Health Care - Dental Hygiene and Dental Assisting

How do I find out about applying to the dental hygiene program?

The program publishes a brochure each year that describes the process for applying in great detail — it’s also available online. If you are unable to download the brochure or would prefer a paper copy to be mailed to you, call our office at 904.766.6571.

When is the deadline for application each year?

The deadline is June 15 each year. We adhere very strictly to that deadline so please be sure to give sufficient time to get all documents to us by then. Remember, college transcripts requested from other institutions may take up to a month to arrive (depending on the speed with which the college fulfills your order).

Is there a part-time or evening program available to train dental hygienists at FCCJ?

I’m afraid not. A vast majority of dental hygiene programs nationwide are full-time, day programs.

When does the program start each year and how long does it last?

A new class is selected for a fall term start each year. That selection is made according to the criteria described in the dental hygiene program brochure referenced previously. The program runs five consecutive terms or about 21 months.

Are there prerequisite courses that must be completed before applying to the dental hygiene program?

Again, I urge you to obtain and read the dental hygiene brochure which gives a more exhaustive explanation. In brief, the following four courses should be complete prior to submitting an application by the June 15 deadline:

BSC 2085C	Human Anatomy and Physiology I
CHM 1032C	Principles of General Chemistry
MCB 2010C	Microbiology
MAC 1105	College Algebra (A.S. Degree) OR
MAT 1033	Intermediate Algebra (A.A.S. Degree)

Failure to complete any of these courses with a “C” grade or higher prior to applying will greatly diminish the applicant’s chances of acceptance

What is the difference between the A.S. and A.A.S. degrees?

The A.S. degree prepares the student for a bachelor degree completion program at one of the four-year colleges with which FCCJ has an articulation agreement. These colleges, which include UNF and Nova Southeastern University, have agreed to accept FCCJ A.S. degree program credits toward specific bachelor degree programs. The graduate may, of course, complete their dental hygiene A.S. degree and work as a clinical hygienist for years before deciding to complete their four-year degree. It remains an option for the future, if the student chooses to pursue it. To earn the A.S. degree, the student must declare it as their Program of Study and complete the College Algebra course (MAC 1105) as their prerequisite algebra course rather than the lower-level Intermediate Algebra course (MAT 1033) that is necessary for the Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) degree.

The A.A.S. degree program is perfect for the student whose goal is to graduate and enter the workforce as a clinical dental hygienist. Many students who have difficulty with math courses choose this path to avoid the College Algebra course requirement for the A.S. degree, especially if they do not plan to extend their education past dental hygiene school.

How much does the program cost to complete?

The most up-to-date cost figures are published each year in the dental hygiene program brochure.

The required dental instrument kit is very expensive. If I can obtain them cheaper elsewhere (from a former student, a relative who is a dentist, etc), can I get them on my own?

No. We work very hard to find the precise instruments that we require at the best possible price (usually severely discounted for students). Standardization is the key to what we do. Different manufacturers produce the same instrument, for example, to widely different specifications. We need every student to have exactly the same instruments and materials produced by the same manufacturer.

In addition, we make frequent changes to the instrument issue to take advantage of new products that offer a benefit to the operator. Instruments purchased from former students would not include the latest additions.

There are plenty of internet resources available and I urge you to explore them before deciding to pursue a career in dental hygiene. Here are two such resources that may be helpful in your decision making:

There is an often-overlooked resource that you might consider… your personal dentist. He/she would probably love to discuss your career decision with you and, if you ask, would likely make his/her dental hygienist available for discussion. Shadowing a dental hygienist for a day would be a great eye-opener for you and may help you to make your decision.

Finally, the faculty of the FCCJ dental hygiene program would be glad to meet with you to discuss your career choice. Call 904.766.6571 to arrange an advising meeting.

What is the job market like for a new graduate?

The job market for new graduates is pretty solid; most find employment within weeks of passing the State Clinical Boards which are required for licensure. Of course, the more selective your criteria for choosing a job (location, working hours, pay, benefits, etc), the longer it may take to find a job that suits your demands.

Would a felony conviction from my teens prevent me from pursuing my dream of becoming a dental hygienist?

It could. FCCJ has no control over who the State Board of Dentistry approves to license. In the past, the Board has prevented some graduates of dental hygiene programs from taking the licensing exam due to a felony conviction. This means that they could not become licensed in Florida; other states may or may not be more lenient when it comes to past criminal records. Some graduates have successfully lobbied the Board with the help of members of the dental community and been granted an opportunity to pass the exam and receive a license. Contact the Board with your concern before applying to the program; they may be able to guide you in overcoming this obstacle.