Associate of Science Degree

Briarwood College is pleased to announce that was granted licensure by the Connecticut State Board of Governors for Higher Education in April 2006 to implement an Associate of Science Degree Program in Dental Hygiene beginning in Fall 2006.

The College is in the process of applying for national accreditation. When accreditation is granted, graduates of this program will be able to take the national licensure examination.

Objectives

The following objectives and competencies are designed to produce graduates who will satisfy employers’ demands for trained dental hygienists who are able to communicate effectively, use critical thinking skills, value diversity and teamwork, and are well-rounded, contributing members of society. They are also designed to prepare students for transfer to a baccalaureate program.

• Provide students with knowledge of dental hygiene and to help students:
• understand the role of the dental hygienist as a comprehensive dental health care provider
• exercise good judgment in assessing and responding to patients’ needs prior to, during, and after procedures
• provide comprehensive dental hygiene services based on current standards of care
• use appropriate techniques used to promote quality assurance in the practice of dental hygiene
• promote scholarly activity and research
• participate in community service
• incorporate ethical and professional judgment into the practice of dental hygiene
• provide an academic credential that carries college credit and reflects the work accomplished and knowledge acquired by graduates seeking dental hygiene certification and employment as a dental hygienist.

Career Information

According to the Occupational Outlook Handbook, employment of dental hygienists is expected to grow much faster than the average for all occupations through 2012, in response to increasing demand for dental care and the greater utilization of hygienists to perform services previously performed by dentists. Job prospects are expected to remain excellent. In fact, dental hygiene is expected to be one of the fastest growing occupations through the year 2012.

Employment Opportunities

Dental Hygienists work in a variety of clinical environments:

• Private practice group
• Specialty practices
• Hospitals
• Schools
• Health Management Organizations
• Military bases
• Community clinics
• Dental supply companies
• Dental product or pharmaceutical companies
• Government agencies or insurance companies.

Many hygienists continue their education and complete advanced degrees that will allow them to teach dental hygiene or dental assisting, become dental practice consultants, researchers, editors, dentists and professional writers.

Admission Policy

The following are required for freshman candidates to the Dental Hygiene Program.

• Demonstrated academic ability in college preparatory and/or career courses; minimum overall grade point average of 2.8 on a 4.0 scale.
• Completion of the following high school or equivalent college courses:
• Algebra I and II (Elementary Algebra)
• Biology (Concepts of Biology)
• Chemistry (Concepts of Chemistry)

Transfer students who have completed the General Education requirements will be evaluated on the basis of their overall grade point average as well as their grades in the prerequisite math and science courses. 

Candidates with college credits more than five years old may be required to repeat specific science or mathematics prerequisites.

Candidates are also required to pass all sections of the College's placement tests in Mathematics, Reading, and Writing and may be required to have a criminal background check in compliance with requirements for clinical agencies.

Once enrolled in the program, students will be required to maintain a minimum 2.8 grade point average (on a 4.0 scale) throughout the program.

Students enrolled in the Dental Hygiene program will be reviewed at the end of the second semester. By the third semester, all students will be required to attend on a full-time basis. Continued enrollment will be based on specific criteria, including grade point average and grades in science prerequisite courses.