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Applicants who believe they are at risk of contracting an infectious disease should see testing and counseling prior to making application to the dental hygiene program. Students engaged in patient care activities are encouraged to know their HIV and HBV status.
Applicants who are HIV or HBV positive may wish to reconsider their career goals. They must consider:
To successfully complete the clinical component of the program, the student must be able to perform all of the essential functions of a dental hygienist:
Despite the foregoing, a qualified person with a disability who can perform these essential functions with reasonable accommodation will be considered for admission along with other qualified applicants.
The applicant should realize that student dental hygienists are, by nature of the profession, exposed regularly to highly stressed and demanding situations, difficult clients, and organizational and time pressures in a variety of client care settings. In addition, student and practicing dental hygienists are routinely exposed to blood and body fluids.
The academic environment is focused heavily on the sciences. Extensive reading is required in all classes, and courses are science based and academically challenging. Ability to apply knowledge and concepts across courses and the curriculum is necessary to master material. The ability to read and understand complex/scientific material is crucial to success, as is the ability to analyze written matter and express yourself coherently in written form.
Applicants with weaknesses in reading, vocabulary, written expression, and conceptualization are strongly urged to strengthen these areas prior to seeking admission. It is recommended that a medical terminology course be taken prior to admission.
Continuation in the program: Satisfactory progress is demonstrated by achieving a grade of “C” or better in required Dental Hygiene and Natural Science courses.
Students must satisfactorily complete BIO 141, BIO 142, and BIO 150 with a grade of “C” or above before progressing to the second year of the program. Students must complete required Dental Hygiene courses in sequence. Should a student receive a grade of “D” in any Dental Hygiene didactic course, didactic component of a clinical or laboratory course, or the laboratory component of a preclinical or didactic course, the student will be dropped from the program and must reapply for admission. Should a student receive a grade of “D” or “I” in the clinical component of DNH 142, 190, 244, or 245 due to failure to meet minimum clinical requirements for the semester, the student may progress to the next semester of the program with faculty approval. Two consecutive “D” grades in these clinical courses may result in the student being dropped from the program.
Readmission to the program will be based upon academic performance and adherence to program policies regarding attendance and professionalism, and will be contingent upon available laboratory/clinical space. Readmission is not guaranteed. Students who have been dropped from the program must submit a written application for readmission to the Program Head no later than January 1 for the following fall semester, no later than April 1 for the following spring semester, and no later than August 1 for the following summer session. The Program Head will present the readmission request to the faculty for consideration. Students applying for readmission will be notified of their admission status in writing.
Students readmitted to the program are eligible to repeat a course only once, and a Dental Hygiene course must be repeated during the semester in which it is offered. The student may not continue with other required Dental Hygiene courses until the course is repeated. Students earning a grade of “F” in any Dental Hygiene course will be dropped from the program and are ineligible for readmission unless their are extenuating circumstances (serious illness, death of an immediate family member).
healthprofessions@virginiawestern.edu
Fralin Center HP339
New Students: Chapman Hall
540-857-6644
Fax: 540-857-6640
Mailing address:
School of Health Professions
3091 Colonial Ave., SW
Roanoke, VA 24015
Marlana Thomas
Administrative Officer, Dental Hygiene
B.S. Dental Hygiene – Old Dominion University, 2010
M.S. Education – Old Dominion University, 2011
Martha Sullivan, Dean