Dental Hygiene
Program Type
Associate in Applied Science
Paying for Your Program
Contact
- Division of Allied Health and Nursing
- (815) 921-3235
- A.Lonsway@rockvalleycollege.edu
- Main Campus - Health Sciences Center
About the Program
Our popular dental hygienist program offers career opportunities in hospitals, nursing homes, correctional facilities, higher education institutions, schools, and extended care facilities. As a part of the dental health team, you'll learn about work in private and corporate dental offices where clients are educated on preventing periodontal disease, optimal oral health, and general oral healthcare.
Admission Requirements
Admission is selective and competitive. All required documents must be submitted to the Dental Hygiene Program office on or before March 31 to be reviewed for admission for the fall semester. Prospective students are required to attend a virtual information session. Visit the college calendar for live session dates or view a recording of the presentation below. Once the information session has been completed, you will receive the program application packet.
Information Session Video Program Information Booklet
What can I do with this degree?
Potential Careers & Wages
Program Pathways
Students should meet with an Academic Advisor to develop a clear pathway leading to a seamless transfer experience or transition to the workforce. For additional possibilities that may require an advanced degree or certification, make an appointment with an Academic Advisor.
Dental Hygiene at RVC
Check out this short video to learn more about the Dental Hygiene program offered at RVC!
If accepted into the program, the following courses or equivalencies must be completed before starting this program:
- Biology: BIO 281/282–Human Anatomy and Physiology I/II, or equivalent and BIO 274-Microbiology. Completion of BIO 282 within 5 years. BIO 281/282 must meet a minimum of 2.5 GPA.
- Chemistry: CHM 110/210–General, Organic and Biochemistry I/II, or CHM 120-General Chemistry I, or equivalent Chemistry course with lab.
- Communications: ENG 101–Composition I, or equivalent.
- Fitness, Wellness & Sport: FWS 237–Nutrition for Optimum Living (3 credits as a prerequisite that must be completed within two years of entering the program)
- All prerequisites must be completed with a “C” or higher, unless noted above.
You are encouraged to meet with an Academic Advisor to ensure a seamless pathway from prerequisite courses through the Dental Hygiene Program. The Dental Hygiene Academic Advisor is Amanda Lonsway and she is located in the Health Sciences Center. For more information, please contact Amanda Lonsway at a.lonsway@rockvalleycollege.edu
Graduates are eligible to take two board exams that lead to state licensure. The program is fully accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) under the auspices of the American Dental Association (ADA).
- Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA)
- (312) 440-2500
- https://www.ada.org/en/coda
- 211 E. Chicago Ave., Suite 1900, Chicago, IL 60611
The Associate in Applied Science Degree in Dental Hygiene Program at Rock Valley College
meets the state education requirements for a registered dental hygiene license in
the state of Illinois. Rock Valley College has not determined if the Rock Valley College
Dental Hygiene Program meets the state education requirements in any other state,
any U.S. Territory, or the District of Columbia. The following link contains additional
information on dental hygienist education, training requirements, and professional
licensure.
https://www.ada.org/en/education-careers/careers-in-dentistry/dental-team-careers/dental-hygienist/education-training-requirements-dental-hygienist
RVC has partnered with Northern Illinois Universities College of Health and Human Sciences. Eligible RVC graduates may transfer to the Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences at NIU. For further information, visit www.niu.edu.
The RVC Dental Hygiene Clinic offers low-cost, high-quality dental hygiene preventative services performed by students in the RVC Dental Hygiene program. All students are supervised by faculty consisting of registered dental hygienists and licensed dentists. To make an appointment, please call (815) 921-3235.
Appointments are available during college business hours. The clinic is located at RVC Main Campus – Health Sciences Center (HSC), 3301 North Mulford Road, Rockford, IL.
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