Dental Hygiene Department - After Acceptance

Congratulations! The Dental Hygiene Faculty welcomes you and anticipates your success in earning your associate in Dental Hygiene degree!

Directions:

Step 1:
Pay your $100 non-refundable Advanced Tuition Deposit by Friday, May 10, 2013 AND return the form verifying that you have accepted a place for the fall class. Failure to submit this deposit by the deadline rescinds your offer of acceptance.

Step 2:
Submit all official transcripts by each deadline as you complete your Pre-dental Hygiene courses*, if applicable, to the Admissions Office. Please see Application Checklist for exact address.

  • Critical Deadline One: Official Transcript with Winter quarter grades received by Pierce College Admissions by 4:00 p.m. April 10, 2013.
  • Critical Deadline Two: Official Transcript with Spring quarter grades received by Pierce College Admissions by 4:00 p.m. July 10, 2013.

*NOTE: Remember that all pre-dental hygiene courses must be completed by the end of spring quarter to maintain an offer of acceptance into the Dental Hygiene program for fall quarter. You must earn a 2.5 GPA in each remaining pre-dental hygiene course and maintain a minimum 3.3 cumulative GPA for the total pre-dental hygiene courses.

Step 3:
Ensure that you have completed all health related requirements as listed below.

  • Physical Examination (within six months of entering the program):

    Evaluating general and musculo-skeletal health to include previous and current injuries and conditions to hands and arms (i.e. carpal tunnel, tendonitis, fractures, etc.), shoulders, neck and back (including muscles, tendons, bones, and/or nerves). In addition, this physical examination must include laboratory tests and update of immunizations as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) or your health care provider. Guidelines for immunizations, set by the CDC, are provided at the end of this section.

  • PPD/mantoux screening test for Mycobacterium Tuberculosis:

    Required at the time of acceptance into the program and annually thereafter. This is not an immunization, but a test of exposure to Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Documentation of a prior positive TB skin test and negative chest x-ray may substitute for TB testing.

  • Vision/Eye Examination that includes an evaluation of depth perception:

    Students will be required to wear safety glasses (glasses with side shields) during the performance of all lab and clinical activities/procedures. Students who wear prescription glasses should consult with the clinical coordinator for acceptable eyewear options as some frame designs create difficulty in adding side shields to the frame.

  • Dental Examination (within the past 12 months):

    While an exam is required at least a year prior to starting the program, you are asked to receive no cleanings after July 1 prior to entry into the program. You will receive an oral prophylaxis cleaning in January, after your first year in the program. If you normally have your teeth cleaned more often than every 6 months, please discuss your schedule and needs with the junior-year clinic coordinator.

  • Comprehensive Current Medical Insurance:

    Required for the duration of program enrollment.

Step 4:
Prepare to attend the Meet and Greet in July and be prepared to complete preliminary preparation/homework prior to the week-long, mandatory orientation session in September one week prior to the official start of fall quarter.

Step 5:
Plan to pay for your Pre-study Packet by July 15th.

DH Program Info Line
Voice: (253) 964-6796

Fulltime Dental Hygiene Faculty

Monica L Hospenthal, RDH, BS, M.Ed.
Director of Dental Hygiene/ Fulltime Professor

Kathy B. Bassett, BSDH, RDH, M.Ed.
Fulltime Professor/Clinical Coordinator

Mary Galagan, RDH, BS, MHA
Fulltime Professor/Community Health and Extramurals

Carolyn D. Roberton, BSDH, RDH
Fulltime Professor, Liaison Student Chapter of ADHA

Postal Address

Pierce College Fort Steilacoom
Dental Hygiene Program
9401 Farwest Drive SW
Lakewood, WA 98498-1999