Baker College Campus

Dental Hygienists - Associate of Applied Science Degree

Dental hygienists are licensed oral care professionals who help to prevent and treat diseases of the teeth and gums, maintaining the patients' over all total health.

Dental hygiene services can include:

• patient assessment
• taking and reviewing patient health histories
• maintaining dental charts
• oral cancer screenings
• taking blood pressures
• taking, processing and reading dental x-rays
• cleaning teeth
• applying fluoride and other cavity prevention agents
• apply sealants to teeth
• educating patients on proper oral health
• providing nutritional counseling for patients
• administer local anesthesia and nitrous oxide for pain and/or anxiety control for patients

Dental hygienists can work is a variety of jobs: as clinicians, educators, researchers, administrators, managers, consumer advocates, sales managers and consultants. Hygienists can work in a variety of locations in addition to dental offices, including hospitals, prisons, schools, public health clinics and senior citizens' facilities.

The Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association has fully accredited the dental hygiene program. This specialized accrediting institution is recognized by the Commission on Recognition of Post-secondary Accreditation and by the United States Department of Education.