INTEGRATED DENTAL ASSISTING/
DENTAL HYGIENE PROGRAM

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The Dental Assisting/Dental Hygiene Program offers a common core curriculum that leads to career tracks in either Dental Assisting or Dental Hygiene.


BACKGROUND OF THE PROGRAM

This program involves new and innovative approaches to educating and training students in dental assisting and dental hygiene.

We are proud to announce that this integrated approach to teaching will feature many new concepts in the delivery of education while still retaining the ideals of quality education that have become a trademark of the KCTCS Dental Assisting and Dental Hygiene Programs.

The dental auxiliary educational programs are accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation, a specialized accrediting agency of the American Dental Association.

Dental Assisting Program:

The Dental Assisting Program prepares the student to function effectively as an integral member of the dental health team and perform chair side assisting and related office and laboratory procedures under the direction and supervision of a dentist. Dental Assisting students will be awarded a diploma from West Kentucky Community and Technical College and will be eligible to take the National Dental Assisting Board Examination leading to national certification as a Certified Dental Assistant. The curriculum includes content areas in general studies, biomedical sciences, dental sciences, clinical sciences, radiography, and clinical experience. The Dental Assisting Program is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation, a specialized accrediting agency of the American Dental Association.

According to the 2008-09 Occupational Outlook Handbook earnings vary by geographic location, employment setting, and years of experience. Dental assistants may be paid on an hourly, daily or salary basis.  Benefits vary substantially by practice setting and may be contingent upon full-time employment.  In May 2008, the average hourly salary for dental assistants in Kentucky was $14.65, Indiana $16.14, Illinois $15.39 and in Tennessee $14.37.  The national average was $15.95.  The national median salary per hour for a Dental Assisting National Board certified dental assistant is $18.00 per hour versus $15.95 for a non-DANB certified dental assistant.

Dental Hygiene Program:

The Dental Hygiene Program prepares the students to function as dental hygienists on a dental auxiliary team under the supervision of a dentist. Dental Hygiene students will be awarded an Associate in Applied Science degree from Henderson Community College and will be eligible to take the National Dental Hygiene Board Examination and state/regional board examinations leading to licensure as a Registered Dental Hygienist. The Dental Hygiene curriculum includes courses in general education and in dental hygiene as required by the Commission on Dental Accreditation. The program provides comprehensive educational experiences through lectures, clinical, and related study in order that students may apply scientific knowledge in the performance of dental hygiene procedures.

According to the 2008-09 Occupational Outlook Handbook earnings vary by geographic location, employment setting, and years of experience. Dental hygienists may be paid on an hourly, daily, salary, or commission basis.  Benefits vary substantially by practice setting and may be contingent upon full-time employment. In 2007 the average hourly salary for hygienists in Kentucky was $26.23, in Indiana $30.28, in Illinois $29.52 and in Tennessee $26.55.  The national average was reported to be $31.21 per hour.

H I G H E R   E D U C A T I ON   B E G I N S   H E R E

KENTUCKY COMMUNITY & TECHNICAL COLLEGE SYSTEM