Mohave Community College

In order to be admitted to, or continue in, the Dental Hygiene Program, a student must have skills and abilities essential to perform as a dental hygienist.

Reasonable accommodations will be made on an individual basis; however, the candidate must be able to perform in an independent manner.

Standard

Examples of Activities

Critical Thinking

Critical thinking ability sufficient for clinical judgment.

Identify cause-effect relationships in clinical situations, develop treatment plans.

Communication
Communication abilities sufficient for effective interaction with patients and other members of the healthcare team in verbal and written form.
Able to obtain information, explain treatment procedures, initiate health education training, describe patient situations, perceive non-verbal communications.
Mobility
Physical abilities (including standing, walking, bending, range of motion of extremities) to move from room to room and maneuver in small spaces.
Able to administer cardiopulmonary resuscitation; move around in patient treatment area.
Motor
Gross and fine motor function sufficient to provide safe and effective dental hygiene care.
Able to use dental instruments, manipulate various dental materials
Hearing
Auditory ability sufficient to monitor and assess health needs.
Able to listen to breath and heart sounds. Able to hear equipment monitors, such as x-ray equipment and autoclave timers.
Visual
Visual ability sufficient to provide safe and effective dental hygiene care.
Able to observe patients and use instruments in the oral cavity. Adequate close vision to see small lesions and deposits on teeth.
Tactile
Tactile ability sufficient for physical assessment and scaling skills.
Able to examine by touch, a pulse, extraoral and intraoral structures, and feel calculus deposits.