Dental Hygienist Program

The dental hygienist program at Big Sandy Community and Technical College prepares students for careers as a clinician, oral health care education, health promoter, consumer advocate, administrator, or researcher. The program focuses on cleaning teeth, providing oral health education and treatment counseling, identify oral pathologies and injuries, and manage dental hygiene practices. Program courses include: dental anatomy, microbiology, pathology, dental hygiene theory and techniques, equipment operation and maintenance, dental materials, radiology, office management, supervised clinical training, and professional standards. Get more details below including other Kentucky colleges that offer dental hygienist program.

The Dental Hygienist program at UPIKE is accredited by the American Dental Association, Commission on Dental Accreditation for more than 47 years.

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Big Sandy Community and Technical College (UPIKE)

147 Sycamore St, Pikeville, KY

History

Big Sandy Community and Technical College is one of 16 2 year open enrollment colleges in the Kentucky Community and Technical College System (KCTCS). Formerly two separate institutions, the Prestonburg Community College and Mayo Technical College were merged in 2003. Since then two additional campuses have been added.

The four campuses are located in Prestonburg, Paintsville, Pikesville, and Hager Hill. Individuals within the school's service area may also apply to the nearby schools of HCTC (Hazard Community and Technical College) and ACTC (Ashland Community and Technical College).

Academics

BSCTC offers associate's degree programs which take two years alongside shorter technical programs for certificates. BSCTC offers a wide range of classes and programs during the daytime, evening and weekends. The goal of the school is to assist students in achieving their goals.

Individuals working toward academic transfer will complete the first two years of a four year education, followed by applying for transfer to a four year institution to transfer earned credits and complete the final two years, earning one's bachelor's degree. Students transfer to public schools in Kentucky will have an easier time transferring due to agreements in place that guarantee admission of all prerequisites are met.

Individuals transferring to out of state or private schools will have to meet the varying transfer requirements of individual schools and should meet with a counselor to develop a curriculum that assists in matching such requirements.

Career training and technical programs provide education in a career related or technical field, resulting in the development of skills and abilities necessary to enter the workforce as qualified professionals.

Courses are taught in both classroom and simulated settings, with such controlled environments used to develop practical experience necessary for mastering certain necessary skills. Such programs take between one and two years to complete and result in a certificate or degree that demonstrates competency.

Programs offered include:

• Automotive Technology
• Criminal Justice
• Business Administration
• Cosmetology
• Visual Communication

Admissions and Financial Aid

Students wishing to apply to BSCTC will have to fill out and submit an application, submit a high school diploma or GED score, ACT or COMPASS test scores for placement, and transcripts from all secondary schools attended. Applicants must be 16 years of age or older. Students are encouraged to meet with a counselor to discuss goals, program enrollment and curriculum,  and should also participate in orientation to familiarize themselves with the campus.

Financial aid forms are available on the BSCTC website for interested applicants; they must be printed out and filled then returned to one of the BSCTC campuses financial aid department for review. The primary form necessary for aid is the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), which is used by the school to determine one's need and aid program eligibility. Aid types include grants, loans and scholarships, all of which must be applied for prior to the start of each academic year.

Students Enrolled in the Dental Hygienist Program

Get more details below regarding enrollment, academics, and school demographics. UPIKE has offered the following academic levels for students:

• Less Than Two-Year Award
• Associate's Degree

Students by Academic Level (2019)

Students by Gender (2019)

Students by Race (2019)

Source: IPEDS Survey 2012-2020: Data obtained from the US Dept. of Education's Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS). Data may vary depending on school and academic year.

Career Options for Graduates

Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary

Description

Teach courses in health specialties, in fields such as dentistry, laboratory technology, medicine, pharmacy, public health, therapy, and veterinary medicine.

Dental Hygienists

Description

Clean teeth and examine oral areas, head, and neck for signs of oral disease. May educate patients on oral hygiene, take and develop x rays, or apply fluoride or sealants.

Career Outlook & Projections ()

According to the BLS, dental hygienists employment is expected to grow at a rate of 18.6% from 2014 to 2024

Source: Job descriptions, estimated salary and wages, and projected job growth are taken from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).