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Dental Programs

The Dental Hygienist

A dental hygienist is a licensed preventive oral health professional who provides education, clinical and therapeutic services to the public through the promotion of oral health. In North Carolina, the dental hygienist works under the direct supervision of a licensed dentist and is a vital member of the dental team. A dental hygienist may work in such practice settings as:

  • Private Practice - General Practice and Specialties
  • State Institutions - Prison System, Public Health Organizations
  • Marketing - Sales Companies
  • Research
  • Consulting
  • Education

Patient care services performed by dental hygienists may include:

  • Monitoring procedures by reviewing medical history, conducting an extra-oral and intra-oral examination, dental charting (restorations, periodontal readings), taking and recording vital signs
  • Exposing and processing dental radiographs
  • Applying preventive materials such as fluorides and sealants to the teeth
  • Removing calculus and plaque (hard and soft deposits) from teeth above and below the gum line
  • Counseling patients regarding good nutrition and its impact on oral health
  • Counseling patients about plaque control and developing individual at-home oral hygiene programs

American Dental Association Accreditation Statement: The programs in Dental Assisting and Dental Hygiene have applied for accreditation by the Commission on Dental Accreditation. The Commission is a specialized accrediting body recognized by the United States Department of Education. The Commission on Dental Accreditation can be contacted at (312) 440-4653 or 211 East Chicago Avenue; Chicago, IL 60611-2678.

American Dental Association Policy on Third Party Comments: Attention faculty, students, program administrators, Commission consultants, specialty and dental related organizations, patients and/or consumers

In compliance with our accreditation standards, we are soliciting third party comments related to the Central Carolina Community College Dental Assisting Program's compliance with the ADA, Dental Assisting Accreditation Standards. Comments must directly relate to the standards.

A copy of the standards and Commission's policy on third-party comments may be obtained on the internet at www.ada.org or by contacting:

Commission on Dental Accreditation
American Dental Association
211 East Chicago Avenue
Chicago, IL 60611
(800) 621-8099 x4653

Please send any written comments to the above address. Only written comments will be accepted.

The deadline for comments is 60 days prior to our ADA, CDA site visit which is scheduled for: April 10-11, 2008.