Keeping Smiles Healthy

Inside March 11, 2003's Issue

-News-

Students work to keep smiles healthy

Kim Chambers practices taking x-rays By Rebecca Alford
Assistant Editor

Helping people take care of their mouths and keep their healthy smiles is what Georgia Highlands College's dental hygiene program does best.

FC's dental hygiene program is a five-semester program, and a class is accepted for entrance each fall. Some of the prerequisites for the program include anatomy, physiology, chemistry and English classes.

The dental hygiene program leads to an Associate of Science Degree in Dental Hygiene. Once students graduate from FC they still have to complete two more steps before being able to obtain a license to practice dental hygiene.

The second step after graduating is passing the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination, an eight-hour written exam.

The third and final step to obtaining a license is passing any State or Regional Board Dental Hygiene Examination in the United States. During this exam, students will have to clean a patient's teeth and be graded on their performance.

During the three years that the dental hygiene program has been with Floyd College, it has had a 100 percent licensing rate and 100 percent job placement.

"Once the students complete the programs they are able to find jobs to fit their needs (i.e. part-time, full time, etc.)," said Donna Sutton, instructor of dental hygiene.

The pay for dental hygienists is very good, but students should not just focus on the money when deciding whether or not to get involved in the program. Students considering a career in dental hygiene "should be interested in helping people, taking care of their mouths and keeping a healthy smile," said Sutton.

Students that are interested in the program and want to see the dental hygiene students in action can make an appointment to have their teeth cleaned by calling (706) 295-6760.

Since these are students in training, the appointments will last from one hour and forty-five minutes to around three hours. The cost is $30 for an adult and $20 for children 12 and under. This includes x-rays and cleanings.

To learn more about the Georgia Highlands College dental hygiene program, students may visit their website at http://www.highlands.edu/subwebs/dental.