Standards & Requirements
Student Commitment
Due to the demands of the full-time, accelerated program, student employment is not
encouraged. This personal decision should be based on individual performance in the
classroom, clinical sites and personal health. It is the desire of the dental hygiene
faculty that students be successful in the program and that essential learning is
not compromised. Students will not be excused from class or clinical assignments for
personal work schedules. An alternative may be found by contacting the LCCC Financial
Aid Office.
Clinical, lab and program activities in the LCCC clinic and other external sites may
be scheduled as early as 7 a.m. or as late as 10 p.m. and may be on any day of the
week. The student is required to participate in these activities as scheduled. Child
care arrangements, work schedules and transportation are the responsibility of the
student.
Classroom, lab and service learning attendance is expected and accountability for
knowledge and assignments is the student’s responsibility. Failure to comply with
attendance or assignments may interfere with progression in the program and could
result in dismissal from the program.
Physical Requirements
The following is used as a guideline for the prospective student so that he/she may
understand the physical requirements and essential job functions necessary for successful
completion of the program. This list is not intended to be all-inclusive, but rather
a detail of the basic physical demands of the profession of dental hygiene. The dental
hygienist must be able to:
- Sit, stand and/or bend for extended periods of time in one location with minimal or no breaks.
- Bend, twist, and lift a minimum of 20 pounds.
- Demonstrate sufficient visual ability to instrument and provide anesthesia in the oral cavity with or without corrective lenses and while wearing protective eyewear.
- Demonstrate sufficient peripheral vision to function in the clinical setting.
- Demonstrate sufficient ability to communicate with patient, staff, and instructors while wearing dental masks during clinical treatment with or without accommodations.
- Detect odors sufficient to maintain environmental safety and patient needs.
- Manipulate small instruments, supplies, and equipment with efficiency, dexterity, and exceptional eye-hand coordination.
- Assist with and/or lift, move, position, and manipulate with or without assistive devices, the patient who is nonambulatory.
- Communicate and understand fluent English both verbally and in writing. Bilingual abilities are a plus.
- Be free of reportable communicable diseases and chemical abuse.
- Function without allergic reaction in an environment with substantial latex and chemical exposure.
- Demonstrate immunity to rubella, rubeola, tuberculosis, and hepatitis B, or be vaccinated against these diseases, or be willing to sign a waiver of release of liability with regard to these diseases.
- Possess short and long-term memory sufficient to perform tasks such as, but not limited to patient assessment, clinical procedures, professional judgment, and performing anticipation skills in the clinical environment.
- Demonstrate the use of positive coping skills under stress.
- Exhibit positive interpersonal skills in patient, staff, and faculty interactions.
- Make appropriate judgment decisions.