Dental hygienists clean teeth and provide other preventive dental care, as well as teach patients how to practice good oral hygiene. Hygienists examine patients' teeth and gums, recording the presence of diseases or abnormalities. They remove calculus, stains, and plaque from teeth; take and develop dental x rays; and apply cavity preventive agents such as fluorides and pit and fissure sealants. In some States, hygienists administer local anesthetics and anesthetic gas; place and carve filling materials, temporary fillings, and periodontal dressings; remove sutures; and smooth and polish metal restorations. Dental hygienists also help patients develop and maintain good oral health. For example, they may explain the relationship between diet and oral health, inform patients how to select tooth brushes, and show patients how to brush and floss their teeth. Dental hygienists use hand and rotary instruments, lasers, and ultrasonics to clean teeth; x-ray machines to take dental pictures; syringes with needles to administer local anesthetics; and models of teeth to explain oral hygiene.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the courses I need to take a Mississippi College?
What are the requirements to get into the program?
When do I apply?
What kind of courses will I take my junior and senior year?
Is there a licensure exam?
What does a Dental Hygienist make?
Important Links

Have any other questions that are not answered on this page?  Contact Dr. Stan A. Baldwin  for more information.


What are the courses I need to take a Mississippi College?
The program involves two years of work at Mississippi College (a minimum of 63 academic semester hours) and two years at the University Medical Center in Jackson. Upon successful completion of the total four years, a Bachelor of Science degree will be awarded from the University of Mississippi Medical Center. Admission to the Medical Center is competitive.

The courses to be taken at Mississippi College are:

Biology 111, 203-204, 351 (311-312 may replace 203-204) 16 sem hrs
Chemistry 101-102  8 sem hrs
Mathematics 101 3 sem hrs
Psychology 201 and 302 or 305 or 423 6 sem hrs
Sociology 205 3 sem hrs
Nutrition, Business, Accounting, Management or Computer Science 9 sem hrs (electives)
English 101-102 6 sem hrs
Communication 202 or 203 3 sem hrs
Humanities 6 sem hrs
Art 125 or Theater 125 or Music 125 3 sem hrs


What are the requirements to get into the program?
Your overall GPA as well as your science GPA will considered.  During the interview process you will take a written exam to assess written communication skills.


When do I apply?
The application window is July 1 to February 1 preceding the fall term of acceptance.


What kind of courses will I take my junior and senior year?
If you enroll in the Dental Hygiene program at the University of Mississippi Medical Center you will take the following courses:

Junior Year

Fall Semester
Patient Care Services
Medical Emergencies in the Dental Office
Dental Morphology and Occlusion
Oral Health Education
Radiology I
Dental Hygiene Theory
Head and Neck Anatomy
Survey of Health Care Delivery

Spring Semester
Dental Materials
Oral Histology and Embryology
Patient Care Theory I
Patient Care I
Radiology II
Periodontics I
General Pathology
Oral Microbiology

Senior Year

Fall Semester
Research Issues and Trends
Patient Care II
Biochemistry of Nutrition
Oral Pathology
Patient Care Theory II
Periodontics II
Pharmacology
Research Design and Statistics

Spring Semester
Research Issues and Trends II
Practice Administration
Community Dental Health
Patient Care Theory III
Patient Care III


Is there a licensure exam?
Yes, upon completion of the program you will take a state and national exam in order to become a licensed Dental Hygienist.


What does a Dental Hygienist make?
The median hourly wage of a Dental Hygienist in 1998 is $22.00/hr


 

Important Links
American Dental Hygienist Association
Occupational Handbook
University of Mississippi Medical Center Dental Hygiene program