Dental Hygienist

• High School graduate with HS GPA 2.7 or higher, or equivalent OR 9 credit hours of college level classes with a grade of a C or better.

• ICC grade point average (GPA) of a 2.0 or above.

NOTE:  BIOL 140 and CHEM 115, must be completed prior to the start of the program.

Requirements upon Acceptance

• Drug screen, fingerprint criminal background check, physical exam, and immunizations.

• Documentation of current CPR certification from the American Heart Association (AHA) BLS (Basic Life Support) Provider or American Red Cross (ARC) Professional Rescuer and BLS Provider. This CPR certification must remain current throughout student enrollment within the health career program.

Recommended High School Subjects

• Two years laboratory science, including chemistry.

The Dental Hygiene program is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation, a specialized accrediting body of the American Dental Association. Contact information for ADA/CODA, 211 East Chicago Ave., Chicago, IL, 60611-2678. Phone: 312-440-2500

Accreditation Review: October, 2028

Graduates are eligible to take the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination and a regional/state examination for registration as a Dental Hygienist in Illinois, and other states. The dental hygienist works under the supervision of the dentist in dental offices and other health agencies by performing duties delegated by the dentist in accordance with the Illinois Dental Practice Act or other applicable state practice acts. Duties include cleaning teeth, exposing xrays, providing oral healthcare instructions to patients, maintaining patient records, etc. Students receive extensive clinical experiences in the Illinois Central College Dental Hygiene Clinic and selected agencies.

All required general education courses may be taken prior to admission into the program.

A grade of C or better in all DHYGN courses, BIOL 140, BIOL 210, CHEM 115, and NUTR 110. Students enrolled in the Associate in Applied Science degree program must meet with their assigned academic advisor to plan a specific course schedule meeting Illinois Central College and personal requirements.