Dental Hygiene

Associate in Applied Science Degree
Dental Hygiene prepares the student with specialized skills necessary for employment as a dental hygienist. Emphasis is on prophylaxis (removal of calculus stain and deposits from the teeth), prevention of oral disease and on the hygienist's ability as a dental health educator. The hygienist's services are sought by dentists, schools, prisons, hospitals, departments of health and industry. The Dental Hygiene program is fully accredited by the American Dental Association Commission on Dental Accreditation.

View and Print the 2023 Dental Hygiene Application Booklet Here

Requirements for Application/Admission into the Dental l-Hygiene Program:

1. Have satisfactorily graduated from high school, or have a GED.
2. All applicants must have permanent resident status in the United States and a valid Social Security number.
3. Ability to perform the Essential Functions of the profession.
4.  Have completed a Prairie State College application and have school and college transcripts sent to Prairie State College Office of Enrollment Services (202 S. Halsted St., Chicago Heights, IL 60411 ).
5. Completion of Dental Hygiene Intent Form
6. Verification of 18 years of age prior to enrolling in DH 104 during Spring semester of the first year
7. Completion of Math, Reading, and English requirements: (all course work must be completed with a grade of "C" or better)
   • Math requirement: Successful completion of PSC's_MATH 090 or equivalent; OR PSC's Assessment Exam placement score at MATH 095 level or higher.
   • English requirement: Successful completion of PSC's ENG 099; OR PSC's Assessment Exam placement score at ENG 101 level.
   • Reading requirement: Successful completion of PSC's ENG 101; OR PSC's Assessment Exam placement score at ENG 101 level.
8. Completion of HESI -A2 Assessment Exam (given at PSC)
9. Successful completion of Bio 221 Anatomy and Physiology 1 with a "C" or better within the last 7 years

Completed applications will be evaluated by the Dental Hygiene Admissions Committee. Notification of acceptance will be provided to those individuals meeting the entrance criteria on a space available basis. Acceptance to the College does not ensure acceptance into the Dental Hygiene Program. 

Post Admission Requirements:
The Dental Hygiene Program follows the guidelines set forth by the Center for Disease Control (CDC). For more information regarding infection control and bloodborne pathogens please visit http://www.cdc.gov/OralHealth/infectioncontrol 

1. Comprehensive physical (PDF*) and dental (PDF*) examinations.
2. Proof of standard immunizations.
3. Hepatitis B immunizations are required for all entering students.
4. Drug Screening
5. Proof of Medical Insurance
6. Criminal background check
7. Once admitted to the program, the student must achieve grades of "C" of better in all courses to remain enrolled.

First Year Program Requirements

Second Year Program Requirements

In order to be admitted to or continue in the Dental Hygiene Program, a student must have skills and abilities essential to perform as a dental hygienist. Reasonable accommodations will be made on an individual basis; however, the candidate must be able to perform in an independent manner.

Essential Functional Abilities Required in the Dental Hygiene Program

Our Purpose:
At Prairie State College we teach dental hygiene students to become competent professionals in the field of dentistry. Please keep in mind that we are a teaching facility; therefore, our students work at a much slower pace than an established dental practice. Be prepared to spend an average of 1-1/2 to 3 hours per appointment.

During that time, we do a complete medical/dental history, blood pressure reading, oral examination, plaque index, scaling and polishing of the teeth, flossing and brushing instructions/education, fluoride treatment, and radiographs(x-rays). Each phase of the appointment is supervised by a licensed dental hygienist and a licensed dentist.

Services Provided
The Prairie State College Dental Clinic offers an extensive range of treatments and oral healthcare services for adults and children. Because PSC is primarily an educational facility, prospective patients interested in receiving care are primarily selected on the basis of their teaching potential. Prospective patients receive a medical history review, intra/extra oral review and identification of urgent treatment needs. Patients who are accepted for care are treated by dental hygiene students under the supervision of faculty dentists and hygienists. PSC appreciates the contribution patients make to the students' education and supports the nondiscriminatory selection of patients. If you are interested in becoming a patient in the student education program, you may call (708) 709-3707 to schedule an appointment.

What to Expect When Applying to Become a Patient
Since this is a learning experience for dental hygiene students, be prepared to spend three and one-half hours for each appointment. Realize also, that most all clients require multiple appointments before treatment is completed.

Students are required to obtain a thorough medical and dental history from each patient, which includes blood pressure measurements. Your appointment may be altered if these measurements are not within the recommended guidelines. In the instance of a compromised medical history, your physician may need to be consulted before continuing treatment. Please be understanding. This is a teaching facility and a thorough screening of your health is for your protection.

The dental hygiene program follows the guidelines set forth by the Center for Disease Control (CDC). For more information regarding infection control and bloodborne pathogens please visit the website: http://www.cdc.gov/OralHealth/infectioncontrol. Additional information can be found at the American Dental Association Oral Health Topics.

Inability or unwillingness to cooperate with all recommended treatment and procedures may result in discontinuance of service. If you are more than 20 minutes late, your appointment time may be given to another patient. Please call the clinic if you are running late (708) 709-3707.

Child care is not available.

Clinic Hours, Appointments, and Cancellations
Our clinic is in operation during the Fall, Spring and Summer semester sessions. Due to the fact that our clinic days vary during each semester, contact our clinic receptionist at (708) 709-3707 for the current schedule.

Hours of Operation
The clinic is open for patient treatment from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. and from 1 to 4:30 p.m. and 5:00 to 8:30 p.m. with the days varying each semester. To ensure the protection of your children, please make arrangements to have someone care for them while you are being treated.

In the Fall semester, the faculty run a special clinic for Periodontal patients. This is usually advertised in the local newspapers as to the days and times. Please call the clinic for more information.

Our clinic is closed on weekends and major holidays. It is also closed at times when we are away attending continuing education programs to increase our skills and maintain knowledge of the newest developments in order to serve the consumer better.

When a Student is Assigned
Students depend on you to achieve competency in meeting graduation requirements. Please be prompt and call with enough notice if you must cancel. We see all patients on an appointment basis and request that you call in advance so that time can be reserved for you. We make every effort to honor all time commitments and request that you extend the same courtesy to us. If you cannot keep an appointment, please notify us immediately. Our students must meet various criteria prior to graduation and they strive to fill each of their clinical time slots productively. This is also a learning institution and the student cannot learn without the benefit of a patient. We ask that you give us 24-hour cancellation notice so that this courtesy gives the student time to appoint another patient.

Clinic Recall Visits
We hope you share our belief that regular preventive dental health care is a sound investment. The responsibility for returning for this service rests primarily with you. At the time of your recall visit, please advise the receptionist and the student hygienist of any changes in the following areas: (1) name, (2) address, (3) telephone number, (4) health, (5) medications, both prescription and over the counter, and (6) any premedication that may be required before treatment can be rendered.

Services and Fees

Services	25% Discount	Adult	Youth (12 - 17)	Child (1 - 11)
Cleaning	$15.00	$20.00	$15.00	$ 6.00
Fluoride Treatment	$1.50	$2.00	$2.00	$2.00
Bitewing X-rays	$9.00	$12.00	$12.00	$8.00
Occlusal X-rays(2 films)	$2.25	$3.00	$3.00	$2.00
Full Mouth X-rays	$15.00	$20.00	$18.00	$8.00
Per X-ray film	$3.00	$4.00	$4.00	$4.00
Sealants (per tooth)	$3.75	$5.00	$5.00	$5.00
Mouthguard	$3.75	$5.00	$5.00	$5.00
Panorex X-ray	$15.00	$20.00	$20.00	$20.00
Bleaching Tray (per arch)	$7.50	$10.00	--	--
School Exam Package	--	--	$34	$20
X-ray fees also apply to patients scheduled for radiology labs. There will be a 25% discount for all senior citizens, Veterans, PSC faculty, and staff.

Patients Rights

Your RIGHTS as a patient and partner in your dental hygiene care include:

1. Considerate and respectful care.
2. Treatment that is most appropriate for your oral health which is consistent with the standard of care in dental hygiene.
3. To be fully informed concerning your dental hygiene diagnosis and treatment from the PSC Dental Hygiene Student in terms you can understand.
4. To receive necessary information from the PSC Dental Hygiene Student to give informed consent prior to the start of your care.
5. To know the names and responsibilities of the people treating you.
6. The opportunity to refuse treatment permitted by law and still be informed of the medical and legal consequences of your decision.
7. To receive every consideration of your privacy concerning your own dental hygiene care program.
8. To expect that all communications and records pertaining to your care will be treated as confidential information.
9. To expect that a reasonable response for services requested will be made to the fullest capabilities of the PSC Dental Hygiene Student and PSC Dental Hygiene Faculty.
10. To expect continuity and completion of your dental hygiene care.
11. To have advanced knowledge of the cost of treatment.

Because of the dental hygiene process of care that the students will perform during their assessment of your needs, appointment availability in our dental hygiene clinic has become extremely limited. Broken appointments (those not cancelled 24 hours in advance) may result in our need to refer you to other sources for the completion of your treatment.

Patients Responsibilities

Your RESPONSIBILITIES as a partner in your dental hygiene care include:

• Giving us complete information about your health.
• Giving us complete information about any medicines you take.
• Giving us complete information about past illnesses and/or hospital treatment.
• Asking questions when you do not understand information or instructions.
• Telling us if you cannot follow through with your treatment.
• Making good health care decisions and follow the directives of the PSC oral health team.
• Knowing that your life style can affect your personal health.
• Keeping scheduled appointments, being on time for scheduled appointments, being able to commit to the entire appointment schedule.
• Meet financial obligations promptly.
• Be respectful and considerate of students, faculty, and other patients.
• Recognizing PSC Dental Hygiene as an educational institution and the treatment may proceed at a pace slower than you anticipated.

Because of the dental hygiene process of care that the students will perform during their assessment of your needs, appointment availability in our dental hygiene clinic has become extremely limited. Broken appointments (those not cancelled 24 hours in advance) may result in our need to refer you to other sources for the completion of your treatment

Desiree Schierholz
SADHA Student Advisor & Sigma Phi Alpha Club Advisor