical Modeling | 3 |
| or MATH 1111 | College Algebra | |
| Technology, Mathematics, and Sciences | ||
| CHEM 1151K & CHEM 1152K | Survey of Chemistry I and Survey of Chemistry II | 8 |
| Political Science and U.S. History | ||
| POLS 1101 | American Government | 3 |
| HIST 2111 | United States History to 1865 | 3 |
| or HIST 2112 | United States History since 1865 | |
| Field of Study | ||
| SOCI 1101 & PSYC 1101 | Introduction to Sociology and Introduction to General Psychology | 6 |
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Communications for the Workplace | ||
| Human Communication | ||
| Public Speaking | ||
| BIOL 2251K | Human Anatomy and Physiology I | 4 |
| BIOL 2252K | Human Anatomy and Physiology II | 4 |
| BIOL 2260K | Foundations in Microbiology | 4 |
| Total Semester Hours | 44 | |
