Section IV

Integrated Dental Assisting/Dental Hygiene Program

3.3.1 System Guidelines

Enrollment in the Integrated Dental Assisting/Dental Hygiene Program may be limited because of available resources within the community and the college.

Technical Standards

Health care delivery can be characterized as the application of specific knowledge to the skillful performance of Dental Assisting/Dental Hygiene technical functions. Therefore, in order to be considered for admission, all applicants should possess:

1. sufficient visual acuity, to prepare and administer therapeutic agents and to make observations necessary for patient assessment as in taking vital signs;
2. sufficient auditory perception to interpret verbal communication from patients and members of the health team and to assess health needs of people through the use of monitoring devices such as the stethoscope;
3. sufficient gross and fine motor coordination to perform the delicate manual intraoral operations required of dental personnel;
4. sufficient verbal and non-verbal communication skills (speech, reading, and writing), such as are needed in classroom and clinical settings to interact with patients and professional personnel; and
5. sufficient intellectual and emotional functions to plan and implement care for individuals.

Selection of Students to the Dental Assisting Career Track

The president of the college or the president’s designee will make selection of students for the program after considering the recommendation of the Dental Assisting/Dental Hygiene Admissions Committee. Suggested membership for this committee should include the following:

• Program Coordinator
• Admission Officer and/or Counselor
• Dental Assisting/Dental Hygiene Faculty Member
• Faculty Member At-Large

Applicants must submit the following to the Admissions Office by March 1. A college may extend this date due to extenuating circumstances.

1. ACT or COMPASS scores as required by the sponsoring institution
2. KCTCS application for admission to the college
3. Dental Assisting program application
4. Official transcripts of all postsecondary education other than KCTCS institutions
5. Dental office experience form verifying a minimum of 4 hours observation in a dental office.

A pre-admission conference and/or meeting with the coordinator or the coordinator’s designee is required prior to an applicant’s consideration by the Dental Assisting/Dental Hygiene Admissions Committee.

Students admitted into the Dental Assisting career track must have completed BIO 135 (Basic Anatomy and Physiology with Laboratory) or BIO 137 (Human Anatomy & Physiology I), with a grade of “C” or better prior to entering the program.

Documentation of computer literacy as defined by KCTCS is required prior to admission into the Dental Assisting Program.

CPR (BLS for Healthcare providers) requirements must be successfully completed prior to enrolling in the first semester dental assisting courses and must be kept current throughout the program.

Preference

Preference may be giving to:

1. applicants with an ACT composite score of 19 or above or the equivalent on the COMPASS exam,
2. applicants who have completed 10 or more credit hours with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better in an accredited postsecondary educational institution
3. applicants who have completed BIO 135 (Basic Anatomy and Physiology with Lab) or (BIO 137 (Human Anatomy and Physiology I) and BIO 139 (Human Anatomy and Physiology II)) with a grade of “C” or better, and/or
4. Kentucky residents and applicants within the college service area.

Selection of Students to the Dental Hygiene Career Track

The president of the college or the president’s designee will make selection of students for the program after considering the recommendation of the Dental Assisting/Dental Hygiene Admissions Committee. Suggested membership for this committee should include the following:

• Program Coordinator
• Admission Officer and/or Counselor
• Dental Assisting/Dental Hygiene Faculty Member
• Faculty Member At-Large

Applicants must submit the following to the Admissions Office by March 1. A college may extend this date due to extenuating circumstances.

1. ACT or COMPASS score reports as required by the sponsoring institution
2. KCTCS application for admission to the college
3. Dental Hygiene program application
4. Official transcripts of all postsecondary education other than KCTCS institutions
5. Dental office experience form verifying a minimum of 4 hours observation in a dental office.

A pre-admissions conference and/or meeting with the coordinator or the coordinator’s designee is required prior to an applicant’s consideration by the Dental Assisting/Dental Hygiene Admissions Committee.

Students admitted into the Dental Hygiene career track must have completed ENG 101 (Writing I) and BIO 137 (Human Anatomy and Physiology I), with a grade of “C” or better prior to entering the program.

Documentation of computer literacy as defined by KCTCS is required prior to admission into the Dental Hygiene Program.

CPR (BLS for Healthcare providers) requirements must be successfully completed prior to enrolling in the first semester dental hygiene courses and must be kept current throughout the program.

Preference

Preference may be given to:

1. applicants with an ACT composite score of 20 or above or the equivalent on the COMPASS, as required by the sponsoring institution,
2. applicants who have completed 12 or more credit hours in the approved curriculum with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better,
3. applicants with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better in an accredited postsecondary educational institution,
4. applicants who have completed ENG 101 (Writing I), BIO 137 (Human Anatomy and Physiology I), BIO 139 (Human Anatomy and Physiology II), and BIO 225 (Medical Microbiology) with a grade of “C” or better,
5. Kentucky residents and applicants within the college service area, and/or
6. applicants who have completed the KCTCS Dental Assisting career track.

3.3.2 College Guidelines

3.3.2.1 Bluegrass Community and Technical College Dental Hygiene Program

Enrollment in the Dental Hygiene Program may be limited due to availability of facilities, faculty, and/or resources.

The Kentucky Community and Technical College System (KCTCS) Guidelines for Admission will be observed with the following qualifications.

Technical Standards

Health care delivery can be characterized as the application of specific knowledge to the skillful performance of Dental Hygiene technical functions. Therefore, in order to be considered for admission, all applicants should possess sufficient

1. visual acuity, to prepare and administer therapeutic agents and make observations necessary for patient assessment as in taking vital signs;
2. auditory perception to interpret verbal communication from patients and members of the health team and to assess health needs of people through the use of monitoring devices such as the stethoscope;
3. gross and fine motor coordination to perform the delicate manual intraoral operations required of dental personnel;
4. verbal and non-verbal communication skills (speech, reading and writing), such as are needed in classroom and clinical settings to interact with patients and professional personnel; and
5. intellectual and emotional functions to plan and implement care for individuals.

Admission to the BCTC Dental Hygiene Program

The president of the college or the president’s designee will make selection of students for the program after considering the recommendations of the Dental Hygiene Admissions Committee. Suggested membership for this committee should include the following:

• Program Coordinator
• Admission Officer and/or Counselor 
• Dental Hygiene Faculty Member
• Faculty Member At-Large

Students admitted into the Dental Hygiene career track must have completed BIO 137 and BIO 139 (Human Anatomy and Physiology I and II or their equivalent), with a grade of “C” or better prior to entering the program. The science courses must have been taken within the last 10 (ten) years of application date.

Documentation of computer literacy as defined by KCTCS and CPR (BLS for Healthcare providers) certification must be successfully completed prior to enrolling in the first semester dental hygiene courses.

Applicant must submit a complete packet of all documents listed below to the BCTC Office of Admissions by the published deadline (approximately February 15) in order to be considered for admission to the program:

1. online application for admission to BCTC unless currently enrolled;
2. application packet checklist;
3. official scores of the American College Test (ACT) or the Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT);
4. official transcripts of all post-secondary education other than KCTCS institutions;
5. evidence of work and/or observation in a dental environment as documented on the Dental Hygiene Observation/Work Experience Form; and
6. evidence of attendance at one pre-admission conference documented on the pre-admission verification form. If you cannot attend a pre-admission conference in person you can view the online presentation (see the BCTC Dental Hygiene Program web page).

Preference may be given to applicants who have completed the admissions process and met the following criteria:

1. a composite score of 21 or higher on the ACT (or equivalent SAT score);
2. a cumulative college grade point average of 3.5 or higher (on a 4.0 scale) on 18 or more credit hours or a 3.0 on a Bachelors degree;
3. a grade of B or better in two of the following courses: Human Anatomy, Human Physiology, combined Human Anatomy and Physiology courses, or Microbiology; and
4. a Kentucky resident.

Readmission

1. A student who withdraws from or earns a grade lower than a “C” in one of the approved science courses and/or in a dental hygiene course will not be permitted to continue in the Dental Hygiene Program. A student who does not meet the Technical Standards of the program will not be permitted to continue in the program.
2. Applicants who wish to apply for readmission should do so prior to February 15 if planning to enroll in the Summer or Fall, or October 1 if planning to enroll in the Spring semester.
3. Readmission to the Dental Hygiene Program will be dependent upon available resources.
4. In order to be considered for readmission by the Admissions Committee, the applicant must:
   1. submit a written request to the Dental Hygiene Program Coordinator presenting evidence to justify readmission. A student who applies for readmission to the Dental Hygiene Program must provide significant evidence which suggest the potential for future success in the program. This evidence may address such things as unusual circumstances, remedial study and/or additional preparation. This may include letters of recommendation from a previous faculty member or coordinator, additional course work, work experience, etc; and
   2. meet current guidelines for admission to the College and the Dental Hygiene Program.
5. Readmission may be contingent upon the candidate's agreeing to audit previously completed course work.

Transfer

1. Applicants who wish to transfer from another Dental Hygiene Program to the Bluegrass Community and Technical College Program must:
   1. meet all admission requirements;
   2. apply at least three months prior to the expected date of enrollment; and
   3. notify the Coordinator in writing, stating anticipated entry date and reason for transfer.
2. Acceptance of any transfer student will be dependent upon available resources.