Dental Hygiene

Dental hygienists are licensed oral health professionals who focus on preventing and treating oral diseases, both to protect teeth and gums, and also to protect patients total health.  They are graduates of accredited dental hygiene education programs in colleges and universities, and must take written and clinical exams before they are allowed to practice.  In addition to treating patients directly, dental hygienists also work as educators, researchers, and administrators.

Major: Dental Hygiene, Associate Degree

The Tyler Junior College (TJC) full-time curriculum in Dental Hygiene

• Leads to an Associate in Applied Science Degree in Dental Hygiene
• Begins in the fall session of each year.
• Enrollment is limited to accepted applicants. 
• Holds full accreditation from the American Dental Association.  

What qualifications must I meet?

Academic Qualifications
A person is qualified to receive a Dental Hygiene application if the candidate has met all of the following criteria:

• Qualified for admission to Tyler Junior College
• Met "College Ready" minimum requirements in all areas.
• Earned a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher (with a minimum 15 college credit hours to receive application points)
• Met the minimum composite score (CS) on the HOBET Form A version 9.6.2 with written expression. A minimum composite score (CS) of 60 is required for admission (first attempt accepted for each application period. No minimum score is required for the written expression composite score (WE).
• Completed at least two of the following four pre-requisites with a C or better:
• • CHEM 1406 Fundamentals of Chemistry OR CHEM 1411 General Chemistry (only courses that transfer to TJC as listed)
  • BIOL 2401 Anatomy & Physiology I
  • BIOL 2402: Anatomy & Physiology II
  • BIOL 2420: Microbiology

Technical Qualifications
In addition to the academic admission requirements for students entering the Dental Hygiene Program, the following mental and physical functions are also expected of all students with or without accommodations:

• Critical thinking ability
• Effective oral and written communication skills
• Gross & fine motor skills sufficient to provide safe and effective dental hygiene care
• Effective interpersonal skills
• Physical mobility, range of motion, manual dexterity, eye-hand coordination
• Visual and perceptual abilities sufficient for patient assessment
• Auditory ability and other sensory skills sufficient to monitor and assess oral health needs
• Tactile sensitivity sufficient for detection and control with light pressure using small instruments
• Professional attitudes and behaviors
• Ability to use reasonable judgment under stressful conditions
• Ability to work independently while maintaining the highest standards of care
• Effective time management and patient management
• Ability to present a professional appearance, maintain personal health
• Emotional stability

Department/Contact Information:

• Office of Advising: 903.510.2662
• Carrie Hobbs, Instructor/Department Chair, Dental Hygiene
  - Pirtle Technology Bldg T116 | chob@tjc.edu | 903-510-2341

Faculty:

• Carrie Hobbs
• Julie Mettlen
• Nancy Stewart
• Pamela Wade