The Oxnard College dental hygiene prerequisites total 37 semester units. Like most of the other dental hygiene schools in California, they require that at least a 3.0 GPA is maintained for all science classes. Although not required, the program also recommends taking a basic biology course if you’ve never taken any before. For students who have taken biology and chemistry in High School, that seems to be adequate. Also, make sure that all the science courses come with a lab. That’s why most of the science courses are 5 units.
Although the minimum GPA for science courses is a 3.0, the higher the GPA the better when it comes time to applying to the Oxnard College dental hygiene program. So, you’re basically looking at a full calendar year dedicated to taking your prerequisites. Like all California dental hygiene programs, the one at Oxnard College is extremely competitive, and a full-time commitment is expected from all students who are dedicated to taking the program. The prerequisites can be taken at other schools, such as Ventura College, Moorpark College, etc. But you put yourself ahead if you take the prerequisites at Oxnard College.
Starting every December, the student can contact the Oxnard College Dental Hygiene program to request an application packet. The applications are for the program starting in the Fall semester. Applications are accepted beginning in January to the end of February. So, for example, if you want to apply for the Fall semester 2017, which begins in August 2017 at Oxnard College, you would call the Oxnard College Dental Hygiene Dept at (805) 986-5823 to request an application, which will be mailed to you. You then have until March 1st 2017 to submit your application. Remember, your prerequisites must be completed by the end of the prior Fall semester(which would be December 2016).
The dental hygiene program at Oxnard College allows you to have ONE in-progress science class with lab when applying. So, for example, you can still apply in January 2017 if you still have one science class left, as long as it is completed by the time the dental hygiene program begins. Once it has been verified that you meet all of the selection criteria, you will be placed into the dental hygiene program “selection pool”. 18 prospective students, as well as alternates, will be chosen via a lottery process. The Oxnard College Dental Hygiene Program doesn’t have a waiting list, so if you aren’t selected, you need to apply the following year.
Application Criteria:
The dental hygiene program at Oxnard College follows the same enrollment fees as the rest of the California Community College System, so the costs are approximately the same as the other programs. Roughly, it is a total of $2,800 for tuition and enrollment fees. The books, of course, are incredibly expensive, costing approximately $2,500. The cost of books can be significantly reduced by buying used textbooks.
Thanks to the Internet, you can find plenty of sites that either sell used textbooks at a discounted rate, or actually RENT OUT the books. The book rental system is becoming more and more common these days. Brand new books are insanely expensive! Another added cost is the “dental hygiene kit”. This can be as expensive as $6,000! So, as with most dental hygiene schools in California, the complete cost for the two year program is just under $20,000. Of course, dental hygiene is such a rewarding career, 20k can be seen as a bargain in the long run!
Oxnard College Dental Hygiene Program 805-986-5823 4000 S Rose Ave Oxnard, CA 93033
Dental hygienists are all about educating and assisting their patients to achieve optimal dental health. This is achieved through effective oral hygiene, the removal of deposits from their teeth and through checking their gums for infections. This also consists of the application of fluorides and sealants to prevent cavities, and sometimes the introduction of filling materials and anesthetics.
You may want to move beyond working in a dentist’s office at some point. The best way to do this is to attain a bachelor’s and perhaps even a master’s degree. This way, you can work in research, corporate settings, or in public health settings. You can even teach other dental hygienists, and have a far-reaching impact on the industry.
To be accredited, a program needs to have a variety of classes including hard sciences, nutrition, dental materials, and a variety of more industry specific topics such as periodontology (gum disease studies) and histology (tissue structure studies). A curriculum rich in such topics will prepare you to pass the national licensing test.
To be a practicing dental hygienist, you must pass both a written test and a clinical exam before you are awarded your license. The ADA’s National Dental Examinations Joint Commission offers the written test, while the clinical sections are set up by local agencies appointed by the relevant state.
You can begin to prepare for this career path as early as the ninth grade. You can begin in your high school years through taking classes in math, biology and chemistry. Once you have graduated high school, taking college entrance exams and scoring highly will also bode well in your favor. While some programs will allow you to attend them straight out of high school, some others require at least a year of passed college coursework before you can be admitted to the dental hygiene program.
It is almost universally necessary to pass an accredited dental hygiene program in order to be licensed to practice. The ADA Commission accredits worthy programs, which can bestow certificates, as well as associates, bachelors and master’s degrees in dental hygiene. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics states that nearly all dental offices demand at least a certificate or associate’s degree from their hygienists. The dental hygienist salary increases as advanced education continues.