128 CREDITS (PLUS 67 CREDITS OF PREREQUISITES)
Program Admission Dates: Summer, by selective admission
Program Mission: The mission of the Lake Washington Institute of Technology Dental Hygiene Program is to prepare students to enter the healthcare workforce as entry-level Dental Hygienists who are competent in the provision of safe, ethical and effective dental hygiene care. The program aims to provide students with high quality didactic and clinical education in the cognitive, psychomotor, and affective skills of Dental Hygiene as well as the promotion of life-long learning.
Program Philosophy: The Lake Washington Institute of Technology Dental Hygiene Program believes the function of the Dental Hygienist is to provide safe and effective Dental Hygiene care to help people retain and improve their oral health for greater quality of life. It is the philosophy of the Dental Hygiene Program at LWTech to foster the acquisition of Dental Hygiene skills in a safe learning environment that supports communication, collaboration, and critical thinking, and to promote culturally sensitive, ethical, and compassionate care in the dental workplace.
This program has received accreditation status from the Commission on Dental Accreditation which allows students, upon graduation, to take the National Board Examination and the clinical licensing examination in the state where she or he plans to practice. Clinical experience is provided at the Lake Washington Institute of Technology dental clinic under the supervision of licensed dentists and licensed dental hygienists. Additional clinical experience occurs in a variety of off-campus settings located in the greater Seattle area.
There is a formal admissions process for entry into this program. The curriculum in the Dental Hygiene program consists of eight quarters, including two eight-week summer quarters, of full-time professional and clinical education preceded by 67 credits of prerequisite courses. The prerequisite science courses must be at least ten years current upon program entry; be measured by a proficiency examination; or be waived by special petition to the Dental Programs Director. The dental hygiene courses must be taken successively. Any developmental coursework a student may be required to complete may increase the program length.
Dental Hygiene BAS degree graduates will:
- provide quality, evidence-based, safe, and ethical entry level patient care, and patients/clients will be satisfied with the services rendered
- demonstrate the skills necessary to stay current in the profession with a rigorous emphasis on the study of current research, life-long learning, and career development as a dental hygienist
- be prepared to successfully complete all licensing exams required to practice in Washington State and obtain an entry-level position as a dental hygienist
- assess, plan, implement, and evaluate community-based health promotion and prevention programs to benefit the general population
- demonstrate critical thinking, teamwork, communication, intercultural appreciation, and information literacy skills
The LWTech Dental Hygiene program will provide students with a curriculum consistent with the current guidelines of the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) and the American Dental Education Association (ADEA).
Lake Washington Institute of Technology does not offer every course each quarter. It is the student’s responsibility to consult the Class Schedule and work out an individual schedule with an advisor. Any developmental coursework a student may be required to complete may increase the program length.
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